Coke back at Bryant-Denny

TUSCALOOSA | Bear Bryant's favorite soft drink is coming home.

Sources close to the University of Alabama Athletics Department told The Tuscaloosa News on Friday night that Coca-Cola would once again become the official soft drink of UA athletic events. The announcement of a 10-year deal with Coca-Cola is expected early next week.

Concession rights for UA athletics are controlled by Crimson Tide Sports Marketing.

The move marks a return for many UA football fans to a sentimental favorite. Legendary football coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant appeared in advertisements for Coke when he was head coach at UA, and has been linked ever since to that drink.

The switch comes on the heels of an announcement by UA officials last week that Birmingham-based Buffalo Rock, which distributes Pepsi products, had been awarded the vending contract for the campus' 271 drink machines and 71 snack machines, beginning June 1. The contract covers all vending machines on campus, but is not exclusive in dining facilities and retail outlets.

Gina Johnson, director of auxiliary services said Buffalo Rock's contract is a six-year deal with four optional one-year extensions.

Those negotiations were separate from the negotiations involving athletics facilities.