Vol Mania 21
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My roommate who is an Alabama fan sent me this yesterday. Just seeing what you thought about this. I find it hard to get that big thing into the stadium, and he def. can't walk on the field. Your thoughts???
A Magical Moment
By Gilbert Lowell
"At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity."
I doubt Everett Strupper could foresee what that one passage would create the day he put it in his article for the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
In the ultra-competitive SEC, coaches and school officials are looking for that extra something that might bring in a few more dollars or that prize recruit. The University of Alabama, obviously, doesn't need much more to impress recruits and donors. They have the Bryant Museum, 12 National Championships, 21 SEC Championships, a 94,000 seat stadium, Nick Saban, and this fall, Albatross.
Albatross, a 9,000 pound African elephant, will make her debut September 1, 2007 in Tuscaloosa. Quoting one university official who asked to remain anonymous; "Most universities have that 'magical moment' prior to the start of the game. Auburn has the eagle flight. Florida State has the Seminole that rides out on his horse. USC has the horse riding Trojan. As a program, we were looking for that 'magical moment', and with Albatross, I think we have found it. Also, Bo Bice is working on a song titled 'This is Alabama Football' and our production staff is working on a video that will play as the team and Albatross makes their entrance. I think our fans will love what we have in store for them this season."
A magical moment indeed - the closest any program could come, as far as size, would be Colorado when "Ralphie", a 2,000 pound buffalo, makes his entrance, but even he is dwarfed when compared to Albatross.
Roger Brakett, the man responsible for watching over Albatross, says that fans are in for a gigantic treat on September 1. "The university doesn't have the means to take care of a full grown elephant, but luckily, the Birmingham Zoo was gracious enough to let her live on their elephant grounds. We have had this idea for a couple of years now, but, as I'm sure you can imagine, getting an elephant use to 90 something thousand people is next to impossible. She was a circus elephant with Barnum and Bailey for 8 years, so she is use to crowds, its just been a chore trying to get her use to such an enormous crowd."
Roger is sure Albatross will be ready come September 1. "Alba will be ready, the question is, will Western Carolina and the fans be ready for her?"
In sports writing, you are never sure what your next article will revolve around, but come Sunday, September 2, I am sure my article will start with; "At the start of the game, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, Albatross is coming', and out stamped the mighty elephant, and the Crimson Tide soon followed, and a magical moment it was."
About Gilbert Lowell
Gilbert Lowell covers the University of Alabama for The Lincoln Daily.
Contact Gilbert Lowell
Phone: 205-763-9210
Fax: 205-763-7239
A Magical Moment
By Gilbert Lowell
"At the end of the quarter, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,' and out stamped this Alabama varsity."
I doubt Everett Strupper could foresee what that one passage would create the day he put it in his article for the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
In the ultra-competitive SEC, coaches and school officials are looking for that extra something that might bring in a few more dollars or that prize recruit. The University of Alabama, obviously, doesn't need much more to impress recruits and donors. They have the Bryant Museum, 12 National Championships, 21 SEC Championships, a 94,000 seat stadium, Nick Saban, and this fall, Albatross.
Albatross, a 9,000 pound African elephant, will make her debut September 1, 2007 in Tuscaloosa. Quoting one university official who asked to remain anonymous; "Most universities have that 'magical moment' prior to the start of the game. Auburn has the eagle flight. Florida State has the Seminole that rides out on his horse. USC has the horse riding Trojan. As a program, we were looking for that 'magical moment', and with Albatross, I think we have found it. Also, Bo Bice is working on a song titled 'This is Alabama Football' and our production staff is working on a video that will play as the team and Albatross makes their entrance. I think our fans will love what we have in store for them this season."
A magical moment indeed - the closest any program could come, as far as size, would be Colorado when "Ralphie", a 2,000 pound buffalo, makes his entrance, but even he is dwarfed when compared to Albatross.
Roger Brakett, the man responsible for watching over Albatross, says that fans are in for a gigantic treat on September 1. "The university doesn't have the means to take care of a full grown elephant, but luckily, the Birmingham Zoo was gracious enough to let her live on their elephant grounds. We have had this idea for a couple of years now, but, as I'm sure you can imagine, getting an elephant use to 90 something thousand people is next to impossible. She was a circus elephant with Barnum and Bailey for 8 years, so she is use to crowds, its just been a chore trying to get her use to such an enormous crowd."
Roger is sure Albatross will be ready come September 1. "Alba will be ready, the question is, will Western Carolina and the fans be ready for her?"
In sports writing, you are never sure what your next article will revolve around, but come Sunday, September 2, I am sure my article will start with; "At the start of the game, the earth started to tremble, there was a distant rumble that continued to grow. Some excited fan in the stands bellowed, 'Hold your horses, Albatross is coming', and out stamped the mighty elephant, and the Crimson Tide soon followed, and a magical moment it was."
About Gilbert Lowell
Gilbert Lowell covers the University of Alabama for The Lincoln Daily.
Contact Gilbert Lowell
Phone: 205-763-9210
Fax: 205-763-7239
