http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/NEWSV5/storyV516ticketswj.htm
Alabama football still a hot ticket By Tim Gayle Montgomery Advertiser TUSCALOOSA -- Alabama is coming off one of the school's worst seasons and has no marquee non-conference games on the 2004 football schedule. That hasn't stopped Crimson Tide fans from snapping up season tickets in quick fashion. "Alabama fans are Alabama fans, whether they're 1-11 or 12-0," said Brian Morgan of Prattville. "You've just got to keep the faith and go to the games when you can." Season-ticket packages were mailed out Friday to more than 41,000 Tide Pride contributors, with almost as many students, A-Club members and faculty stepping up to the plate with their money in the wake of Mike Shula's 4-9 debut. "There's a feeling of excitement," athletic director Mal Moore said. "We are bowl eligible. I think, too, there's a big number in support of Coach Shula and these players. There's a good, positive feeling in a lot of ways." The changes on campus are easy to spot as the university has expanded its football building, built new soccer and tennis stadiums and has expansion plans ready for Bryant-Denny Stadium and Coleman Coliseum. The football team, despite its hard hit from NCAA-mandated scholarship cuts, has an opportunity for postseason play for the first time since 2001, and Shula has had a full year to work with the team. "Going into the season, I really didn't know what to expect," said Rhoda Vaughn, now in her 12th season as the Crimson Tide's ticket manager. "As ticket manager, I've never been in this situation. Having not been here before, it was hard to judge what kind of demand there would be. We've been extremely pleased." Tide Pride tickets, which make up 41,190 seats in the 83,818-seat Bryant- Denny Stadium, were sold with little trouble despite the fact teams like Oklahoma and Penn State (originally scheduled for 2004) were replaced by teams like Utah State and Western Carolina. One of the most pleasant surprises came in the form of 12,000 tickets sold to students. Vaughn said student demand had been down in the late '90s but has picked up in the last two or three years. "Last spring, we increased the student allotment by 800 tickets and they were gone immediately," Moore said. "Our plan in '06 when the (end zone) addition is done is to increase their allotment again." Vaughn starts with 10,500 tickets allotted to the visiting team -- the number requested every other year, including 2004, by Auburn -- and works backward, placing the remainder on sale as single-game tickets. This year, tickets remain for the opener with Utah State and the second non-conference game with Western Carolina because Utah State requested just 200 tickets and Western Carolina ordered just 800. Also, visiting teams often return allotments they can't sell as South Carolina and Mississippi State have done this season. "We had quite a few single-game tickets to sell," Vaughn said. "The good news is they're selling. I've been very pleased to see the demand for single-game tickets." Vaughn said the ease of ordering tickets from the Internet -- through www.rolltide.com -- has helped fans access single-game tickets easier. "I like to take my son (Britton),"said Jack Johnston of Montgomery. "It's sort of a father-son thing for us. We don't get to do a lot of things together. This is one of those things we make plans to do or try to do every year." Season ticket holders don't pay much attention to the schedule. Because of the waiting list for Alabama season tickets, failing to order tickets in a particular season can affect your priority in future seasons. "I'm going to go to Alabama football games, I don't care who they're playing," said Colin MacGuire of Greenville. "Over the years, people have wanted tickets because there's a demand regardless of who they're playing." Some fans believe there's no substitute for viewing a game in person. "You don't get the excitement and the feel of the game sitting in your living room," added season ticket holder Ricky Anderson of Montgomery. "It's about the event, not just the game. I wouldn't miss that." ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
