A-Day (University of Alabama)

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American football players in motion during a play.
A. J. McCarron takes a snap for the White team during the 2013 A-Day Game.

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[]

W White team win
C Crimson team win
T Tie

Games[]

List of A-Day games showing season played in, score, date, MVP and attendance
Season[A 1] Score[A 2] Date MVP[A 3] Attendance[8] Reference
1946 W 18–6 March 30, 1946 — 24,000[A 4] [10]
1947 C 13–7 March 15, 1947 — 12,000 [13]
1948 W 20–7 March 13, 1948 — 12,000 [14]
1949 C 14–0 March 12, 1949 — 10,000 [15]
1950 W 12–0 March 11, 1950 — 10,000 [16]
1951 W 22–7 March 9, 1951 — 15,000 [17]
1952 C 41–26 March 8, 1952 — — [18]
1953 W 13–6 March 14, 1953 — 7,500 [19]
1954 W 20–13 March 20, 1954[A 5] — 4,000 [21]
1955 C 12–7 March 12, 1955 — — [22]
1956 W 26–0 March 10, 1956 — — [23]
1957 C 21–0 March 9, 1957 — — [24]
1958 W 13–0 April 26, 1958 — — [25]
1959 C 14–3 April 11, 1959 — 15,000 [26]
1960 C 38–0 April 30, 1960 — — [27]
1961 C 17–7 April 22, 1961 — — [28]
1962 W 15–14 May 19, 1962 — — [29]
1963 W 17–6 May 11, 1963 — 14,000 [30]
1964 C 17–6 May 8, 1964 — 14,500 [31]
1965 C 67–36 May 8, 1965 — 13,000 [32]
1966 C 17–15 April 23, 1966 — 15,000 [33]
1967 C 13–3 May 5, 1967 — 15,000 [34]
1968 W 17–7 May 4, 1968 — 12,000 [35]
1969 W 27–25 May 10, 1969 — 17,000 [36]
1970 W 40–39 April 18, 1970 — 17,000 [37]
1971 W 21–15 May 1, 1971 Steve Dean 15,000 [38]
1972 W 24–7 April 22, 1972 Wayne Wheeler 20,000 [39]
1973 W 21–16 April 21, 1973 Mike Washington 5,000 [40]
1974 C 17–14 April 20, 1974 Conley Duncan 15,000 [41]
1975 C 21–13 April 12, 1975 Johnny Davis 15,000 [42]
1976 C 14–11 April 10, 1976 Ozzie Newsome 10,000 [43]
1977 W 27–23 April 16, 1977 Tony Nathan 10,000 [44]
1978 T 7–7 April 22, 1978 Keith Pugh 7,000 [45]
1979 W 21–0 April 14, 1979 Alan Gray 7,500 [46]
1980 W 16–14 April 12, 1980 Johnny Brooker 8,000 [47]
1981 C 31–13 April 11, 1981 Ken Simon 8,500 [48]
1982 W 17–0 April 17, 1982 Walter Lewis 11,500 [49]
1983 W 14–11 April 16, 1983 Jon Hand 16,000 [50]
1984 W 7–3 April 14, 1984 Brent Sowell 16,000 [51]
1985 W 20–7 April 20, 1985 Don McClain 28,000 [4]
1986 W 20–0 April 19, 1986 Angelo Stafford 20,435 [52]
1987 W 20–10 April 25, 1987 Kerry Goode 32,000[A 4] [11]
1988 W 28–16 April 9, 1988 Vince Sutton 51,117[A 4] [12]
1989 C 28–14 April 8, 1989 Jeff Dunn 16,500 [53]
1990 W 42–12 April 21, 1990 Danny Woodson 12,500 [54]
1992 C 13–7 April 11, 1992 Jeremy Nunley 35,016 [55]
1993 C 27–19 April 17, 1993 Brian Burgdorf 30,000 [56]
1994 C 17–6 April 16, 1994 Brian Steger 46,700 [57]
1995 W 16–10 April 15, 1995 Toderick Malone 37,323 [58]
1997 W 9–5 April 19, 1997 Michael Vaughn 30,212 [59]
1998 W 65–24 April 18, 1998 Montoya Madden 8,968 [60]
1999 W 23–10 April 17, 1999 Jason McAddley 32,500 [61]
2000 C 17–12 April 15, 2000 Ahmaad Galloway 25,355 [62]
2001 C 10–7 April 14, 2001 Jonathan Richey 35,000 [63]
2002 C 20–6 April 13, 2002 Ahmaad Galloway 37,000 [64]
2003 C 47–0 March 29, 2003 Brodie Croyle 34,000 [65]
2004 W 21–0 March 19, 2004 Tim Castille 35,000 [66]
2005 W 20–18 March 19, 2005 John Parker Wilson 25,000 [67]
2006 W 17–3 April 1, 2006 D. J. Hall 40,000 [68]
2007 W 20–13 April 21, 2007 D. J. Hall 92,138 [5]
2008 C 24–14 April 12, 2008 Terry Grant 78,200 [69]
2009 C 14–7 April 18, 2009 Marquis Maze
Greg McElroy 		84,050 [70]
2010 W 23–17 April 17, 2010 Mark Ingram, Jr. 91,312 [71]
2011 C 14–10 April 16, 2011 Trent Richardson 92,310 [72]
2012 W 24–15 April 14, 2012 T. J. Yeldon 78,526 [73]
2013 W 17–14 April 20, 2013 T. J. Yeldon 78,315 [74]
2014 W 17–13 April 19, 2014 T. J. Yeldon 73,506 [75]
2015 W 27–14 April 18, 2015 Robert Foster
ArDarius Stewart 		65,175 [76]
2016 W 7–3 April 16, 2016 Damien Harris 76,212 [77]
2017 C 27–24 April 22, 2017 Jerry Jeudy 74,326 [78]
2018 C 24–12 April 21, 2018 Mac Jones
Joseph Bulovas 		74,732 [79]
2019 W 31–17 April 13, 2019 John Metchie III 62,219 [80]
2021 W 13–10 April 17, 2021 Bryce Young 47,218 [81]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Links to the season article for the Alabama team that played in the A-Day for that year. The game was not played in the 1991, 1996, or 2020 seasons.[8]
  2. ^ Results are sortable first by whether the result was a Crimson or White team win and then second by the margin of victory.
  3. ^ Links to the winner of the Dixie Howell Memorial Award, presented annually to the outstanding player of the game as selected by the media since 1971.[9]
  4. ^ a b c The 1946, 1987 and 1988 editions of the A-Day game were played at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.[10][11][12]
  5. ^ The 1954 A-Day game was originally scheduled to be played on March 13, but was postponed for a week due to poor field conditions at Denny Stadium as a result of heavy rains.[20]

References[]

General
  • UA Athletics Media Relations Office. "Spring Practice Awards" (PDF). 2012 Alabama Football Media Guide. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 17, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
Specific
  1. ^ a b Condotta, Bob (March 22, 2011). "Here are spring practice rules". The Seattle Times. SeattleTimes.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Browning, Al (April 10, 1976). "Crimson Tide tradition gets a fresh breath". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 8. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  3. ^ 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. p. 276. ISBN 978-0312374327. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Hurt, Cecil (April 21, 1984). "Alumni squad holds its own against varsity". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "An overflow crowd watches Saban's Bama debut". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 22, 2007. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  6. ^ a b Whiteside, Kelly (April 16, 2009). "Alabama, fans set for Saturday's spring Tide". USA Today. USAToday.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  7. ^ Staples, Andy (April 22, 2008). "Large crowds at spring games help schools attract recruits". Sports Illustrated. sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  8. ^ a b 2012 Alabama Football Media Guide, p. 207
  9. ^ 2012 Alabama Football Media Guide, p. 206
  10. ^ a b "Whites defeat Red team, 18–6". The Tuscaloosa News. March 31, 1946. p. 6. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  11. ^ a b Hurt, Cecil (April 25, 1987). "White team beats a 'stacked deck'". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  12. ^ a b Hurt, Cecil (April 10, 1988). "A-Day: High scoring fun game". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  13. ^ "Reds triumph by touchdown". The Tuscaloosa News. March 16, 1947. p. 6. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  14. ^ "Salem passes Whites to A-Day victory, 20–7". The Tuscaloosa News. March 14, 1948. p. 11. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  15. ^ "Ed Salem paces Red gridmen to 14 to 0 win over Whites". The Tuscaloosa News. March 13, 1949. p. 13. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  16. ^ "Whites topple Reds 12–0 in annual A-Day game". The Tuscaloosa News. March 12, 1950. p. 12. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  17. ^ Bassett, Norman (March 11, 1951). "Hobson, Oliver star as Whites beat Reds 22–7 in A-Day game". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  18. ^ Bassett, Norman (March 9, 1952). "Tharp, Luna lead Reds to win". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  19. ^ Bassett, Norman (March 15, 1953). "Whites rip over Reds 13–6 in A Day contest". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  20. ^ "A-Day game is called off". The Tuscaloosa News. March 14, 1954. p. 7. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  21. ^ Watkins, Ed (March 21, 1954). "Whites topple Reds in final minute, 20 to 13". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 8. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  22. ^ Bassett, Norman (March 13, 1955). "Reds edge Whites 12–7 in A-Day". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 12. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  23. ^ Bassett, Norman (March 11, 1956). "Jim Woodward leads Whites to 26–0 victory over Reds". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 13. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  24. ^ Bassett, Norman (March 10, 1957). "Experience proves difference as Reds take A Day game, 21–0". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 12. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  25. ^ Bassett, Norman (April 27, 1958). "Tide defense willing, but offense weak". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  26. ^ Land, Charles (April 12, 1959). "Reds down erratic Whites, 14–3". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  27. ^ Stoddard, Tom (May 1, 1960). "Bobby Skelton steals show as Tide ends spring drills". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 11. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  28. ^ Land, Charles (April 23, 1961). "Reds down Whites in squad tilt, 17–7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  29. ^ Land, Charles (May 20, 1962). "Namath pitches Whites in, 15–14". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  30. ^ Land, Charles (May 12, 1963). "Hurlbut leads Whites in, 17–6". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 9. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  31. ^ Land, Charles (May 9, 1964). "Namath passes Reds to 17–6 victory over Whites". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 3. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  32. ^ "Offense wins, 67–36 in annual A Day tilt". The Gadsden Times. Associated Press. May 9, 1965. p. 25. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  33. ^ Land, Charles (April 24, 1966). "Reds edge Whites in Tide skirmish". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 13. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  34. ^ Land, Charles (May 6, 1967). "Night for defense". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 5. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  35. ^ Land, Charles (May 5, 1968). "Big play defense steals show as Whites rally over Reds, 17–7". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 15. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  36. ^ Bassett, Norman (May 11, 1969). "Offense steals show in Tide contest". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 13. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  37. ^ Bassett, Norman (April 19, 1970). "Whites win a wild one". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 13. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  38. ^ Darling, Ed (May 2, 1971). "Whites upends reds". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  39. ^ Reed, Delbert (April 23, 1972). "Passing attack wins for whites". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  40. ^ Reed, Delbert (April 22, 1973). "Whites do it again". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  41. ^ Smothers, Jimmy (April 21, 1974). "Rutledge rallies reds to A-Day win". The Gadsden Times. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  42. ^ McKenzie, Mike (April 13, 1975). "Reds win A-Day game". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  43. ^ Browning, Al (April 11, 1976). "Reds' difference only four yards". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  44. ^ Martin, Steve (April 17, 1977). "Punt return crazy Nathan boosts Whites to win". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  45. ^ Browning, Al (April 23, 1978). "Obscure individuals star in A-Day game". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  46. ^ Sanders, Rex (April 15, 1979). "Gray shines as Reds win". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  47. ^ Land, Mike (April 13, 1980). "West Alabama players star in A-Day". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  48. ^ Welch, Chris (April 12, 1981). "Turnovers mar A-Day performance". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  49. ^ Welch, Chris (April 18, 1982). "White's proud of goose egg". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  50. ^ Mitchell, Billy (April 17, 1983). "White's score 14–11 A-Day win". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  51. ^ Hurt, Cecil (April 15, 1984). "Defensive play highlights A-Day". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  52. ^ Hurt, Cecil (April 20, 1986). "Whites dominant at A-Day". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  53. ^ Carroll, Andrew (April 9, 1989). "Dunn 'passes' Tide mid-term". The Tuscaloosa News. p. B1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  54. ^ Fuselier, Herman (April 22, 1990). "A good look: Some stars sidelined so others see added A-Day action". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  55. ^ Fuselier, Herman (April 12, 1992). "A-Day a defensive struggle". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  56. ^ Hurt, Cecil (April 18, 1993). "Little dull about Tide's A-Day showdown". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  57. ^ Deas, Tommy (April 17, 1994). "Steger steals the A-Day spotlight". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  58. ^ Smothers, Jimmy (April 16, 1995). "Foust changes teams, leads White to victory". The Gadsden Times. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  59. ^ Deas, Tommy (April 20, 1997). "Defense shows up at A-Day". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  60. ^ Deas, Tommy (April 19, 1998). "New offense has upper hand". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  61. ^ Hurt, Cecil (April 18, 1999). "A-Day is a crowd pleaser". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  62. ^ Deas, Tommy (April 16, 2000). "The good and bad". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  63. ^ Deas, Tommy (April 15, 2001). "It's (Marc) Miller time". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  64. ^ Deas, Tommy (April 14, 2002). "Galloway, Williams run Crimson to win". The Tuscaloosa News. p. C1. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  65. ^ Della Costa, Anna Maria (March 30, 2003). "Whitewashed: Experienced Crimson squad rules A-Day". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1C. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  66. ^ Walsh, Christopher (March 20, 2004). "Defense is the story of A-Day scrimmage". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1C. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  67. ^ Walsh, Christopher (March 20, 2005). "Wilson, offense shine in Bama's spring finale". The Tuscaloosa News. p. 1C. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  68. ^ Zenor, John (April 2, 2006). "Wilson draws mixed reviews". The Gadsden Times. p. 1C. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  69. ^ Hurt, Cecil (April 13, 2008). "Passing game dominates in Crimson team victory". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  70. ^ Hurt, Cecil (April 18, 2009). "Saban pleased with A-Day effort, crowd". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  71. ^ Hurt, Cecil (April 18, 2010). "White team wins with extra play". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  72. ^ Gould, Izzy (April 17, 2011). "Alabama A-Day 2011 spring football game news and notes". AL.com. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  73. ^ "T. J. Yeldon shines for Alabama". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 14, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  74. ^ "Nick Saban less than satisfied". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 21, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2013.
  75. ^ Scarborough, Alex (April 19, 2014). "Bama QBs struggle in spring game". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2014. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  76. ^ Zenitz, Matt (April 18, 2015). "Quarterbacks, offense struggle during Alabama's A-Day game". AL.com. Retrieved January 10, 2016.
  77. ^ Casagrande, Michael (April 18, 2016). "Attendance grows for Alabama's A-Day spring football game". AL.com. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  78. ^ Daniels, Tim (April 22, 2017). "Crimson Outlasts White 27–24 in 2017 Alabama Spring Game as Tide Look to Reload". Bleacher Report. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
  79. ^ "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. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  80. ^ "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. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  81. ^ "White Edges Crimson, 13-10, in 2021 Golden Flake A-Day Game". The University of Alabama, RollTide.com. April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
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