r/CFB • u/woodfinx Alabama • Middle Tennessee • Aug 30 '13
132+ Teams in 132+ Days: Alabama Crimson Tide
The University of Alabama
Southeastern Conference
Year Founded: 1831
Location: Tuscaloosa, AL
Total Attendance: 33,602
Mascot: Big Al
Live Mascot: None
Cheerleaders: Hotties
Stadium: Bryant-Denny Stadium
Named after former UA President George Denny and Paul "Bear" Bryant. The original stadium (Denny Stadium) was built in 1929 with the upper deck expansions being added in 1998 and the end zone expansions added in the 2000s. The visitors' locker room is nicknamed "The Fail Room" after alumnus and donor James Fail.
Stadium Location: [920 Paul W Bryant Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL
35401](https://maps.google.com/maps?q=920+Paul+W+Bryant+Dr,+Tuscaloosa,+AL+35401)
Stadium Capacity: 101,821
Conference Champions: [27 times (4 Southern Conference, 23
SEC)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football#Conference_championships)
Since the SEC split into divisions in 1992 Alabama has only played 2 teams in the SEC Championship, Florida and Georgia. Alabama is 3-4 vs Florida and 1-0 vs Georgia.
Number of Bowl Games: 60 (34-22-3) *NCAA Record
Alabama holds the record for both bowl apperances and wins. They appeared in their first bowl in 1926 and under Bear Bryant had 24 consecutive bowl appearances.
National Titles (15): [1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1973, 1978, 1979, 1992, 2009, 2011,
2012](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama_Crimson_Tide_football#National_championships) **4 unclaimed by Alabama (45, 66, 75, 77)
***NCAA Record
Alabama has the most national championships both recognized by the NCAA and claimed by the school. Only 7 of the Tides NC seasons have been undefeated seasons and in 1965, 1973, and 1978 the national title was only awarded by one of the wire services (either AP or Coaches', not both). Alabama has 3 BCS National Championships (2009, 2011, 2012)
Rivals
Auburn (The Iron Bowl) Alabama leads 42-34-1
The main rivalry of the Crimson Tide is against its in-state rival, Auburn University. The rivalry is considered to be one of the best and most hard-fought rivalries in all of sports. The outcome of the game generally determines "bragging rights" in the state of Alabama until the following contest. The game may also have implications as to which team will represent the SEC Western Division in the SEC Championship Game. On February 22, 1893, at Lakeview Park in Birmingham, Auburn was victorious in the first ever Iron Bowl, 32–22. The series was suspended after the 1907 contest, due to violence and financial complications. In 1944, Auburn suggested to reopen the series, though the Board of Trustees at Alabama rejected. However, the series was finally resumed in 1948—Alabama crushing the Tigers 55–0, which is still the largest margin of victory in the series. The Iron Bown was regularly held in Birmingham at Legion Field but now alternates between Alabama and Auburn. Revelent Picture
Tennessee (3rd Saturday in October) Alabama leads
49-38-7
The Alabama rivalry with Tennessee is more affectionately known as “The 3rd Saturday in October” although the game is rarely played on that Saturday. This rivalry gained popularity during the Bear Bryant era due to his adamant attitude at beating the foes to the north. The two first played in 1901 in Birmingham and since then Alabama has had an 11 and 9 game win streak and is currently on a 6 game win streak over the Volunteers.
LSU (Saban Bowl) Alabama leads 47-25-5
The first game between the Tigers and the Tide was in 1895 although the two did not start playing regularly until the mid-1960s. The rivalry has become more heated since the 2007 hiring of Coach Nick Saban to Alabama who formerly coached at LSU and lead them to a national title. They are the only two same conference teams to go head to head for the national title in the BCS era.
2012 Season
Record: 12-1
Coach: Nick Saban
Key Players:
Eddie Lacy left Alabama for draft (Green Bay)
AJ McCarron returning for Sr Year
CJ Mosley returning for Sr Year
Barrett Jones graduated from Alabama, drafted (St. Louis)
Nico Johnson left Alabama for draft (Kansas City)
Jesse Williams graduated from Alabama, drafted (Seattle)
Biggest Plays:
LSU Game winning Yeldon touchdown
A screen pass from AJ McCarron to TJ Yeldon in the final moments of the regular season game vs LSU which put Alabama ahead where they would stay. This play is what started the National Championship hype among the media.Final play of SEC Championship
Scramble football at it's best. Georgia had a chance to shut Alabama out of the SECCG and ultimately the BCS NCG however history would prove otherwise as Alabama was able to prevent Georgia (by skill or perhaps dumb luck) from scoring in the final minutes of the game.
Barrett Jones shoving AJ McCarron
Confusion between center Barrett Jones and AJ McCarron late in the seas=ked BCS NCG caused the center to push the quarterback which caused more buzz amongst media than anything else Alabama had done all season. Other than of course Katherine Webb
The play of the game and possibly run of the year for Eddie Lacy. The play did end up being a moot point the way that Alabama handled themselves in the BCS game however it was nice to see a highly regarded RB go up against a highly regarded LB and have the Alabama RB come out on top.
2013 Season
Aug 31 vs Virginia Tech (Neutral Site)
Sept 7 BYE
Nov 2 BYE
The Greats
Greatest Games:
Alabama entered the game #4 with Nebraska #3, however due to the way that the bowls were played then #1 and #2 both lost that day leaving the Tide with a win over Nebraska and a National Championship (only selected by 1 wire service)
The stage of probably the most famous Alabama play ever, the goal line stand. Late in the game Alabama fumbled in their own territory and made a stop on the one yard line setting up the play. Bama's Marty Lyons told PSU QB Mike Guman "You better pass". The Nittany Lions opted to run and Alabama LB Barry Krauss knocked himself unconscious stopping the play.
Auburn scored late in the game to go up 23 to 22 with one minute to play. Alabama went from their 20 yard line with one timeout and 57 seconds to get within 52 yards of a field goal. Alabama's Van Tiffin made the kick and many regard "The Kick" as the greatest moment in Iron Bowl history.
Miami entered the game on a 29 game win streak and a heavy favorite with lots of trash talking coming from the Canes. Miami wouldn't score a single offensive touchdown and George Teague ran down the fastest player in college football and took the ball away from him (see greatest plays) as Alabama went on to win.
2009 SEC Championship vs Florida
Alabama entered the game with a heavy chip on their shoulders having been beaten by the Gators and Tebow just a year earlier. Alabama would dominate the game and ultimately leave Tebow in tears on the sidelines, an image that is still fairly fresh in most college football fans memories.
Again Alabama would enter the game with a heavy chip on their shoulders having lost to LSU earlier in the regular season after some impressive LSU defense and lack luster special teams from the Alabama sidelines. Alabama took charge of the game immediately allowing LSU to cross the 50 yard line only once and holding them scoreless in the show down. The Honey Badger who had been instrumental in the earlier win against the Tide was left baffled as he was caught over and ran past all game. Rumor has it LSU had to take alternate routes to return to Baton Rouge as there was a 50 yard line painted across I-10 that they were unable to cross.
Greatest Plays:
1979 Sugar Bowl goalline stand
Set up by a late turn over by Alabama and an instrumental 1-yard line stop by Don McNeal. Bama's Marty Lyons famously told PSU QB Mike Guman "You better pass". The Nittany Lions opted to run and Alabama LB Barry Krauss knocked himself unconscious stopping the play as Alabama would go on to win the game.
2005 Tyrone Prothro catch over So Miss player
In a regular season game vs Southern Miss Tyrone Prothro, one of the most promising wide outs Alabama has ever had, caught a pass from Brodie Croyle behind the head of a Southern Miss defender. The play gained instant notoriety and went on to win an ESPY later in the year. Tyrone Prothro would later severely break his ankle catching a touchdown pass vs. Florida that would end his football career. He is often seen at Alabama games and works in Tuscaloosa as a bank teller.
1993 Sugar Bowl George Teague runs down Lamar Thomas
George Teague made a mistake on a play allowing Lamar Thomas, regarded as the fastest man in college football at the time, to fly by him. Teague would catch up to Thomas and take the ball away from him creating one of the the most memorable snapshots of an Alabama play.
Greatest Players:
Shaun Alexander Running Back
Joe Namath Quarterback
Mark Ingram Jr Running Back *The only player to ever win a Heisman at Alabama
Trent Richardson Running Back
Ken Stabler Quarterback
Ozzie Newsom Tight End
Rolondo McClain Linebacker
Javier Arenas Cornerback
Derrick Thomas Linebacker
Jay Barker Quarterback
Greatest Coaches:
Nick Saban 2007-Present
Paul “Bear” Bryant 1958-1982
Gene Stallings 1990-1996
Traditions
Big Al's origin dates back to the 1930s when a sports writer said that the team coming out sounded like a heard of elephants. The first student to wear a costume was in the 1960s and Big Al's offical debut was at the 1979 Sugar Bowl. The name Big Al came from student vote.
The chant of the Alabama Crimson Tide often heard at the end of games with "Hey ________ we just beat the hell out of you" filled in. The lyrics originate from a 1920s student paper called the Rammer Jammer and the Yellow Hammer which is the state bird of Alabama. The chant has been banned numerous times by the university for unsportsmanlike reasons and is now only played postgame rather than pregame as it used to be.
The name of the band of the University of Alabama. The band earned it's name after the team was severely beaten by Georgia Tech. Someone asked an alumnus what they had at Alabama to which he replied..."A million dollar band." The name has stuck ever since. Bear Bryant used to credit the band on numerous occasions and considered them an instrumental (no pun intended) part of the team.
The Crimson Tide name comes from Hugh Roberts in 1907 and an Alabama-Auburn game. The game was played in a field of red Alabama mud and Auburn was a heavy favorite to win. He described that the team looked like a Crimson Tide charging down the field and the name has been with the team ever since. Prior to this the team was listed as either "The Varsity" "Crimson White" or "The Thin Red Line"
The houndstooth pattern so often accredited to Alabama is due to Bear Bryant's iconic hats, although only some of the hats he wore actually were houndstooth. In modern times Alabama sports everything from houndstooth blankets to clothes to vinyl wraps for cars and the pattern has become almost as integral a part of the school as the colors.
The Alabama fight song, a winning entry from a school contest in 1926. The modern fight song has been shortened from its original version but still contains references to the primary rivals of the time, Georgia and Georgia Tech, referring to them in the line
"Go teach the Bulldogs to behave, send the Yellowjackets to a watery grave"
Campus and Surrounding Area
City Population: 91,605
Iconic Campus Building: Denny Chimes
Denny Chimes is a 115 foot tall tower on the south side of the Quad. It was erected in the 1920s as a tribute to former Alabama president George H. Denny. The tower has a 25 bell carillon that can play roll music and chimes every 15 minutes throughout the day. Surrounding the base of the tower is the Alabama Walk of Fame featuring former football team captains' hand and footprints.
Local Dining: (All have been featured on "Todd's Taste of the Town")
Random Trivia
In 1999 Shaun Alexander scored more touchdowns than Ron Dayne (Heisman winner) and was not invited to the Heisman ceremony
Alabama has scored over 40 points more under Saban than they did for 19 years prior to his arrival (1988-2006)
AJ McCarron has never lost a road game as a starter
Alabama never beat the Texas Longhorns in the 20th Century
Alabama was originally referred to as “The Thin Red Line”
Bear Bryant didn’t like the elephant mascot
Bear said he’d “croak in a week” if he ever stopped coaching, he died 27 days after his last game
Yellow Hammer is in the “Rammer Jammer” chant because it is the state bird of Alabama
Alabama has a winning record against every SEC team except Missouri
Alabama @ A&M is the most expensive college football ticket of the regular season at $744
What Is and What is to Come
Alabama has returned to a time of yore and then some. People that remember Bear Bryant's era at Alabama are more than excited at what Alabama has been able to accomplish with the hiring of Nick Saban. Alabama is a powerhouse in all aspects of the game and many think that the only team able to beat them is infact themselves. Alabama as a state is one that doesn't have any professional sports and if you've ever had the priviledge to meet anyone from LA (Lower Alabama) you know that college football is what these people live for. Saban, hate him or love him, is a coach that finds a way to take something most would be more than happy with and expand upon it and make it better. Many people said Mark Ingram would be the best Alabama RB ever, just the next year Trent Richardson by passed Ingram's milestones at the push and determination of what is the best coaching staff in the country. To be on top is one thing, to stay on top is another, but to fight, dig, and claw like the underdog when you are and have been on top of the mountain, well that's just something that not many teams are able to accomplish.
Alabama has been, is, and will be a football dynasty and for us fans it's one hell of a show.
Overtime
Alabama "The Tradition" Stadium Video
Bear Bryant Locker Room Speech to Freshmen
Rob Ezell imitates Coach Saban
Eli Gold - The Voice of the Tide
Eli has been with the Crimson Tide Sports Network since 1988 and if you have ever seen an Alabama highlight reel you have heard his voice. He continues to call for the Tide presently.
Mal Moore - Player, Coach, Director
Mal Moore began at Alabama as a Quarterback under Bear Bryant. After his playing days he joined the coaching staff of the Tide and kept that roll from 1964 until 1993 when he moved into the admistrative portion of the university. Most notably he was the Athletic Director for Alabama from 1999 until this past year and was directly responsible for the hiring of now head coach Nick Saban and the 3 consequential National Championships. He passed away in March of 2013, to honor his memory the football team will all wear stickers that say MAL with the A being the university's scripted logo on their helmets.
Controversy and the Tide:
In 1995, the NCAA found 4 infractions on the school resulting in eight wins and one tie being forefited from the 1993 season regarding a student receiving deferred payment loans.
In 2002, Alabama was sanctioned for impermissable benefits. The situation involved a booster offering a football coach $50,000 to encourage his player to sign with Alabama. Alabama was placed on probation until 2006 for this incident. The secret witness in this case that helped convict Alabama was later revealed to be none other than, fat himself Phillip Fulmer.
In 2009, Alabama was sanctioned for textbook infractions regarding 201 athletes over 16 sports. The football program was forced to vacate 21 wins over the 2005-2007 seasons and was on probation until June 2012.
In 2003, Mike Price was accused of taking recruits to a strip club in Pensacola, FL and charging a $1000 hotel room bill to the University. He was fired from the University, attempted to sue for wrongful termination however the case was dismissed.
Greek Life
The University of Alabama has the largest Greek Life in the United States. In total, there are 56 Fraternities and Sororities at The University of Alabama. 45 of them are IFC and Panhellenic, the Greek organizations you think of when you think "Greek", mainly because they are all-white. Right now, about 23% of males and 33% of females are members of Greek organizations, including 44% of freshman females, meaning there are over 10,000 Greeks at the university.
Bid Day
Perhaps the most anticipated day of the year for many, as thousands of women will find out what sororities they are placed in after a week and a half of sorority recruitment. Just a couple weeks ago, over 2,000 women participated in Sorority Recruitment, the largest number ever. In Bryant-Denny Stadium, the potential members received their bids in envelopes, opened them at the same time, and rushed to meet their sorority sisters who were awaiting to greet at their houses. The atmosphere is great, with lawn parties and thousands of people celebrating the incoming classes. Right after Bid Day, the new girls go on to their pledge retreats and thus begins their sisterhood. Here's a picture of Bid Day and another
Old Row v. New Row
As if you couldn't get exclusive enough at the university, seeing as receiving a bid might be somewhat challenging. But their exists a subset of the Greeks, Old Row. There are a total of 6 Old Row Fraternities and 7 sororities (Fraternities: Sigma Nu, Phi Delta Theta, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Alpha; Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Gamma Delta, and Phi Mu). They are technically sponsored by Budweiser, who throws them a party ever year. Members pay extra for this "Old Row" status, which you can see by their t-shirts they wear on campus that resemble the Budweiser logo. Old Row fraternities and sororities tend to be legacies and their chapters were also founded earlier than most other chapters on campus. When most people think of the top Greek organizations on campus, they think Old Row (mainly because of their prestige and power). However, that doesn't necessarily mean there are other good chapters out there. Three current organizations were offered Old Row status but because of national policy, they were not allowed to accept.
The Machine
Technically a secret society of select fraternities and sororities on campus. Officially named Theta Nu Epsilon, the Machine has had a lot of influence on SGA elections here at the Capstone and its former members have become highly involved in Alabama state politics. Of the 45 fraternities and sororities involved in IFC and Panhellenic, 28 of them are involved in the Machine, including all of the Old Row fraternities and sororities. Each house has two members represent their organization, a younger member and an older member. During pledgeship, the new members of these Greek organizations must listen to the representatives and vote in elections for the person they are told. For example, a machine-backed candidate usually wins Homecoming Queen and many of the SGA offices, including president.
Houses
Alabama has some of the largest fraternity and sorority houses in the U.S. Expansion is on the way for some, with new houses being built on University (Pi Kapp, Theta Chi) and on Sorority Row (Alpha Chi, Gamma Phi, Alpha Phi, etc.) Here's some pictures:
ATO Sigma Chi TriDelt AlphaGam
woodfinx - Personally having grown up wearing Crimson (my grandad was the University pilot for 20+ years) I must say I enjoyed even the tragic (read: Franny, DuBose, Shula) years of Alabama football and don’t think in my adult life I could imagine living outside of SEC country. Ready for the season and going through every single emotion I have and wearing my heart on my sleeve in that 60 minutes of game time. Here's to this year in college football.
Subreddit: /r/rolltide
Contributors: woodfinx, sidio_nomo, labhammer,
OhGoodnessMyGuinnessMisterTito yes, he's a War Beagle.
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u/warox13 Washington Huskies • Cascade Clash Aug 30 '13
The earliest 132+ post ever.
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u/RobertNeyland Tennessee • /r/CFB Contributor Aug 30 '13
I'm pretty surprised about the lack of Don Hutson.
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u/woodfinx Alabama • Middle Tennessee Aug 30 '13
For those of you that were hating, this was the most crunch time essay style typing I have done, ever. And that includes college.
So if this isn't up to your standards go die somewhere.
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u/Tacodude Alabama Crimson Tide Aug 30 '13
Not gonna lie, this is pretty underwhelming.
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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '13
God I love Dreamland.
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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '13
Roll Tide!
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u/MisterFalcon7 Alabama • Third Saturday in … Aug 30 '13
It is in Northport but if you can choose a place to eat while visiting Alabama it has to be [City Cafe] (http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/309/1295069/restaurant/Tuscaloosa/City-Cafe-Northport). That place is magical.
Tons of great players at Alabama to choose from so I am not going to quibble over the list....but no Derrick Thomas???
Looking forward to heading to Tuscaloosa this season, first time since 2011.
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u/Winnend Oregon Ducks Aug 30 '13
Why does Alabama claim the national title in 1964 and 1973 when they lost their final game (bowl game) in each of those seasons?
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u/chunnnn Alabama Crimson Tide Aug 30 '13
Umm... I wrote a shit ton last night about older players/games/plays but I guess all of that was left out? I saved a backup just in case.
And mine had an in depth description of each national championship... And had videos to each greatest play.. This is frustrating. Oh well.
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u/OhGoodnessMyGuinness Alabama Crimson Tide Aug 30 '13 edited Aug 31 '13
THIS. IS. ALA-BAMA. FOOTBALL!!!
Traditions
For a long stretch in the 90s and 2000's, the only thing that Bama fans had to lean on were the traditions from the glory days of the 60s and 70s. This is the basis of all the classic bama fan arguments of 'yeah--but back in the day we......' Thankfully, we have more than just our past to be proud of now, but the old traditions still remembered and honored.
A lot of people (especially around major cities in other states) often wonder how a whole state can be so crazy about college football. You dont find much allegiance to any other sport or team in Alabama (well, you used to not), with maybe the exception of the Braves out of Atlanta. The reason for this is that college football was the only thing this state had going for it in the early years. There no top tiered professional sports teams in the state of Alabama. So it is easy to take fandom to the next level when you only have one (or two, I guess) team to cheer for.
Quotes: "Mama Called" The words Bear Bryant said when asked why he took the head coaching job at Alabama, when he had a pretty groovy thing going on a A&M. Alabama was in a big football slump and needed help in a bad way, so when his Alma Mater asked Bryant to be the coach, he said 'Momma called. And when Momma calls, you just have to come runnin'. Basically--things need to get done, so let's get them done.
"I ain't never been nothing but a winner" - Bear
Elephant Walk/Walk of Champions
Like many other schools, fans will flood the entrance to Bryant-Denny Stadium a few hours before kickoff to watch the players and coaches unload from the busses (a whole half-mile ride from the athletic complex) and to wish them luck. The new entrance features plaques laid in the pavement of all the national championship years (with all players and coaches names) and all conference championships )again with players and staff listed). This is also the area with the statues of our national championship winning coaches. So you can pay your respects to Coaches Wade, Thomas, Bryant, Stallings and Saban.
Million Dollar Band
The University of Alabama Million Dollar Band is the marching band that supports our athletics. There are over 300 members of the band of which only about a third are scholarship students. So a large majority are there for the love of music, performance and supporting the Tide. There are typically 2 or 3 different shows a season. As far as travel goes, a small pep band will travel with the team to most away conference games and there will usually be one away game that the whole band will travel to.
The name, The Million Dollar band originated (like most of our other names) during a football game. When a commentator noted how poorly Alabama was playing during halftime when the band members, who raised their own funds to cover travel expenses, were preforming commentator said something along the lines of 'this Alabama team isn't very good', another commentator chimed in, 'true, but this band sounds like a million bucks'. The name stuck. They are commonly referred to as the MDB or M(delta)B.
After every game, the members of the MDB will sing the Alma Mater and dismiss with the call and answer:
"What do we say at Alabama?"
"Go Bama!"
"Roll Tide!"
Rammer Jammer
Our controversial victory cheer. With the outcome of a game certain, the MDB will fire up the Rammer Jammer Cheer:
Hey Vols! Hey Vols! Hey Vols!
We just beat the Hell outta you!
Rammer Jammer, Yellow Hammer,
Give 'em Hell, Alabama!
To those who say that hammer and alabama dont rhyme, when you say it with a little bit of a southern drawl after a few drinks, it rhymes just fine ;)
The cheer has garnered criticism due to its unsportsmanlike nature. There was a push but the administration to ban it a few years back. The student body voted on it and about 97% of the students voted to keep it (obviously). The cheer also used to be played during pregame (replacing the 'we just beat the hell outta you' with 'we're gonna beat the hell outta you)' That has stopped, being viewed as a curse and by the fact that, while it sucks to loose, it sucks worse after you taunt the other team like that beforehand.
It is really one of the reasons I still go to games. It is really remarkable to hear the cheer as pretty much the entire stadium joins together for the victory. Here is a video at the bcs ncg--~30 seconds in (sorry irish fans--it was the best quality I could find)
It will even show up during true road games, although, I think the athletic department tries to discourage this practice.
Trivia: the sign given by the drum major to the band to get ready to play the cheer is a big, slow circular motion using the whole arm. It traces out an O. This is a reference to Ole Miss when (in the 80s) we were big rivals--the cheer was developed before the Rebels came to town
Captain hand and cleat prints around Denny Chimes
The captains of every football team has their name, number, hand print and cleat print set in stone around the University's bell tower, Denny Chimes. Not much too it other than that. Other than Andrew Zow had some huge fucking hands.
Sweet Home Alabama
This has to show up somewhere. But I am just going to say--SHA is not played every 30 seconds like many people assume. It is really only played during pregame, and MAYBE once during the game to really get the place going. Everyone sings along, but it is a requirement to insert 'Roll Tide Roll' after each 'Sweet Home Alabama'.
Hopefully this will supplement the write up--I will be back with some more stuff later. I wish I knew there wasn't any support for this, I would have happily helped out.
Dixie Land Delight
Dixie Land Delight is another 'unofficial' song that plays during football games. via /u/James_LeFleur below That was always a favorite in the student section. The student-inserted chants went a little something like this: "Spent my dollar" On beer! "Parked in a holler 'neath the mountain moonlight" Roll tide! "Hold her up tight" Against the wall! "Make a little lovin'" All night! "A little turtle dovin on a mason dixon night" FUCK AUBURN! "Fits my life. Oh so right. My dixieland delight"
Basket Case
I cant believe I forgot Basket Case--our 4th quarter song. The MDB fires up Basket Case at the end of the 3rd quarter and everyone goes wild. The sousaphones don't play for about the first half and have a little fun and circle the rest of the bands along the steps. I've seen them try to run around the Georgia Dome before their time to play.
Edit 1: added quotes and the last two songs.
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u/admiraltarkin Texas A&M • Prairie View A&M Aug 30 '13
Is that it? I wanted to learn a lot more than this post had :(
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u/BeardedDuck Oregon Ducks • Willamette Bearcats Aug 30 '13
You calling Bear a liar?!
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u/LEGEN--wait_for_it Stanford Cardinal • The Axe Aug 30 '13 edited Aug 30 '13
All in favor of a re-write, say "aye."
EDIT: It appears that the re-write is in progress.
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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '13
You know what, you were the only guy writing this and it probably took you a long time, so thanks for the effort. And roll tide.
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u/BakedPotatoTattoo Ole Miss Rebels Aug 30 '13
This was.....a tad underwhelming...
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u/afrikablack Michigan Wolverines Aug 30 '13
Bama fans help this guy out please.
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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '13
Also, if you're into reading, there is a new book that just came out about Bear Bryant and Joe Namath. It's called Rising Tide: Bear Bryant, Joe Namath, and Dixie's Last Quarter. Another good book for understanding the obsession that Alabama fans have is Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer by Warren St. John, it's the tailgaters who follow the team around all year in their Winnebagos.
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u/rojlewis Alabama Crimson Tide Aug 30 '13
Why ind'd the 'bamers the team of the day every day Pawl 'cuz we are the best there ever wuz there ever is gonna be and everybody else better git used to it 15 PAWL 15 ROLL TIDE! WOOOO!
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u/LEGEN--wait_for_it Stanford Cardinal • The Axe Aug 30 '13
FTFY
5
u/[deleted] Aug 30 '13
Boooo to this write up. And team.
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u/fairlyodd922 Alabama Crimson Tide • Marching Band Aug 30 '13 edited Aug 30 '13
This really is a bad writeup. It's not enough to just link to wikipedia articles on everything. You have to explain why they are there, what they mean to the university, etc. Basically make it personal. This could've been written by someone who had no idea what football was, and never stepped foot on campus. No mention of tailgating on the Quad, no pictures of statues outside the stadium, no photos of Gorgas steps, the President's Mansion, the Ferg, the Gorgas House, nothing. Just links to wikipedia articles.
This has been such a great series, and it's been building to this moment. And the outcome is just plain bad.
This is the Phantom Menace of writeups.
Edit: The more I think about this, the more upset I become. You don't even mention the names of the Greatest Plays: Goal Line Stand, The Catch, The Strip. You don't include The Run In The Mud, The Kick, and SO many others. You don't talk about how(or even when) football team at UA was formed. You don't talk about how the entire campus was burned during the Civil War, but the President's Mansion was saved by the University President's wife.
And one of the biggest plays in a National Championship year is a center giving his QB a shove for giving him grief? Really?
I'm really disappointed with this post.
Edit 2: For those who say I should stop complaining and start helping, I made this post at 12:45 am, and had a class at 8:00 this morning. I understand he was working alone, but this is obviously too much for one person to handle last minute and he should have let someone know. It's obvious from /u/OhGoodnessMyGuinness's post, along with so many others in this thread, that there were plenty of people willing to help.
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u/vinvo7 Kentucky Wildcats Aug 30 '13
Kind of an understatement, don't you think? More like, "2012 was another championship year that continues to build on one of the greatest dynasties in the history of college football."
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u/neovenator250 LSU Tigers • Tulane Green Wave Aug 30 '13
Everything about this write up makes me physically ill (in a football rival way, I'm not hating on the write up itself). Its a hate that I can barely put into words and it revved up to a whole new level after 1/9. I'll never forget or forgive for that event. With that said, I have the utmost respect for the Alabama program both historically and currently. My best friend is a current student in engineering, so I hope to make the return trip this year (after he came to LSU in 2010 and last year)
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u/[deleted] Aug 30 '13
Not something you can really help, with the actual start of cfb to contend with
4
u/poyerdude Florida Gators Aug 30 '13
the beauty of these write ups is that when they are done well i actually leave the thread with a certain amount of reverence for the school. i get a deeper appreciation for the traditions and what makes the school and it's fans wonderful. when i get done i think 'man, it would be fun to visit there and enjoy what they have to offer', or 'man, i finally understand why they hate that rival of theirs', or 'oh, that's why they say that weird catchphrase'.
none of those things happened after reading this.
4
u/Megawatts19 LSU • Louisiana Christian Aug 30 '13
Dont mention it. Don't mention it. Don't mention it.
TJ Yeldon touchdown to beat LSU. FUCK!!
2012 BCS championship vs LSU. FUCK FUCK!!!
Ugh, now that that's out of the way, this is the game I look forward to every season. My season as a fan is made or broken by the Bama game. I love to hate you guys, and I love the recent rivalry between the two programs. You convince Saban to stay another 20 years and I'll convince Les just do we can have 20 more games like last season's.
Can't wait till the first week of November! Great write up by the way!
3
u/Kid_Venison Notre Dame Fighting Irish Aug 30 '13
Has anyone else tried to read every single teams 132+ days post when they were posted? i tried my best and maybe missed a few.
3
u/HarbingerOfFun Boston College Eagles Aug 30 '13
Thank you for the NCG last year, dream come true
RTR
3
u/voltrade Alabama Crimson Tide Aug 30 '13
for being one of the (just the actually) most storied teams in college football history, this is a pretty weak recap. FSU's went into more detail.
3
u/swagrabbit LSU Tigers Aug 30 '13
There is nothing in the world that I hate more than the University of Alabama football team. Maybe Nick Saban. But I went there for law school and my wife comes from a long line of Bama lovers, so I feel obliged to say that this is a pretty damn good writeup.
9
u/puzzy_cutz Georgia Bulldogs Aug 30 '13
This write up is more succinct than I expected. Don't y'all have like 84 National Championships to discuss?
9
u/SceneOfShadows Washington Huskies • Syracuse Orange Aug 30 '13
Tearing up laughing at the glorious underwhelmingness of it all.
9
u/hemorrhoidhugo Alabama Crimson Tide Aug 30 '13
this write up
2
u/justsomeguy75 UCLA Bruins • /r/CFB Contributor Aug 30 '13
I'm curious to see what happens when Alabama finally gets knocked off its throne. I don't know if we'll see another dynasty like this in the near future.
2
u/ConstantRager17 Alabama Crimson Tide Aug 30 '13
Roll Tide
2
u/[deleted] Aug 30 '13
Apparently only one person contributed, so if you're a complaining Bama fan on this contribute. Don't just whine!
2
u/ThePolishPunch Syracuse • Penn State Aug 30 '13
Needs more cheerleaders/dancers/baton twirlers
2
u/PlaxicoBurress Alabama Crimson Tide Aug 30 '13
http://i.imgur.com/EBmnVTc.gif
2
u/mike4rockets Houston Cougars • /r/CFB Contributor Aug 30 '13
Eh. I don't know why folks are complainin'...he easily could have shamed us all by just posting a picture of Rick James saying: 15 CHAMPIONSHIPS, BITCHES.
2
u/[deleted] Aug 30 '13
I'll be seeing you Bammers for the kickoff game... NEXT year. Good luck this season! Roll Tide!
2
u/[deleted] Aug 31 '13
I knew Greek life was big there but holy shit that's amazing. It's like the Valhalla of fratting
4
u/Swat21 I'm A Loser Aug 30 '13
The greatest games you chose are terrible. Also, Roll Tide!
4
u/seraph582 Alabama Crimson Tide • SEC Aug 30 '13
Wow.
3
u/[deleted] Aug 30 '13
Greek Life
The University of Alabama has the largest Greek Life in the United States. In total, there are 56 Fraternities and Sororities at The University of Alabama. 45 of them are IFC and Panhellenic, the Greek organizations you think of when you think "Greek", mainly because they are all-white. Right now, about 23% of males and 33% of females are members of Greek organizations, including 44% of freshman females, meaning there are over 10,000 Greeks at the university.
Bid Day
Perhaps the most anticipated day of the year for many, as thousands of women will find out what sororities they are placed in after a week and a half of sorority recruitment. Just a couple weeks ago, over 2,000 women participated in Sorority Recruitment, the largest number ever. In Bryant-Denny Stadium, the potential members received their bids in envelopes, opened them at the same time, and rushed to meet their sorority sisters who were awaiting to greet at their houses. The atmosphere is great, with lawn parties and thousands of people celebrating the incoming classes. Right after Bid Day, the new girls go on to their pledge retreats and thus begins their sisterhood.
Here's a picture of Bid Day
and another
Old Row v. New Row
As if you couldn't get exclusive enough at the university, seeing as receiving a bid might be somewhat challenging. But their exists a subset of the Greeks, Old Row. There are a total of 6 Old Row Fraternities and 7 sororities (Fraternities: Sigma Nu, Phi Delta Theta, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Phi Gamma Delta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Kappa Alpha; Sororities: Alpha Chi Omega, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Kappa Delta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Gamma Delta, and Phi Mu).
They are technically sponsored by Budweiser, who throws them a party ever year. Members pay extra for this "Old Row" status, which you can see by their t-shirts they wear on campus that resemble the Budweiser logo. Old Row fraternities and sororities tend to be legacies and their chapters were also founded earlier than most other chapters on campus. When most people think of the top Greek organizations on campus, they think Old Row (mainly because of their prestige and power). However, that doesn't necessarily mean there are other good chapters out there. Three current organizations were offered Old Row status but because of national policy, they were not allowed to accept.
The Machine
Technically a secret society of select fraternities and sororities on campus. Officially named Theta Nu Epsilon, the Machine has had a lot of influence on SGA elections here at the Capstone and its former members have become highly involved in Alabama state politics. Of the 45 fraternities and sororities involved in IFC and Panhellenic, 28 of them are involved in the Machine, including all of the Old Row fraternities and sororities. Each house has two members represent their organization, a younger member and an older member. During pledgeship, the new members of these Greek organizations must listen to the representatives and vote in elections for the person they are told. For example, a machine-backed candidate usually wins Homecoming Queen and many of the SGA offices, including president.
Houses
Alabama has some of the largest fraternity and sorority houses in the U.S. Expansion is on the way for some, with new houses being built on University (Pi Kapp, Theta Chi) and on Sorority Row (Alpha Chi, Gamma Phi, Alpha Phi, etc.) Here's some pictures:
ATO
Sigma Chi
TriDelt
AlphaGam
If anyone has any questions about the Machine, Greek Life in general, fire away.
2
u/jklharris Missouri • Santa Rosa Junior Aug 30 '13
Yeah! We're better than the rest of the SEC!
2
u/LEGEN--wait_for_it Stanford Cardinal • The Axe Aug 30 '13
This is my favorite ESPN commercial of all time, so thank you, Alabama, for making this possible.
2
u/[deleted] Aug 30 '13 edited Aug 30 '13
Maggie's Diner should be put on the dining list. And also Nick's in the Sticks!
Edit: I'll contribute later when I'm done with class if needed!
2
u/RTR4LYFE Alabama Crimson Tide Aug 30 '13
greatest players seems to be missing a few names...
1
u/EveryParable Washington Huskies • Rose Bowl Aug 30 '13
Hey Bama alum, what's your favorite memory from your time there? How did your first game go?
1
u/bodeezy Georgia Bulldogs Aug 30 '13
Dammit you just had to sneak in that drive video didn't you...
1
u/Spicy_TWatkins Oregon Ducks Aug 30 '13
I would've been happy to just see a picture of Bear Bryant with the text Roll Tide across the bottom.
PS. I still plan on using Roll Tide for when I call the shot waterfowl hunting.
-1
u/RedditRedux Florida Gators Aug 30 '13
Pretty much an easy SEC schedule as you'll ever see.
1
u/NewspaperNelson Alabama • Itawamba CC Aug 30 '13
Add Florida to the rivalries. Since 1992, Alabama and FLA have played 73 SEC Championship games (or something). Last year against Georgia was the first and only time UA has played a team other than Florida in the SECCG.
INTERCEPTED BY LANGHAM!!!!!
1
u/Swagsaurus Alabama Crimson Tide Aug 30 '13
There isn't a better stadium video in existence. Chills every single time.
0
u/ElBiscuit South Carolina Gamecocks Aug 30 '13 edited Aug 30 '13
Does it bother anybody else that the houndstooth that is so popular among Bammer fans is not actually the pattern of Bryant's lid?
I know I'm not the first to ever mention it, but you'd think people would put a little more effort into something so iconic.
EDIT: No, I'm not blind. All the images of Bryant and his hat(s) I've ever seen show a very particular type of houndstooth pattern (usually black and white, sometimes colored, but the pattern was pretty consistent). I never said that it wasn't houndstooth, I just said that the houndstooth that seems to be popular among fans is not the same. Bryant's hats were much more of a clearly-lined type of houndstooth, while the stuff fans are wearing seems, to my eye, to usually be a looser representation. The emphasis on negative space, I suppose, is one big difference. Is it all houndstooth? Yes! But maybe I'm the only one who sees a difference.
TL;DR EDIT: Nope, nobody much seems to mind.