TAMPA, Fla. (WWSB) – Fans from all over, but especially the Tampa and Suncoast regions, flocked outside of Benchmark International Arena in Tampa in “Thunder Alley” to help kick start SEC Media Days.
Sixteen teams across the Southeastern Conference will be represented by players and coaches from Monday through Thursday of this week. Hundreds of passionate fans came for the kick off show, which included a live broadcast featuring several ESPN personalities, including fan favorite Tim Tebow.
“I saw the SEC Media Day was here, and once I saw that, there was no turning back, I had to support the Dogs,” Georgia Bulldogs fan Connor Rinteul said.
SEC Media Days kicked off in Tampa on Sunday at “Thunder Alley” outside of Benchmark International Arena.(WWSB)
“Thunder Alley” took on a literal meaning on Sunday in Tampa, as rolls of thunder could be heard, with the occasional shower accompaniment.
“We do need rain,” LSU Tigers fan Jayson Braud said.
“It’s been awhile, we’ve been in a little bit of a drought here in Tampa, so we enjoy a little bit of rain,” he added.
But for many moving from other parts of the country to Tampa, they weren’t going to let a little inclement weather slow them down.
“Honestly this is nothing for us,” Kennedy Tornay said.
“We got a little bit of thunderstorms, you could hear a little bit of thunder kind of off in the distance. But this is nothing for Tampa weather,” he added.
Showing their school pride, rain or shine.
“Oh absolutely,” Florida Gators fan Julijana Trajkovska said.
“Rain or shine we’re here,” she added.
“Absolutely, Big Blue Nation rain or shine,” Venice resident and Kentucky Wildcats fan Pete Shattuck said.
“I’ve got an umbrella and I’ve got a raincoat, just in case,” Florida Gators fan Daniel Cardwell said.
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey kicks things into high gear on Monday morning when he takes the podium at 9 a.m. He’s followed by players and coaches from the Missouri Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners, Kentucky Wildcats and the Tennessee Volunteers. The SEC Media Days will conclude on Thursday.
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