Riley McArdle, chairman of the College Republican Federation of Alabama, CRFA, made the following statement Thursday, announcing plans for a December 4 student forum with former Auburn University Men’s Basketball Head Coach Bruce Pearl on the American-Israeli relationship in Tuscaloosa.
“In recent months, the American-Israeli relationship has quickly become the most talked-about political and policy issue among Gen Z. Students have questions about Israel’s close ties to the U.S. and vice-versa, and the CRFA is proud to facilitate healthy discussion on this topic between students and Alabama’s most popular Jewish American,” Chairman McArdle said.
“When I first pitched this event to Coach Pearl, he replied simply, ‘I’m very interested in bringing the truth.’ The CRFA is always honored to facilitate truth, wherever it leads, and we plan to do just that on December 4. I’m very grateful for Coach Pearl’s willingness to speak to college students on this issue.”
The forum is currently scheduled for December 4, 2025, at 8 p.m. in the University of Alabama’s North Lawn Hall. The event will be free and open to the public, attendees will be screened for security and a strict no-bag policy will be enforced.
Coach Bruce Pearl is the immediate past head coach of Auburn University’s men’s basketball team, having led the team for 11 seasons before his retirement in September 2025. Coach Pearl is Jewish and has long voiced his support for a strong American relationship with the nation of Israel. In April 2025, Coach Pearl was named chairman of the U.S. Israel Education Association’s, USIEA, board of directors.
The College Republican Federation of Alabama is the parent organization of all College Republican chapters in Alabama with official recognition of the Alabama Republican Party. Riley McArdle has served as CRFA chairman since April 16, 2025, having previously served as CRFA vice chairman and chairman of The University of Alabama College Republicans. Chairman McArdle will serve as moderator of the forum with Coach Pearl.
