Opinions: What’s ‘3:10 to Yuma’ offers McClain impresses 4 the big deal? 5 nothing new to Western genre 8 Saban in first game Wednesday, September 5, 2007 Serving the University of Alabama since 1894 Vol. 114, Issue 18 UA adjusts for first game day changes eagerly welcomed a big additional provider for service those lots.” Ferg, Quad showed game screen television on the Quad. back up,” Johnson said. “If that While visitors found park- as alternate locations Although there were some happens again, we will have a ing throughout town, some technical difficulties, the area contingency system to switch students’ concerns were just BY CHRISTY CONNER AND PAUL was crowded with people to immediately.” getting into the game on time. THOMPSON watching the games, said Gina Other noticeable changes To avoid long lines in front The Crimson White Johnson, associate vice presi- were the additional parking of the gates, the University dent of auxiliary services. spaces. Johnson said five new hired extra staff to help check Thousands of crimson and “It was shoulder to shoul- parking areas were created to ACTion cards and students white fans of all ages swarmed der with people watching accommodate the large influx into the game, UA spokeswom- the campus Saturday with one the games during the day,” of visitors. Three hours prior to an Deborah Lane said. This thing in mind: to watch a new Johnson said. “What a great kickoff, CrimsonRide started was an adjustment that many turn of the Tide. atmosphere.” special gameday routes direct students said they noticed on With the start of the new To prevent the technical to the Quad that transported game day. football season, the University difficulties from happening visitors back and forth, she Miles Watkins, a junior prepared to manage the 92,000 again, the University is already said. majoring in civil engineer- fans by adding more stadium devising a backup plan, she “We added more park- ing, said he left about an hour employees, parking spaces said. ing areas on the East side before kickoff and was sur- and routes to see the Crimson “It was a DIRECTV prob- of campus,” Johnson said. prised by how fast he got into CW/ April Williams Tide team. lem, not an equipment prob- “The biggest hit was using Students stood the entire game to cheer on the Crimson Tide as they Students and tailgaters lem, so we are working with an the CrimsonRide to service See GAMEDAY, Page 2 played Western Carolina in the season opener in front of a packed crowd. FOOTBALL ■ ALABAMA 52, WESTERN CAROLINA 6 Smashing start Strive for Five Tide routs Catamounts Grant, who was named the SEC Freshman of the Week, net- kicks off today in Saban’s first game ted 134 yards and three touch- downs in just one half. He aver- University, community change their lifestyles with BY RYAN WRIGHT aged 7.4 yards a carry. group support and a fun pro- Assistant Sports Editor “I don’t want to say I told you employees work to gram,” she said. ■ [email protected] so, but I told you if he hits that A study released last month seam, he’s gone,” receiver DJ improve health, fitness by the Trust for America’s Under a dimming September Hall said. Health ranked the state third sky, the stadium lights shining Despite the setback of BY LAUREN CABRAL in adult obesity and fifth for steadily during one long-await- last year’s medical redshirt, Staff Reporter physical inactivity. The study ed Saturday, a crowd 92,000 Grant solidified his spot as the found 29.4 percent of adults strong formally welcomed its frontrunner on a squad with Alabama may be the third are obese and 29.5 percent new hero. several scholarship backs. fattest state in America, but don’t exercise. The Nick Saban era has offi- “Those kinds of plays are the some UA employees said The registration numbers cially begun. plays he’s capable of making,” they hope they won’t be con- for the University’s program, Like his legacy at Lousiana Saban said. “He’s a great space tributing to those rankings. however, show UA employ- State University, it started with player. When he gets into the Today marks the begin- ees are more than up to the the systematic dismantling of secondary, he’s very dangerous ning of the “Strive for Five” challenge of keeping fit and a frail, less-talented Western in terms of making people miss. program, a health improve- healthy. Kelly said more than Carolina team. “The great guys can make ment program created by the 500 UA participants, who With a dominating rushing those kinds of plays, big plays, Office of Health Promotion make up about 150 teams, attack, the Crimson Tide tamed and Terry did that a couple times and Wellness designed to had registered as of Tuesday, the Catamounts 52-6. The last tonight.” encourage University staff and more are expected to time Alabama won its season Jimmy Johns, Glen Coffee and and faculty members to join the program. opener by such a margin Paul Roy Upchurch each rushed for adopt healthy lifestyles. Twelve hundred commu- Bryant was still roaming the a single touchdown. Upchurch Teams of three to five nity employees are estimated sidelines. pulled off 9.2 yards per carry, employees will be encour- to register as well. Alabama racked up a while Coffee rushed for 8.4 yards aged to participate in two of The program is not a com- CW/ T.G. Paschal record-setting 35 first downs on per touch. five categories: move for five petition but a health improve- 575 yards of total offense. Saban credited a stout offen- Alabama linebackers Rolando McClain and Darren Mustin crush Western days per week for at least 30 ment challenge, and Kelly Terry Grant, who ignited sive line for the explosive pro- Carolina ball carrier Willie Harper. On impact, Harper’s chin strap broke, and minutes, drink five cups of emphasized the goal is not the crowd with a 47-yard duction. In its weekly honors, his helmet flew off. The play made SportCenter’s Top 10 Plays of the Day. water per day, lose 5 percent quick weight loss but instead touchdown run on the first the SEC listed center Antoine of the team’s body weight or to make healthy choices to play from scrimmage, intro- Caldwell under its “other John Parker Wilson posted formations. Wilson completed maintain their weight, eat improve and maintain health duced himself as Alabama’s new out standing performances” solid numbers during the debut 17-of-24 passes for 189 yards five fruits and vegetables per in the long run. premier back. section. of an offense that ran several before being pulled in the third day and think five positive Participants will check in quarter. health messages per week. weekly for the duration of the Backup quarterback Greg Employees from DCH program, which ends Nov. 7. McElroy played a near-perfect Regional Medical Center, the While all team members game. He went 8-of-9 for 73 City of Tuscaloosa, Nucor are expected to participate in yards and a touchdown. Steel, Inc. and the American two categories of “Strive For With the suspension of Keith Heart Association will also Five,” they are encouraged Brown, Saban repeatedly said it participate in the new pro- to do as many as possible. was an opportunity for some- gram. Kelly said the program was one else to step up, and wide Rebecca Kelly, director first tested on employees in out Earl Alexander listened. of the Office of Health and the Office of Undergraduate The freshman snagged four Wellness Promotions, said Admissions. The 24 partici- receptions, as many as Hall, for she came up with the pro- pants lost a total of 61 pounds 40 yards. gram because she saw a need in 60 days but said striving Improving on what some to promote healthy habits for all five changes was too refer to as the “dead zone” for and increase activity on cam- much. Alabama, the Tide converted pus. “We learned very quickly five of its six trips to the red zone “We hope to provide a into points. vehicle to help individuals See HEALTHY, Page 2 The versatility of the offense showed as four players scored rushing touchdowns for the ‘Strive for Five’ team steps Tide, and 12 receivers hauled in passes. ■ Move for five days per week for at least The Tide defense nearly forced as many fumbles as 30 minutes. it allowed points, with five. ■ Drink five cups of water per day. Western Carolina did bust the ■ Lose 5 percent of the team’s body Alabama coverage once for a 67-yard touchdown, but it was weight or maintain their weight. negated by a holding penalty. ■ Eat five fruits and vegetables per day. CW/ Mark Lent Eighteen players saw their ■ Think five positive health messages per Redshirt freshman Terry Grant runs the ball against Western Carolina. Grant was named the SEC Freshman of the Week for his performance, which included 134 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. See FOOTBALL, Page 3 week. Today Chance of thunderstorms. The Crimson White ■ Box 870170 Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 Thursday Chance of thunderstorms. ■ ■ 90º/68º Newsroom — 348-6144 Fax — 348-4116 Advertising — 348-7845 ■ Classifieds — 348-7355 ■ Letters, op-eds — letters cw.ua.edu Friday Chance of thunderstorms. @ online 94º/69º 90º/68º ■ Press releases, announcements — [email protected] www.cw.ua.edu 2 Wednesday, September 5, 2007 ■ NEWS THE CRIMSON WHITE CAMPUS UA curbs energy consumption BY ABBY WALLER ed, and efforts such as install- University is always trying to University’s total consump- INTobrief submit a brief, e-mail [email protected] Contributing Writer ing compact fluorescent lights, improve upon its attempts to tion for August is down 7.4 reducing use of elevators, make the campus more effi- percent compared to August With alarmingly high turning lights off and closing cient.