Alabama football fans gear up for Hawai'i game

Advertiser Staff and Wire Services

Last season the University of Alabama football team was one of the top schools in the nation in rushing.

But this year it is the Crimson Tide's fans who are already in a rush — to try and secure tickets for the Nov. 30 game with Hawai'i at Aloha Stadium.

"Oh, boy, are they; they're driving us crazy," said a harried member of the Alabama ticket office staff yesterday. "There's been a tremendous response by our fans for that game."

Alabama doesn't even begin selling its initial 2,500 ticket allotment until July 29, when season ticket holders get first shot at the available tickets.

Karen Creasy of Adventure Travel in Tuscaloosa, Ala., said Tide fans began calling about travel packages before the contract was signed last month for Alabama to officially replace Washington State on the Warriors schedule.

"I think they (Hawai'i) will have more fans than they know what to do with," Creasy said.

One travel agency, Total Sports Travel of Montgomery, Ala., said it has sent out 12,000 brochures, receiving inquiries from across Alabama and the nation.

Creasy said travel packages have ranged from $800 to more than $2,000.

John McMahon, a member of the Alabama Board of regents said, "people here believe in following The tide."

Two years ago more than 10,000 accompanied Alabama to the Rose Bowl for a non-conference game with UCLA.

UH, which last year sold just under 25,000 season tickets, has completed its 2002 season ticket renewals and begins season ticket sales to new customers July 29, according to a UH spokesman. Individual game tickets go on sale Aug. 26.

Many Alabama fans are apparently looking at the Hawai'i game in lieu of the almost annual bowl trip. Alabama, which was sentenced to five years' probation for a series of NCAA violations in February, expects to learn next month if the NCAA Committee on Infractions will uphold a two-year postseason ban. The ban is scheduled to begin this season.