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UAB fires AD and is planning to shut down UAB football program

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I hate to see the program disbanded for the coaches, players, and the true supporters of UAB. A lot of the complainers and protesters are people who have never bought a ticket or even went to a UAB game. Unfortunately the protesters are the ones that are getting the attention because no one from the BOT is saying anything and the President of the Board (Governor Bentley) has not really addressed it. A decision this important needs more visual leadership because rumors and innuendo run rampant on what exactly is going on. There is probably some truth to what UAB supporters are saying but with only one side talking, the narrative is skewed. I don't think the BOT has fully supported UAB football or done all it could do to help UAB but on the other hand they have seen very little support for the program by UAB fans and supporters. If their fans had made this much noise 5 to 10 years ago, you might see a thriving program today. Unfortunately, it came a little too late.
 
TideEngineer08 said:
Yeah, this is why that thing is shutting down. All of this righteous indignation that has been spewed over this decision is disingenuous at best. If all of these people truly cared, then why was this the usual picture of a UAB game day?

I get that the players and coaches are upset and I feel for them, but otherwise no one should be upset.
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The maintenance of the facility alone is probably more than is made by the ticket sales and concession sales combined from the above crowd.
 
Bama Reb said:
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The maintenance of the facility alone is probably more than is made by the ticket sales and concession sales combined from the above crowd.
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Or, maybe just the power bill. I think that is a photo of a game from the 2013 season from a story on al.com that was up yesterday. But, that is still a crowd where 10,000 season tickets were held by the City of Birmingham.
 
Bama Reb said:
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The maintenance of the facility alone is probably more than is made by the ticket sales and concession sales combined from the above crowd.
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More than half of those in the stands got free tickets too. And they wonder why they are shutting down? If they can't support their own sports teams, what makes them think we should?
 
230kv_barehand said:
More than half of those in the stands got free tickets too. And they wonder why they are shutting down? If they can't support their own sports teams, what makes them think we should?
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Here are impressions on this whole issue...

1. Pundits say the football program was necessary element of undergraduate student life. Judging from this picture and probably many other taken over time, the students dont care about UAB football.
2. The donors say they were willing donate money toward the program to minimize the investment by the system in the program. Could they seriously raise the $10-$15 million annually to support the program. I seriously doubt it. Judging from this picture and probably many others taken over time, the probably isnt one significant donor pictured here.
3. The City of Birmingham says the program was a economic driver for the city. Sure maybe for one hotel hosting the visiting team. My guess is if you are giving away tickets those fans were expecting something for nothing and in all likelihood they were being given free concessions to boot. The City of Birmingham as much as anyone has failed UAB. Considering they already hosting a bowl game, it should have stepped up and built a 30K municipal stadium to host UAB football, Magic City Classic, and a bowl game. If they would step up and do that I bet the program can be saved. But judging from this picture like many others taken over time there probably isnt one key member of the City electorate or management in attendance. This area really needs a such a venue. FCS/DII playoff/championship games would be a perfect fit for such a venue.
4. Unfortunately, this move will likely take men's basketball and baseball and maybe even golf down with it.

But who cares, apparently no one judging from this picture...
 
Shut it down!! Where were all these protestors the last 20 yrs?? They sure weren't at the games!


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I've been a UAB fan for 7 years, and before you say anything - I've gone to at least 4-5 home games a year since 2007.

I'm heart broken, and saddened, that my team has been killed and stolen from me. I'm not sure what I'll do on Saturdays next fall, but I certainly won't be at any SEC games.

Hope it was worth it, BOT. I bought tickets, bought gear, and actually went to games. I will never forget you Blazer football! Thanks for all the memories.
 
Nothingfaced said:
I've been a UAB fan for 7 years, and before you say anything - I've gone to at least 4-5 home games a year since 2007.

I'm heart broken, and saddened, that my team has been killed and stolen from me. I'm not sure what I'll do on Saturdays next fall, but I certainly won't be at any SEC games.

Hope it was worth it, BOT. I bought tickets, bought gear, and actually went to games. I will never forget you Blazer football! Thanks for all the memories.
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Why are you on a University of Alabama board where you will find little sympathy?
 
Well, I am a Tide fan first and foremost. I know there has been a lot of venom against UAB and I can understand it. But personally I prefer to have more football in this state not less...that is especially true for the sport here in Birmingham. I guess we will be stuck with only one college powerhouse now...Hoover High School.
 
So who should pay for UAB football? You guys want your football, but how will it be funded? This is a financial decision, not an emotional one. UAB's football program v. the expense of educating kids was just too costly a proposition for the taxpayers to swallow. I think USA will be next, as I stated earlier. I'm a 91 grad of USA and I HATED to see them get a football program. USA is commuter school and will never garner the support to be financially viable...just like UAB.
 
CoolBreeze said:
Well, I am a Tide fan first and foremost. I know there has been a lot of venom against UAB and I can understand it. But personally I prefer to have more football in this state not less...that is especially true for the sport here in Birmingham. I guess we will be stuck with only one college powerhouse now...Hoover High School.
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The state of Alabama can't afford five FBS teams (including UAB) plus about four FCS teams along with some D2 programs.

The state isn't large enough to support that many teams. The population isn't there. The finances aren't there. The high school talent isn't available.


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The local news keeps showing students marching and protesting. How many games did they attend this year? Last night they had a basketball game and other than the students who wandered in from the protest, very few people where there.

I predict once the Christmas break hits everyone will forget UAB football ever existed. The same thing happened when the stadium issue was shot down. A lot of noise was made about lawsuits, government and NCAA investigations. But that died down quickly because there is no law requiring anyone to have a football team.
 
For UAB football to have been a success it would have taken the entire city of Birmingham, not the just UAB student body or the alumni to support them. Look at other universities with similar student profiles to UAB. Look at USF, Central Florida, FIU, Florida Atlantic etc. in terms of the 'commuter student body".

So why would football succeed there in contrast to UAB? Simple. Population. Those areas are pulling from population dense areas of over 2 million people. UAB was trying to garner it's support from approximately 1 million, many of which were Alabama or Auburn fans. Those schools simply have a larger pond to fish in.

It's funny. My job requires I spend a lot of time on college campuses throughout the south. I can walk on campuses this time of year that are "traditional" in terms the student body and no one has to tell me it's football season or game week. I know it. I sense it. It's part of the atmosphere. I walk on campuses like Central Florida or USF, or FIU this time of year and it's like "football? Yeah, I think we have a team.."
 
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UAB was never going to succeed, it's best to just shut the thing down. It was also ridiculous for UAB to be in D1A.


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Crimson1967 said:
The local news keeps showing students marching and protesting. How many games did they attend this year? Last night they had a basketball game and other than the students who wandered in from the protest, very few people where there.

I predict once the Christmas break hits everyone will forget UAB football ever existed. The same thing happened when the stadium issue was shot down. A lot of noise was made about lawsuits, government and NCAA investigations. But that died down quickly because there is no law requiring anyone to have a football team.
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You mean to tell me that UAB students don't support their Basketball team either? If they don't get their act together, that will also be gone.
 
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