CULLMAN —
It seems fitting that this column run on Thursday, September 2 — considering it is the unofficial kickoff of the 2010 football season.
This evening, South Carolina will take on Southern Mississippi and officially start a long weekend that will continue with an action-packed Saturday chock full of good games.
As an avid football fan, I’ll hold up on any given Saturday and watch whichever game is on at the time. As long as it’s college, it doesn’t really matter.
And, college football season couldn’t have come at a better time. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of Saturday just being the day when I mow the lawn.
Plus, with the economy down, finding a low-priced way to spend a Saturday has taken on an even greater priority.
With more games than ever now available right at home in high definition — and even tough-to-find games available with an ESPN Gameplan package, or online — there’s no reason you can’t just do some tailgating in the living room.
All it takes is a good TV and enough chairs to seat your pigskin-loving friends and family. Add burgers, chips, and a few gallons of sweet tea and you’ve got a great day in the making.
Considering that the average ticket to a University of Alabama game on the secondary market has skyrocketed from $204 last year to $504 this year, it’s becoming tougher and tougher for Joe Fan to score seats. (Auburn fans, in case you’re wondering: The average secondary market ticket to a home game at Jordan-Hare is currently estimated at $292.33, according to FanSnap.com).
At $504 per ticket, I know I’ll be spending most of my Saturday’s watching the game and living vicariously through my flatscreen.
Staying at home is not without it’s perks, though. No more fighting for a parking spot, shoving through the crowds and sweating it out until the sun goes down. You also don’t have to worry about someone sitting in front of you with a giant hat, blocking all the action (I’ve been there — it’s not fun).
But, all is not lost if you just can’t make it without the tried and true gameday experience on campus.
Tailgaters galore show up Saturdays with portable satellites and big screen TVs at virtually any major college. So, if you just have to be close to the action, make your way to the quad, make some new friends, and take solace that you can still hear the real life cheers and jeers from the nearby stadium (and that you saved a few hundred dollars from not being in there) while watching the game on TV.
Roll Tide, War Eagle, and go Blazers — it’s time for kickoff.
‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 220.
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Cheap, fun-filled Saturdays have returned
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