Coleman Coliseum — Local services in Tuscaloosa

Wow! The parking is outrageous at The Coleman Coliseum! We arrived 2 hours early to get a parking spot at the Coliseum. But, the Police parking had it blocked off all around the stadium! So. You. had to find a park off the site. Finally, we called our nephew and he told us to go to the Free Parking Lot at The Moody’s ! Yay! Thank Goodness My Baby/Niece was driving and she was an alumni at the University . She knew exactly where to go to park. And we found a spot on the first level going down, right by the door! But, it was a walk to the Coliseum! WHEW! They need to have some type of bus services for Elderly people, Handicapped, Disabled people , etc! That’s a bit much for them to handle! Bc, once you get there the Coliseum sits along distant from the street. After walking across the campus up the street from the parking lot up to another long walk before you reach the building! PHEW! After finally walking up the steps to the front glass doors, we reached the entrance into a large open area where tables were set up with the Graduation Ceremony Programs. Another tables were set up with bouquets of flowers that you could buy for your Graduate students. It’s was a nice place and the atmosphere was lovely. Of course, everyone was happy about the outcome of their loved ones who was about to graduate from The University! We gathered our programs and then set out to find our seats. We set in a fourth row lower level area near the wall & entrance to go back out. It was quiet and pleasant as people were slowly tricking in to find seats. Our other family arrived and found us also! Which really made it one big surprise & happy family! Inside the Coliseum was very nice, the music was playing softly. The kiosks in the top of the ceiling were displaying the signs, “Legends Are Made” It was Lovely! Finally the Ceremony begin as the Faculty & Staff marched in the take the stage. Then the Graduate Students marched in from the different entrance to take their seats. It was beautiful and in a timely manner! The entire program was lovely as each student received their recognition and degree! As the students marched out we left out also, to find our nephew outside to congratulate him & take pictures! Everyone was so happy and it was a pleasure, wonderful experience! The Coliseum was a beautiful place and accommodating inside indeed! The atmosphere outside & grounds were nice! We had a nice time with our nephew and family! Even the long walk back to the parking lot didn’t matter much with my Lower Back Situation! Thank goodness I wore my back support! Despite it all, it was a happy day! I gave the 4 1/2 bc of the parking situation. “HAPPY...

Coach Curry and Coach Oats team's played great as always, Roll Tide! The seating was horrible though OMG I honestly probably won't go back because I've had multiple knee surgeries. I couldn't fit my legs in between the row of seats in front of us and my hips could barely fit in my seat with a 36 inch waist! I'm only 6'3 and my 3 son's are all taller than me so my family wasn't comfortable at all, I was hurting when I left and barely could walk. But thank God for the shuttle bus going to the soccer field, that was amazing. It helped me from having to walk around and it was free. Also they need to have a handicap ramp because the steps going into the building just about sent me back to my vehicle, I have a medical condition where my kneecaps jump out of place and I had to pop my knee back in place twice before I made it to the front door. I wasn't going to ruin my son's birthday present so I went on to sit in the most uncomfortable seat I've ever had to sit in, I felt like I was sitting at a kindergarten...

Facilities: Coliseum is showing it's age. Building would be better served as a WWII era aircraft hanger. Unless you have a seat in the first 20 rows along one of the sidelines, you'll have a bad seat. You'll either be up in the nosebleeds or have an extremely awkward view of the court.

Fan experience: If you go to the box office wearing opposing team colors, they will most likely put you in section Z which has one of the worst views in the corner. Fans are passive agressive towards visiting fans before and during the game, but after the game quickly turns downright rude. They will single you out and chant "we just beat the hell out of you" as a part of a school-sponsored band-led cheer.

Outside the venue: Free close parking at a nearby parking garage. There is also a shuttle service from the soccer lot that will drop you off directly at the coliseum. Traffic was good arriving, but miserable leaving. Almost 30 minutes to get off campus...