University Boulevard businesses prepare for impact of canceled AHSAA Super 7 rotation

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WBRC) – Big changes are coming to the Super 7 high school championship series. The Alabama High School Athletic Association made the official decision this week to remove Tuscaloosa (Bryant-Denny Stadium) and Auburn (Jordan-Hare Stadium) from the rotation.

Officials say it comes down to the fact that Alabama and Auburn could potentially host College Football Playoff games under the expanded postseason system that begins this year. The CFP’s expansion made it necessary to relocate Bryant-Denny and Jordan-Hare due to potential logistical issues.

On the Tuscaloosa Strip, Net Mengumpun remembers all too well what the high school Super 7 football championships meant to his business every time the title games were played at Bryant-Denny, not far from his restaurant on University Boulevard.

“You see different types of people, you see the energy and they are happy to be here,” said Mengumpun, who manages Thai Basil restaurant. “Business-wise, it’s going to hurt a little bit,” he said.

Injured to the tune of approximately 2% of his activity. On paper it doesn’t seem like much, but 2% is 2%. In other words, Mengumpun served hundreds of customers every time the championships were held at Bryant-Denny, and remember that the restaurant business is often seasonal.

“Low season…summer. Many students go out and go home,” Mengumpun said.

However, there is upside potential. If the Crimson Tide succeeds this fall and hosts a playoff game, that could in theory more than make up for the Super 7 loss.

“It would be nice to have a playoff because a home game brings a hundred thousand more to Tuscaloosa,” Mengumpun said.

On Thursday, Visit Tuscaloosa officials gave the following response:

“Visit Tuscaloosa is grateful for the partnership we have established between the City of Tuscaloosa, the University of Alabama and AHSAA. It has been an honor to serve as the host city for the Super 7 High School Football Championships. Although the reason for the change is beyond our control, our team will continue to build on this relationship with the high school association and consider new partnership opportunities in the future. We owe significant thanks to those who have helped Tuscaloosa host this landmark event over the years – university team members, Visit Tuscaloosa staff, our mayor and city council members, police, doctors, volunteers and vendors, athletes, their family members, coaches and countless more. Tuscaloosa is proud to have played a role in creating unforgettable memories for these high school athletes.

Get breaking news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here.