Marietta Urquhart remembers the feeling of risk.

Even 17 years later, the memory of it sticks in her mind when she thinks of January 2007. Then, as she is now, she was a trustee on the UA System Board of Trustees. And Alabama football was about to hire a new coach.

“At the time you came here, we both took a lot of risks,” Urquhart said, speaking to the Sabans at the board meeting Thursday. “You risked in coming to be with us. Our risk was not in that we were getting you, but would we be able to keep you? And we were scared to death because this was our last chance. This was our Hail Mary.”

Theirs and Mal Moore’s. Karen Brooks, the only other trustee from 2007 who is still on the board, became emotional when she began to talk about “the fateful day” the Sabans said yes to the late Alabama athletics director.

“I’m pretty sure he was going to remain in his car parked in front of your house until you had no other choice,” Brooks said.

Brooks, Urquhart and legions of Alabama fans are sure glad Moore did. Over the ensuing 17 seasons, Nick went on to win six national championships and nine SEC titles, bringing the Crimson Tide back to the top of the sport. He and Terry impacted Tuscaloosa away from the field, too. The board of trustees wanted to honor all of the Sabans’ contributions, so on Thursday, it officially passed the resolution naming the football playing surface at Bryant-Denny Stadium “Saban Field.”

“This is an honor of a lifetime,” Nick said. “No doubt. I am just hopeful that this legacy of Saban Field is representative of all the people who have contributed to the success of the last 17 years.”

Nick thanked many of them when he spoke at the meeting. He and Terry both had a chance to get behind the microphone and expressed gratitude. Nick spoke last, but Terry earned the biggest laugh of the afternoon.

“We’ve always been happy when people come up to us and say they’ve named their dog Saban,” Terry said. “We realized this is really a cut above that.”

Before the Sabans spoke, took photos with the trustees and shook hands, other trustees had a chance to comment. Mike Brock, who played for Paul W. “Bear” Bryant, was among the handful that spoke. Barbara Humphrey was another. As a trustee and the mother of former Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey, she offered a unique perspective.

“I cherish you,” Barbara told the Sabans. “Anybody who has such an impact to help your children reach their goals, you cherish them forever.”

So, too, will Alabama fans, for decades to come. Every time they visit Saban Field.

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.