Meet Black History Maker: Antoine Pettway

Townsquare Media Tuscaloosa, 92.9 WTUG, Praise 93.3, 105.1 The Block, and the Tuscaloosa Thread are proud to present the 2023 Black History Makers of Alabama.

Yellowhammer State is filled with great African American leaders from the past, present, and future. We thank our West Alabama community partners, the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, Delta Phi Lambda Chapter, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Eta Xi Omega Chapter for their continued support.

Black History Maker of Alabama - Antoine Pettway

Antoine Pettway is making black history through his work in athletics at the University of Alabama.

Pettway was born in Tuscaloosa and raised in Union, AL until the age of 12 when he moved to Alberta, where he learned many skills that shaped him into the person he is today.

Pettway's parents and grandparents instilled in him that hard work and education are top priorities and from an early age, he learned how to balance school, sports, working in their family store and working in the pasture.

He also credits all of his opportunities to his parents and grandparents, who also did not accept anything mediocre in the classroom and was not allowed to play sports if his academics fell short.

Pettway led the basketball team at Wilcox Central High School to win the state championship and gained the attention of UA head basketball coach Mark Gottfried, who wanted him at Alabama but did not have any additional scholarships available.

Pettway graduated as the salutatorian of WCHS and his academic achievements earned his several scholarships that allowed him to attend UA in fall 2000. Coach Gottfried also asked Pettway is he could walk-on at UA to earn a scholarship.

Turning down other offers to follow his dreams at UA, he took the walk-on opportunity and worked his way to earn an academic scholarship after one year in the program.

Pettway went on to be one of the most memorable players in the Alabama basketball program. Known for his ruby red shoes, his last-second shot in the 2002 SEC championship led the program to UA's furthest run in the NCAA tournament, going to the Elite Eight.

After graduating from UA in May 2004, Pettway played professionally for the Huntsville Flight of the NBA Development League and the Kentucky Reach of the World Basketball Association.

He quickly realized he was ready to begin in coaching and returned to the Capstone to be an office assistant while earning his master's degree in sports management, where he graduated with a 4.0 GPA.

He later accepted an assistant coach at Jacksonville State University where he spent two year before returning to UA, accepting an assistant coach position in 2008.

Pettway worked in various roles within the program, but said coaching and developing young men is his biggest passion. Pettway has consecutively been ranked among the top 10 recruiters in the nation.

Pettway said he loves being able to continue living out his dream at his alma mater and does not plan on slowing down anytime soon.

Pettway is the husband to his wife of 16 years, Kim, and father of three to son Kingston, and daughters Jana Rae and Summer Sky.

Pettway said black history in Alabama is important because "it is part of who we are."

As a product of the Black Belt, my grandparents were involved in the voting rights movement. They consistently reminded me of the importance of our history and continuing to fight for what is right. I am extremely proud of my heritage and I'm reminded of how far we have come and how we must continue to push forward.

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