Here's a comprehensive summary of the Wikipedia article about the University of Alabama:
The University of Alabama (UA), informally known as "The Capstone," is Alabama's oldest and largest public research university, established in 1820 and opening its doors in Tuscaloosa in 1831. Classified as an "R1: Doctoral University – Very high research activity," UA offers a broad range of degrees across 12 academic divisions, including the state's only publicly supported law school. Historically significant, the university was a center of activity during both the American Civil War—transforming into a military school in 1860 under President Landon Garland—and the Civil Rights Movement.
Its legendary Crimson Tide football program, inaugurated in 1892, ranks among the best in U.S. history, complementing UA's strong academic tradition that has produced numerous prestigious Goldwater, Rhodes, and Truman Scholars. The nickname "The Capstone" originated from a 1913 speech by President George H. Denny, symbolizing the university's pivotal role in the state's public education system. Its early campus, designed by William Nichols, was notably influenced by Thomas Jefferson's plan for the University of Virginia.