lunch

I don't typically post more than once a day, and definitely not within an hour but I just proved myself to be a loser once again and felt the need to share.

I went to lunch in the dining hall during peak hours which I have never done because I am usually working. To say the least this was the first time I actually have seen the dining hall full, I was beginning to think there were not enough students on campus to fill up half the seats.
So there was a long line for the main food so I decided to just make myself a sandwich.
The sandwich bar is in the center of the dining hall and it just so happens the football coaches were sitting at the table directly beside it. When I first noticed I said "hello" to everyone then proceeded to make my sandwich. When the football coaches are in full force they fill up a whole table, that was the case today so I felt like I couldn't sit with them. So I walked away, got some salad and found a nice quiet table in the corner of the dining hall. Once I sat down I realized my mistake.
I was sitting at the table that faces the tray return. Everyone, upon finishing their meal had to walk by me and then face me as they left.
I felt committed to the spot. To get up now and scan the full dining hall for an empty seat seemed even more embarrassing. I had to just face the crowds and awkwardly smile when ever eye contact was made.

Then one of the football coaches dropped of his dishes and asked me why I didn't sit with them. I told him the table was full so I didn't think there was room. He told me they would make room next time and to just sit with them. That's when I realized I was a bigger tool than I had thought. He was right, I could just ask to squeeze in.
Then another football coach walked by to drop off his dishes and I tried to make eye contact to say hello on his voyage there and back with no success and I feel that he was avoiding eye contact because it is near impossible to not notice me sitting there.
Now I wonder, did I offend the football coaches. Have I avoided sitting with them one too many times and now they think I am a snob? A northerner with no manners. How do I explain without making a big deal of it and sounding awkward that I am not a snob, I am just awkward and make big deals out of nothing?