Question: Why do people cheer for the University of Alabama football team when they didn't attend school there?

[CajunCrimson]

Dad was from Pickens County. My uncle was in Coach Bryant’s hunting club. My uncle was a QB recruit for them in 1941. But some dang war got in the way.

Dad got his Masters and Doctorate in TTown. He Found his way to South Louisiana for a teaching gig. Met a Cajun girl and the rest is history.

Grew up a Bama fan in LSU country. Spent many nights chasing John Forney’s voice on AM radio out of Birmingham back in those days.

 

[BamaInCummingGA]

Not sure why some people (not meaning anyone on here but just a general statement here) seem to feel like it is a must to attend a particular school to be a fan.
I'm from Tuscaloosa. Grew up about 10 minutes from UofA just off University Blvd near Leland Shopping Center/Leland Lanes bowling alley.
In my family we didn't have much of a choice but to be an Alabama fan (included baseball and basketball, too). It was either that or get eaten alive by everyone.
I wasn't college material (pretty much hated school) so didn't go but I have taken my Bama fandom with me everywhere I've been.
I have been on the field testing the communications the Friday evening before a home game. Was awesome to step on that field the day before the game with the lines and logo and endzones painted and ready to go.
Roll Tide.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

Not sure why some people (not meaning anyone on here but just a general statement here) seem to feel like it is a must to attend a particular school to be a fan.
I'm from Tuscaloosa. Grew up about 10 minutes from UofA just off University Blvd near Leland Shopping Center/Leland Lanes bowling alley.
In my family we didn't have much of a choice but to be an Alabama fan (included baseball and basketball, too). It was either that or get eaten alive by everyone.
I wasn't college material (pretty much hated school) so didn't go but I have taken my Bama fandom with me everywhere I've been.
I have been on the field testing the communications the Friday evening before a home game. Was awesome to step on that field the day before the game with the lines and logo and endzzones painted and ready to go.
Roll Tide.

I believe the term is "Sidewalk fan" or "T Shirt" fan.................the Aubies and UGA fans like to use that one, but the majority of AU fans in Georgia and a good many UGA fans never went to either school

 

[DzynKingRTR]

I believe the term is "Sidewalk fan" or "T Shirt" fan.................the Aubies and UGA fans like to use that one, but the majority of AU fans in Georgia and a good many UGA fans never went to either school

I have some cousins that are auburn fans that cannot spell university much less go to one. I know a few uga fans that went to Southern Poly with me.

 

[AWRTR]

I was born and raised in Alabama and my dad is a graduate of the Capstone. We lived in T-town for a few years when I was a boy. I grew up going to games and watching games with my dad. It was just a part of my life as long as I can remember. I got a full ride to JSU so that was my destination for undergrad and went for a masters degree in theology. Bama doesn’t really offer that degree. We live in different states and always talk at half time and after every game. He’s retired now and I get to take him to games. The roles have reversed and o love it.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

I have some cousins that are auburn fans that cannot spell university much less go to one. I know a few uga fans that went to Southern Poly with me.

My alma mater and yours are now one

 

[colbysullivan]

My parents met there. I literally owe my life to that university.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

My alma mater and yours are now one

Uhg. I hate that it is true. No offense but no one I know wanted it.

 

[bamafan76]

While I did eventually finish my undergrad at UA in 2019 (icing on the cake), my love for Bama started at a young age. Born and raised in Baton Rouge, my grandparents (who lived near New Orleans) were originally from the Hueytown/Midfield area and being extremely close led me to follow Bama football. Even during my countless times of ushering fans to their seat (Boy Scouts) in Tiger Stadium in the 80’s, I’d always cheer for Bama when they played LSU at home. While some of my Alabama family have gone on, I still have family in Hueytown/Midfield/Birmingham areas. I’ve been in TP since right before NS was hired, but follow most Bama sports now. I’ve lived in the NOLA area for 20+ yrs now but EVERYONE that knows me and my family know where my loyalty lies…ROLL TIDE!

 

[crimsonaudio]

I was raised in Western North Carolina. Two degrees in Chemistry from Wake Forest and a Ph.D. in chemistry from UVa. Had offers to teach at University of Arkansas, Virginia Tech and Alabama. No contest. Alabama!
While at Alabama I taught Chemistry, was Assistant Dean of Arts and Sciences, Associate Dean of the Graduate School and Assistant Vice President for Research (the first person to have that title). That was 1967-77. The Bear was coaching and I got to know him. Traveled with the team on three occasions. Sat on the the bench. In the dressing room. Ate all meals with the team. Not many years ago I wrote a pamphlet "Traveling with the Tide." It was published here on Tide Fans.
In 1977 moved to East Tennessee State as Vice President for Academic Affairs. After four years there moved to my wife's home town of Albemarle NC and have been in the jewelry business ever since. I now own the store in Albemarle and work full time at the ripe old age of 84. Will be 85 Saturday, August 31. The store, Starnes Bramlett Jewelers, is 125 years old and is decorated with lots of Crimson and Roll Tides.
From the day I drove on the Alabama campus in 1967 for my interview I have been an ardent Alabama fan. Prior to that I had no real familiarity with the school. I love Wake Forest, University of Virginia and East Tennessee State, but my loyalty is totally to Alabama.
You cannot imagine how many Alabama fans there are here in our small city of Albemarle. And I believe all over North Carolina.
You folks who live in Alabama and have a close relationship with the University are very fortunate.
Roll Tide!
One more thing to note. In 1967 Coach Bryant started what he called a "Run for your Life" program for faculty. I signed up and am still running. Five miles at a time, three days a week. That's at the age of 84. And you thought Forrest Gump was a runner!
I love all you Crimson Tiders.

Love this, thank you for sharing! RTR

 

[tidepreacher]

All of my family is from Lauderdale Co, AL. Neither of my parents went to Alabama (they went to Samford). But they both loved Bama and taught me and my brothers to do so as well. My dad is a preacher, so I grew up in MS, Ga, and eventually in FL. Everywhere we moved the people in church would try to “convert” us to their school, but it only worked to entrench Bama in our hearts. I didn’t go to Alabama either (Flagler College in St Augustine) but I am now a pastor in Knoxville, TN who wore a crimson shirt with a script A on it for College Colors Day this past Sunday amid a sea of orange!

 

[RTR2u]

I live in GA now too (raised in B'ham and Jacksonville). My true friends are okay about football talk, but random people or casual acquaintances are just immature to be around here in UGA territory. I also went to JSU. I used to love attending all their football and basketball games in the mid to late 80's. Marching Southerners were really good too.

Our paths may have very well crossed...

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Our paths may have very well crossed...

There are a lot of Tide fans in Georgia. Most of us right in or near Atlanta.

 

[Windsortide]

The first football game I ever watched was Alabama beating LSU . My dad was sharing with me the Legend of Bear Bryant and the winning ways of Alabama. I was hooked and have not missed a game since 1974.

 

[GA_Tide]

I don't get why anyone would look down on fans that didn't go to UA. I grew up in Alabama. One of my earliest memories is listening to a game with my Dad on the radio. When I met someone new the first question we asked was "Who you for?". You were either Bama or you were barn. And that defined your relationship from that point forward.

I was lucky enough for my parents to pay my tuition, and graduated in 94, but I don't look down on anyone that didn't go to UA.

If you grew up in Alabama the choice was made for you. But I welcome any fan for any reason.

Roll Tide!!

 

[RTR2u]

There are a lot of Tide fans in Georgia. Most of us right in or near Atlanta.

Yes, there are a lot where I live, but I was referring to my time at JSU in that statement. UGA fans, though, are swarming out of the woodwork.

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

There are a lot of Tide fans in Georgia. Most of us right in or near Atlanta.

And you'd be shocked at the number in N Ga up near the Tennessee line..........even into Chattanooga

 

[bamafaninbham]

Mom and Dad were both alums. My Grandparents were huge fans although only my maternal Grandfather graduated from Alabama. My paternal Grandfather graduated from Samford after serving in the Pacific during WWII. All I ever knew growing up was Bama. Born in 1970 so I remember Bear's last two NCs. Growing up I could not even begin to understand why anyone with half a brain would choose to cheer for any other team. I had better scholarship offers to other schools but there was never any doubt where I would go to school. Didn't graduate from Bama(too much fun, too little class attendance), joined the Navy for 6 years of submarine fun, and used the GI Bill to get a degree from UAB. But my allegiance to the University is forever.

 

[bamafaninbham]

I am not a UA alumnus. I was the first of my family to graduate college (BSC) but I have been an Alabama fan my entire life. Why, my Dad (of the step variety) was blind and I grew up with him listening to the Alabama broadcast every Saturday. We shared that experience as I grew up and the relationship became more profound. I lived overseas when I first found this board and my Dad would call me on the phone so we could listen to broadcast together...all 4 hours worth every Saturday at wee hours of the morning. So it is a hobby for me, a favorite pastime that I really enjoy. I guess you could say I am an Alabama fan by birth (born at St. Vincent's) but Love Alabama by choice. Roll Tide!

My three siblings all graduated from BSC in '89 and '95 and '98 if I remember the years correctly.

 

[CB4]

I believe the term is "Sidewalk fan" or "T Shirt" fan.................the Aubies and UGA fans like to use that one, but the majority of AU fans in Georgia and a good many UGA fans never went to either school

Showing my age, a term I heard often was “Pool Hall Alumni”.