Alabama basketball to honor late superfan Luke 'Fluffopotamus' Ratliff at season opener

Daniella Medina, The Tuscaloosa News
·2 min read

The Coleman Coliseum will be one seat emptier and a whole lot quieter this basketball season without the late Alabama superfan Luke "Fluffopotamus" Ratliff and his signature plaid jacket in the stands.

But the former Crimson Chaos basketball support group president's plaid jacket will always have a special place at Alabama basketball games.

Alabama basketball will honor Ratliff, who died April 2 of complications related to COVID-19, at its season opening double-header on Nov. 9 with a tribute and the presentation of a plaid jacket to the new Crimson Chaos president, the university said in a press release. The tradition will continue in Ratliff's honor.

Ratliff's dedication is set to start at about 7:40 p.m. in between the women's and men's basketball games.

The women's team tips off at 5 p.m. against Charleston Southern, and the men's team plays at 8 p.m. against LA Tech.

CECIL HURT: Alabama basketball lost its biggest fan with the passing of Luke Ratliff, and I lost a friend | Hurt

Ratliff, or "Fluffopotamus" as he was affectionately known on campus, attended every game in the 2020-21 season, including Alabama's Sweet 16 loss to UCLA in the NCAA Tournament in March. He only missed one home game as a student and attended more than 32 consecutive road games.

Since his death earlier this year, Alabama held a memorial for Ratliff and also set up the Luke Ratliff Memorial Gift Fund, which will cover expensive for future Crimson Chaos presidents, including travel costs for road games, merchandise and giveaways.

On April 15, the Alabama Senate signed a resolution to recognize Ratliff as the "heart of Alabama basketball" and credits him as a "friend and advocate" for fellow students.

Luke Ratliff leads the cheers in the student seating area as the Crimson Tide hosts Vandy on Feb. 20 in Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Luke Ratliff leads the cheers in the student seating area as the Crimson Tide hosts Vandy on Feb. 20 in Coleman Coliseum in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

REMEMBERING LUKE: SEC Network's Cole Cubelic evokes Luke 'Fluff' Ratliff to start Alabama football broadcast

NICK SABAN: Nick Saban gives tribute to Luke Ratliff after Crimson Tide practice

Daniella Medina is a digital producer for the USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter @danimedinanews.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Luke 'Fluff' Ratliff to be honored at Alabama basketball season opener