rexvol
The Minister of Defense
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2006
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My wife and I attended the Alabama game this past weekend. It was my first return to campus is about 12 or 13 years and my wife's first ever. My wife is from Colorado and thinks football began and ended with John Elway. I decided before the season to get her to a game on the Hill and introduce her to the real thing. Also I thought a gameday experience against a big rival might help her understand why I spend so much time on this board. Here is my 2 cents about our experience;
1) On the drive from Nashville friday we saw a few Tennessee flags flying, but many more Bama flags. I honked at a fellow vol fan and then had to explain to my wife that's what we do even though we are complete strangers. I will say that all the bama cars created a sense of dread that I didnt share with her.
2) We arrived on Friday and attended a reception at my old frat house. My wife was able to see my picture on composites from 88-93, so that alone was worth the trip. I was invited to open the reception with a prayer and that was very special to me. Wonderful experience.
3) I almost didnt recognize the campus or esp the strip. The campus seemed to be "greener" and several nice new buildings were added, much improved. The Strip just about broke my heart. It was much cleaner and possibly safer, but it had no soul. During my years it was a wonderful place populated with many typical college dive bars that had character. Now it is just another strip mall. Where have you gone The Last Lap, The Library, Ivy's, Quarters, Hawkeyes, and the Taproom?
4) The world's fair site looked to be much, much improved. One of the greatest nights of my life was an evening there under the stars with the Allman Brothers.
5) Paid $25 to park, as much as things change, they stay the same.
6) Was able to get my wife to the Vol Walk and the band coming in the stadium. A season in the tank and and still one of the best pregame atmospheres in college football. By the way, tickets for sale everywhere for less than face value.
7) Bama fans everywhere. I see red people.
8) The eagle flying in was awesome and the crowd was fired up. Large empty spaces in the crowd along with single empty seats everywhere.
9) While a dramatic improvement, Nick Stephens, is not the answer. Of course it would be nice to see where Nick would be if he had the practice snaps in the spring and fall. He tends to lock in on one receiver and ignore the wr standing all by himself.
10) Dave Clawsen does not seem to have a coherent gameplan. The man and wife in front of me stated that in the UCLA game Foster lined up wrong and went the wrong way so many times that members of the offensive line threatened to kick his butt if he didnt learn the plays. The man swears to me that this is the truth and that the info came from "our starting center."
11) The bama fans around us seemed to be fairly cool, but as the game wore on I was glad that I didnt drink anymore.
12) My wife loved the experience. She gushed about the atmosphere before the game and the fans. She was in awe of the stadium and the field. She loved it when we caused the fumble on the five and the crowd went nuts. All is all it was a great time for us until the 4th when everyone left and the bama fans were celebrating.
I will say that for a long time I have been one of the most vocal proponents of a coaching change. Now that the inevitable approaches I have not changed, but I am feeling somewhat melanchloy. I want Phil to step down, but I also recognize that he he is fundamentally good guy who genuinely loves the university.
1) On the drive from Nashville friday we saw a few Tennessee flags flying, but many more Bama flags. I honked at a fellow vol fan and then had to explain to my wife that's what we do even though we are complete strangers. I will say that all the bama cars created a sense of dread that I didnt share with her.
2) We arrived on Friday and attended a reception at my old frat house. My wife was able to see my picture on composites from 88-93, so that alone was worth the trip. I was invited to open the reception with a prayer and that was very special to me. Wonderful experience.
3) I almost didnt recognize the campus or esp the strip. The campus seemed to be "greener" and several nice new buildings were added, much improved. The Strip just about broke my heart. It was much cleaner and possibly safer, but it had no soul. During my years it was a wonderful place populated with many typical college dive bars that had character. Now it is just another strip mall. Where have you gone The Last Lap, The Library, Ivy's, Quarters, Hawkeyes, and the Taproom?
4) The world's fair site looked to be much, much improved. One of the greatest nights of my life was an evening there under the stars with the Allman Brothers.
5) Paid $25 to park, as much as things change, they stay the same.
6) Was able to get my wife to the Vol Walk and the band coming in the stadium. A season in the tank and and still one of the best pregame atmospheres in college football. By the way, tickets for sale everywhere for less than face value.
7) Bama fans everywhere. I see red people.
8) The eagle flying in was awesome and the crowd was fired up. Large empty spaces in the crowd along with single empty seats everywhere.
9) While a dramatic improvement, Nick Stephens, is not the answer. Of course it would be nice to see where Nick would be if he had the practice snaps in the spring and fall. He tends to lock in on one receiver and ignore the wr standing all by himself.
10) Dave Clawsen does not seem to have a coherent gameplan. The man and wife in front of me stated that in the UCLA game Foster lined up wrong and went the wrong way so many times that members of the offensive line threatened to kick his butt if he didnt learn the plays. The man swears to me that this is the truth and that the info came from "our starting center."
11) The bama fans around us seemed to be fairly cool, but as the game wore on I was glad that I didnt drink anymore.
12) My wife loved the experience. She gushed about the atmosphere before the game and the fans. She was in awe of the stadium and the field. She loved it when we caused the fumble on the five and the crowd went nuts. All is all it was a great time for us until the 4th when everyone left and the bama fans were celebrating.
I will say that for a long time I have been one of the most vocal proponents of a coaching change. Now that the inevitable approaches I have not changed, but I am feeling somewhat melanchloy. I want Phil to step down, but I also recognize that he he is fundamentally good guy who genuinely loves the university.
