Posted on 12/30/2014 6:26:08 AM PST by C19fan
I think of it more like SEC schools are like brothers, they fight amongst each other, but will defend each other from outsiders.
Those aren’t true rivalries then. I wouldn’t cheer for the Oklahoma Sooners if they were playing North Korea.
All I know is I’m ticked right now at LSU for losing to frickin’ Notre Lame.
I always root against SEC teams in bowls simply because it hurts the ‘SEC Dominance’ meme for the following year. Go Buckeyes.
Great article. If you want to read a wonderful book (fiction), try “The Professor” by Robert Bailey. The prologue takes place in Tuscaloosa in 1969 with The Bear asking this young attorney to come back to UA and become a professor of evidence and to also create and coach a trial team. Chapter one takes place in 2009....fun part is how so many members of the 1961 defensive line gets mentioned. Absolutely cannot put this book down!
Hell, the revenge was for 1966. Roll Tide!!
When they're not playing us, I try to root for Auburn, because they're from the same state. Their fans make it very tough to do so.
Ditto, Tennessee and LSU, just because I like their historical or current style. Also, those LSU chappies can cook,
But the whole conference? The only reason is that if a team we beat beats some outsider, it makes us look good.
This is a manufactured fandom.
UR welcome. I hated to see UAB’s program closed down also. The players can immediately sign with new schools and can play this year. A few might get to larger schools, but most will probably end up at the likes of Jacksonville State, Troy, North Alabama, West Alabama and West GA. Smaller schools, but if they get a scollie, they can play and the school pays. But, UAB was in terrible money troubles in the football program. Nobody came to the games. They gave away tickets to get fannies in the seats. Sad. But it is not really a football school. Never was. They had a very good basketball tradition when Gene Bartow started the program. It has slipped badly also. Gene had good teams back in the beginning. Maybe they can put the efforts into the basketball program and bring it back up.
UAB football was all about the City Council of Birmingham trying to get around the voters who kept voting down “the Dome” stadium project.
After losing $80 million per year running a program in a way that made it look like a Big Time team (without wins)...enough to have built the Dome without the bonds that kept getting voted down for so many years, the school finally stood up to the City Council and stopped the bleeding.
It was never about the fans (all ten of them), the team, the students, or anything else.
I understand that. But, a program will not win, and will not be sustained, without fans, without boosters putting their bucks into the program, etc. That is why I say a basketball program will do better. Not as much is required to field a team. Not as many players on scholarships, the cost of equipment for a football team is astronomical as compared to a few basketballs, some sneakers to wear and some nice unnies. About one or two completely outfitted football players would pay the basketball for a year!!! :-) UAB had a very good basketball program under Coach Bartow. That can be brought back again.
Interesting article. My daughter got a full out of state tuition scholarship to go to Alabama next fall. She loved the campus when she visited. She also has a rare disorder (dystonia). Alabama actually researches the disorder, and she may be able to participate in it as an undergraduate.
She’s not that interested in football, but she loves all the spirit. There are lots of “Roll Tides” around our house.
I’m an Aggie and so is my son. We’re pulling for Alabama today, but not next fall.
Called it! SEC “Dominance”! Haha!
My raising was on Penn State Football. Born and lived in Pa. until the age of 10. Moved to the Atlanta area in 1978. Found Auburn almost by mistake. Love my Alma Mater! Younger sister also went there. It used to be affordable. My son is a Freshman there and has two scholarships. He is thinking of transferring to Tech to save money. What the heck happened? It now costs about $40,000 a year to go there as an out of State student. You can not get residency anymore. It just is not the same and it hurts man, cuts me deep!
Money. That’s it. It is really sad.
Yes it is. He earned a 3.3 while pledging a fraternity. He just can not justify the money, we can afford it, for an education he could receive in state at Georgia Tech. He would qualify for the full HOPE scholarship.
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