Photos by Lance Sutehall and Lloyd Brown, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.43
Louis Crews Stadium 4200 Memorial Pkwy NW Huntsville, AL 35210
Year Opened: 1996
Capacity: 21,000
These Dogs Bark And Bite
Alabama A&M is a Historically Black College & University (HBCU) in Huntsville, Alabama. Founded in 1875, the school had an enrollment of over 6,600 students in the Fall 2023 semester. The Bulldogs athletic teams have competed in the Football Championship Subdivision’s (FCS) Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) since 1998.
Before becoming a Division One program, the Bulldogs competed in Division Two’s Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The Bulldogs have won fourteen conference titles, including twelve SIAC championships and the SWAC in 2006 and 2020. The Bulldogs claimed the 2020 Black College Football National Championship as that team went undefeated that season.
Alabama A&M’s biggest rival is the Alabama State Hornets, located down I-65 in Montgomery. Those teams play each other in the annual Magic City Classic at Legion Field in Birmingham. Their other big in-state rival is the Tuskegee Golden Tigers from when A&M was a Division Two program, but since the Bulldogs moved up to Division One, matchups between Tuskegee and A&M have not been as frequent. However, they met up in 2023 and set the record for the largest crowd at Lewis Crews Stadium with 26,391 in attendance.
Food & Beverage 3
There is a lot of great food on Bulldog game days… at the pregame tailgate. Inside the stadium, the options are somewhat limited, with the offerings including hot dogs ($3), polish sausages ($5), popcorn ($3), peanuts ($3), nachos ($4), dill pickles ($2), and candy ($3). Beverages include Coca-Cola brand bottled sodas ($4), Dasani water ($4), and Minute Maid frozen treats ($3). There are alcohol stands that sell various beers ($5-$7). As of the writing of this article, the concession stands accept cards and cash, but starting in 2025, Alabama A&M athletic events will become cashless.
Atmosphere 4
Bulldog game days start with pregame tailgating at the George E. Jones Tailgate Plaza. There will be many tents and cookouts many hours before toe meets the leather on the gridiron. As the time gets closer to kickoff, bulldog paws are on the road leading you toward Louis Crews Stadium.
After passing the security checkpoint, there are several tents with Bulldogs merchandise before entering the concourse below the bleachers. Upon entering the concourse, there is an elevator to the executive suites and press box with a bust of Louis Crews, the head coach of the Bulldogs from 1960-1975, as well as a plaque commemorating John Stallworth.
There are three concession stands throughout the main concourse and another one by the opposing smaller stand. The columns that hold up the bleachers commemorate members of the Alabama A&M Athletic Hall of Fame.
There are two sets of bleachers, with the main home stand seating 14,000 people while a 7,000-seat stand sits on the other side. The football field is surrounded by a running track with a video scoreboard by one end zone and the George Hobson Field House near the other.
The football field has the Alabama A&M logo at midfield with a bulldog shaded in the turf if you look close enough. About an hour before kickoff, the Maroon & White Band marches into the stadium on the track by the scoreboard. The band plays music, the Dancin’ Divas strut in, and the cheerleaders get the crowd going. The football team comes out of the field house and enters the playing field through an inflatable helmet and pyro show.
Fireworks went off every time the Bulldogs scored a touchdown, and there was a stadium-wide firework show at the end of the third quarter (I attended the Homecoming Game, but I can’t confirm if this occurs every game).
Neighborhood 3
The immediate vicinity of the Alabama A&M campus does not have a lot of attractions for visiting tourists. To get the most out of a visit to Huntsville, I would recommend venturing a few miles south and visiting attractions such as the Huntsville Depot Museum, Huntsville Museum of Art, and Big Spring International Park.
It is recommended to travel a few more miles west and stop by the U.S. Space and Rocket Center. Dining options in downtown Huntsville include Catch 25 Seafood & Brewery, Jack Brown’s Beer & Burger Joint, and Melt Huntsville for comfort food. Hotel chains include Hampton Inn, SpringHill Suites, and Embassy Suites.
Fans 3
The fans arrive early for the pregame tailgate with great food, good vibes, and unwavering support for the Bulldogs. Most of the fans are either proud Alumni of Alabama A&M or students currently attending the university.
Alabama A&M has had success marketing itself as the only D1 program in the quickly growing Huntsville area, and there are youth and church groups in attendance as well. The Maroon and White Band sets the tone for the crowd while the cheerleaders and Dancin’ Divas help raise the energy.
Access 4
From I-65, turn off on I-565 and drive until you reach Exit 19B, where you make a left onto Highway 431. Keep driving, and the campus of Alabama A&M will be on your right. From the tailgating area, follow the paws on the road to get to the stadium, and the venue is easy enough to walk around. The lines for the concessions are not long, and there are enough restrooms throughout the concourse.
Return on Investment 3
General admission tickets for Alabama A&M games are $35, while reserved seats at midfield are $45. Children’s tickets are only $15. Parking costs between $15-$30, so an individual can expect to pay $60, while a date will run over $100, and a family of four will drop around $150. Tickets for Alabama A&M games are more expensive than UAB or Jacksonville State but cheaper than Alabama State games.
Extras 4
Alabama A&M has had 16 players play on Sundays in the NFL, including Robert Mathis and John Stallworth. The aforementioned players have had their numbers retired by Alabama A&M.
The Bulldogs play the Alabama State Hornets in the annual Magic City Classic at Legion Field in Birmingham. This game is the biggest of the season for the Bulldogs and a chance to connect with the alumni of the other school.
As is the case with other HBCUs, the Maroon and White band puts on an amazing halftime performance and performs throughout the game. Their performance is seen as the highlight of a Bulldog game day by many fans.
Alabama A&M’s Homecoming weekend is a big deal as there is a party on the campus for the whole week. There will be many fans tailgating who do not go inside the stadium for the game, but they are part of the Homecoming festivities.
Final Thoughts
Alabama A&M has a unique and exciting game day experience. The tailgating scene before the game and the Maroon & White band’s halftime show are both amazing experiences. Alabama A&M knows how game day is supposed to be done.
Comments