Alabama A-Day Game Mania: Is It Over the Top?

Nick Saban was warned before coming to Alabama that every move he made would be bigger news than anything the governor of the state does. He's told me himself that sometimes it can be distracting and annoying to have so much demand from different media outlets.

So why is Alabama the "Media Darling" right now?

You've got teams with better records, coaches who are much more media friendly, and schools with more alumni. When it became known that ESPN was covering Alabama's A-Day Game practice to broadcast all over the world (yes, just a glorified practice, mind you), one had to ask why.

Yes, Alabama set the attendance record for a spring practice. It is a bar that other teams have vowed to hurdle. When Alabama had over 93,000 show up for Nick Saban's first A-Day spring practice, he was completely overwhelmed.

"I had never dreamed of anything like this, and it sure meant a lot to the team, the coaches, and myself to see such a turnout and show of support," Saban said about that day. So the question you have to ask is why.

First of all, the fanbase is rabid for more news, all the news, or just any news that comes from Tuscaloosa about the football team. This is a fanbase that can tell you who has an ankle sprain on the team before they could name the current governor's first and last name. 

Secondly, it's recon work by the competition. Nick Saban told me recently that other schools spent half their time worrying about what Alabama is doing and he thinks that's both great and crazy. It's great because it distracts them from doing much needed work and crazy because they have no control over it.

"I don't worry or care about what other teams are doing," he told me.

"I've got too much to do here than to spend even a second thinking about what's going on somewhere else."

But others do want to know. Doug Walker, Associate Athletics Director and Media Relations person for the university once said, "If ESPN wanted their highest rated show in history, they'd do a reality show with a crew just following Nick Saban around each day. So many people are so interested in everything he does or says it would be a smash hit."

Personally, I think he's got something there, but I doubt Saban would ever allow it. And how could they keep up with this "Energizer Bunny?"

Spring games have been regionally covered before, but never has one been nationally and internationally telecast. What's in it for ESPN?

In the words of many great geniuses, when in doubt, follow the money. Ratings will be high and I can't wait to see the overseas numbers as well. I've been on both sides of the world and have been greeted with a "Roll Tide" because of a shirt or cap I've had on with just an "A" on it.

I had a guy with a thick French accent see me in Monte Carlo and yell out, "Roll Tide, baby!  I love Alabama!". I once traded an Alabama cap for a $50 cab ride in South America.  My friends have already started calling asking for an invite to the "game," and I live in Florida.

"It's not a game," I tell them. But secretly I am as excited as any of them.

Publicly invited spring inter-squad practice games are nothing new. For most teams, it gives them a little publicity, lets the die hard fans come and see what's going on, and elicits a little interest in the upcoming season.

At Alabama, there's no need to whet the appetite for a little football. The stadium may or may not be full for A-Day, but I know dozen of fans who are not only planning on going to it, but tailgating it just as if it were a real game.

They already know their team is going to win.  My wife asked me once, "Who do you root for?" Forgive her, she's an art major and graduated from an art college without even a tiddley winks team. I root for everyone to be razor sharp.

This game used to be small and intimate. I spent a few of them on the sidelines talking to the players and coaches. Not now. Now, there's security, pass restrictions, no interaction with the team or coaches—it's all business.

So why are the fans turning out in such numbers? To experience it all one more time, to see the Crimson and White smashing helmets, to walk the holy ground one more time, and to just enjoy your friends and the family of the 'Bama nation.

For others, it's a chance to scrutinize players you may not get to see much of this year, but for all, it's just great fun.

You have less than two weeks now to make your plans, so plan on attending, plan an A-Day watching party at your house, but plan on being a part of it.  Is it over the top?  No way—this is Alabama!