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By TORRENCE DUNHAM
Cronkite News
Valley resident Kyndall Holstead did not attend the University of Alabama but has become a fan of the football dynasty Nick Saban has built there.
“It’s hard to be an SEC girl in the Southwest world,’’ Holstead said. “It’s not on TV, you don’t have a bunch of people that will come and watch with you. I spent two national championships watching by myself.’’
That changed Monday night when Alabama took on Clemson in the College Football Playoff National Championship game.
The Half Moon Windy City Grill in Phoenix was decked out in the classic red and white of the Crimson Tide as Alabama fans filled the bar to cheer and jeer.
The restaurant has become a local home for the Alabama alumni group which has gathered to watch the games on Saturday afternoons for eight years. The restaurant contacted the school and hosted a meet-and-greet Sunday for the alumni coming from Alabama, which included over 200 fans.
“We love it when they come here,” said Lindsay Carter, manager of the Half Moon Windy City Grill. “They always bring a lot of energy, they decorate, so it’s exciting to have them come back every year. They are our biggest group and our favorite group.”
Whether fans were at the game in Glendale or hit the bar scene to cheer on their team, crimson and orange painted the desert.
Two bars started a rivalry on their own. El Hefe hosted Clemson fans and Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row welcomed Crimson Tide fans in Scottsdale. The two restaurants are across the street from each other, well within distance to see the other team’s flags and balloons flying from the rafters.
Mike Natale and his wife flew into Phoenix from Alabama to watch the game with their daughter, Carter, at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row. Carter Natale once lived in Alabama but now resides a block away from the bar. The Natales attended the “Battle on the Block” because it was close to home.
“I didn’t want to go to the game, I just wanted to hang out,” Mike said. “This is a great atmosphere to do so.”
A little farther west, Clemson fans watched the big game at Philly’s Sports Bar and Grill, which featured Clemson-colored balloons throughout the establishment with many signs sporting various slogans backing the “all in” sentiment of the Tigers.
Dan Crenshaw, a graduate of Clemson in 1969, has lived in the Valley for 16 years but recently discovered this spot and was viewing his third game Monday at the restaurant. Watching the game, he pointed out the legions of Clemson fans at University of Phoenix Stadium.
“I think Clemson by far has the No. 1 fan base in the United States,” Crenshaw said.
However, they didn’t leave happy, with Alabama’s 45-40 victory.
