Saturday's official attendance was listed at just below capacity at 101,471, but that figure counts tickets soldGETTY IMAGES
There were "noticeable gaps in the student section" of Bryant-Denny Stadium during Alabama's game against Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday, and coach Nick Saban was "disappointed in what he saw," according to Michael Casagrande of AL.com Saban said that UA was "looking into ways" to address the situation. Saban: "It ought to be first come, first served. And if they don't want to come to the game, they don't have to come but I'm sure there's enough people out here who would like to come to the games and we'd like for them to come too because they support the players." Casagrande noted a few players "posted their disappointment in the crowd on Twitter this week." The game kicked off at 11:00am CT on Parents Weekend for students. The official attendance was "listed at just below capacity at 101,471, but that figure counts tickets sold and not the number of people who walk through the turnstiles" (AL.com, 10/3). ESPN.com's Alex Scarborough noted poor attendance has been a "pet peeve of Saban's in recent years." Saban: "When I first came here, you used to play that tradition [video] thing up there and everybody was cheering and excited and happy and there was great spirit. Now they don't even cheer. ... So I don't know, maybe there's something else somebody else ought to talk about. Maybe I shouldn't talk about it." He added, "To see half the student section not full, I've never seen that since I've been here before" (ESPN.com, 10/3).
SOMEWHAT UNDERSTANDABLE: ESPN's Maria Taylor said Saban is "right." Taylor: "If students aren't going to show up, let's give an opportunity to all of the elementary school, or high school or middle school students that can't pay for a ticket but would love to sit there and cheer on this Alabama team. ... Witness greatness, enjoy greatness, be a part of greatness. That's what he wants the student section to do." But ESPN's Stan Van Gundy said, "In any type of entertainment business, to be getting mad with your fans is the wrong approach. You're responsible for the product. It's 11:00 AM, and it's Louisiana-Lafayette. Play Notre Dame and the place will be full" ("Get Up," ESPN, 10/4). ESPN's Trey Wingo said Saban's success is the "reason that this is happening." Wingo: "Every year you are going to be in the biggest games at the biggest times for the biggest stakes. When you schedule Louisiana-Lafayette, which is a cash payday to help keep their program afloat, maybe the Alabama fans are smart enough to know what this game is and what it isn't" ("Golic & Wingo," ESPN Radio, 10/4). SEC Network's Peter Burns tweeted, "I don't mind Saban calling out students for not showing up to games. However, I don't blame 20 year olds for not wanting to sit in a stadium up 42 in early 3rd Qtr. Bama's attendance 'woes' are a product of their own success. A problem 99% of coaches would LOVE to have" (TWITTER.com, 10/4).
