Here’s A List Of 5 Things To Do At Your First Alabama Football Game
It's hard to believe there are people who have never been to an Alabama football game. Fans of many of our opponents this year will converge on our town looking to be a part of that which is Alabama Football!
Heck, we'll even have lifelong Crimson Tide fans and Tuscaloosa natives who've never gotten the full brunt of a championship experience but will this year.
I've done my best to collect a list of things found in Tuscaloosa that might make your pre and post game better.
5 Things to Do At Your First Alabama Football Game
1. Bryant Museum
Located conveniently on Bryant Drive, the Paul W. Bryant Museum honors not only the history of our great football program but also the life and legacy of the man we call Bear. On the suggestion of coach Bryant, a planning committee was created in 1981 to establish a museum that would honor former coaches and players.
The mission of the Paul W. Bryant Museum is simple:
To collect, preserve and exhibit items, and to disseminate information relating to the sports history of the University of Alabama.
Some of the exhibits currently on display are a Waterford Crystal replica of Coach Bryant's houndstooth hat, artist Daniel Moore's painting which was used to create the U.S. postage stamp which celebrated the life of Bryant, a collection of trophies including the 2012 & 2013 BCS National Championship and an exact setup of Coach Bryant's office complete with his desk, chair and Green Bay Packer coffee mug.
2. The Quad
'The Quad' is in the heart of the UA campus and was the first on-campus site for Crimson Tide football games. The Tide played there from 1893 to 1914 before moving to what is now Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Another interesting fact is the ruins of several dorm buildings that were burned during the Civil War are buried deep under The Quad.
Bright and early every game day morning, Bama fans converge on the finely trimmed grounds and start setting up tents, chairs and TVs for their game day celebration. By 10am the entire field is a sea of people, white and crimson tents, kids throwing the football, and tables upon tables of pregame party food!
While you're there make sure to check out Denny Chimes and the Walk of Fame, where football team captains have placed their hand and footprints in cement slabs at its base since 1948. Ken Stabler, Joe Namath, Johnny Musso, Derrick Thomas, Jay Barker and Trent Richardson are just a few of the Bama greats who have left their mark.
3. Walk of Champions
The Walk of Champions begins approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff. The team is dropped off in the team buses on the north side of the stadium at University Boulevard and proceeds through the Walk of Champions into the stadium.
4. The Elephant Stomp
I've been a part of this celebration every year I've lived in Tuscaloosa but never knew that it had a name until I went searching it out on the web. The Elephant Stomp is another UA tradition that is essentially a Million Dollar Band pep rally! The fun starts on the steps of the Gorgas Library and then ends with a march to the stadium. The band begins one hour before kickoff although the drum line begins two hours prior to kickoff.
5. The Strip
On the opposite side of Bryant-Denny Stadium from The Quad is an area known as 'The Strip'. This stretch of road consists of a few bars, restaurants, and retail shops. You can party on the patio of the Houndstooth Sports Bar, catch some live music at The Jupiter, purchase all the Crimson Tide apparel you'll need at the Alabama Bookstore and make sure to stop by Galette's and try their original drink, The Yellowhammer. One of the most popular pre and post game drinks in town!
I hope this list helps to enhance your experience before and after your first Alabama football game. Roll Tide!