Thinking back over the last several years, there are many fond memories when it comes to game day at The University of Alabama. Game day means different things to different people and all of those meanings come together in a spirit that isn’t replicated in any other college atmosphere. There are multiple view points involved in a game day experience. Here are a few that I find are most interesting to share. There is an electricity in the air as the new seasons begins. Even just being a fan and living near a major university, in itself is exciting, especially on game day. The college game day is probably the most exciting thing about the beginning of Fall.
Alumni are gearing up to walk on the quad, stopping by their favorite tailgate, listening to the band, standing on the steps of The Gorgas Library playing “Yea Alabama, Lowrider, Basketcase,” and many other famous Alabama cheers. Walking the campus quad, you might have seen famous Bama players like Kenny Stabler, Siran Stacy, Shawn Alexander, Bob Baumhower, Joe Namath, Bart Starr, Mark Ingram, Van Tiffin, Trent Richardson, or Bryce Young. Taking a photo or getting an autograph is most definitely on the game day checklist. You can’t forget to listen to your favorite radio station because Eli Gold is going to give you play by play action before, during and after the game. There are many memories you could conjure, while reminiscing over these wonderful game day experiences.
Many people are running around putting together their game day outfits. Sweet, southern ladies are preparing their favorite recipes to showcase at the tailgate, hoping that their dish will be a hit with their friends. Sororities and Fraternities are putting together their best outfits to all walk over to Bryant Denny Stadium and represent their chapter and cheer on The Crimson Tide. In the stadium student section you would think you were attending New York Fashion Week by the looks of these immaculately dressed students. Pregame is about to begin with a fantastic performance by The Million Dollar Band and cheerleaders. We’ve prepared our best Bama (spell out) and pregame is near. Our Dixieland Delight wishes are about to come true as our team and coaches are pumped and ready for today’s game. Coach Saban is anticipating heading to the end zone to receive the First Lady of football Mrs. Terry Saban’s good luck kiss for the start of the game.
Being a member of The Million Dollar Band involved a Saturday morning ritual. Waking up early, getting ready quickly, and packing all your band gear the night before, were all great skills to have. If you lived off campus, there wasn’t time to come back home before the game started. Our practice, during home games usually began in the morning at Butler Field, starting at 8:00 A M. The band would run through the halftime show at least three times, until Ms. Kathryn Scott, was pleased with how we sounded and marched. Usually we had visitors watching us, parents from out of town, visiting their children’s first game day. When practice wrapped, we would drive over and leave our cars in one spot at someone’s campus apartment.
Many times our parents would put together some kind of tailgate for us. We gathered at one of the Crimsonettes’ apartments. There would be several band members, fans, and friends in attendance. Changing into our band uniforms, eating a tailgate lunch, taking lots of pictures, and listening to loud music all around us was our main objective that afternoon. It was game day, so everyone was pumped and excited about the next few hours. Game day as a band member was always such an exciting event . You had better be well rested because you knew you needed the strength to sing “Sweet Caroline” during the 4th quarter.
Of all the many game days that I have attended, the one that stands out most in my mind, would have been nearly 41 years ago. The 1982 football season was just getting started, and our Boy Scout troop was assigned a particular section to usher during home game days that fall. You couldn’t miss us, we were dressed in our scout uniforms, and most of us had visited the concession stand to pick up a complimentary Coke and bag of Goldenflake BBQ chips. We were making our way up and down our assigned end zone sections, helping Bama fans find their seats.
The Million Dollar Band began to march into the Stadium, you could hear the crowd chanting, “Roll Tide” as the band filed into the stands. All of the sudden, a rumble in the stands began as the team made their way into a final formation after completing their warm-ups. This was exciting, being as you could see most of the players pretty well, from the end zone area. While we were performing our duties, we wished for a sailing football to fly towards us, hoping we would catch the perfect souvenir for game day. As the team finished, all of the sudden, we look up and are face to face with a tall, crimson suited man. A statuesque figure with a houndstooth hat stood before us. Looking straight towards our group, he gives us a warm smile, tips his hat and loudly says,“Roll Tide Fellas and thanks for your help!” We were all stunned and we responded with “Roll Tide Coach you’re welcome.” It was none other than the Bear himself, Paul William “Bear” Bryant, one of the winningest coaches in college football history.
Seeing Bear Bryant that day had to be one of the best “Game Day” memories I’ve experienced. I know there were other special days, but when you’re a young kid and the coach speaks to you, it makes you feel proud to be a football fan. Just remember, someone is having their first game day experience, discovering the joys of being an Alabama Crimson Tide fan. Hopefully, it will be as special as the one we had as young fellas, helping out at a college football game day.
If you love The Crimson Tide and Alabama football, check out this page from @alabamafbl on Instagram and their hype video , enjoy ! 🏆🏈🐘❤️
The Southern Scoop - 