| Traditions | |
- Chalking the Quad: One of UA’s simplest traditions is the chalking of the Quad. Every year, the Quad is full of rainbow colors of chalk, and every day something new is added. Organizations chalk the Quad to tell students about upcoming events they are holding. As students walk to class, they can find out what is going on around the campus. This is the best way students can promote their organizations. Also, around SGA and Homecoming elections, students chalk the names of who they think should win. You will not be able to see the sidewalk since it is covered with so many “vote for me” chalkings.
- The Crimson White: This is the college newspaper, which is written by the students. The Crimson White has been a tradition for years. Everyday, students read this paper to find on what is going on around the campus, the community, and even nationally.
- Elephant : The story of how Alabama became associated with the elephant goes back to the 1930 football season when a UA fan yelled, “Hold your horses, the elephants are coming,” because the size of the players were so large. That year, Coach Wallace Wade’s team was declared national champions. Ever since then, Big Al the elephant has been the school’s mascot.
- The Fight Song: UA’s fight song is a huge tradition here at Alabama. Most of the students know the song word for word. During the football games, the Million Dollar Band will play the fight song as the students sing along.
- Football: Football is the biggest tradition at this University. It’s not only the game that is a tradition, it is everything that goes along with it. The whole town gets involved during football season, and the campus and the community all come together to enjoy the festivities. When it comes to football, Bear Bryant is also a huge tradition. His famous speech is played on the big screen before every home game, leaving the fans cheering as the game begins.
- The Greek Section: Since football is such a big deal at Alabama, the Greeks make sure they get the same spot in the student section every home game. Hours before a game starts, a few boys from each fraternity stands in the student section holding their Greek flag, showing that this is where their fraternity brothers and their dates will stand. This is mostly done by the Greeks, but they are not the only ones that do this. Some other organizations do the same to reserve their group’s spot.
- The Homecoming Bonfire: Every year during Homecoming, the school has a pep rally on the Quad. However, this is not a little pep rally. UA invites a big band to play, and there is a huge bonfire that lights up the school. Every year, the Homecoming Committee and the fraternities spend much time making the bonfire as big and safe as they can. Homecoming at UA is such an exciting event that MTV came last year and covered the festivities.
- Houndstooth “Bear Bryant” Hat: If you don’t know who Bear Bryant is, then before you come to UA, you better do some research. He was the best football coach UA has ever had, and he led the Crimson Tide to six national championships. He always dressed nicely for the games, and his outfit was always completed with his signature houndstooth hat. This hat has become a tradition. During game days, some students even wear replicas of Bryant’s hat.
- The Iron Bowl: This is the biggest football game of the season. Auburn is UA’s number one rival. The Iron Bowl is the last game of the season, and it is said to be the most important. If you are looking for tickets to this game, you better get prepared to pay up some money because students don’t sell these tickets cheap.
- The Million Dollar Band: This is UA’s band which began in 1913. The band was named after its attempts to raise money to travel to away football games. The band leads the crowd and the students cheering for the Crimson Tide. No football game would be the same if the band was not there to pump up the crowd. Also, UA’s band is up-to-date on the most popular music. During the games, you can see the band jamming out to some of the most current music.
- Rama Jama: This is a chant that students once sang before every football game. But, the lyrics “We’re going to beat the hell out of you,” caused the administration to get involved. These lyrics were said to be unsportsmanlike. The song was banned from being sung before the game started, since some believed it made UA’s fans look bad. So now, Rama Jama is only sung toward the end of the game when Alabama is ahead and it is obvious UA will win.
- Shakers: These are a must-have at football games! They are small crimson and white pom poms that are sold on the Quad before the games. They are cheap and sometimes free, but important to the team’s success. When the fans are cheering for victory, they hold their shakers high and shake them, in hope for a win. If you look across the stadium, the shakers make it look like a crimson wave, hence the Crimson Tide.
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