August 27, 2004

Fanblogs Interview with Warren St. John

Life-long 'Bama fan and New York Times author Warren St. John has created what might be the perfect college football book. Equal parts fan legend/lore and travel chicanery, Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer is a must read for college football fans. We reviewed the book last week:

Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer is everything we love about college football: the incredible atmosphere of a home game Saturday, the taste & smells of a tailgate party done right, the parking lot brotherhood of away games, and the unmistakable feel of fan mania.

Now out on a huge book tour, Warren let us climb aboard the RV for a sit down. Check out our interview (below) and register to win an autographed copy of the book!


A couple RV questions, first. Huge ass RVs: Chick magnets or senorita kryptonite?
Major kryptonite. As I say in Rammer Jammer, it's impossible to look cool in an RV.

I know you're going to catch some games this year. Which road game is a "can't miss date" to you?
Under normal circumstances, I'd say Tennessee. Given the situation with Bama's offensive and defensive lines, however, any Bama fan heading to Nashville had better pack some Excedrin.

Who's fans are the most receptive? Least?
The nicest fans I ever encountered were at Penn State; I went there for Alabama's last second win on a blocked field goal in 1989, and when I left the stadium in my red sweat shirt, the Penn State fans were patting me on the back as though I had blocked the kick myself. I'll never forget that.

What's one opponents tradition that you admire most?
For college football rituals, nothing touches the pre-game scene at the Grove in Oxford.

You've seen some coaches come & go at 'Bama. What's your take on Shula?
I'm optimistic. It seems as though his recruits -- especially at wide receiver -- are doing well. He's cool under pressure. We're awfully thin now, so I think it's going to take him some time, but I think he could be the guy.

What's your take on his wife?
What's the joke again -- he sure can recruit?

Are you based in NYC? How closely do you follow the season?
Pretty darn closely. Subscriptions to like 14 different fans sites and satellite TV packages make me feel like I'm in the Law Library lot in Tuscaloosa on game day, minus the smell of charred beef.

Has Croyle got anything, or a big bag of nothing?
Brodie is the man. He needed to put on some weight, which it sounds he's done, so hopefully he won't be served up as an entree at the corner-blitz banquet this year, the way he was last. The dude can throw.

What's your take on the 2004 season? Which bowl game will you be traveling to?
I plan to go to the SEC championship, whether or not Bama makes it. And I'll wait for the match-ups before I make my bowl plans.

A lot of teams are going with new/redesigned uniforms. Is the Alabama uniform off limits? What changes would you make?
I think the Bama uniform is classic. The only change I'd make would be to return to tear-away jerseys but that illegal. Sure was cool to see those guys barrelling down the field with a bunch of red scraps flapping in the breeze though.

It looks like the Tide has wound down to just playing on campus. What's your take and which "home" stadium do you prefer?
For noise, Legion Field was certainly better. Bryant Denny's open shape means it's a pretty quiet stadium, especially when you pack it people who think standing up during a game is rude. I'm looking forward to enclosing the end zone upper deck, which ought to make the place a bit more intimidating.

Hypothetical: 'Bama wins the National Title, but loses one SEC game on the way. Which loss do you choose: Tennessee or Auburn?
Can't.....answer.......Brain....frozen....with....indecision...... Okay -- this year, Auburn. I'd love to beat the Vols in Knoxville...

You can win an autographed copy of Rammer Jammer Yellow Hammer by submitting your best tailgaiting or road game story to Fanblogs. Or, you can catch a stop on Warren's book tour and get your own damn autograph. Or both!

Posted by Kevin Donahue