The University of Alabama and New York City-based MSL Sports and Entertainment today announced that the university will host Gridiron Bash™ The Ultimate Fan Competition™ the day before the annual A-Day Game. The event – the first of its kind at Bryant-Denny Stadium - will take place April 11 and include a live performance by Grammy award-winning country singer-song writer Alan Jackson, as well as a giant pep rally introducing the team, appearances by coaches, video highlights, and other festive fan activities.

Tickets are $56 for Field Seats (approximately 1,500 sold only through rolltide.com) and $39 and will go on sale on Monday, March 3, at 8 a.m. Central Time. All UA Skybox, Zone and Ivory Club members will have an opportunity to purchase the “same” tickets they hold for Football games. Members from these three areas will be sent an offer via email and “letter/order blank” format.

Fans may purchase tickets via the internet - and save on fees - at www.rolltide.com and www.gridrionbash.com (www.tickets.com). Both Websites will have equal seat locations/sections from the permanent stands ($39 price) to choose from, and offer the same price. Fans may also purchase tickets via phone at 1-877-TIDE TIX (1-877-843-3849), or locally at 205-348-BAMA (2262) beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 3.

The University of Alabama Athletic Ticket Office is located inside Coleman Coliseum. Walk-up sale/ticket window hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT.

“We are excited to be a part of the first-ever Gridiron Bash,” said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. “There’s no doubt the enthusiasm and support our fans showed the country at last year’s A-Day Game helped this idea become a reality. Hopefully, this spring weekend will be the start of a new tradition at the University of Alabama. As I’ve said before, our fans are the best in college football and now they will have a chance to help the university’s general scholarship fund by winning the Gridiron Bash. I look forward to seeing everyone Friday night at the concert and Saturday afternoon at the A-Day Game.”

The University of Alabama is one of 20 top Division I universities nationwide selected by MSL (the event’s creator and producer) to serve as a Gridiron Bash™ host site. Other schools planning Gridiron Bash™ events include Texas A&M, Kansas State, Colorado, Tennessee, Arizona State, West Virginia, Rutgers, Penn State, South Carolina, Kentucky and Iowa, among others soon to be announced.

“Few things in college athletics equate to the excitement around football in the spring, especially at the University of Alabama,” said Mal Moore, Director of Athletics at The University of Alabama. “Gridiron Bash extends the experience and enables fans to support their team, give back to their university and have a great time doing so.”

The University of Alabama’s spring game attendance last year eclipsed Bryant-Denny Stadium’s capacity of 92,138 and set a new college football record. Gridiron Bash™ will help generate revenue for participating universities in 2008 from gate and merchandise revenue, as well as the opportunity to raise funds through parking, food and beverage sales.

At the core of Gridiron Bash™ is a fan contest - The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series™ - that will establish which of the participating schools has the most passionate and supportive fans. The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series™ winners will be determined by adding up the total attendance at the Gridiron Bash™ event and combining that with the number of fans who text/call in to vote for their school. MSL projects total attendance to be about 1 million.

The USA TODAY Bash for Cash Series™ winning university will receive a $1 million contribution to its general scholarship fund, with 2nd and 3rd place schools receiving $500,000 and $250,000, respectively. Presentation of the winning schools will be aired live in conjunction with a soon-to-be-announced national television partner.

“We’re thrilled to bring Gridiron Bash to The University of Alabama. The event will set a new tradition around spring football and feed the appetite of fans looking to be involved with the program beyond the season,” says Shawn Garrity, president of MSL Sports and Entertainment and a former linebacker at Syracuse. “Gridiron Bash truly is the ultimate fan competition. It offers fans the ideal opportunity to give back to the universities.”

Gridiron Bash™ will mark the first time that the University of Alabama has opened up Bryant-Denny Stadium for a live performance since the Football Centennial Celebration in 1992.

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