A-Day (University of Alabama) explained

A-Day is an annual college football exhibition game set at the conclusion of spring practice by the University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Played on-campus at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, the game features teams composed of offensive starters against defensive starters of the Crimson Tide. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules allow for member schools to conduct a series of fifteen practice sessions during the spring months.[1] As part of these practices the NCAA allows three 11-on-11 scrimmages, one of which may be conducted as a spring game.[1]

Prior to the game, the captains from the previous seasons' team are honored at the annual "Walk of Fame" ceremony at the base of Denny Chimes.[2] In addition to this ceremony, several other memorable events have occurred as part of the annual A-Day festivities. The 1967 edition of the game saw Dock Rone and Andrew Pernell participate and become the first African American players to play at Denny Stadium as members of the Crimson Tide football team.[3] At halftime of the 1976 game, Denny Stadium was officially rededicated as Bryant–Denny Stadium in honor of then head coach Bear Bryant.[2] The 1985 edition of the A-Day game featured a White team of current, varsity starters against a Crimson team of former Alabama players such as Ken Stabler and Ozzie Newsome.[4]

Since the arrival of head coach Nick Saban in 2007, A-Day has become a major event. The 2007 game saw an overflow crowd of 92,138 in attendance and served as the catalyst for other programs to make their spring game a larger event.[5] [6] The growth of A-Day has resulted in its being televised nationally by ESPN first in 2009 and again in subsequent years in addition to being utilized to enhance recruiting.[6] [7]

History

Originally, the A-Day game was called the Spring Training Football Game and was played on Alumni Day. Alumni Day was a day devoted to alumni and typically consisted of coffees, luncheons, tours, the football game, and an alumni dinner. Recently, there has been an alumni flag football game inside the Bryant-Denny Stadium preceding the A-Day game.

Key

WWhite team win
CCrimson team win
TTie

Games

Season! scope="col"
ScoreDateMVPAttendanceReference
1946—
1947—[8]
1948—[9]
1949—[10]
1950—[11]
1951—[12]
1952——[13]
1953—[14]
1954—[15]
1955——[16]
1956——[17]
1957——[18]
1958——[19]
1959—[20]
1960——[21]
1961——[22]
1962——[23]
1963—[24]
1964—[25]
1965—[26]
1966—[27]
1967—[28]
1968—[29]
1969—[30]
1970—[31]
1971[32]
1972[33]
1973[34]
1974[35]
1975[36]
1976[37]
1977[38]
1978[39]
1979[40]
1980[41]
1981[42]
1982[43]
1983[44]
1984[45]
1985
1986[46]
1987
1988
1989[47]
1990[48]
1992[49]
1993[50]
1994[51]
1995[52]
1997[53]
1998[54]
1999[55]
2000[56]
2001[57]
2002[58]
2003[59]
2004[60]
2005[61]
2006[62]
2007
2008[63]
2009
[64]
2010[65]
2011[66]
2012[67]
2013[68]
2014[69]
2015
[70]
2016[71]
2017[72]
2018
[73]
2019[74]
2021[75]
2022[76]
2023[77]
2024

Notes

  1. News: Bob . Condotta . Here are spring practice rules . SeattleTimes.com . The Seattle Times . March 22, 2011 . June 15, 2013.
  2. News: Al . Browning . Crimson Tide tradition gets a fresh breath . The Tuscaloosa News . April 10, 1976 . 8 . June 15, 2013.
  3. Book: Dunnavant, Keith . 2007 . The Missing Ring: How Bear Bryant and the 1966 Alabama Crimson Tide Were Denied College Football's Most Elusive Prize . New York City . Macmillan . 978-0312374327 . 276 . October 21, 2013.
  4. News: Cecil . Hurt . Alumni squad holds its own against varsity . The Tuscaloosa News . April 21, 1984 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  5. News: Associated Press . An overflow crowd watches Saban's Bama debut . ESPN.com . April 22, 2007 . June 15, 2013.
  6. News: Kelly . Whiteside . Alabama, fans set for Saturday's spring Tide . USA Today . USAToday.com . April 16, 2009 . June 15, 2013.
  7. News: Andy . Staples . Large crowds at spring games help schools attract recruits . Sports Illustrated . sportsillustrated.cnn.com . April 22, 2008 . June 15, 2013.
  8. News: Reds triumph by touchdown . The Tuscaloosa News . March 16, 1947 . 6 . June 15, 2013.
  9. News: Salem passes Whites to A-Day victory, 20–7 . The Tuscaloosa News . March 14, 1948 . 11 . June 15, 2013.
  10. News: Ed Salem paces Red gridmen to 14 to 0 win over Whites . The Tuscaloosa News . March 13, 1949 . 13 . June 15, 2013.
  11. News: Whites topple Reds 12–0 in annual A-Day game . The Tuscaloosa News . March 12, 1950 . 12 . June 15, 2013.
  12. News: Norman . Bassett . Hobson, Oliver star as Whites beat Reds 22–7 in A-Day game . The Tuscaloosa News . March 11, 1951 . 11 . June 15, 2013.
  13. News: Norman . Bassett . Tharp, Luna lead Reds to win . The Tuscaloosa News . March 9, 1952 . 11 . June 15, 2013.
  14. News: Norman . Bassett . Whites rip over Reds 13–6 in A Day contest . The Tuscaloosa News . March 15, 1953 . 11 . June 15, 2013.
  15. News: Ed . Watkins . Whites topple Reds in final minute, 20 to 13 . The Tuscaloosa News . March 21, 1954 . 8 . June 15, 2013.
  16. News: Norman . Bassett . Reds edge Whites 12–7 in A-Day . The Tuscaloosa News . March 13, 1955 . 12 . June 15, 2013.
  17. News: Norman . Bassett . Jim Woodward leads Whites to 26–0 victory over Reds . The Tuscaloosa News . March 11, 1956 . 13 . June 15, 2013.
  18. News: Norman . Bassett . Experience proves difference as Reds take A Day game, 21–0 . The Tuscaloosa News . March 10, 1957 . 12 . June 15, 2013.
  19. News: Norman . Bassett . Tide defense willing, but offense weak . The Tuscaloosa News . April 27, 1958 . 11 . June 15, 2013.
  20. News: Charles . Land . Reds down erratic Whites, 14–3 . The Tuscaloosa News . April 12, 1959 . 9 . June 15, 2013.
  21. News: Tom . Stoddard . Bobby Skelton steals show as Tide ends spring drills . The Tuscaloosa News . May 1, 1960 . 11 . June 15, 2013.
  22. News: Charles . Land . Reds down Whites in squad tilt, 17–7 . The Tuscaloosa News . April 23, 1961 . 9 . June 15, 2013.
  23. News: Charles . Land . Namath pitches Whites in, 15–14 . The Tuscaloosa News . May 20, 1962 . 9 . June 15, 2013.
  24. News: Charles . Land . Hurlbut leads Whites in, 17–6 . The Tuscaloosa News . May 12, 1963 . 9 . June 15, 2013.
  25. News: Charles . Land . Namath passes Reds to 17–6 victory over Whites . The Tuscaloosa News . May 9, 1964 . 3 . June 15, 2013.
  26. News: Associated Press . Offense wins, 67–36 in annual A Day tilt . The Gadsden Times . May 9, 1965 . 25 . June 15, 2013.
  27. News: Charles . Land . Reds edge Whites in Tide skirmish . The Tuscaloosa News . April 24, 1966 . 13 . June 15, 2013.
  28. News: Charles . Land . Night for defense . The Tuscaloosa News . May 6, 1967 . 5 . June 15, 2013.
  29. News: Charles . Land . Big play defense steals show as Whites rally over Reds, 17–7 . The Tuscaloosa News . May 5, 1968 . 15 . June 15, 2013.
  30. News: Norman . Bassett . Offense steals show in Tide contest . The Tuscaloosa News . May 11, 1969 . 13 . June 15, 2013.
  31. News: Norman . Bassett . Whites win a wild one . The Tuscaloosa News . April 19, 1970 . 13 . June 15, 2013.
  32. News: Ed . Darling . Whites upends reds . The Tuscaloosa News . May 2, 1971 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  33. News: Delbert . Reed . Passing attack wins for whites . The Tuscaloosa News . April 23, 1972 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  34. News: Delbert . Reed . Whites do it again . The Tuscaloosa News . April 22, 1973 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  35. News: Jimmy . Smothers . Rutledge rallies reds to A-Day win . The Gadsden Times . April 21, 1974 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  36. News: Mike . McKenzie . Reds win A-Day game . The Tuscaloosa News . April 13, 1975 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  37. News: Al . Browning . Reds' difference only four yards . The Tuscaloosa News . April 11, 1976 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  38. News: Steve . Martin . Punt return crazy Nathan boosts Whites to win . The Tuscaloosa News . April 17, 1977 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  39. News: Al . Browning . Obscure individuals star in A-Day game . The Tuscaloosa News . April 23, 1978 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  40. News: Rex . Sanders . Gray shines as Reds win . The Tuscaloosa News . April 15, 1979 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  41. News: Mike . Land . West Alabama players star in A-Day . The Tuscaloosa News . April 13, 1980 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  42. News: Chris . Welch . Turnovers mar A-Day performance . The Tuscaloosa News . April 12, 1981 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  43. News: Chris . Welch . White's proud of goose egg . The Tuscaloosa News . April 18, 1982 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  44. News: Billy . Mitchell . White's score 14–11 A-Day win . The Tuscaloosa News . April 17, 1983 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  45. News: Cecil . Hurt . Defensive play highlights A-Day . The Tuscaloosa News . April 15, 1984 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  46. News: Cecil . Hurt . Whites dominant at A-Day . The Tuscaloosa News . April 20, 1986 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  47. News: Andrew . Carroll . Dunn 'passes' Tide mid-term . The Tuscaloosa News . April 9, 1989 . B1 . June 15, 2013.
  48. News: Herman . Fuselier . A good look: Some stars sidelined so others see added A-Day action . The Tuscaloosa News . April 22, 1990 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  49. News: Herman . Fuselier . A-Day a defensive struggle . The Tuscaloosa News . April 12, 1992 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  50. News: Cecil . Hurt . Little dull about Tide's A-Day showdown . The Tuscaloosa News . April 18, 1993 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  51. News: Tommy . Deas . Steger steals the A-Day spotlight . The Tuscaloosa News . April 17, 1994 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  52. News: Jimmy . Smothers . Foust changes teams, leads White to victory . The Gadsden Times . April 16, 1995 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  53. News: Tommy . Deas . Defense shows up at A-Day . The Tuscaloosa News . April 20, 1997 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  54. News: Tommy . Deas . New offense has upper hand . The Tuscaloosa News . April 19, 1998 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  55. News: Cecil . Hurt . A-Day is a crowd pleaser . The Tuscaloosa News . April 18, 1999 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  56. News: Tommy . Deas . The good and bad . The Tuscaloosa News . April 16, 2000 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  57. News: Tommy . Deas . It's (Marc) Miller time . The Tuscaloosa News . April 15, 2001 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  58. News: Tommy . Deas . Galloway, Williams run Crimson to win . The Tuscaloosa News . April 14, 2002 . C1 . June 15, 2013.
  59. News: Whitewashed: Experienced Crimson squad rules A-Day . Anna Maria . Della Costa . The Tuscaloosa News . March 30, 2003 . 1C . June 15, 2013.
  60. News: Christopher . Walsh . Defense is the story of A-Day scrimmage . The Tuscaloosa News . March 20, 2004 . 1C . June 15, 2013.
  61. News: Christopher . Walsh . Wilson, offense shine in Bama's spring finale . The Tuscaloosa News . March 20, 2005 . 1C . June 15, 2013.
  62. News: John . Zenor . Wilson draws mixed reviews . The Gadsden Times . April 2, 2006 . 1C . June 15, 2013.
  63. News: Passing game dominates in Crimson team victory . Cecil . Hurt . The Tuscaloosa News. April 13, 2008 . June 15, 2013.
  64. News: Saban pleased with A-Day effort, crowd . Cecil . Hurt . The Tuscaloosa News. April 18, 2009 . June 15, 2013.
  65. News: White team wins with extra play . Cecil . Hurt . The Tuscaloosa News . April 18, 2010 . June 15, 2013.
  66. News: Alabama A-Day 2011 spring football game news and notes . Izzy . Gould . AL.com . April 17, 2011 . June 15, 2013.
  67. News: T. J. Yeldon shines for Alabama . Associated Press . ESPN.com . April 14, 2012 . June 15, 2013.
  68. News: Nick Saban less than satisfied . Associated Press . ESPN.com . April 21, 2013 . June 15, 2013.
  69. News: Bama QBs struggle in spring game . Alex . Scarborough . ESPN.com . April 19, 2014 . April 19, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140420035135/http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/10808657/quarterbacks-struggle-alabama-crimson-tide-spring-game . April 20, 2014 .
  70. News: Quarterbacks, offense struggle during Alabama's A-Day game . Matt . Zenitz . AL.com . April 18, 2015 . January 10, 2016.
  71. News: Attendance grows for Alabama's A-Day spring football game . Michael . Casagrande . AL.com . April 18, 2016 . August 4, 2017.
  72. News: Crimson Outlasts White 27–24 in 2017 Alabama Spring Game as Tide Look to Reload . Tim . Daniels . Bleacher Report . April 22, 2017 . August 4, 2017.
  73. News: Alabama football concludes spring season with Crimson defeating White in Golden Flake A-Day Game, 24–12 . The University of Alabama, RollTide.com . April 21, 2018 . November 18, 2020.
  74. News: Alabama football finishes spring season with White besting Crimson, 31–17, in Golden Flake A-Day Game . The University of Alabama, RollTide.com . April 13, 2019 . November 18, 2020.
  75. News: White Edges Crimson, 13–10, in 2021 Golden Flake A-Day Game . The University of Alabama, RollTide.com . April 17, 2021 . April 19, 2021.
  76. News: White beats Crimson, 25–7, in 2022 Golden Flake A-Day Game . The University of Alabama, RollTide.com . April 16, 2022 . December 2, 2022.
  77. News: Crimson Downs White, 30-21, in 2023 Golden Flake A-Day Game. The University of Alabama, RollTide.com . April 22, 2023 . April 23, 2023.

References

General
Specific

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "A-Day (University of Alabama)".

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