Roll Tide Roll

  Roll Tide Roll

Welcome back to my football journey across the country. This week takes me to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to see the defending national champions play the Georgia State University Panthers. So buckle up again Westminster PE students as I take you along for a ride with the Tide!

First stop was a visit to the Bear Bryant Museum. Inside this historic museum contains everything you want to know about Alabama football. In the eye's of many people around the country, Alabama is the most storied and recognized football programs in America. I completely agree with that statement. When you think of college football...you automatically think of the University of Alabama.





It's game time at Bryant-Denny Stadium! I love this stadium. It seats 101,000 and it can get real loud. It can be real intimidating to the visiting team when the crowd yells....Roll Tide Roll!!



I had a great seat for this game...well actually I did not have a seat. I was fortunate enough to have a "sideline pass" for this game! My "pass" allowed me to stand on the sideline with the team for the entire game! It was amazing seeing the action from just a few feet away. I could hear the players talking, the coaches calling out plays, the quarterback giving commands, and I could hear the "popping" of shoulder pads all night long! Thanks to Westminster Community Softball Coach Pete Wellborn for arranging a sideline pass for me. Coach Wellborn played football for Coach Bill Curry several years ago at Georgia Tech. Coach Curry is now the head coach at Georgia State. Thanks Coach Wellborn for getting a sideline pass for me!




This is my favorite moment of all. I was able to be at the right place at the right time to take this picture. Alabama head coach Nick Saban leads his team down the tunnel and onto the field. Here comes the defending national champions! The place went crazy when the Tide ran onto the field.




Tonight's game features Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram #22. Ingram won the Heisman last year. This award is given to the best college football player in America. You are looking at a special running back that certainly has a bright future in the NFL.




So you are probably wondering why I selected this game as part of my sabbatical. Georgia State is where I went to college many years ago. I played baseball for GSU and I wanted to support my school and athletic program. This is the first year of football at Georgia State!! So get the picture...upstart Georgia State playing the defending national champions! Many people across the country called it the "David vs Goliath game"...and it was. However, give Georgia State credit for rising to the challenge to play Alabama. They didn't back down and they played hard all night long. I admire their courage for going toe to toe against the champs. GSU lost the contest by a large margin, but they certainly gained a lot of national exposure and respect for playing the Crimson Tide this evening.




On the sideline with GSU




What an awesome coach. Coach Curry takes a moment to talk to his quarterback Drew Little during the game. Little had just thrown an interception and Coach Curry came over to offer strength and encouragement for Little. Coach Curry played football at Georgia Tech. Played professional football with the Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Colts, Houston Oilers, and the Los Angeles Rams. He won two Super Bowls as a player! He served as head coach for Georgia Tech, Kentucky, and Alabama. Tonight was a special evening for him as he returns to face his former school where he once was head coach.




The Tide is getting ready to score a TD.




This is Mark Hogan, the first EVER football player to be recruited and to sign with Georgia State. He is a tough football player that plays with high intensity and with his heart. He gives it his very best on every play.




Coach Curry watching his team make a play against the Tide.




Great view from the sideline!




Halftime with "The Million Dollar Band." The band got it's name in a funny way. A long, long, long time ago, the football team lost a game by a lot of points. Somebody said...."the football team played terrible, but the Alabama band looked and sounded like a million dollars...the name stuck! The Million Dollar Band can really "bring it."



Roll Tide Roll...and that's exactly what they did tonight. They took care of business and won the game rather easily. Keep in mind that this is the first ever football season at Georgia State. It was their moment in the sun! These players will alway remember the night they traveled to Tuscaloosa to take on the defending national champions. This team put GSU on the college football map. You have to build a program from the ground up, and tonight the Panther's certainly enhanced their foundation. The Panther's finished the season with a winning record of 6-5! The beginning of a new proud tradition at GSU! Congratulations Coach Curry and GSU for a wonderful first season!

Thanks again Westminster students for checking in to read this week's blog. Next stop, Cambridge, Massachusetts to see Harvard vs Yale. My first Ivy League experience!! Looking forward to this unique opportunity. Until next time....keep your eye on the ball....
- Coach McGuire