Last Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium the fans were able to get their money’s worth in terms of the atmosphere and play. Not only was the game close and exciting but it was the first time Alabama was able to display its brand new LED lighting which was announced prior to the kickoff of the 2019 season.
The long awaited debut of the lights did not disappoint either as it was able to add a new facet to the gamely experience.
Tonight, the display will again be at the forefront as the Tide takes on the Arkansas Razorbacks for a homecoming contest that also celebrates the 2009 BCS title team for its 10-year reunion.
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Since his time with the Tide, Nick Saban has made a concerted effort to stay ahead of the pack in terms of gaining any sort of competitive advantage. What the Alabama athletic department was able to do with these LED lights, was to create an experience unmatched by anything you will see in college football — and others will quickly follow suit.
A few former Alabama players gushed over the colored beams with some even wishing they still had a chance to play under them.
This is the most beautiful thing i’ve ever witnessed.. https://t.co/R9qUJpFw9G
— Damien Harris (@DHx34) October 20, 2019
The most beautiful thing you’ll ever see. #RollTide 🐘 pic.twitter.com/d3MYNzaG56
— Mack Wilson Sr. (@5mackwilson1) October 20, 2019
I need 4 more years to play in that man @AlabamaFTBL 😭😭
— Jamey Mosley (@IAm_JameFlame) October 20, 2019
They were even able to have a little bit of impact on Saban.
“I kinda liked the lights and all that. I know somebody’s going to ask me that,” Saban said during his Monday press conference. “As long as they’ve got the good ones on when we’re playing, I’m good. they seem to do a pretty good job of choreographing all that.”
Since Alabama integrated the new fixture, other college football teams have added the lights to their stadiums as well. Whether it’s on scoring plays or introductions the anticipation built can kick up the enthusiasm another notch.
It’s also another incentive for fans to attend and stay for the entirety of the game. The new lights are capable to flash in a multitude of patterns and have shown to link up with beats of certain songs. That way there will always be something new at every game which could possibly intrigue more people to attend the game.
The light show at Bryant-Denny Stadium was a hit in its first showing against Tennessee. Fans choosing to stay were served with a treat. Photo by Butch Dill — USA TODAY Sports
Even if there are some people who aren’t die-hard Crimson Tide fans, the light show can be used as a bit of a lure to catch the attention of others. Sure it’s a new way to generate money, but it’s also a solid way to hype up the crowd even more in support of their team.
For a program which embodies so much tradition, taking a chance on something new-age such as this is revolutionary, and appears to stick around for a long time.
Alabama’s game day traditions just got a big more crowded.
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Patrick Dowd is a Reporter for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter, via Pat_Dowd77
