President Trump, Nick Saban Address UA Seniors at Coleman Coliseum

President Donald Trump made history Thursday evening, addressing a crowd of fervent supporters at Coleman Coliseum during the University of Alabama's first commencement speech in almost 20 years.

Trump addressed a nearly full arena, although a few hundred seats remained empty. He spoke after outgoing University of Alabama President Stuart Bell, who addressed graduates before introducing the legendary former coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Nick Saban.

"Tonight is all about you guys," Bell said. "Tonight is a unique and a special celebration of all that you have achieved, the dedication it took to reach this moment and the bright future that lies ahead. And if you reflect on that, there was a lot of hard work in that."

But Bell kept his remarks short, knowing the crowd was there to see a different president.

"This evening is especially meaningful as we welcome the sitting president of United States to our campus," Bell said. "His presence and willingness to share a message with you truly makes this an unforgettable occasion. A belief that anchors our mission at UA is that education and public service are linked, that the knowledge that you gain in classrooms like ours will help shape policy, lead nations, change the world."

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Bell introduced Saban, who spoke for less than 10 minutes before introducing President Trump, who then spoke for about an hour.

"We make hundreds of decisions every day that come down to two questions," Saban told the seniors. "There's something I know I'm supposed to do and I really don't want to do - can you make yourself do it anyway? On this other hand, there's something you know you're not supposed to do but you want to do it. Can you keep yourself from it? If you can make those choices and decisions the right way, you'll be able to always make progress towards the goals and aspirations and things that you want to achieve. So making the right choices are very very important."

Saban then introduced President Trump, sharing a warm story about the Crimson Tide's visit to the White House and Oval Office after his championship win in 2016.

Saban - usually the most famous and powerful person in any given room - said he felt like the opening act for his favorite band, the Rolling Stones, as he welcomed Trump to the stage.

The arena, which is being prepped for three days of college-specific commencement ceremonies, boasted slightly modified decorations for the President's speech.

The scoreboard read 45-47, a reference to Trump's two tenures in the White House. Signs near the lectern bearing the University's Script A also read "the American Dream is back."

Although students and other guests were warned to not be disruptive during the speech, there appeared to be no need - the thousands of people in the crowd were enthusiastic and vocal in their support for the President.

The President's address started on topic and was filled with direct references to the University, to Tuscaloosa and the great state of Alabama.

"This year, the graduating Alabama class of 2025 has over 6,600 graduates, the largest class in school history. Among your ranks are 800 first-generation college students and nearly 3,000 students from right here in the great state of Alabama," Trump said. "This class also includes many Rhoads scholars, Goldwater scholars, 213 Merit scholars, and over 1,500 students graduating with red caps. You know what that signifies? 4.0 GPA. That's a lot of red. I look for a red cap. I say I want you to work for the beautiful Trump administration."

The President also praised UA's athletic programs - the legendary football team, but also Nate Oats' rising powerhouse basketball program and even the women's track and field team for winning two SEC titles this year.

"There are few campuses in the world more beautiful than this one and there are few memories sweeter than the ones you have formed at this Capstone," Trump said. "You'll miss the beautiful sounds of Denny Chimes, the excitement of lining the Walk of Champions, the Saturday tailgates at the Quad. As you graduate, it's natural to reflect on four years of happy memories and you've really had happy memories here. You've done a lot of winning."

The hourlong speech eventually devolved to more traditional Trump material, highlighting the first 100 days of his second term in office and flaming the administration that led the country for the last four years.

He received thunderous applause when he spoke about getting transgender people out of women's sports, aggressively combatting immigration, implementing tariffs and when he claimed the price of gasoline was down to $1.88 and that egg prices were down 87 percent.

The President gave nuggets of advice to various subgroups in the graduating class, challenging business majors to forge new American factories and even encouraging journalism majors to contribute to a strong and trusted media.

He also gave graduates ten tips for success, such as never giving up their momentum, and told them they would be the first graduating class of "the Golden Age of America."

The President wrapped his remarks around 8:15 p.m. and departed to more thunderous applause - most of the couple thousand graduates in attendance stood during his entire speech and stayed on their feet as he left the room.

Watch the full address below:

His departure marks the end of a wild week in Tuscaloosa to prepare for the speech and will kick off three days of UA commencement ceremonies for individual Colleges beginning Friday.

For more coverage of news in west Alabama, stay connected to the Tuscaloosa Thread.