Over 1,000 fans show support for UAB football at Riverchase Galleria
Posted on Aug 29, 2012 in Sports
The Year of the Dragon. Daniel Twieg/Photo Editor
Alumni, family and friends gathered at the Riverchase Galleria on Saturday to show their support for UAB’s annual Blazer Fan Day. Over 1,000 people were on hand to take pictures and get autographs from this year’s team.
The entire 2012 UAB Blazer football team and coaching staff greeted fans and introduced the newest addition to the program. This was head coach Garrick McGee’s first Blazer Fan Day since joining the team in December. He greeted those in attendance with a clear message about this season’s opening game.
“It’s 11:05 a.m. now and next Saturday we will already be 5 minutes into a victory against Troy,” McGee said. “Our team will play with a passion that you guys have never seen before.”
While the Blazers haven’t had a winning season for a number of years, fans seem energized with McGee at the helm. Many see this as a turnaround year for the program.
When starting quarterback Jonathan Perry saw how many fans showed up to support the team, he said it really showed the excitement that McGee brings to the program.
“He preaches everyone has to do their part,” Perry said about McGee. It’s a great turnout, so I guess the fans are doing their part, and now we have to do ours. We want to win this season and give
the fans something they’ve never had before in the history of UAB: a bowl game victory.”
UAB had a record number of attendees this fan day. UAB also hopes to break the attendance record for the first game against Troy. Chase Cole/Staff Writer
“We just wanted to come out, and show the fans how much hard work we put in and give a good look,” said sophomore Darrin Reeves. “We will show you all with Troy a lot of what you’re going to see this season. We are a different team walking out onto the field, very confident, very poised.”
Reeves said the team now has a lot of energy for the season. “This is a new era and a new year,” he said.
There’s definitely a lot of positive momentum swinging in favor of the Blazers as they enter game week. However, there are only six days left to prepare for a team that in the past has bested the Green and Gold in head-to-head matchups. This game is sure to set the stage for a highly anticipated Blazer-winning season.
Perry said it’s important to keep focused in all the excitement.
Senior linebacker Marvin Burdette pumps up the crowd at the pep rally with the voice of the Blazer's David Crane in the background. Chase Cole/Staff Writer
“It’s amazing to see so many people come out to support you, but you just have to stay focused and remember what it’s really about. It’s about the fans and this program.”
Rhonda Love, one of the many alumni that came to Fan Day said she thinks the team could be a really good team.
“I think they’ve got a lot of support from the fans, a lot of support from the auxiliary departments and parents,” Love said. “It just shows that there are a lot of people behind the team, which gives them inspiration to go out on the field and do a good job.”
Veronica Winston is from Huntsville, Ala. and has a son that is a freshman offensive lineman. She said she is looking forward to the team having “an awesome season” and finally “putting UAB on the map.”
UAB players signed autographs as fans took pictures with the Battle of the Bones trophy and listened to the band. The dance team, cheerleaders and the football players interacted with fans alongside the new coaches, including first-year head coach Garrick McGee. ChaseCole/Staff Writer
The team will find out how their season will begin in the coming weeks.
UAB will have a tough schedule ahead. After playing an opening game at home against Troy on Labor Day weekend, the team hits the road to battle the 18th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. They will then travel to Columbia, S.C. where they will meet the ninth-ranked Gamecocks.
Chase Cole
Staff Writer
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