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FactsSlang
- Action Cards - Student ID cards used for all sorts of activities on campus and used also as a debit card.
- Fratastic - A nickname for fraternity boys.
- G-Spot - A bar off campus called Gallette’s.
- Hunch Punch - An alcoholic drink that tastes just like punch, but it usually has a lot of alcohol in it; mostly seen at fraternity parties.
- Independents - Name for non-Greek students.
- Old Bryce - Old insane asylum that is said to be haunted.
- Shacker - Someone who spent the night at a friend’s house.
- The Capstone - Nickname for UA.
- The CW - This is a short name for the Crimson White, the school’s newspaper.
- The Ferg - The Ferguson Center, the student center on campus.
- The Mound - A grassy hump located on the Quad.
- The Nat - The Natatorium swimming facility.
- The Quad - UA’s central lawn.
- The Rec - The Recreational Center.
- The Strip - Area downtown where a lot of bars, shops, and restaurants are located.
- Tide Guide - Online registration.
- Tut - Tutwiler, a dorm.
Things I Wish I Knew Before Coming To School
- Ask your teachers questions no matter how big the class is.
- Continue to work out while in college—the Freshman 15 is not a rumor.
- Do not try to drive to class if you live on campus.
- How to make time for parties and school work.
Tips to Succeed
- Actually go to class.
- Always let your professors proofread your papers.
- Ask friends about good professors before choosing classes.
- Ask the professors tons of questions.
- Be involved, but do not overload yourself with too many classes and activities.
- Check your Bama e-mail periodically.
- Do not procrastinate.
- Make friends with people in your classes; you might need their help one day.
- Read the material for class.
- Talk to your advisor frequently about your future.
Urban Legends
- Gorgas Library is haunted by Mrs. Amelia Gayle Gorgas.
- Now that the bars close at 2 a.m., UA is less of a party school.
- On Halloween, it is unsafe for girls to stay in Tutwiler.
- The mental patients at Old Bryce were tortured and beaten, and now their ghosts roam the abandoned building.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
School Spirit
School spirit is all around the University of Alabama. Students are proud to say UA is their school. The colors of crimson and white are worn by many proud students and fans of Alabama. During football games or other athletic events, you can walk up to a complete stranger that has an Alabama shirt or hat on and say “Roll Tide,” and instantly you will get one back. During football season, school spirit is even surrounded by the town. Football is almost like a holiday here, and the students look forward to it all year. Sit in the student section during one football game, and the school spirit will make you an instant Bama fan. Roll Tide!
Most Recent Contributing Author
Name: Josh Morris
Hometown: Bath, Maine
Major: Public Relations Josh has lived on three separate continents. Contributing Author Internship
College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating
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