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Wanted: Football stadium for college football team. Located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama area.
The Associated Press is reporting that University of Alabama athletic director Bob Bockrath has threatened that the team may back out of its scheduled 1998 games at Birmingham's Legion Field unless the stadium is repaired by August. In a letter to Birmingham Mayor Richard Arrington, Bockrath allegedly stated that the stadium must be "absolutely safe," and that the team would consider moving the location of this season's home games. He also claimed that if the estimated $2- to 2.3-million worth of repairs were not made prior to the first contest, "the consequences to the university and its fans will be catastrophic." Arrington has assured the university that the repairs, which consist of replacing steel support beam reinforcements, would be completed on time if the repairs began prior to May 1. Bockrath remains skeptical, however, and insists that Alabama needs more information regarding the specific repairs and the planned work schedule. "As I understand it, the City Council has not approved the money yet," he said. "They say they are going to get it, but that's not finalized yet. Well, in situations like this, a delay of even one week can be critical." Ticket sales are the main reason for the August deadline. He has also expressed frustration that the school was not notified of the situation by the city. Bockrath claimed that university officials first heard of the problems through the media. According to a 1990 agreement, the Crimson Tide is allowed to play as many as three games a year in Birmingham. Among the games schedule at Legion Field this season is the Nov. 21 battle with Auburn. The existing deal expires in 2001, and Bockrath hints that the school may not renew it. "There is a lot of sentiment in Tuscaloosa about playing all the games here," Bockrath said. "But...the university did enter into a legitimate agreement with the city of Birmingham, and we need to stand by our agreements unless something makes that infeasible." More information on this report can be obtained at CNNSI. Go To Page: 1
The copyright of the article Home Games in Jeopardy for Crimson Tide in NCAA College Football is owned by . Permission to republish Home Games in Jeopardy for Crimson Tide in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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