That actually is a GREAT question. There is an average attendance requirement by the NCAA, I would assume...wonder what it is?
How Does UAB Keep Their FBS Status?
- Thread starter rtcjny
- Start date
Yes, BamaFlum you are right. I do not believe they even make an attempt -- whatever tickets you sell, those are counted as attendees. If City of Birmingham buys 15,000 tickets and no one shows up except the cheerleaders and the players' parents, the nzaa will count that as 15,000 fannies in seats.
We can't really get on programs for counting paid vs. actual attendance. Every single Bama game will have attendance listed at 101,821 even if there are empty seats. Granted there's a big difference with our crowds and UAB crowds, but we still count paid over actual.
I know at some point, San Jose State was in danger of losing their FBS status because of extremely low attendance at their football games. Apparently they couldn't get 1 game with at least 15,000 in 2 years. They've since gotten out of the danger zone, but SJSU is similar to UAB and USA in that it is a commuter school situation.
That is sad. There are more people on the field then in the stands. They should just sim their games on Xbox and call it a day.
I was on the faculty at UAB when they made the jump to D1. They did it at the behest of the city of Bhm, who wanted something to fill the seats at Legion when Bama pulled out. It was a grassroots thing - all those people living in the area who would extort money to let you park in front of their houses (and slash your tires and break your windows if you did not pony up) feared losing a big part of their income when Bama stopped coming to town. So they concocted a sweetheart deal with UAB - you go D1 and play in Legion, and we'll foot the bill until the program gets off the ground. Of course, the program never got off the ground, and never will. So Bhm keeps buying the tickets to let them report paid attendance above the minimum and stay in D1. But I bet that they get a volume discount on the tickets. Like $0.50 each. So it probably does not cost Bhm much in the end.
Funny that this never gets mentioned in the local press, and the Post Herald gives UAB equal space with UA and *U. That is because UAB, like Mr. Lowder, has the local rag in their pocket. That is also why you only get great stories in the local rag about how UAB is a medical research engine with a bright future. This despite the fact that their faculty is bailing in droves, they have lost all of their AIDS research program (once one of the best in the country) and the campus is littered with the hulks of very expensive (and not yet paid for) research labs that are sitting completely empty. If you do not believe me, go to the corner of 19th and University, walk around the Bevill and Shelby buildings around 11 AM some weekday and count the number of dark labs. Each one is mortgaged for about $1000 a square foot.
Funny that this never gets mentioned in the local press, and the Post Herald gives UAB equal space with UA and *U. That is because UAB, like Mr. Lowder, has the local rag in their pocket. That is also why you only get great stories in the local rag about how UAB is a medical research engine with a bright future. This despite the fact that their faculty is bailing in droves, they have lost all of their AIDS research program (once one of the best in the country) and the campus is littered with the hulks of very expensive (and not yet paid for) research labs that are sitting completely empty. If you do not believe me, go to the corner of 19th and University, walk around the Bevill and Shelby buildings around 11 AM some weekday and count the number of dark labs. Each one is mortgaged for about $1000 a square foot.
I was watching the Troy and FIU game. FIU had a much larger crowd than UAB. Isn't sad when a Sun Belt school has a higher attendance.
It's also sad when the only way to get a significant number of people in the seats is to give away free tix via printing them in the Sunday newspaper.
All I want to know is where do they get the $350K/yr to pay their head coach when the program is not generating a profit?
They play at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium. It is located close to downtown Mobile in an area not as rough as Legion Field but real close to being that bad.
I imagine like every commuter school it is paid for by student fees and fees paid by BCS schools for UAB to come play there.
I think the UAB football situation would improve if they built a stadium out of the city. Somewhere like Hoover or Pelham.
I guess I am in the minority of Bama fans who does not constantly bash UAB. It is hard for their football program to generate a profit when they are handcuffed by the U of A Board. For example, if Jimbo Fisher had been hired, which was reported he wanted the job, I think this would be a different program. However, the board pushed Neil Callaway off on UAB. Callaway couldn't even get out of his own way while coaching the Bama O Line. Why would anyone expect him to be successful at UAB?
And what about Bama helping out a local team and putting UAB on the schedule. I am sure UAB could use the money. There is no reason Bama should pay that money to Georgia Southern or N Texas when they could help out UAB. To me its just pig headed and stubborn. Why? because of a sqabble in basketball 20 + years ago. I just don't get the Bama hate torward UAB.
And what about Bama helping out a local team and putting UAB on the schedule. I am sure UAB could use the money. There is no reason Bama should pay that money to Georgia Southern or N Texas when they could help out UAB. To me its just pig headed and stubborn. Why? because of a sqabble in basketball 20 + years ago. I just don't get the Bama hate torward UAB.
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