Campout attracts crowd despite frigid weather
Posted on Mar 08, 2010 in News
More than 800 students lined up outside Bartow Arena on Tuesday to sign up for a wristband and a chance to sit in the student section during the UAB vs. Memphis game.
Some of those students even braved the freezing temperatures to camp out on the lawn in front of Bartow the night before the big game.
Students camped out in front of Bartow arena on Tuesday, so they could line up to receive a number on their hand.
Then on Wednesday morning, students lined up according to their number and received a wristband guaranteeing them a seat in the student section for the rivalry game against Memphis.
Not only was the game the last home game for men’s basketball, but it is also arguably the biggest game of the year.
Members of fraternities, sororities, UAB’s band and other students pitched tents and tried to keep warm over fires amidst the frigid temperatures, which at one point, got as low as 29 degrees.
A DJ, sponsored by Red Bull, played music throughout the night, from a van complete with a sound system and dual televisions.
Students were offered pizza and University House gave away free T-shirts and water bottles.
“My favorite moment of the night was definitely the Red Bull van that came out. They played some good music,” said Josh Wilson, a senior and member of the Blazer band.
Wilson said he and a group of other students even convinced the DJ to play “Sandstorm,” a song that is often played at sporting events.
“When he played that song, the crowd just went wild. There was crowd surfing, and we were just dancing and having fun. When it is that cold, you need to dance to stay warm,” said Wilson.
Wilson, who attended the campout for the third year, believes it is quickly becoming an important part of school tradition and is an event every student should attend at least once.
“The campout is important because it is the time of year when UAB fans can really come together and support a noble cause — the noble cause being beating Memphis,” said Wilson.
He said he wishes the spirit displayed at the campout from students was prevalent year round.
“It really is a spirit that should be there all year. I attend the campout to soak in some of the spirit that really drives and spotlights our campus,” he said.
Blazer spirit was alive and well with students wearing “Beat Memphis” shirts. There was even a stuffed tiger in the Blaze statue’s mouth in front of Bartow.
According to Wilson, he would’ve liked to have seen a bigger stuffed tiger in the mouth of the Blaze statue.
“The small tiger just made it look like we were eating baby tigers. We should’ve thrown a big tiger in there to represent how annoying Memphis fans are,” said Wilson.
Becca Bofill, a sophomore majoring in international studies, said she even saw a tiger on a crucifix.
“First, it was pinned in the ground and then the students had it over a fire,” said Bofill.
Students were allowed the freedom to do as they pleased as long as they were safe and kept the lawn clean. To ensure safety, two UAB police officers were present.
Emily Craig, a student who helped coordinate the camp-out and pass out wristbands, said she was happy with the good turnout and the upbeat atmosphere despite the cold.
“I think the campout was successful because everyone enjoyed themselves and got really pumped up for the game,” said Craig.
Craig believes students really enjoyed themselves because the next morning it took three rounds of police sirens to wake everyone up.
Although school spirit was alive and well, UAB lost to Memphis on Wednesday 70-65.
Wilson said although he attended the campout, he didn’t spend the night hoping it would help UAB win.
“The last two years I attended the campout we lost so I was hoping by not staying the night UAB would be able to bring home the win,” said Wilson.
“They did not do that, but it’s okay. I’m still saying go Blazers!”
Email: news@insideuab.com
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