Larry Parker again delivers in this collection of photos from the sunny sidelines of Cliff Hare Stadium during a bland 12-8 loss to Florida* , November 3, 1973. Even in defeat, Larry captures the curls as bouncy, the plaid as poppin’, the smiles as wide as ever. And he also captures… the dragon thing.
I first thought it must have one of those Holloway kids who used to roam the sidelines in the tiger outfits, maybe playing a prank or something. But then I noticed that the picture was taken on the Florida sideline. And then I Googled. And the only conclusion I can draw is that yes, it is Albert the Anthropomorphic American Alligator, who apparently appeared on the scene in 1970, three full, plenty-of-time-to-iron-out-the-kinks years before these photos were taken.
God only knows what he looked like then…
Because while I’m sure we can all agree that Aubie has had some work done since his Miller-swillin’ days in the pre-Barry Mask passenger side of James Lloyd’s car, I think it equally obvious that Albert has been the subject of serious genetic experimentation. Frankly, that thing looks like the papier-mâché love child of Dino and Pluto, like a Comic Con attendee caught in a normal relationship, like a Halloween costume that Glenn might make for Sally Draper (and that Betty might beat her for wearing).
Thank you, Phil Neel, for not forcing us to suffer through something like that.
OK, enjoy…
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Glad to see the “Caddyshack”-era Bill Murray traveled back in time to catch the game:
http://www.thewareaglereader.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/IMG44191.jpg
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Also … when did the Auburn cowboy hats go out of style?!? And why? Since I only seem to see them in these B&W photos I wonder if they were orange or blue. I want one.
Interesting times-when I came to AU in 70′ everyone dressed up for the games-suits,ties, cocktail dresses. These photos are the transition away from that-you see a few ties, mostly casual. Now, I can’t imagine anyone “dressing up” for a game.
Man, those Sept games sitting in the sun w/ a suit and tie on were brutal.
JB
Holy crap!! That alligator is freaky! Maybe that’s why they made him like that: to freak the crap out of opposing players.
I had a navy Auburn cowboy hat when I was a kid in the early-mid ’70s. My grandfather bought anything I wanted at the souvenir stands … including the gaudiest Auburn ashtray ever made!
Someone from our Facebook page (yes, we have a Facebook page that has 432 members that I keep forgetting to push) said the name of one of the cheerleaders pictured is Deidre Dice. Does anyone else see a familiar face in the crowd?
Here’s our Facebook fan page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-War-Eagle-Reader/96200882324
Oh yes, it’s totally Deidre Dice, one of the great alliteratives of our early 70s — sister to Vestavia English teacher / cheer leading coach Melissa Caffey, it turns out.
I like the one with the kid in momies lap probably crying because the guy next to him lights his next cigarette with his last cigarette.
Good to see octagonal sun glasses were in style at one point.
Save me “A” cowboy hat!
Finally, gwahahaha that Albert looks like . . . well he’s made of paper mache and some kind of painted nuclear safety coveralls. My kindergardener’s teacher could do better than that in 10 minutes using construction paper, toothpicks and stick glue. THAT made my checks hurt I was laughing so hard.
The other cheerleader is Susan Swink of Wetumpka
Oh man, the Auburn cowboy hats. My parents had one left over from the 70s in the top of their closet for years, covered with dust. It was navy, with an orange “A.” I’ll have to ask if they still have it…
Sorry guys… not all the pictures were of the 1973 game. The picture of the band was not. I’m still married to one of the trombone players, 38, years now, and he graduated in 73. He was not in school the fall of 73. I think that picture was taken in 72! I recognize many of the faces in the band. I was there. I believe one of the very pretty blondes in the picture is Deborah Benson, a majorette, on the right. I can come up with the names of the others. Can’t wait to show my husband! My daughter picked her dad out of the crowd! Auburn had an awsome band in 72!
The seven year old boy on the sideline and the two year old next to the man with a cigarette in the stadium really takes me back to being a kid in Auburn. Somethings are worse now. Some are lots better.
You sure that’s not David Letterman in the first two pics?
[...] not quite as disturbing as the Proto-Gator that appeared in Gainesville around the same time, but it’s still odd to think that a coach could hold such sway in the [...]
For the younger folk on this site, you will need to do a wiki on “Pogo.” There you’ll find out the genesis of the name “Albert” the alligator. For several years the Gators had a mascot (with admittedly child-like costume design) that was right out of the funny papers.
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I’m the guy in the bowtie. The guy to my right (your left) was a ringer we smuggled in. He ended up going to Harding University. That was a fun weekend, except for losing the game.
David, that guy to your right looks just like Bruce Bryant from Andalusia. Strangely enough, his dad was the long time mayor of Andalusia that was famous for wearing bowties!
I was at that game. Hadn’t thought of those AU cowboy hats in years.
just found the best trailer for modern warfare 3. Haven’t seen it on any other sites yet so it must be new. Just checked youtube and its not on there yet. you can check it out here if you don’t want to wait…http://www.mediafire.com/?kigo8j5a4tj8dhj
Damn, These ol bitches is foine
The guy in front on the 10th picture down is Mike Neal from Montgomery. I still have my old cowboy hat – just saw it in the attic as I was getting my Christmas decorations down…:)