TCHS Honors Sam Phillips, Faucett Family At 2025 Homecoming Alumni Program

NORTHPORT, AL — There was a noticeable absence in the crowded gymnasium for Tuscaloosa County High School's Homecoming Alumni Program on Thursday.

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But many likely felt a presence.

Class of 2008 alumnus and businessman Sam Phillips — an active member of the TCHS and Northport community — was honored during the program with his alma mater's 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame Award.

Phillips, a dear friend to this reporter and many others, passed away unexpectedly in February at the age of 34, but not before leaving a lasting impression on his alma mater, his community, and those who loved him.

ALSO READ: Column | Sam, In The Past Tense

Michael McDaniel, a 2008 TCHS alumnus who worked with Phillips at his insurance agency, presented the honor to his childhood friend's family during the program and spoke at length about the legacy Phillips left behind.

Despite only playing on the TCHS golf team and serving as a manager for other sports at the school, McDaniel recalled how deeply Phillips cared for TCHS and how he never wavered in his support as a student and later in life when he became a successful businessman.

"After graduating, his desire to support the school never went away," McDaniel said. "I witnessed firsthand, kid after kid, coming through our doors, all wearing jerseys. ... Sam always met them with a helping hand and a kind smile."

McDaniel remembered how Phillips would ask students and coaches what their goals for the year were and how they planned to achieve them.

"It wasn't about him," McDaniel said. "Obviously, he always gave his donations and, as they would leave, he would remind them to be sure to come back here again next year."

Phillips was also praised for his involvement with the Tuscaloosa County High School Quarterback Club, which provides key support for the TCHS football team.

McDaniel pointed out that Phillips' main role was collecting money and helping organize fundraisers — mostly thankless, behind-the-scenes work that few ever saw. Still, the sweaty equity Phillips built up over the years through his support of the athletics programs and the school did not go unnoticed.

"I'm not sure how many people in this room have ever sat across from a business owner and asked for thousands of dollars for the third time in a year, but it's not a fun task," McDaniel said. "It's not something most people enjoy doing, but it's something that Sam did time and time again. All in all, over the last five years, Sam's had his hand in about half a million dollars that's been donated to that program, which, like I said, gives a great deal of support to the football program right here."

Before he wrapped up and presented a plaque to Phillips' family that was held high by Phillips' son Asher, McDaniel spoke to his friend's humble nature and legacy of helping others.

"Sam had a gift from God, and he didn't hesitate to use that gift to help others," he said. "He didn't need the light to shine on him. He just wanted his gift to shine on the world. He wanted to love and support everyone around him, to help build others up, so that they could grow up and be great leaders."

Another fitting tribute was then paid to the rest of the Faucett family, with Sam P. Faucett III — the grandfather of Sam Phillips, whose name graces the TCHS campus — accepting the award from 1982 alumnus Chuck Gerdau.

Faucett — a longtime banker, businessman and philanthropist — served both as mayor and on the Northport City Council. He is also a member of the Alabama Business Hall of Fame.

This honor saw the Faucett family receive the Special Recognition Award for their long history of support and generosity.

"The Faucett family has supported education in our area and the building you are in is called the Sam P. Fawcett III Campus of Tuscaloosa County High School," Gerdau said. "And it would not be built without the support of the Faucett family."

Gerdau went on to explain the long list of well-known contributions by the Faucett family, before briefly reminding those in attendance of Phillips to close out his brief speech.

"Sam Phillips — your Hall of Fame award winner for this year, who is a Faucett — would have become, in my opinion, the mayor of the city of Northport one day, like his grandfather," Gerdau said. "And we'll always think about that."

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