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TUSCALOOSA | University of Alabama football fans who attended last year's game against South Florida may want to save their ticket stubs, because it was almost certainly the last Crimson Tide game will ever play at Legion Field. A recent structural evaluation at Legion Field revealed that the East upper deck of the stadium opposite the press box is no longer up to building code requirements and will not be usable next season. As a result, next year's Alabama game against Middle Tennessee State on Sept. 3, 2005, will be played at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Although Alabama is under contract to play a final game at Legion Field in either 2007 or 2008, that game will also be moved to Tuscaloosa. Alabama director of athletics Mal Moore confirmed discussions with the city's Park Board in a telephone interview with The News on Wednesday night. "It is my understanding that the city of Birmingham will have some sort of release tomorrow," Moore said. "It would be premature for me to comment further until that time." With Bryant-Denny capacity up to 83,818, Alabama officials had already made clear their intention not to renew the contract with Legion Field, which hasn't hosted a marquee Crimson Tide game in more than a decade. Middle Tennessee State does not object to the change of venue, although MTSU officials have not yet received official notification on the news. "There have been discussions for some time," Middle Tennessee State athletic director Boots Connelly said. "They're having problems with the upper deck or something." Because there is apparently no structural damage, Legion Field will continue to host Alabama-Birmingham and other football games. However, the closing of the upper deck will reduce capacity below the levels required for Alabama games. Last season, the Blazers set a school attendance record of 42,000 during the 17-12 loss to Southern Miss. That number of fans could still easily fit into the lower bowl. "Nothing at the stadium has not been condemned," said stadium manager Walter Garrett, who otherwise had no comment. "There will be a press release in the morning." The stadium was constructed in 1926 with an original capacity of 21,00. The original construction was for $439,000. As a comparison, recent repair and maintenance to the lower level alone cost $1.7 million. Alabama has played 75 years at Legion Field, accumulating a 160-54-10 (.737) record, beginning with a 20-6 loss to Georgia on Nov. 27, 1927. It was the site of Paul "Bear" Bryant's first game as the Crimson Tide's head coach (a scoreless tie against Vanderbilt on Oct. 4, 1958), and his 315th victory making him the winningest coach in college football history. More recently, Alabama won the first-ever SEC Championship Game there in 1992 en route to the national championship. It was also the site Mike Shula's first coaching win, a 43-17 victory over South Florida on Aug. 30, 2003. Legion Field has been Birmingham's home to numerous professional football teams including the Americans and Vulcans of the World Football League, the Stallions of the United States Football League, the Fire of the World League of American Football, the Barracudas of the Canadian Football League and most recently the Bolts of the XFL. The Alabama High School Athletic Association is under contract to have its "Super Six" football championships, and regular-season games, played at Legion Field through 2007. The latest renovations to Legion Field were completed in 1991. The East upper deck was completed in the early 1960s, under different building codes. Sports Editor Cecil Hurt contributed to this report. Reach Christopher Walsh at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or call (205) 722-0196. ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
