Auburn Fans Flock Birmingham Airport To Make Trip Out West
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: January 9, 2011
Striped scarves. Custom made pins. Pom poms. On Saturday, the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport was painted in orange and blue and the number 2 as hundreds of Auburn fans take flight to watch Monday's match.
"We just couldn't miss it. We had to go," says Donnie Devore, Auburn fan.
"I am so excited," says Ashley Walls, Auburn fan.
They're excited to watch their beloved Tigers duke it out against the Oregon Ducks live, in person, in Arizona.
"I feel like I'm a little kid that believes in Santa Claus and tomorrow's Christmas..I've just been a nervous wreck," says Collum.
"All my Alabama fan friends are telling me we're going to lose and all my Auburn fans are just plain jealous," says Patrick Thomley, 12 year-old Auburn fan.
Many of these dedicated fans...
"We've been going to Auburn games for over 20 years," says Mary Ann Lambert, Auburn fan.
"I bought a new Auburn dress, Auburn gear, new shoes, you name it," says Collum.
Purchased BCS package deals. Some bought them very early.
"We got our tickets and hotel before the Alabama game. We had faith," says Larry Richardson, Auburn fan.
"We got our flight, tickets to the game, the whole nine yards. And no problems. None at all. I called and checked like 15 times," says Collum.
They're checking to make sure they don't miss out on this rare opportunity.
"We cannot count on this again," says Walls.
"It's a once in a lifetime and I'm going with my son and that will probably never happen again," says Richardson.
"I've heard what the tickets are going for and there's no way, I wouldn't sell mine for anything," says Hicks.
The Birmingham airport saw nearly two dozen additional flights because of the BCS National Championship game. More flights are scheduled to leave Sunday, even Monday. Those who left Saturday say they're grateful they got out ahead of the predicted snow
