Game Day Changes May Jar Some Tide Fans

[Southpaw]

Oh my,my.

Game Day Changes
May Jar Some Tide Fans

By Clint Hamilton
[email protected]

TUSCALOOSA - Be prepared for some changes Crimson Tide fans, and not just with the coach walking the sidelines.

This week, the Alabama Athletic Department will begin mailing season ticket holders and running ads in newspapers across the state, the new game day policy which covers everything from tailgating rules to the attire you can and can't wear inside the stadium.

Gone are the days of fans sitting outside the stadium getting inebriated and coming into the stadium causing trouble. According to University officials, State Troopers will be stationed at random gate entrances and if they, or the gate workers, suspect you of drinking, you will be asked to take a breathalyzer test.

If you blow more than a 0.08%, you will be asked to leave the stadium, and if you are a season ticket holder, your tickets will be revoked and you will not be able to renew them.

"We sat down and looked at most of the problems we have inside the stadium on game days, and 80% of them are alcohol related. We understand that some people are going to drink a little, but we are not going to tolerate drunkenness inside our stadium any longer" said one University official.

Eddie Kines, a Piedmont resident and family member of Joe Kines, has been coming to Alabama football games for 40 years. Over the last 15 years, he has been a strong advocate for these changes. "I remember when Coach Bryant was here; our fans didn't act this way. We came to the games, sure, we might drink one or two cold ones before hand, but we didn't get drunk, and we certainly didn't cause problems in the stadium. We just liked to come in, watch some good football and contribute to the atmosphere. That is Alabama football.

“Our football team played with class and our fans cheered with class. Once he left, it was like he took our class with him - we stopped acting like champions, and I think that has hurt the football team, too.

“I took my grandson to the LSU game a couple of years ago and I was truly embarrassed. It was like I had taken him to a race at Talladega rather than a Crimson Tide football game".

Among the many changes, the one that may cause the most problems is Alabama's new policy pertaining to what you cannot wear into the stadium.

"It's not a 'dress code', per se. We will just not allow a few certain articles of clothing into the stadium. We have had numerous complaints about obscenity in the stadium, and most of the time, it's directly related to what some fans are wearing" said one University official. Some articles of clothing that will no longer be allowed into the stadium:

• Tank tops or shirts with the sleeves cut out

• Halter tops and cut-off t-shirts

• Cut-off blue jean shorts

• Jerseys worn into the stadium must be Nike

• Attire with vulgarity or obscene photographs

• Shoes must be worn at all times

"We are not asking for much. We just want Crimson Tide football games to be family oriented, and at this time, we don't think that is the case" said one University official.

While these changes may come as a shock to some Crimson Tide fans, Kines says they are a long time coming.

"This has been a long battle, but if I can finally take my grandson to a game and he can see what Alabama football is really about, it was all worth it."

Clint Hamilton covers the University of Alabama for the Piedmont Gazette

 

[Gee!]

According to University officials, State Troopers will be stationed at random gate entrances and if they, or the gate workers, suspect you of drinking, you will be asked to take a breathalyzer test.

If you blow more than a 0.08%, you will be asked to leave the stadium, and if you are a season ticket holder, your tickets will be revoked and you will not be able to renew them.


• Jerseys worn into the stadium must be Nike


"We are not asking for much.

What a screwed up policy.. If I was a ticket holder I wouldnt renew .. Then they can have a whole bunch of old ladies in the stands that cant see the field and dont know when to cheer..

Glad I dont live there, with no NFL and all.. This is all they got..

 

[boisesuns]

Dang. I think addressing some of the alchohol issues is good, but not the extremes of revoking season tickets if they are over the limit. That's also dumb about telling fans what to wear into the stadium.

People are going to get their booze at the games if they want it. I'm sure they sell it in the stadium there. I know at Boise games, you can't buy it in the stadium so people drink in the parking lots for the tailgates.

 

[Renz]

"Our football team played with class and our fans cheered with class. Once he left, it was like he took our class with him - we stopped acting like champions, and I think that has hurt the football team, too."

That line made me laugh. Alabama's new coach has zero class.

 

[GoDucks]

That line made me laugh. Alabama's new coach has zero class.

You guys are too dumb to live. It is fake.

Go Ducks

 

[Renz]

You guys are too dumb to live. It is fake.

Ducks Suck.

Regardless, Saban has no class.

 

[abomb]

Is this real or not?

 

[GoDucks]

Is this real or not?

Yeah, this and Santa Claus

 

[Gaddabout]

http://piedmontgazette.com/

Will someone please address the 9,000 pound African elephant in the stadium?

It's fake. Also, Alabama fans are legendary as the sleepiest gathering of 90,000 people on the planet. Or perhaps second only to the narcolepsy convention.

 

[Dback Jon]

You guys are too dumb to live. It is fake.

Go Ducks

Dude - watch the insults. Not the way to start your first post.