🏈 Angry with small crowd, Nick Saban says Alabama students not 'entitled to anything'

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

MFBATR weighs in...

 

[rick4bama]

Did you see the crowds at the Razorback game?

 

[TerryP]

Did you see the crowds at the Razorback game?

There was a pic/tweet sent out when Bama was up by 21-28...students still there and had sat through a bit of a rain storm I believe. Suttles may have tweeted it; don't recall for sure.

 

[gc90]

I have been appalled at the crowd which shows up for SECN shows on campus or even ESPN Gameday.

Even univ like oregon have a loud and passionate crowds.

Something has definitely changed in the student population. Students were far more passionate about their tide in 90s than now.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

I have been appalled at the crowd which shows up for SECN shows on campus or even ESPN Gameday.

Even univ like oregon have a loud and passionate crowds.

Something has definitely changed in the student population. Students were far more passionate about their tide in 90s than now.

I am surprised they would dare put down their smartphone long enough to see who is on 1st base. Daddy used to tell me...Boy when your generation takes over then we're all done".......That was back in the 60's.

RIP Daddy.....we wore the same size shoes but I never filled them like he did.

Rock Mullaney......May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the warm sun shine on your face. May the soft rain fall on your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hands.

 

[BamaFan334]

I honestly think it's because 99.9% of the time they know we are going to win and destroy the competition. It's more about drinking and social media opportunities for these kids in school. Look at the social media presence on our own team and how much Mack Wilson posts. Like mentioned above, they will refuse to put their phones down and would not dare take away from their drinking time. That's society these days, all about alcohol and having a good time. Everyone is trying to make America look like Hollywood.

 

[Sid Youngleman]

I honestly think it's because 99.9% of the time they know we are going to win and destroy the competition.

Nero used to complain at his press conferences about all the empty seats in the Coliseum during Christians-lions matchups.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Personally, I can't wait for the next edition of the high flying Tua show. Most football fans are quickly drawn to this type of point a minute production. So I'm not really sure why these mostly unsophisticated college football fans wouldn't find this team fun to watch. That said, I'm sure there is some truth to fans who start taking winning as a birthright. But we're still talking about a lot of kids with student tickets who have no real interest in the historical narrative of Alabama football.

You will never rehabilitate these millennials. Soon enough they will be running the show anyway. Funerals have a way of doing that. So, again, if the university wants a change, then they will have to initiate change. Ticket allotment is really the only reasonable answer right now. Heaven knows it's not the product.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

There are quiet people, old and young, throughout that stadium. Not showing up is on the students. Showing up and not getting loud - or worse - getting riled at the people who are loud, is beyond me. I can clap really loud. I've always believed the shakers contribute to the lack of crowd noise.

 

[TerryP]

I've always believed the shakers contribute to the lack of crowd noise.

OT: Would you rather have the shakers or a "Crimson Out" kind of gameday?

I've always been of that thought as well--never was a fan of the shakers. I've always looked at it from a TV viewing perspective assuming they did it more for those viewing than those attending.

 

[UAgrad93]

This story made its way to CFB Live yesterday and Maria Taylor brought it up in a segment titled "In bounds or out of bounds." Desmond thought it was well within Saban's right to ask more of the students. And, as these shows go, Pollack had a dissenting view.

It was David's opinion that Saban should do something about the problem and he had two suggestion: free money and free pizza. Maria suggested middle and high school kids (which in itself isn't a bad suggestion despite no need.)

Remember back in the lat 50's when Bama had band day where HS banks members could get into the games or something near that.

I remember back in the 80's that colleges would invite HS teams to a game. It offset those students that didn't show up.

 

[rick4bama]

This story made its way to CFB Live yesterday and Maria Taylor brought it up in a segment titled "In bounds or out of bounds." Desmond thought it was well within Saban's right to ask more of the students. And, as these shows go, Pollack had a dissenting view.

It was David's opinion that Saban should do something about the problem and he had two suggestion: free money and free pizza. Maria suggested middle and high school kids (which in itself isn't a bad suggestion despite no need.)

Remember back in the lat 50's when Bama had band day where HS banks members could get into the games or something near that.

I remember back in the 80's that colleges would invite HS teams to a game. It offset those students that didn't show up.

Also had band day.

 

[c5vetman]

I don't know... I was a student there from 93-97, and most of the students were paying more attention to the girls and the frats than the game. Heck, more students sold their tickets than went to the games... It's always been more about a social gathering than an actual sports fanatic - game watching activity.

 

[CmnRef]

Perhaps we are giving block seating to the wrong students. First come first served. Seats full of students who want to be there.

 

[BamaSon25]

I will just take this from my own house.... I have a 24 year old Daughter and a 15 year old son... the latter said Roll Tide before he said MOMMA (something I still pay for). They both have been huge Bama fans their entire lives. This weekend, my daughter came home for a visit. So... just like the old days.... the wife, the 2 kids and I were excited about watching the Bama game. I was thrilled to have my whole family together. Before the half....the daughter was gone... outside, in the kitchen, on her phone....everywhere and everthing except for the ball game. When the 3rd quarter started, I lost my son to his laptop and youtube. Now note that this is a smart kid, but far from nerdy. He is athletic, likes sports and the outdoors.... just lost interest in the game. I wanted to scream at them...force them to watch it.... but that wouldn't have the right move. I said all of this to get to this....

Kids today just don't seem to care about sports like they did. There are other, more interesting things for them to do with the swipe of a finger. It's a sign of the times and when you have a school full of smart kids, away from their parents and a football team that has conditioned them to winning, it shows. If we were in tight games every week and still pulling out wins, it MIGHT get a little better. As it is... I suspect it will take getting the Greek side of things involved and riding the kids to come to the games. God forbid the espn cameras show it if they succeed....they will catch a bunch of kids still not knowing what the hell is going on.

The solution is to make them prove they are using their student tickets.... if they cannot....they lose them and go to those fans that want to come. It's sad really, but in effort to maintain full disclosure here... I am a tide pride ticket holder and find myself going to less and less games. I give my tickets away to the smaller games and still make the trek for the larger ones. 10 years ago...you couldn't keep me out of Tuscaloosa on game day. 20 years ago, I would be there from Friday until Sunday night. Yep....the times....they are a changin'.

 

[Cavedaddy48]

There are quiet people, old and young, throughout that stadium. Not showing up is on the students. Showing up and not getting loud - or worse - getting riled at the people who are loud, is beyond me. I can clap really loud. I've always believed the shakers contribute to the lack of crowd noise.

I agree!! I get pretty mad when I'm in the stadium (which is every home game). Those attending have forgotten how to be a football crowd. Heck, even the band and cheerleaders do more "entertaining" (let GreenDay go folks....just stop) than crowd engaging. There's no sustained presence and you can look around and see people (old and young) just sitting and watching (which is TOTALLY in their right). For me personally, though, if I'm going to the game, I and being loud or clapping from start to finish. Even those that DO get loud only do so after the visiting team breaks huddle and is at the line. Sure...communication at the line or audibles may be impacted but there's no life from the crowd....maybe on 3rd down...maybe when they feel it's a bad call by the stripes...other than that, BDS in all its splendor, history, and size has a pretty run of the mill home crowd.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I've always believed the shakers contribute to the lack of crowd noise.

OT: Would you rather have the shakers or a "Crimson Out" kind of gameday?

I've always been of that thought as well--never was a fan of the shakers. I've always looked at it from a TV viewing perspective assuming they did it more for those viewing than those attending.

I'd like to think we don't need anything gimmicky to get the crowd involved, like an "out" day. That would be like us copying Miami on rewarding a player on a turnover, since they originated it...

Shakers are pretty to look at, do nothing to influence the game. It's fun to look over at the student section when they are singing Yea Alabama or were singing Dixieland Delight, watching the shakers move in unison.

 

[BamaFan334]

I've always believed the shakers contribute to the lack of crowd noise.

OT: Would you rather have the shakers or a "Crimson Out" kind of gameday?

I've always been of that thought as well--never was a fan of the shakers. I've always looked at it from a TV viewing perspective assuming they did it more for those viewing than those attending.

I'd like to think we don't need anything gimmicky to get the crowd involved, like an "out" day. That would be like us copying Miami on rewarding a player on a turnover, since they originated it...

Shakers are pretty to look at, do nothing to influence the game. It's fun to look over at the student section when they are singing Yea Alabama or were singing Dixieland Delight, watching the shakers move in unison.

I agree, the shakers are what makes Alabama, Auburn, and Georgia special to me. Maybe it's just the look, but when I think these three schools I think loud and shakers. To me its vintage college football, keeping the fans involved. We all want some form of our childhood nastalgia to play out in our adult lives, and for me this is one of those things. For the A&M game I went around searching for two for my son and me when I realized we left ours at home.

As far as alternative issues keeping fans and students from being engaged, I think you also have to look at Fantasy Football, DraftKings, and simple gambling. There are so many games on at the same time that folks are glued to their phones watching everything, checking their scores, and updates. Throw in the desire to get drunk, hook up at the end of the night sexually, and I think their focus is simply on other/more things and it's taking their attention away. It's always about the next quick thrill we can get this day in age, kind of like the "what have you done for me lately" deal. Entitlement is the one word to associate with it all.

 

[T&B]

Duke Bluedevil fans show up to capacity, and scream their heads off the entirety of every game no matter who they play. Coach k says it's great for recruiting, and an advantage for his team.

Bama fans have never been all that great. They're not even the best fans in the state. There is a reason auburn pulls all those upsets off in their house - they have great fans. No idea how/why Auburn has better fans than Bama, but they do. Their fans make the atmosphere much more difficult to play in for opponents.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

I will just take this from my own house.... I have a 24 year old Daughter and a 15 year old son... the latter said Roll Tide before he said MOMMA (something I still pay for). They both have been huge Bama fans their entire lives. This weekend, my daughter came home for a visit. So... just like the old days.... the wife, the 2 kids and I were excited about watching the Bama game. I was thrilled to have my whole family together. Before the half....the daughter was gone... outside, in the kitchen, on her phone....everywhere and everthing except for the ball game. When the 3rd quarter started, I lost my son to his laptop and youtube. Now note that this is a smart kid, but far from nerdy. He is athletic, likes sports and the outdoors.... just lost interest in the game. I wanted to scream at them...force them to watch it.... but that wouldn't have the right move. I said all of this to get to this....

Kids today just don't seem to care about sports like they did. There are other, more interesting things for them to do with the swipe of a finger. It's a sign of the times and when you have a school full of smart kids, away from their parents and a football team that has conditioned them to winning, it shows. If we were in tight games every week and still pulling out wins, it MIGHT get a little better. As it is... I suspect it will take getting the Greek side of things involved and riding the kids to come to the games. God forbid the espn cameras show it if they succeed....they will catch a bunch of kids still not knowing what the hell is going on.

The solution is to make them prove they are using their student tickets.... if they cannot....they lose them and go to those fans that want to come. It's sad really, but in effort to maintain full disclosure here... I am a tide pride ticket holder and find myself going to less and less games. I give my tickets away to the smaller games and still make the trek for the larger ones. 10 years ago...you couldn't keep me out of Tuscaloosa on game day. 20 years ago, I would be there from Friday until Sunday night. Yep....the times....they are a changin'.

The Greeks aren't gonna do shit.

THEY are the problem...