Mr. College Football

By buck b

July 25, 2008 8:24 AM | Link to this

Are you sure it wasnt’t Weight Watchers who put the subpoena on UT Coach Phat Fulmer?

Agreed…move the Media Day to Atlanta…maybe we can then end the drought on Lake Lanier with Coach Urban Renewal’s tears…..

By Mikey in Sav

July 25, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this

Phat Phil will Phigure out a way to Phinagle his way out of this Phiasco.

By Doug

July 25, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Great idea Tony. The nation’s best football conference holds their Media Days in a shopping center in Birmingham, Alabama?

Other conferences have their’s in Chicago, Los Angeles and even Conference USA has their’s in Orlando. And ours is in Birmingham?

Also time to move the SEC Office out of Birmingham.

By GatorFan

July 25, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this

First? Yes, it should be in Atl.

By m

July 25, 2008 8:32 AM | Link to this

To say that the SEC is NOW better about abiding by the rules is like saying that Rosie O’donnell is slimmer NOW because she didn’t eat a donut THIS morning. The SEC is (and has been) a win at all costs league. And that has NOT changed. This year the SEC will probably be the first league ever to have had every single player serve jail time for one reason or another. Also, MR. COLLEGE FOOTBALL, why don’t you comment on David Cutcliffe’s comments that the so-called SEC superiority over the ACC in football is mostly hype by homers like you???

By Mirna from smyrna

July 25, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

Doug nailed it! The less the rest of us have to do with those BAMA nut jobs the better!

By Frank

July 25, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

You can’t spell Phillip Fulmer without 3 “L’s”. Rocky Top you’ll always be…in the middle of the SEC.

By OLD COOT

July 25, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

Any bias there MR CFB? Why don’t we just move all the teams to Atlanta, that way the smug and superior residents of the great state of Jawja wouldd never have to leave there boarders.

By OLD COOT

July 25, 2008 8:52 AM | Link to this

Any bias there MR CFB? Why don’t we just move all the teams to Atlanta, that way the smug and superior residents of the great state of Jawja would never have to leave there boarders.

By OLD COOT

July 25, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

Hi Mirna, BAMA nut job here, perhaps crawlin out of your hole and realizing that there’s a wide world outside of Smearna would be in order.

By tyler durden

July 25, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this

clearly there are no lawyers in Atlanta that would do such a thing. look, the bloated one has been avoiding being subpoenaed for years. obviously it was worth 10k for him to avoid being served in ‘04. where were they supposed to serve him?

By No

July 25, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

Birmingham is a terrific city. It’s where the league offices are and its centrally located. Take your Atlanta arrogance elsewhere and leave the SEC media days where they are.

I live in Atlanta, by the way and the Wynfrey is fabulous.

By SEC Speed

July 25, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this

Hey m, Nice bold type. It makes your point much more powerful. Hey, when was the last time an ACC team won the MNC? I’m curious.

By smyrna man

July 25, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

The only thing Alabama is good for is dumping toxic waste

By MK

July 25, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

Atlanta is not the be all! I love living here however all other cities are deserving. This was a pompous article!

By Anywhere but birmingham

July 25, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

I vote for the move. Let it rotate around the SEC. Then maybe Bama fans will realize they screwed up a good thing.

By I llove SEC Football

July 25, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

I used to enjoy hearing and reading Tony Barnhart before he was called Mr. College Football. He seemed to have insight and knowledge of SEC football. Now I see him on ESPN, I think, during the season and read these columns and see absolutley no insight. He seems to know UGA and UF well but the depth of his knowledge seems to end there. These media days columns read as if they were written at the bar during a lull in the conversation. If you read the posts the last few days, very few of the comments are a reaction to anything he said. SEC passions are clear to all of us, so can’t we get someone who can share some knowledge!?!? Come on, AJC!

By Robert

July 25, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this

It is interesting that when the foes of Coach Fulmer attack him and the University of Tennessee they attack Coach Fulmer’s weight. How lame…

By VanDSIRROM

July 25, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Tony—

Usually, you are very accurate with your choice of words. However, this time you said Coach Fulmer had not “looked at” the subpeona. What he said—from the transcript of the news conference—was “I have not seen it”.

We know now that he had “seen” the subpeona but for some unexplained reason chose to lie rather than admit it.

Move SEC Media Days to Nashville, perhaps, but NEVER to Atlanta. The SEC athletes that attend would have to get ‘Georgia carry permits’ for their guns if it were in high crime Atlanta.

By HT

July 25, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Phat Phil, who has more chins than Chinatown, brought this on himself - and the SEC. Why didn’t he show in 2004? Fear of “the subpoena”, and he gladly paid $10,000 to avoid it. What does that tell you? It tells me that $10,000 is more important than truthfully answering some tough questions about how he worked with Roy Kramer and the NCAA to “nail” Alabama. I would call this poetic justice, and personally think it is hilarious - couldn’t happen to a more pompous person. And then to praise Auburn’s undefeated football team? Folks, you’ve got a conceited, “I can get away with it”, egomaniac here, and for him to get his come-uppance in front of a crowd - not that last year’s beating in Tuscaloosa wasn’t some justice either - is funnier than a Johnny Carson monologue. And move it to Atlanta? Nope, doesn’t get my vote. But if I’m a writer for the AJC I would sure be pushing it - for my own self-interests.

By Bob

July 25, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

I’m a lifelong Georgian, but leave the SEC media days in Birmingham. It’s a city that is much easier to get around in and this keeps other SEC coaches out of Georgia at least for a couple of days.

By gator mike

July 25, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

Tony, you are correct in wanting to move the SEC Media Event to Atlanta which is a great city. I firmly believe that Atlanta is much better equiped to prevent events like the classless move against Phil Fulmer by some low class lawyers. I am sure there are some ethical lawyers in our society, but they always seem to get out maneuvered by the dirt bag lawyers. This should be one wild SEC Season. Of course I am not an UGA fan, but it is great having them wear the bull’s eye this year. UGA has a potentially great team, but there are other very good teams in the SEC. The sleeper may be Auburn. Hopefully, the best team will win, and it will not be a fluke. Go Gators!

By JB

July 25, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this

I’m a Georgia boy, but if I had to choose between Atlanta and Birmingham to live, I’ll take Birmingham. I grew up in Atlanta, And it ain’t what it used to be. If you’ve never been to That part of Birmingham, It would be a great place to live. Excellent quality of life. PS: they don’t care what we think over here. They Don’t want you there anyway.

By Gadawg

July 25, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Move it to ATL, it’s absurd to have our SEC media days kick off in a strip mall. Atlanta is home to CNN and a conglamorate of Media coverage and it could be held in venues where Cow tipping is not the excitement of the week

By Gadawg

July 25, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Move it to ATL, it’s absurd to have our SEC media days kick off in a strip mall. Atlanta is home to CNN and a conglamorate of Media coverage and it could be held in venues where Cow tipping is not the excitement of the week

By Gadawg

July 25, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Move it to ATL, it’s absurd to have our SEC media days kick off in a strip mall. Atlanta is home to CNN and a conglamorate of Media coverage and it could be held in venues where Cow tipping is not the excitement of the week

By Tracey

July 25, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

I dont’ care where they have the media days even though I’m from Birmingham, AL, but it does make sense to have the media days near the central office of the league. Just as it makes sense for the Falcons to be near their central headquarters.

Having moved to Georgia six years ago I have come to understand the unabashed, uncontrolled and totally unjustified idea most Atlantans have that they are the CENTER of the universe. Smog, road rage, rudeness and the total inability of most Atlantans to see that there other places to live that are far superior to Atlanta is what makes most people from other states in the southeast HATE to have to come here for almost any reason. It isn’t always that they just HATE the traffic, it’s that they don’t particularily like the inhabitants of our smog laden home that make them hate to come here.

As someone who has lived both places, I see the faults in both, but I gotta say, having so many people here with boundless EGOS seems to intensify all the BAD that is Atlanta.

And, since Phil Fulmer was desperately trying to avoid being subpoened in any way, he got fined 10,000 for avoiding media days so he couldn’t be served, he deserved whatever the heck he got. You got a problem with someone, call them and say, “I know you cheated I’m turning you in to the NCAA.” Don’t be a backstapping SOB and do it in secret and you won’t have to be subpoened. He’s a total jerk and totally classless and if he was embarassed, HOORAY!!!

We, as citizens of the United States, don’t have the right to avoid a subpoena just because we are scared that we have to come out of HIDING.

By ATL Tiger

July 25, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Tony, you got the right idea but didn’t pull the weed out by the roots. Move the ENTIRE SEC OFFICE to Atlanta. It’s time to put in in a more neutral setting, in the media and transportation hub of the south.

As long as the SEC is headquartered in Alabama, we will continue to have substandard administration, leadership and integrity. And don’t get me started about officiating and interpretation of rules!!

By Joe Mac

July 25, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Better yet, let’s have SEC sportswriters fly from school to school each August to meet with players and coaches on their turf. We can call it the SEC Skywriters Tour.

By Gary

July 25, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

I agree, move it to Atlanta the hub of the south and the biggest media market in the southeast. All the radio guys are griping about it being in Birmingham as well. Plus I doubt a stunt like this would have happened. I don’t like Phil, but that was ridiculous and something I would expect from Bama boosters, sadly.

Also I find it amusing that an ACC fan would be on here talking trash. Everyone, get this through your heads. These are young men playing this game and are in college. They are prone to making mistakes just like anyone else who is in college will make. I am sure they are not the only ones at UGA, UF, UT, ALA, AUB, LSU, or SC that are getting busted for minor skirmishes. Also that glorious conference we have come to love the ACC is no saint either. FSU, Miami, UNC, Duke, GATech, and that great school where dog killers and thugs congregate too VA Tech have all had their fair share of skirmishes involving student athletes. Lets face it, these are COLLEGE KIDS and they will make mistakes. It happens everywhere. The best thing is that they learn from it and mature. Give me a break already.

By Jim

July 25, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

Tony-

I have to say that is one lame reason to move the SEC media days from Birmingham. I would think you would serve us readers better to write about something more relevant to us not your own self serving purpose.

Jim

PS To me it’s all entertainment…whether it’s “Phil and the subpoena” or “the Richt/Myers squabble”. But I guess you only considered the Fulmer thing to be hijacking yet I heard more about the latter. Oh well you’ll always be a Georgia homer.

By stephen

July 25, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

Move media days to Nashville. I have lived in Birmingham, have family in Atlanta, and now live in Nashville. Nashville would be the best place to hold the media days.

By Tracey

July 25, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

JB,

You are right. The area where the event is held is a great area. High quality of living and great schools. Schools that rank higher than Georgia schools in quality of education and in graduation rates. All this without the lottery.

And again, you are correct when you say that the people over there do not care what Atlantans say or do, because they are quite content with having a better quality of life, less crime, better schools, and nicer people around them than most Atlantans have.

And you are also right when you say they don’t want you over there. Having lived here for a bit, I can understand not wanting Atlantans over there. Rude doesn’t even begin to cover what mosts Atlantans are like.

By David

July 25, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Toney, don’t comment on people when you don’t know the whole story and the facts. They call that shotty journalism. So you and Phil had a conversation and decided he was totally innocent and Alabama was just picking on him? Do yourself a favor, research his involvement with Alabama going on probation. Then whatever bias you have will sound more credible. What the hell do you care where the meeting is held?

By Will

July 25, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

I would like to subponea Phat Phill and ask him how he put that beat down on my dawgs last year. Make sure it doesn’t happen again. Of all the games I worry about this year I worry about Tennessee game the most. The D is going to be good and will have a great run game which can shorten the contest and keep it tight. A couple of turnovers and anything can happen at that point.

By PB

July 25, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Fulmer Haters:

Get over it Phil is fat. Great. He isn’t getting any skinnier. Besides if we really need to talk about fat, how about Friegen at Maryland, and Mangino at Kansas. They both ate Phil for breakfast today.

To Frank:

If TN is in the middle, then it’s very ironic how they have won the SEC East 4 of the last 7 seasons! Odd how that can happen if your in the middle right?

As for Media Days in Alabama and in the tide’s favor being so close to Tuscaloosa, we all know it’s at least one thing they win each year, because it’s certainly not the Iron Bowl!

By Former ATL resident

July 25, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

While we’re at it, let’s go ahead and move the Masters out of Augusta because it is not a “major media” outlet either! It’s not the location (though Birmingham is a great place to live, work and raise a family), it’s the event itself.

And there will always be kooks who try and hijack the gather media attention to their own cause (remember Martha Burk)!

Believe it or not, there is life, and good life, beyond I-285!

By virtueandvice

July 25, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Good thing Fulmer didn’t bring his team with him!

By Me

July 25, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

My, my at the ignorance…ATL Tiger proudly displays his, along with his stupidity.

By B

July 25, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Why move to just to ATL? Atlanta already holds the SEC Championship game every year in the GA dome. Plus from a UGA recruiting perspective, you want opposing coaches to have as small a presence in your state as possible. I think it would be a good idea to consider cities like Jacksonville, Memphis, and Birmingham with Atlanta in some kind of rotation. These are traditionally considered neutral ground and expose more fans in the southeast to a personal glimpse into the conference excitement.

By chris

July 25, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

This whole episode started years ago because an Alabama booster believed Fulmer was working with the NCAA in its investigation of Alabama. Now a coach can’t do that.

So which is it, Tony? Did the booster believe or did Fulmer do what he could not do now? This national pity party for this lying tub of goo is the thing that stop…not the due process of law.

By gary

July 25, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

i agree and we need to get the SEC offices out of Birmingham; much too much bias.

By Katie

July 25, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

I think the SEC offices should be moved to Atlanta along with an SEC Hall of Fame. Birmingham is a great city and has been a great host, but the dominance of SEC sports should be celebrated and the time has come to take the step and create this Hall of FAme as well as have media days move to a larger venue. What about the old World of Coke at Underground Atlanta - central location - close to the dome - ready for a tenant…

By Katie

July 25, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

I think the SEC offices should be moved to Atlanta along with an SEC Hall of Fame. Birmingham is a great city and has been a great host, but the dominance of SEC sports should be celebrated and the time has come to take the step and create this Hall of FAme as well as have media days move to a larger venue. What about the old World of Coke at Underground Atlanta - central location - close to the dome - ready for a tenant…

By KB

July 25, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

I think the SEC offices should be moved to Atlanta along with an SEC Hall of Fame. Birmingham is a great city and has been a great host, but the dominance of SEC sports should be celebrated and the time has come to take the step and create this Hall of FAme as well as have media days move to a larger venue. What about the old World of Coke at Underground Atlanta - central location - close to the dome - ready for a tenant…

By Mark

July 25, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Fullmer is a fat cheat. And screw you Barnhardt, you arrogant jerk. I live here in ATL also and this is THE WORST SPORTS TOWN IN THE COUNTRY. Birmingham is THE college football capital. Atlanta doesnt even support its own teams. Birmingham is the ideal place for anything SEC related. The state of Alabama defines passionate college football fans and deserves to host this event.

By MRJ

July 25, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

I like Tony, and his points are well taken, but moving to Atlanta will just open another host of issues. No doubt Atlanta has the most to offer of any SEC country city (I’ve been an Atlanta resident since birth). I like Birmingham a lot, but the ridiculousness of the UA community makes media days unenjoyable for many. Further, SEC HQ being in Birmingham simply isn’t good for SEC football. The improprieties of UA athletics and the conference governing body being commingled makes for bad national publicity.

That said, moving it to Atlanta would only move the focus from UA and place it on UGA. Georgia fans can be almost as irrational as Alabama fans, but moreso, UGA already gets sufficient publicity by being the favored team in the biggest southern media market.

If we move media days, why not move it somewhere enjoyable but less favorable to any one school. I think the ACC being in Reynolds Plantation is a wise choice. Certainly we could do something like Reynolds or Destin or even the Peabody (who really cares whether Ole Miss gets a little bump—now whether people would be interested in Memphis, who knows).

By Gary

July 25, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

PB I agree, Enough of the Phat Phil stuff. It was funny 7 years ago, but enough already. And no I am not a UT fan. I despise them, but they are a good team. Bama boosters and their lawyers showed their class or lack of it this week. Move it to Atlanta or if you would like move it to Nasville. I would definitely go to either one. And I love how everyone talks about how great Birmingham is and how great schools are. Who cares, we are not talking about quality of living, we are talking about media days for a football conference. You can get much more if you move it to Atlanta or even Nashville for that matter.

Also PB, UT has won the SEC East only 3 times in the last 7 years. UGA - 3, UT - 3, and UF -1

By BullDawg Rick

July 25, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Move SEC Media daze to the Atl…

The only good thing about the state of Alabama is……

Well, there’s nothing…

By Spike

July 25, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

These grandstanding lawyers could have served elsewhere of course, e.g. airport, hotel room etc. But they are lawyers , what do you expect? Fulmer could have avoided all this two years ago and just agreed to give a deposition, tell the truth and let the chips fall where they may. If he had, nobody would have given this another thought.

By hsf

July 25, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Fulmer did Alabama a favor. Without him they might still have Mike DuBose as coach and their slimy, cheating boosters out of control as they were for 50 years.

By WM

July 25, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Poor Tony B, he has to drive two hours down the road, stay in a nice hotel for free and talk about SEC football all day. I really feel sorry for you as I sit at my computer at work.

By Jason

July 25, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

Those of us who live in GA know that a stunt like the Fulmer subpoena could never happen here, as we don’t have any low-down, classless lawyers in GA.

By the way, you act as if these lawyers distracted us from pure gold spewing forth from the mouths of the SEC coaches. The SEC Media Days does not deliver any sort of new information. So sorry that some lawyers took the spotlight off of some re-run speeches and the egocentric media members.

By Scott

July 25, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

FYI - This issue started because while Phil Fulmer was a “Secret Witness” for the NCAA against Alabama, he made up stories whole-cloth. One of them being that Mrs. Smith (wife of the plantiff) was having an affair with a member of the Dubose staff.

Perhaps Fulmer needs to start acting like a grown responsible adult before SEC Media Days is moved out of Birmingham. That would seem like the logical move to me.

By bama

July 25, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

Tony,

Your right, the SEC Media Days is not the right place to hand out subpoenas. However, who f-ing cares about fat Phil Fulmer. Give me a break Tony, Phil Fulmer didn’t follow a chain of command. Bama fans might be a little crazy but they didn’t pull this one out of their a*.

By CB

July 25, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

I love how you say that “This is the second time in four years that the SEC has had to deal with Alabama lawyers threatening to subpoena a coach at football media days” This makes it sound as if they have been going after multiple coaches and not having to try for 4 years to serve Fulmer with a subpoena. Maybe if Fulmer had just served the deposition instead of hiding out in Tennessee this wouldn’t have had to be a spectacle four years later.

By James

July 25, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Except that THERE ISN’T AN S.E.C. TEAM IN ATLANTA. ATHENS is not ATLANTA - get it?!

By Jason

July 25, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

SEC Media Days is BORING! Who cares where it is held????

Why don’t you write about something more worthwhile like rotating the UGA/FL game bi-annually between Jacksonville and the Atlanta? That may actually make sense and would keep UGA from traveling 4x the distance as UF every year.

By Miles

July 25, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

It’s time to move SEC Media Days to Cabo San Lucas, San Tropez, or Banff.

By T-Bird

July 25, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

“When were they supposed to Serve him?”

Gee, i don’t know, how about after the game in Tuscaloosa he plays every other year. He’s been here several times, that was a media stunt.

By T-Bird

July 25, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

“When were they supposed to Serve him?”

Gee, i don’t know, how about after the game in Tuscaloosa he plays every other year. He’s been here several times, that was a media stunt.

By DoginTenn

July 25, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

Why do people from ATL think that it is the only city in the south. Nashville, New Orleans, Mobile, Biloxi, Charleston, Pensacola, and Lousiville would all be fine places for Media Days. Sea Island hosted the G8 Summit a few years back. If thats not good enough for Tony Barnhart then what is? All they need is a hotel, a few ballrooms, and bunch of food so Fulmer and Tony can eat their fat rear ends off.

By noway

July 25, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Atlanta’s “infrastructure” is a positive?That may be the most ridiculous argument I have ever read. Sorry you have to actually drive somewhere Tony, but ATL doesn’t deserve it. The state of Alabama has two teams in the conference, unlike Georgia and unlike lousy Legion Field, the Wynfrey is a very nice setting for this event. The Fulmer thing would have happened anywhere. How many hotels don’t let lawyers in them? And does anybody really feel sorry for him anyway? If the SEC decides to have everything in Atlanta and continue hurting other SEC hotbeds economically, the other 11 schools in the conference should mutiny. Conferences need to hold true to their local fan base, not worry about worldwide expansion, a concept corporations in this county forgot long ago. How is that working out for them lately? Stick to football, Tony.

By The General Feeling

July 25, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

The focus of the arctile should be on Bama fans and their dillusional attempts at revenge for being caught cheating ten years ago. Coaches Fulmer, Nutt, Spurrier, and Saban all had a hand in revealing the cheating at Alabama. It was Fulmer who had the hard evidence.

Fat jokes are so old, boys. Fulmer’s record against Bama and Georgia is simply rediculous. He ownes you punks and it hurts you so much. Ha, ha, ha.

Everything SEC should move from Birmingham to Atlanta and the sooner the better.

By gatorfan96

July 25, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

Jason - do you want some cheese with your whine?

By The General Feeling

July 25, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

What Slive is saying is this: if there is cheating in the SEC, then you must come to me first and not the NCAA. Good ole Mike will see to it that a certain amount of cheating is tolerated provided the SEC fills the BCS bowls, annually. Programs like Alabama cannot cheat a little as it is in their blood to cheat and cheat often.

By Monk

July 25, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this

Doesn’t have to be ATL, Nashville is a nice place for a meetin’. Consider Orlando or Nola or any number of places.

By Brad

July 25, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this

Blame Alabama! Blame Birmingham! Blame Alabama fans! Followed by personal attacks.

Has anyone considered that it is SEC commissions fault for continually picking a site that is a public place that anyone has access to. This sort of stuff can happen anywhere. While all the other conferences have there meetings at private resorts where you can restrict access.

I hear and read people degrading Alabama and Birmingham regularly. The truth is few if any have spent time there recently. Your opinions are based on stigmas that formed many decades ago. When I meet people who come to Birmingham for the first time, they are always surprised. The reality does not fit it’s outdated reputation.

People are quick to point fingers at Alabama and ignore what’s going on in their own back yard.

By who cares

July 25, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

I love sec football, you are correct. TB is a total joke, and to call this clown Mr. College Football shows what a disgrace the AJC is. No other paper would allow this guy and Terrence Moore to write a blog, much less a column in their paper. Hope TB can get a job as the UF beatwriter in the Gainesville Sun, or maybe he could work for the UF athletic dept. and sniff all the Gators joke straps. If that doesn’t work out maybe espn would allow him to drive the gameday crew around in their limo, since he sucks up to Kirk H so much.TB, See you at the swamp for the next tebow worship with the rest of the clowns from espn.

By CHD

July 25, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

MOVE IT TO GEORGIA - land of all that is right and just and proper. Maybe the chosen one, Saint Mark, could have his home-state dawgs greet all of the other coaches as they enter with stomping, jumping, barking and other civilized forms of greetings. I’m sure Pope Urban would appreciate it.

By Chris

July 25, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

Learn to spell, General Feeling…then get back to us.

And I am all for moving the SEC to one of the great crime centers in the country. I-R-O-N-Y.

By B

July 25, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

MRJ - Memphis would hold a strong interest in the SEC Media Days. I am a UGA alum living here and I can honestly tell you there are as many UT fans in Memphis as Ole Miss fans. Also MS St., Ark, and Vandy have some representation and a fan base boosted by local media. There are the traditional pockets of fans following Auburn, Bama, UF, LSU and UGA. Really is a neutral city with several nice venues.

By Rotate It

July 25, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this

I vote for rotating it each year to the city where the SEC school is located. Each SEC town has something unique to offer. A big kickoff media blitz starting in Atlanta would be good for 2009, and then go to each SEC school’s city. This would give each school equal exposure and would put money in the local economy. It would also help each school with recruiting b/c of visibility.

By Greg A.

July 25, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this

Yes, Tony, the world should revolve around Atlanta. Surely no media days funny business would ever happen in Heav….err, I mean, Atlanta. Maybe we should move all SEC football games to the GA Dome, too. Wait, I’ve got it. Let’s just uproot all the SEC campuses and their stadiums, move them to Atlanta, call it The Atlanta Conference and be done with it. That way, Atlanta residents never have to step outside their comfort zone for games. Besides, the rest of us would hate for you to be reminded that there are other pleasant cities in the South that aren’t constructed entirely out of traffic.

By Old Man

July 25, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

I woudl be fearful of people going to Atlanta because they might get kidnapped, raped, murdered, or who knows what. Also I would hate for someone like Nick Saban to be hassled for change by the thousands of homeless people.

By Pixie

July 25, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

In Response to Tracey:

You are just like all the other Alabama fans…you can’t stand that your precious Crimson Tide finally got caught for cheating after years of doing it. If you Alabama fans want to be mad at someone, how about being mad at your idiotic boosters who caused the Bama to be put on probation!!

In Response to BullDawg Rick:

There is one good thing that comes out of Alabama—-I-20—-leading to Atlanta

By Amy

July 25, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

PLEASE READ SLOWLY AND REPEAT IF NECESSARY……the lawyers who served Fulmer were not “Alabama” lawyers as Mr. Barnhart put it. They are in no way affiliated with the University or the legal team that represents UofA. They represent an individual, Mr. Smith, who in fact IS NOT AN ALABAMA BOOSTER. He has never given the University a dime or ever been a season ticket holder. He helped out many high school prospects that went to MANY univeristies, in fact, the one involoved in this case went to UT, not UA. He never paid students to go to one particular school and is not affiliated with any particular school. The subpoena was not served by a UA lawyer wearing a goofy “got nick?” shirt. Or by a fan waving a crimson pom pom in the Galleria. To say that the UofA or its fans are to blame is ludicrous (no not the rapper for you ATl’s who don’t realize that it’s an actual word and not spelled as his name is spelled) If you think moving media days to ATL will prevent lawyers from doing something similar in the future you are absolutely idiotic. Birmingham is THE central location in the SEC. So the headquarters and media days should stay in BHAM. A change of venue to somewhere private such as Ross Bridge would allow controlled access and prvent such problems in the future. If held in Atlanta just swap the fans wearing ‘got nick’ shirts for fans barking at each other like fools, swap the 4 lawyers serving Fulmer for 8 with egos the size of Texas, and swap the modestly sized city of BHAM (pop appx 1 mil) for a city overcrowded and overpolluted (pop appx 4 mil). Wow you can cancer from breathing the air, get run over on 285, listen to UGA fans bark, and see Belugas all in one day! Wow lets do it!

Now that being said ATL is a great city with many things BHAM cannot boast and I love to visit and do things you can’t do in BHAM. The High Museum is wonderful and I love the Braves (even when they lose. However the basis many provide for moving the SEC is shaky at best. BHAM is more than adequate in size and scope to provide an ideal environment for Media Days and the SEC offices. And I would love to see one of you tell Slive that UA is highjacking the SC and controlling the officials, leaders, and all of SEC country. He would laugh in your face. Change of city…NO. Change of venue…probably.

By David-ATL14

July 25, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Good call on possibly moving to Atlanta Tony.

How many more black eyes does the SEC have to receive from overzealous, redneck backwood hicks that support the Crimson?

By Stanley in Marietta

July 25, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this

Tracey,

sounds like you need new friends. I know people in B’ham that love to visit ATL and vice-versa.

By Face 2 Face

July 25, 2008 11:27 AM | Link to this

I see we have a lot of Tennessee haters and basher on this blog but I’m not…. I bleed Orange and what I have to say is stop cheating and you don’t have to worry about someone telling on you. I don’t blame Fulmer for what he did, I think if the shoe was the other foot your coach would have done the same thing. I would love media day moving here to the Atl. Looking to three peat against Georgia Bullpuppies, Train your new pup and hope he don’t use the bathroom on the hedges…. I heard PetSmart has dog obedient training classes.. Hope he brings a good bark before he meets Smokie………..

By Jim

July 25, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this

I live in Mobile and I could care less if the SEC moves the event out of Birmingham, but Atlanta is not the best place either. As for Fulmer, you need to report the whole sordid story of his experience as the secret witness for the NCAA, which was a violation of the NCAA’s own rules. And you should truthfully cover the lies he told as the secret witness. Fulmer is a low life and is an insult to the SEC.

By Eric1

July 25, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Granted, there are many, many idiots in Alabama. But Alabama does not have a monopoly on stupidity. Anything that can happen in Alabama can happen on a grander scale in Georgia. Atlanta may be a better location for this event because of a better infrastructure, but that’s the only reason. War Damn Eagle!!!

By Cade

July 25, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

People in ATL do think they are superior, and I don’t know why. These posts confirm that. I live in Birmingham and travel a good bit, and I don’t mind telling you I avoid Atlanta at all costs. In fact the only time I’ve been to Atlanta in the past five years was to visit a friend from college.
Hoover is a nice city. The Wynfrey is a great hotel. That mall and shopping center is not a strip mall. Fullmer is fat hypocrite. Oh, I can’t believe I took the time to write this…

By laundry detergent and toilet paper

July 25, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

If Alabama and their fans hate Atlanta so much, why are they rushing to play in the GA Dome?

By Fake Steve Jobs

July 25, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

By all means move the SEC Media Days to Atlanta. Fulmer certainly won’t have to worry about subpoenas. However, he most probably will be a victim of a carjacking while stuck in a three hour traffic jam on I-75.

By Dense Dooly

July 25, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

It’s absurd to think that “Media Days” has outgrown wherever it’s located. In fact, what’s its purpose? Sounds like another manufactured self-hype fest.

By Old Trafford Man

July 25, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this

Move the whole SEC out of Birmingham. It’s the only conference that has its headquarters in a Mickey Mouse metropolitan area. Providence, RI looks like paradise in comparison.

By Liger

July 25, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Time to move media days away from the state of AL. This was an extremely childish move and is embarrassing to the state of AL (whether they know it or not) and to the SEC.

Media days should be in ATL…

By John Morse

July 25, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Do they not have courts of law in Atlanta?

By Liger

July 25, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Time to move everything affiliated with the SEC out of the state of AL. This is embarrassing and the scary thing is, most folks in AL don’t realize it’s embarrassing. It’s business as usual for them. Sad. as an AU grad, I wish that we could move AU to ATL too.

By Rusty

July 25, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this

Tony…. You are wrong yet again. There are “crazy fans” and lawyers in every town in the south. The event should be held at the Ross Bridge resort and with limited access. Birmingham is the home of the SEC office, not Atlanta.

• Rusty

http://www.rustybanks.com

By bayoubruce

July 25, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Jeez…move it to Baton Rouge…that way the SEC can save on shipping costs and insurance payments with the BCS Crystals….and SEC Championship Trophies…..

By Gene Mills

July 25, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Again where were they supposed to serve him.W hat the big deal!!!! What makes Atlanta such a great place to have the mediadays. Why bot New Orleans, Jacksonville,knoxville and others.This sec does not revolve around Hotlanta.

By NOTlanta

July 25, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Why in hell would the SEC move media days from Birmingham to an arrogant, traffic-snarled, overcrowded self-important cesspool like Atlanta?

By NOTlanta

July 25, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Why in hell would the SEC move media days from Birmingham to an arrogant, traffic-snarled, overcrowded self-important cesspool like Atlanta?

By rlltde

July 25, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

I agree that it should be moved from a shopping mall (FYI this was arguably the most upscale shopping complex in the southeast 15 years ago) to a better venue. But there are far nicer places in Birmingham to hold the event. Birmingham has a ton of upscale, private places for such an event. There are country clubs, lakeside resorts, and luxurious hotels in the area that would be far better suited.

Dont try to turn the blame toward Birmingham for this embarassment. This is the fault of the SEC for allowing the event to be held in a mall. What do you expect when you put all these “superstars of college football” into a public place with no admission restrictions?

This could have happened in any city in the country. The event needs to be held in a private place. College football is alot bigger than it was 15 years ago.

By rlltde

July 25, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Besides…Isnt Atlanta better suited for events like “Freaknic” and an “Outkast” concert?

By PTC DAWG

July 25, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Who cares where they have the SEC Media Days at?

I certainly DO NOT.

By Third

July 25, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

I live in Birmingham and I don’t see why they think everybody wants to get stuck on Peachtree or on 285. And by the way, with all the people in Atlanta who are from Birmingham, what would be the difference? You arrogant pr*cks!!!

By smitty

July 25, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

“Coincidence? I don’t think so.” Tony I know you folks in the media think Miles is the second coming and all, but do you really beleive he looked into the future and saw the need to prepare for a offense that was not even at Auburn at the beginning of last year? In order for this not to be a coincidence, he would have had to at least start planning while he was still at OK State.

Tony, you are better than that. Get off the bandwagon.

Just on UGA-Fla, I know I am repeating some things, but what does Tebow have to do with the fla d giving up 42 points, and not being able to stop Moreno? Was he going to play D also? Meyer’s ran him up the middle all year, so he can only blame himself. Forever is a long time to hold a grudge, which tells me a lot about Urban. I am glad CMR takes a different approach to life. Urban writes a whiney, know-it-all book to make money, CMR goes to central america and builds homes for the poor.

By dr

July 25, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Fulmer has been dodging this subpoena for years; what exactly were the lawyers supposed to do in their effort to represent their client—- Fold?— if Phil had cooperated this would not have been necessary— think about it.

By WOW

July 25, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this

I just hope all the recruits that Saban is after with the UA-Clemson game in the Dome read this and see all the Alabama fans slamming on their home town and state.

By Andrew

July 25, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this

Umm, even if media days did move from B’Ham, there are many better places to put it than Atlanta. Places like Nashville, Memphis, or New Orleans are just as easily accessible (more accessible if you factor in the ATL’s delay-ridden airport), more compact and not swarming with traffic. It may be hard for you to believe, Mr. Barnhart, but Atlanta is not the center of the universe.

By interesting

July 25, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this

I find it interesting how so many ppl on this blog are making Atlanta out to be such a dangerous city to live in. Yes, Atlanta is ranked 22nd most dangerous city in the nation, but its ranking has been dropping significantly for the last decade plus. The truly interesting thing I have found is that Birmingham is ranked the 6th most dangerous city in the nation with Memphis not far behind at 8th. Got these rankings at www.infoplease.com.

Now insofar about SEC media day needing to be moved, I agree with all the folks that have said that it should rotate between cities. Seems pretty fair for exposure. I personally don’t care if it is held in Atlanta or not.

Oh and for those who believe that Atlantans are smug or arrogant about our city (for the most part it is true) BUT since when was it a sin to be proud about where you come from? I love Atlanta because of what it offers that most other southern cities don’t, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t believe other cities would be good places to live. Yeah Atlanta has smog and traffic, but you could find fault with just about any city. The diversity of Atlanta night life, and simply big city living is what I love most about Atlanta. It all depends on what you’re looking for in a city, and Atlanta has a lot of positives to offer.

By hcjournals

July 25, 2008 2:34 PM | Link to this

It’s time to stop the Fat Fulmer diatribes. If that’s the best the haters have, it’s pretty pathetic. There is a lot of room to criticize Coach Ritcht, and that wouldn’t be productive either. It was bush league to allow anyone to serve a subpeona in this environment, then insist that the coach come to Birmingham 2 days before a game against Auburn. To call a coach fat because of this is laughable and takes away any sense of credibility any person commenting is trying to acheive…..

By Wallacewade04

July 25, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

RIGHT because after Bobby Petrino left Atlanta for Arkansas, I’m sure all the sports fans in Atlanta would NEVER cause a scene like this, not never. Oh and Atlanta has such squeaky clean sports figures that would never, I don’t know, slaughter 30 + dogs. Get off your high horse ATL

By J5

July 25, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

Wait. That’s your reason for moving SEC Media Days to ATL? Like lawyers wouldn’t do the same thing in Georgia if they had the opportunity? If you want to move it to Atlanta, fine, but don’t do it on that premise. Lawyers will be lawyers.

I personally like the idea of rotating the location to the home state of a SEC program every year. For example: New Orleans, Little Rock, Louisville, Memphis, Charleston, Atlanta, Jacksonville, Birmingham, and Jackson. A tour of the south if you will.

By Bama45

July 25, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this

I agree with one the above posters that Nashville would certainly be preferable to Atlanta if the convention were to move. Atlanta obviously appeals to a lot of people. I personally find it to be an abhorrent place and an glaring example of all that is wrong with contemperary American megalopilises (White flight, banal new construction, horrid traffic, fuel waste, a glaring absence of regional character, etc.) However, I doubt they will consult me so my personal biases don’t really matter. I live part of the year in Birmingham and, aside from having many good restuarants, find it to be nearly as banal as Atlanta, just not as big & soul-sucking (although it is doing its best to catch up). By the way, Hoover, where media days is held, is the worst of the worst. If you like anytown USA, chain restuarants, big box stores, bad traffic and you hate black people, Hoover is perfect for you. I think the most prudent approach would be to rotate between Birmingham, Atl, Memphis, Nashville & New Orleans. If if were more centrally located New Orleans would obviously be the best choice. New Orleans (by that I mean Orleans Parish, not Metarie, Kenner, Marerro, etc.) is the Anti-Atlanta and truly the greatest city in the U.S. Nonetheless, using Fulmer being served with a depo. subpoena as pretext for changing the venue of SEC media is a bit of a stretch and quite frankly, absurd.

By RxDawg

July 25, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

The location is irrelavent. Fulmer would have been served in Atlanta just as well as Birmingham.

By Joe Mac

July 25, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

SEC Media Days will be held wherever Dr. Pepper says so

By DawgFan34

July 25, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree with Tony more. Move the meetings and don’t stop there. Move the SEC offices to Atlanta. Bigger, more main stream, and we had the Olympics while the Birmingham mayor just requested Birmingham be considered for the 2020 Olympics. What a joke of a town. Get over yourself! And to hold the event in a small town shopping mall hotel is even more of a joke. Time for the SEC to step up to the Big Time and start acting like the great conference they are. Let’s get away from these delusional idiots in Birmingham. It’s supposed to be about the teams and upcoming season, not some team and town that hasn’t been relevant in years!

By Rabun Dawg

July 25, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Tony, why not move the media days to a North Ga. resort on Lake Burton, in Rabun County? Yes, that would be Saban’s retreat. It is as large as many resorts are!!

By Dutch

July 25, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this

Why do we need to move SEC Media Days?

Because Slimebag Fulmer got served?

Maybe you agree with the subpeona or maybe you don’t. But, you don’t move an entire event because of one, isolated occurrence? This article is so self-serving it strips away the credibility I THOUGHT you had.

Tony, please be so kind as to post a link to your article advocating the Olympics or any other similar event (Goodwill Games, etc.) NEVER RETURN to Atlanta due to the Richard Jewell-alleged bombing.

Thanks.

Dutch

By New Orleans Man

July 25, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

I have the answer to MR. CF. Move it to New Orleans because of the following reasons. 1st. LSU has won the NC twice in 5 years Alabama- 0 UGA 0 2nd. New Orleans has two of the major bowls played there. Alabama- 0 UGA 0 unless you like chicken

3rd. There is more to do there than in the other two citys. MOVE IT TO NEW ORLEANS

By NIUBAMA

July 25, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this

Hey why all the anger about this stuff? Now I have been a BAMA fan my whole life i have family that graduated from there. I am now currently at Northern Illinois University(as weird as that is) I am from the south and i now live near Chicago where everyone thinks that southern people are stupid rednecks and they are the best thing since whatever came before sliced bread. Now, there is no doubt that the SEC is the best conference and most consistent in the NCAA. Now Phulmer was going to be served whether he was in Alabama or in Hawaii. He was part of the reason Bama got put on probation and now they want him to prove his accusations. He did it cause he didn’t want to have to compete with Alabama anymore. Other teams should be happy about this because LSU, Georgia, Florida y’all are next on his list of teams to screw over. as far as it getting moved to Atlanta, ok yea its bigger good point, however Birmingham is more central the next most central would be Nashville. SEC is all about tradition that’s why they dominate and that’s why they are still in Alabama. Now com on there’s no reason for name calling about the SEC unless you are talking about team to team as far as people, and states they are all worlds better than IL, and Phulmer just had what was coming to him, i was done on media days to embarrass the hell out of him, no other reason. SO ROLL TIDE!!! and go SEC!!!

By Rabun Dawg

July 25, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this

Dawg Fan34, Man you sure do have a hate on for B’ham! I grew up in Atlanta, have lived in B’ham, and even though I do not plan to ever leave where I currently live, I seriously doubt that I would return to Atlanta for a number of reasons.That being said, better half is from B’ham., and all her family there as well, and the city is much improved from the time I lived there years ago. If you ever do go there, check out Ross Bridges, nothing like that in Atlanta that I know of. They should move the Media day thing to that venue if they keep it in B’ham!

By ASheen

July 25, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Someone above accused ATL as having a “deley-ridden” airport. Are you kidding me? Why do you think the airport is delay-ridden? Because people actually want to come here.

No one goes to AL unless they have to. That’s why the only businesses who will go there are car manufacturers who are looking for cheap manual labor.

By Eddie Letson

July 25, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

When the league office is moved to Atlanta, then you can move the media days to Atlanta. Your reasoning makes no sense.

By R. J. Head

July 25, 2008 7:30 PM | Link to this

Tony, this was not “the second time in four years that the SEC has had to deal with Alabama lawyers threatening to subpoena a coach at football,” it was the second time in four years that it subpoened a son of a mongrel b*** because that same son of a mongrel b*** thinks he’s above the damn law and skipped out on the first subpoena. There are only three figures in all of American sport that are sorrier than Phil Fulmer. Three dead bodies and a rape victim lie in their wake. That makes Fulmer the sorriest son of a mongrel b*** in all of American sport not to have murdered or raped, and he’s gone so far as to interfere in a rape case himself. If he doesn’t want problems with the law, then he should keep his damn nose clean.

By betty

July 25, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this

hey, why cant yall leave the vols alone. bama is just jealous, because they dont have fulmer. he is a vols coach and we love him, so yall need to get over it.go vols!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By saint nick

July 25, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this

First of all, Alabama didn’t serve him with a subpoena!!! The people that he destroyed served him!!! His fat A$$ ran to the NCAA with rumors because he hates Bama! (one less team to recruit against) As far as Bham, media days is staged at one of the finest hotels in the south!!!the SEC headquaters is in Bham, why not have it in Bham.Get a life people and quit hating on “THE FOOTBALL CAPITAL OF THE SOUTH”!!!!Hey Betty, Why would Bama want Fulmer??? We dropped an A$$ kicking on him last year!!!He won’t last 2 more years at ROCKY FLOP!!!!!

By KR

July 25, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Classless lawyers and plaintiffs will find a way to do what they want, no matter where the event is hosted.

The lawyers could have easily served Fulmer with a subpeona some time in the last 4 years; it just wouldn’t have gotten the media hype they wanted. This isn’t really about a lawsuit. It’s about embarassing Phillip Fulmer as payback for some perceived wrong.

Birmingham, Atlanta and New Orleans all share the fact that none of them is home to an SEC team. So does that really matter?

Rotating the site sounds like a good idea, but I’d require cities to bid for the opportunity 2 years in advance to host the event. Then you might get a better event.

By CC

July 25, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this

Where do you jawja goobers get off calling the Wynfrey Hotel and the Riverchase Galleria a strip mall? The Wynfrey is a Four Diamond, Preferred Hotel with the second most meeting space in the state (The downtown Sheraton has a little more). It is regarded at the finest hotel in the state, and one of the best in the southeast!

The Riverchase Galleria is one of the largest shopping malls in the southeast, and is comparable to anything in Atlanta!

Media Days will never be moved to Atlanta, the SEC could not afford to provide flak jackets for all of the media.

By pio2u

July 26, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this

I agree the stunt was classless but that in itself is not a reflection on Birmingham. Subpeonas can be delivered anywhere. Atlanta doesn’t need the SEC meeting or HQ.

By jeff

July 26, 2008 2:11 AM | Link to this

I agree, move the event to Atlanta and let Urban cryer visit lake Lanier and he will fill up the lake. LOL

By SC Rules!!!

July 26, 2008 3:28 AM | Link to this

I know I’m an out of towner/conference on this one guys, but having spent time in both the ATL & Bham; I can say that both have their good and bad points just like L.A. But too all those who want to jam up the Bham, “that dog don’t hunt” son. I like both cities very much, was in the ATL in June for a trade show and just returned from a business trip to Bham. The SEC is right at home in the football mecca that IS the South!!! No problems with the SEC championship game in the ATL but lv the SEC HQ right were she is. Moving the HQ from Bham would be like Heritage Hall being moved to Westwood (UCLA) NO ***ING WAY!!!!! Fight On!!!!

By ron

July 26, 2008 8:11 AM | Link to this

Tony get the facts straight the University or it fan base had nothing to do with the attorneys. Sure you can move it but we all know that attorneys have no ethics so why punish the good folks that support their favorite university. The SEC is a conference we all can be proud of.I wish Phil would man up and answer the questions or is there really something he is hiding. He would set a better example for his university and players instead of avoiding this matter.

By LadyTiger4LSU

July 26, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

As a Hoover resident who lives only a mile from the Wynfrey where the event is held, and an LSU fan living in Bamaland, it is DEFINITELY time to move the SEC Media Days somewhere else.

Alabama fans and sportswriters think they own the event.

How about rotating it though, among all the states represented with SEC teams? That would certainly make it much more interesting for the coaches, players and media reps who attend, and would seem more equitable.

By Top Dawg

July 26, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this

Athens is the heart and soul of the SEC. Move it there.

By Jim

July 26, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Tony-

Can you believe the Petrino/Falcons issue has hijacked the entire SEC meeting? But wait…how can we blame that on Birmingham? OK let’s find another stupid reason…

Again the lamest/homer article you have ever written. Mr Georgia College Football.

By Top Dawg

July 26, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Shut up Ron.

By Alabama Jack

July 26, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

As a Birmingham resident and Georgia Tech graduate, I think it is appropriate that the SEC meet each year in Birmingham, the crime capital of the state. I just wish you could teach the dawgs how to use indoor plumbing before the trip.

By Nikki

July 26, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

I think it does need to be to Atlanta. I never understood why a pretty big media event would be held in a one horse town like Birmingham anyway.

By Whatever

July 26, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this

Let’s move the US capitol to Itlahnta while we at it. You people think that monkey town is the center of the universe. Maybe we can have a terrorist attack if we move Media Days there…paging Eric Robert Rudolph. Hey, what about the Omni or the CNN center…that qualifies as updated infrastructure. Keep picking those football scores each week and we will keep picking against you. Mr. Kawlge Futbul…you are a joke. Go Braves and take MLK with you.

By Byran

July 26, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

First of all this had nothing to do with UA. It was between Fulmer, an Auburn Lawyer, and a Tennessean.

Second, SEC media days is not going to be moved. This is entertainment at it’s finiest. The SEC, media, and fans eat this stuff up. It would be liking taking a rock concert, and turning it into a choir practice.

I’m a UGA fan, and I don’t want SEC Media days moved from Birmingham. It’s a beautiful town, and ATL is not user friendly. Plus SEC is about tradition, and Alabama (the team) helped build the SEC. No reason to take the Office or the Media days from the State.

ATL has SECCG, and it’s not fun trying to get to this event.

If they are going to move it, move it to Mississippi, and then we will have a real circus.

By ba

July 26, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Looks like Tony is tired of traveling

By utony16

July 26, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Dawgs and TIde sure hate Big Phill they must loose to him alot

By Pewtus Gortsler 65

July 26, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Kudzu reprise….. The kudzu stretched along the phone pole guide wire and field mice scurried about. Miss June had tacked up a yard sale sign on the pole and her fingers were smudged with creosote. SEC media days are over and folks are again excited. JD Single Barrel awaits me in the cupboard and glory days are about to begin. ….Pewtus… GATA DAWGS!!!!

By War Eagle

July 26, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Byran, you been reading Birmingham News too much. sound just like their sports media. glucking….Give us a source if this was between Fulmer, Auburn lawyer(name please) and Tennessean?

By Now, back to the feature program

July 26, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this

FAT Fulmer, FAT new contract, Fat subpoena, FAT ego, FAT arse, FAT Chance! Bring the FAT moving van and a WAD of cash for the FAT termination!

By Witness

July 26, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

I saw the subpoena being delivered to His Fatness…it was strategically placed on the BUFFET table amongst the gravy bowls, cinnamon rolls, triple cheeseburgers, 44 oz. shakes and twinkies. No way he did not see it!!!!!

By Witness

July 26, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

I saw the subpoena being delivered to His Fatness…it was strategically placed on the BUFFET table amongst the gravy bowls, cinnamon rolls, triple cheeseburgers, 44 oz. shakes and twinkies. No way he did not see it!!!!!

By Cal O'Ree

July 26, 2008 5:03 PM | Link to this

Listen all you morons…Phil Fulmer is my best friend and he is a man of…taste.

By Freddy

July 26, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this

Moving the SEC Media Days to Atlanta is an interesting issue. Unfortunately, there is no reason or argument given in this article for why this should happen. Fulmer’s receiving a subpoena has nothing to do with Birmingham; no connection between the two is made in this article. There may be valid reasons for moving to Atlanta, but unfortunately none are given in this article, thus rendering it illogical

By SC Rules!!!

July 26, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this

Mirna from smyrna ,

What’s wrong mirna? Did yur brother say he had a headache last night only to be found on the john cranking himself instead of you? Maybe if you didn’t HATE yourself so much you wouldn’t hate on the good people of Bham, AL!!!!! I may be Trojan thru & thru but I HAVE great respect for the enviable tradition THAT IS ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE football. To all the good fans of the SEC like The General, Cuz, shane#1 & murdock to name a few, I look forward to the coming season and the USC Trojan vs SEC Winner for the NC in Miami!!!!

By Logan Young

July 26, 2008 6:44 PM | Link to this

It was proven beyond a reasonable doubt that an Alabama booster bought a player from Memphis. Seven coaches turned Alabama in. Neither lawsuit has survived legal scrutiny, and there’s a good chance the subpoena will be quashed by the same judge who threw out the verdict in the same lawsuit.

You cheated, you were punished. Get over it, bammers.

By tyler forsyth

July 26, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

i think it should be moved and i love how the georgia fans love to make fun of fulmer.. maybe they are just still bitter about the 2 big losses we handed them. oh and i bet if richt knew someone was cheating, he would do the same thing. get crying georgia puppies.

By tyler forsyth

July 26, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

And if the state of alabama fell off the map, i dont think anyone would miss it.

By SC Rules!!!

July 26, 2008 10:23 PM | Link to this

tyler forsyth & all the other ‘BAMA haters; for all yur b!tching about ‘Bama and how the place and its fans/team/state are so worthless and screwed up. Y’all sure seem to have yourselves bent six ways to Sunday over the state of affairs at ‘Bama. Why is that???? Maybe because in these pase few years where the Crimson Tide has been down for the most part you have only THIS sliver in time to claim dominance over the program that the late great Paul Bryant built into one of the most feared programs in the country. In stead of proving your ignorance to the world, try keepin’ your yaps shut and let us guess just how STUPID you A*******HOLES REALLY ARE!!! For thsoe of you nut munchers who think that ‘Bama football died with Coach Bryant, think about this, if Coach Stallings hadn’t been forced out he would have surely added to the 1992 NC that he brought to Tuscaloosa.

By tyler forsyth

July 26, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

LOL are you serious? are you 10?? Bama will never be anything.

By SC Rules!!!

July 27, 2008 12:25 AM | Link to this

Tyler Forsyth;

You can ONLY WISH/HOPE & PRAY that ‘Bama never rises to prominence AGAIN in the SEC! But seeing as how that isn’t very likely with Coach Saban building the depth of the program the way he is in just his second season (first full one recruiting wise) you must be cr*pping your self at the thought that ‘BAMA will soon run roughshod over the SEC AGAIN!!!! You by the very IGNORANCE of your comments prove that you are the one with the IQ of (10). Who is your team??? If you say UGA; well I have a few friends down that way who are cringing at the sight of your ignorance on display trust me!!

By CTB

July 27, 2008 12:51 AM | Link to this

Barnhart, you seem to convienently forget that Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer & the previous SEC commish, Roy Kramer were tight. You also failed to mention the numerous Tenn fallouts with student misconduct, grades,etc that were silently swept under the rug with Kramer in control. So get your facts in order before you get on your high and mighty horse. Having said that, I do not condone the person who filed the affadavit. At some point you have to let things go.

By cecil ratliff

July 27, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this

Alabama and their fans continue to keep their past indiscretions in the limelight.A true embarrassment to the SEC and college football in general.Conference USA seems like a good fit for them.

By Crime Ridden ATL

July 27, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this

Why move it to Atl? Highest crime rate in the country,got stay in your room after dark. Worst traffic in the country. Rude people, and drivers just read this blog. Panhandlers! The worst in any city I been in! They will follow you and throw every cus word at, just like a uga event.Keep in Destin in the Tampa Bay area.Most beautiful beaches in North America and all the theme parks are nearby. Atl has nothing to offer.

By boo

July 27, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

your crazy. atlanta is the best city in the southeast. hands down. the most to offer, sports, busiest airport in world. the city never stops. yeah it has its pandhandlers, just like any big city… Traffic, just like any big city and it has it’s bad neighborhoods just like any big city…. I dont think atlata leads the highest crime rate either. Move it OUT of alabama! & CTB, where do you figure this at? You also failed to mention the numerous Tenn fallouts with student misconduct, grades,etc that were silently swept under the rug with Kramer in control. Your crazy as hell…… must be some facts you “know”

By connorsgp

July 27, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Media Days = Orlando..that’s where the fun really is

By War Eagle

July 27, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

SCRules!!, Coach Bryant was a great coach and put SEC along with other SEC teams in the national spot light. The problem was Bama administration, athletic dept hired coach after coach with exception of Bill Curry to lead their program.which was Coach Bryant protege, it FAILED.>>.BAMA IS STILL TRYING TO CATCH UP BY PAYING MILLIONS A YEAR FOR FAVORABLE RESULTS…The SEC is at the top of its game in football, this will again delay Bama quest,but they will improve each year.

By Me

July 27, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Ok the first half of this article has nothing to do with the conclusion. Why not just talk about how dirty Bham is. Just because the Media Days are in Alabama and Alabama lawyers were involved in this isn’t reason enough to move to Atlanta. So when there is a legal dispute between UGA and UF we should just move it to Paducah KY? Just handle the matter and let things be or else come up with a better reason to meet in Atlanta. Maybe highlight that infrastructre you touched on.

By SECheats

July 27, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this

i would be most upset that the SEC commish is now bragging about “championships” in womens sports and tennis.

and if fat phil is sick of this and with playing in only one big game a year, i am sure bob stoops can find him a spot as an o-line coach

By ur annoying

July 27, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

fat phil? man that’s really getting old. Orlando sucks! it only has its theme parks and thats it. i hate that city. Atlanta is the best city in the southeast and always will be.

By rickyd

July 27, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

why not move the SEC office to Atlanta or to a Florida city but rotate the SEC media days to a diff SEC state every year. As for as coach Fulmer, maybe they should supenoe the other coach’s who complained on alabama such as coach nick sabin along with others. ASK THEM

By SC Rules!!!

July 27, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this

War Eagle;

Good to hear from ya my friend! I agree with your post, the SEC is the TOP League overall no doubt. I think that in a couple of seasons ‘Bama will be back in the top two or three year in & out. I also agree with your statement about the coaching choices they’ve made. Curry being the exception they’ve tried to “re-hire” the Bear. Not gonna happen. Coach Stallings did a lot for the program during his run, even hung an NC banner for them. Coach Saban will be fine. As for your Tigers; how are they adjusting to the new offense??? I think they’ll be playing UGA/UF in the ATL for the SEC championship come Dec. Fight On!!!

By dcw

July 27, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this

Just because the league offices are in Bham, why shouldn’t the event rotate around the league?

By UGASlobberknocker

July 27, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

move it to Destin,FL. No one complains about having to go to Destin.

I live in Atlanta but work some in Bhm. my impression..it’s a small city trying very hard to look big; without realizing a/that seems foolish to outsiders, and b/that it’s not necessary. Bhm is neat city with a lot of charm, but one that needs to quit trying to be Atlanta. If Birmingham tried to be more like Chattanooga or Jacksonville, taking their attributes as they are and embracing them, that might work better than a futile attempt to keep up w/Atlanta.

Bhm fell out of that race about 1960.

By UA Grad in Atl

July 27, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this

Wait, what did I miss? How did Bama fans ruin Media Days being in Birmingham? AL is only good for toxic waste? Lawsuits haven’t stood to scrutiny? Rickyd is giving advice when he has no clue of grammar or spelling? Typical trash talk from people that I am sure have never been to college, beauty or otherwise.

The league office is in Birmingham, so if they want it there so be it. By the same standards, let’s rotate the SEC Championsip Game. I live in Atlanta, and will tell you that other cities in SEC states can doa as good or better. How about Jacksonville, Nashville, New Orleans, Orlando….who says that Atlanta has the corner on where this is going to be played? And it’s not like UGa has had such a successful run!

Bama has more than our share of knuckle heads, but let’s be honest about UGa, Auburn, Tennessee, LSU, et al. We’re rival schools but not enemies. This should have been handled differently, but can the SEC mitigate how a law firm handles their client’s business? Even if the head quarters were in Athens, this could have happened the same.

Roll Tide.

By LB

July 27, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this

If Fulmer is “innocent”, then what is he afraid of? By his reaction and behavior, it looks like there’s something he doesn’t want us to know.

Innocent men don’t run from the cops.

By JT

July 27, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

first off LB, fulmer did not run from the cops, the person came up to fulmer without a cop or anything. know the facts. 2nd. fulmer is not hiding nothing. this case has been shut for years.. 3rd. Atlanta should be the home, its the home of the sec champ game, biggest and best city in the south.

By capstone1

July 27, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

wow…slow sports day, Tony? leave it in BHAM…It is a easier city to get around, it is better looking city, and is a central location.

By bamafan

July 28, 2008 6:51 AM | Link to this

Fulmer is a capital a-hole and back-stabbing sob, just ask Johnny Majors. I hate the sob more than Bin Laden!! Nashville would be a great place to move the media days to. Good music and food and good place to party!! Fulmer is no angel and he police work is a little bit better than the Knoxville police trying to keep the thugs vols players out of trouble. I used to respect the vols and its tradition, but with Fat Phil running the show and former SEC director in his hip pocket, Bama got screwed and stands in the middle of the pack in the sec. Bama did cheat and deserved to put on probation, but they did not do all the lies that Fulmer said they did!! ROLL TIDE and GO TO HELL FAT PHIL YOU SOB!!

By Wisevol

July 28, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this

It seems BAMA fans endorse cheating, do you get mad at the cops when they arrest your thugs weekly. The real reason you hate CPF is he whips you on the field 3 out of every 4 games. Face it BAMA is washed up & mediocre….When October 20th is here your back woods lawyers will regret their grand standing……GO VOLS !!!!!!! PS Bin Laden is probably an Alabama Fan……..

By Anonymous

July 28, 2008 8:06 AM | Link to this

Hmm. Time for a little perspective.

Fulmer, along with SIX other SEC coaches reported various recruiting violations of the Alabama football program in the 1990s. Fulmer may have been the star witness for the NCAA, Fulmer may have gotten some of his facts wrong, and, for all I know, Fulmer may have exaggerated, but Bama’s program was not placed on probation because Fulmer alleged that someone from the coaching staff was sleeping with the wife of a prominent alumnus.

Bama earned every lost scholarship and every year of their probation for actual violations of the rules. For SEVEN different coaches to rat out a fellow conference member was a big deal. Without a doubt, it means that Bama was guilty of a great deal for over half the conference to be offended.

Florida got nailed in 1985 for recruiting. Georgia got nailed for falsifying academic records and violating standards in the Jan Kemp affair. Virtually every other program in the SEC has been on probation in the last 20-odd years because they got caught doing something that seriously violated the rules.

If you don’t want to do the time, don’t do the crime. And iff’in’ you do, please don’t whine that the witnesses are hypocrites or are otherwise bad people. It’s irrelevant who turned you in; it’s only relevant whether you actually violated the rules. Your program did. “Man up” to it, as the kids say, and quit blaming others. Otherwise your collective fan base looks like the typical felony defendant who always blames someone else for the poor family environment in which the criminal was raised.

BTW, I couldn’t give a big, fat rodent’s backside where the SEC holds its annual football media days.

By Wolfman

July 28, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

I live in Alabama and I am personally embarassed by the actions of a fan base that is so arrogant, so petty, so corrupt that it boggles the mind. Only Alabama fans could hold on to something like this for a decade. Move it to Atlanta, not just the event the SEC office. Alabama does not deserve to keep it. The final nail in Alabama’s coffin. Their own arrogance does them in again

By Alex

July 29, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Why does anyone want to go to Birmingham anyway? Atlanta is a city, Birmingham is typical mid-sized southern town, which probably finally got their first Starbucks last week.. Atlanta has much more to offer, and will enable the rest of the SEC to avoid Alabama’s inbreed politics.

By tidefans

July 29, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

By Tidefan al Alex I live in Al.and my only reason to go to Birmingham is to pass through or a concert or to fly.The town smells,traffic and crime are bad….Does it sound familiar? A smaller Atlanta perhaps.Moving media days is fine,just not to a bigger slum where the airport is used ror a lot of useless layovers to earn landing fees.Both cities are sports failures and I try to bypass both.Bama has nothing to do with Birmingham so leave the Tide out of it.

By tidefans

July 29, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

By Tidefan al Alex I live in Al.and my only reason to go to Birmingham is to pass through or a concert or to fly.The town smells,traffic and crime are bad….Does it sound familiar? A smaller Atlanta perhaps.Moving media days is fine,just not to a bigger slum where the airport is used ror a lot of useless layovers to earn landing fees.Both cities are sports failures and I try to bypass both.Bama has nothing to do with Birmingham so leave the Tide out of it.

By War Eagle

July 29, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

SCRULES, RECRUITING IS CNS ADVANTAGE, BUT SEC WILL GET BETTER EACH YEAR. Auburn will be at its peak in 2009-10 waiting for Julio and gang. Tebow can control this league if injury and defense prevail.. Florida has out recruited overall past two years..

By rollbamastunna#1

July 31, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this

Media days has been in Bham for as long as I can remember its in a good location the sec is in in a good location all you haters need to back off.Bham is the most deserving place. The Bear wanted it here,some might laugh but the fact is the Sec would not be anything that it is today without decades of Alabama being the main force of the Sec and fixen to be back and not forgeting about Auburns contrubution.I live in Atl for 6 years and the Sec gets alot more attention then if it was in atl or anywhere else. You haters can yap if you want but these are facts.