You may not be able to get into Tuscaloosa’s newest five-star restaurant, and not just for the reason I wouldn’t go into any five-star restaurant – credit rating. The latest, though, is open to just a few millionaires (Nick can snack there), although it will be used by future millionaires in their Alabama athletics careers.

“Fueled By Bama,” the new $15 million-plus addition to the Mal Moore Athletic Building complex, has its official opening on Aug. 1, the day before Crimson Tide football players report to begin practice on Aug. 3.

Monday afternoon there was an official ribbon cutting and reporters were able to tour the two-story, 25,000-square foot dining facility.

Also on display was the remodeled Robert Alan Hall Recruiting Room, a $2 million showcase of what past football players have accomplished, even without benefit of the new dining venue.

It is not really fine dining that is important, but rather nutrition. Amy Bragg is director of performance nutrition for the athletics department. Under her is executive performance chef Kevin Murray and four other chefs, four registered dieticians, and over 20 assistants. When the facility opens, at least two chefs will be on duty at all times.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban was joined by Bragg, Athletics Director Greg Byrne, and University President Dr. Stuart Bell at a ribbon cutting.

Saban said that Bragg came to him “five or six years ago and said, ‘Can we just get a stove? I need something to cook on.’ So, is this good enough for you? We had a hard time getting the stove, but we got this done.”

In a serious vein, Saban said, “We all want to reinvest in the student-athletes that we have here and for them to get the first-class quality nutrition and have a facility that obviously will serve them well and also attract great recruits here in the future, something that’s very important to the continued success of all programs at the university, just not the football program. But from a football program standpoint, I know our players certainly appreciate this kind of facility.”

He also reiterated Greg Byrne’s commitment to Alabama having the best of everything. Saban said, “We can have the attitude that we’re pretty good, so people should want to come here because we’re pretty good. Or we can have the attitude that people expect to see the best and have the best when they come here. And this is obviously going to be an indication of our commitment to the standard of excellence of being the best, and I think this is something that will help us continue to be successful in the future.”

Bragg said when NCAA rules were relaxed to allow athletics departments to provide more meals for athletes The University began discussing where to go. “It took a year of planning and a year to build,” she said. “To my knowledge, no one has anything like it.

“No one is going to starve or be dehydrated,” she understated.

RELATED: Photos, videos of Alabama's new dining hall, recruiting room

As for the bare bones of the facility, there are two serving areas and 10 cook-to-order stations. Athletes can come in and quickly get the likes of breakfast sandwiches, smoothies, sandwiches, etc. before rushing to classes. For those with enough time, they can check the electronic menu boards and order as in any restaurant.

They do, however, get a little help with their orders. Not yet on line but due in soon is a DXA machine, the gold standard for assessment of body composition and bone health. The athlete is scanned, and the result tells the nutritionists what each athlete needs for maximum benefit.

Bragg explained that all athletes – even in the same sport – do not necessarily need and receive the same diets.

Just noting the highlights of “Fueled By Bama”:

Upstairs patio dining for 50 overlooking the practice fields with heaters, fans, and TVs (an area that is closed off by metal panels when practice is underway)

Over 50 flatscreen HD television sets

Two floors of serving, dining, and lounge space with total capacity of 480 at tables, rounds, bars, and booths (all with USB charging outlets)

Private dining space for 40

It is a short walk from the second floor to the remodeled recruiting room, designed in the shape of the College Football Playoff national championship trophy with the motif on both floor and ceiling. It includes the two Heisman Trophies won by Bama players (Mark Ingram and Derrick Henry), as well as all trophies won by individuals in special areas (Butkus Award, et al).

All of the national championship trophies and national championship rings are on display.

Much of the room is dedicated to former Alabama players who have gone on to play in the National Football League, notably a helmet from each NFL team and a rotating LED listing through the facemask of every former Crimson Tide player who has played for that team.

One questioned posed to a top facilities engineer: That national championship trophy is redesigned every few years. What happens to this room then?

Answer: “We have a plan.”

Would anyone doubt?

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