A Dark Night

Maybe I’m not the batman enthusiast I thought I was. I haven’t seen “The Dark Knight”. I have no interest in seeing Heath Ledger as “the Joker”.

Mind you, when I was little, I religiously watched Adam West as “Batman”, and Burt Ward as “The Boy Wonder” fighting crime and contending with the villains of Gotham City. Of course there was “Alfred”, the loyal butler. Commissioner Gordon and Chief O’Hara were always found in the police commissioner’s office. But I think my favorite character was Burgess Meredith as “the Penguin”. I also loved the way each show would end with the narrator articulating a cliffhanger tag about next week’s villain with the words “Watch the next episode!”……

Although I have no interest in seeing Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of the caped crusader, I am in the minority. Heath Ledger won an Oscar for the Best Supporting Actor in the movie, and it is one of the top 15 moneymakers of all movies. The age group that this movie appeals to the most, and who have spent the most money viewing it, are the 17-23 year olds.

Maybe that explains Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Since 9-11-01, there has been a parade of yellow jacketed security encircling the playing field at Jordan-Hare, with the stadium announcer proclaiming with about 7 minutes left in any given football game: “For your safety and security, please stay off the playing field following today’s game. All exits at Jordan-Hare Stadium are now open.”

The yellow garbed security are poised and ready to arrest, tackle, or even hose if necessary, any violator of the “stay off the field” rule.

But let’s be honest. What Auburn student doesn’t want to run out onto the field, have a little fun with their friends, and celebrate?

Evidently, Auburn listened.

The week before graduation, on a clear, dark Saturday night, the “War Eagle!” and “Eye of the Tiger” and “Living on a Prayer” that is normally rocking the concrete and steel of Jordan-Hare Stadium was replaced with the thundering sound effects of “The Dark Knight”. Yes, Batman came to Pat Dye Field at 10:00 p.m. that evening.

Over 2000 students brought quilts their grandma’s had made, blankets they had purchased at WalMart or J&M, picnic baskets full of less than healthy munchies, and spread out all over the playing field. It was movie night at Jordan-Hare.

The Black Knight was shown in high definition on the jumbo-tron, and Pat Dye Field turned into Auburn’s 2009 version of a Drive-In Theater, without any cars.

Aubie showed up and drove a mini “bat-mobile” from the player’s tunnel, with smoke and background music like it was a Saturday in October….only this time playing the historical “Batman Music”. He was adorned with a mask and cape, and pictures were made with the caped Tiger-Crusader.

One nursing student was quoted as saying she came because she wanted to see the movie, and because she had never been on the playing field at Jordan Hare…..and who knows if or when that opportunity might happen again.

O.K., I’ll be honest. If I had the opportunity to sit on the fifty yard line to watch “The Dark Knight”, I probably would have been there too.

I do wonder, though…..just how dark was that night at Jordan Hare Stadium?

WJLaneSR