UAB IS Sounding Way Too Optimistic About Their Future

((HT: CBS Sports/Solomon))

Jon Solomon wrote another stellar piece on the future of the UAB Athletics program- and their thinking, through the CarrSports Report, is that they'll be fine. But there are a few issues with their report.

The biggest issue is the idea that they'll be retained by Conference USA- which would be a violation of the conference's own by-laws.

From the piece:

UAB is projected to lose roughly $2 million per year in NCAA and Conference USA revenue starting in 2015-16. That includes annual payouts of $900,000 in C-USA TV revenue, $800,000 from the College Football Playoff, and $40,000 in C-USA bowl money. Carr projected a flat $800,000 from the playoff each year even though it's expected the payouts will increase.

The financial projections assume UAB will remain a C-USA member -- a value the study shows is $657,000 annually as a non-football member -- but many people believe that's unlikely to happen since C-USA's current bylaws require playing football for membership. UAB projects $350,000 per year in NCAA men's basketball tournament units from C-USA, $260,000 a year from a C-USA revenue growth supplement, and $40,000 a year from the C-USA men's basketball tournament.

The school seems to be banking on the idea that they can broker the lost football games from 2015 and lessen their make-goods: which, frankly, is a misconceived idea. Any school that might be looking for a 2015 game probably already has a schedule mapped out. And any school that is REALLY looking for a game, probably, can handle their own negotiating.

Thanks for asking, though...

There's nothing in it for the seeker- except doing President Ray Watts a solid.

And that's got to be a small group of Presidents and Athletics Directors...

There is the further assumption that people will return (or new donors will emerge) with football gone. In the south, that would be a rarity indeed. A school that had football that now does not, but will be adding cross country and track and field doesn't seem like a fair swap for donor dollars.

For the record, Solomon says CarrSports got a little under $80,000 for their wisdom using VCU, Wichita State, and the American Athletic Conference as their benchmarks for thought when it comes to UAB's future.

The HQ would think that UAB is destined for a conference like the Atlantic Sun for their sports since they're more interested in saving dollars rather than investing. That latter notion would send them to the American, the Missouri Valley, or the Atlantic-10. But cost-cutting moves like wiping out the band don't give mid-major basketball conferences reasons to be all that enthusiastic about level of competitiveness.

Tommy Spina caught up with former UAB football booster Justin Craft about the demise of the program and what can be done from here- if anything
((HT: CW21/MYTV68 Birmingham))

Birmingham Econ Leaders Meet To Discuss UAB

((HT: ABC3340))

Looks like it was a luncheon or something...

But Birmingham civic and economic leaders met to discuss the future of UAB as an institution- wondering aloud a few things including whether or not the school should break away from the University of Alabama system
ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

Not that a whole lot was accomplished- other than making sure other civic leaders remember where the situation stands at present- a detached president, a selfish Board of Regents, and a lot of athletes trying to fend for an education.

But the HQ hopes more UAB kids and coaches find jobs and can stick it to the current President of the university in more ways than one...

Watts Silent At UAB Graduation

((HT: ABC3340))

It may have been a prudent move- considering the current atmosphere on his campus...
It may have been a silly move- considering the current atmosphere on campus...
It may have been a move of hubris- considering the current atmosphere on campus...

The HQ figures it was all three and a few more emotions wrapped in...

Yesterday was Graduation day on the UAB campus and President Ray Watts chose not to speak to his graduating class- choosing instead to have a prepared statement released to the media and all those attending.

Watts also hose not to shake hands with his graduates- although it would have been interesting to hear the conversations.

Here was the most contentious graduation ceremony in recent memory on any campus
ABC 33/40 - Birmingham News, Weather, Sports

President Watts did not attend the doctoral hooding ceremony that afternoon, either. He has also had to cancel a speaking engagement at a suburban Chamber meeting- by mutual consent.

Heavy sponsors for the athletic program are pulling out now as well...

Congratulations...

DEVELOPING: UAB Faculty Senate Calls For No Confidence Vote On Watts

((HT: MyFoxAL))

The Faculty Senate at UAB has voted two different resolutions: one gives a vote of "no confidence" to President Ray Watts and the other is to restore athletics to its pre-blowing up status.

Watts, shockingly, did not attend the Senate meeting on campus. But he did issue a nebulous statement that wanted task forces and search committees to solve the problems.

Just what the school needs... to spend more money that you claim you don't have to solve the problems of athletics created by the university and CarrSports on Watts' behalf in the first place.

Here's the early view from campus


When microbiology professors are talking positives about the football program, you know things are way more messed up than we all thought from the outside.

Madison Underwood, over at AL.com, writes that 19 former Mr. and Ms. UAB scholarship recipients penned a letter to the university, the Senate, and the Board of Trustees claiming Watts' act won't go unnoticed:

"When we watched the video of President Ray Watts and how this news was delivered, we were appalled and saddened that any student would be treated that way, especially by the president of our university," the letter said. "Even the timing of the announcement during finals and just prior to graduation was insensitive at best."

In a section of the letter directed to Watts, the former scholarship recipients say, "we will not remain idle as you destroy our dear old UAB."

More when we know more...

No Bowl For UAB, Bentley Gives Political Response

((HT: Montgomery Advertiser))

Alabama Governor Robert Bentley attempted to weigh in on the whole blowing up of the UAB program...

And, in true political fashion, we have this response...
The HQ thinks that the comparison he is TRYING to make has to do with the Lowder instance at Auburn. But Lowder acted independently of the rest of the Board of Trustees and, since Bentley is governor, he is naturally predisposed to getting the information that the BoT is going to do whatever it is going to do. So, whatever... And there's no bowl game in the deal for UAB as well... the Armed Forces Bowl seemed to be the only bowl with an open spot and they gave it to Pitt- which makes close to zero sense, but the HQ is quite aware that no bowl game will touch this situation. We only wished that Florida deferred in the Birmingham Bowl and gave them their spot... UAB and Middle Tennessee were the two teams bowl eligible in Conference USA So, here's the presser that killed three teams at once FOSG Trent Butler anchored coverage at the time ((HT: WIAT-TV))

UAB Sends Out FAQ On The Numbers, Still Doesn't Add Up...

((HT: ESPN))

First and foremost, the four-letter addressed the dissolving of the football program at UAB over the weekend- and, pretty much, exposed President Ray Watts as getting caught in his word choice in his part of the interview.

Here's the piece from Gene Wojeciechowski


Hire, Craft, and Jimmy Filler have maintained all along they were never asked about contributing to save the program when they had pledges on hand to work forward in a solution to save the squad.

Yet UAB continues to poke the bear- on their own website:

WHAT ABOUT SATURDAY’S ESPN GAMEDAY STORY WHICH CONTENDED THAT UAB OFFICIALS NEVER MET WITH TOP DONORS AND REJECTED A $5 MILLION CERTIFIED CHECK? IS THAT ACCURATE?

We understand that some of our alumni are frustrated with this decision, but making false statements designed to further inflame the situation is extremely unfair to everyone, including the players. We met with our biggest donors before we made this decision, and also studied past and current giving. The financial support was simply not there. A $5 million certified check was not presented to us, let alone a commitment for the $50 million that would be required to sustain football over the next five years.

While they claim they met with their biggest donors, Hire, Craft, and Filler don't come forward and agree with that assessment. The $5-million was a pledge and not a check-in-hand so we see where the school is in that crafted remark.

The HQ would wholeheartedly disagree with the notion in this paragraph:

WHAT ROLE DID THE UA SYSTEM BOARD OF TRUSTEES PLAY IN THIS DECISION? DID ANYONE FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES ENCOURAGE OR PRESSURE UAB TO DO THIS?

This decision was UAB’s to make just as in all other parts of our university‐wide strategic planning process. This decision was the product of a campus wide strategic review, and involved months of research, data collection and analysis. We referred to current and future financial data. We consulted highly knowledgeable experts and advisors from CarrSports Consulting to inform our planning. All signs pointed to the same decision – football is not sustainable in a model that best protects the financial future and prominence of the athletics department.

What could be more prominent in the state of Alabama than a football program...???

Just asking...

Kevn Scarbinsky caught up with Filler who called out Watts on AL.com

Filler said Saturday that neither Watts nor anyone from his office contacted him after either announcement, and it's not as if Filler is a stranger to Watts. Filler said that shortly before Watts became the UAB president, the two men met to discuss a fund-raising project. Watts wanted Filler to help raise money for a $40 million heart rehabilitation center that would include coaches' offices, Filler said.

"They know who I am," Filler said. "They just wanted to kill the football program."

Here's CBS42's look at President Watts presser and his word choice

UAB Bowling Found Out They Were Gone That Morning

((HT: WVTM-TV Birmingham))

The HQ has been chronicling all the asinine maneuvers that the Alabama Board of Trustees has put over on the Alabama-Birmingham Athletic Department- with the help of UAB President Ray Watts.

Sadly, at the Friday on campus rally, head bowling coach Michelle Crews thinks she might have done herself in when she responded to the Carr Sports report.

These are her first comments since the dissolving of her program
Alabamas13.com WVTM-TV Birmingham, AL

The HQ would recommend seeing the team practice at home or catching a tourney in their time left to show your support for them as well...

We hope the all find homes and can represent schools that will support properly.

Another Round Of Examples Of What UAB Is Leaving Behind Without Football

((HT: MyFoxAL/Britton Lynn))

You have already seen our coverage of the protests last night at Bartow Arena where the University of Alabama-Birmingham student body made the first of, what the HQ hopes is, a zillion points showing the stupidity of the Alabama Board of Trustees in disbanding the football, rifle, and bowling teams on campus.

But we found a cool feature by Britton Lynn over at MyFoxAlabama showcasing one of the team captains- a junior linebacker who is going to go from linebacker to defender of our freedoms.

Here's the story of Cadet Derek Slaughter


And you may have noticed an athlete in a wheelchair who has been front and center of all the protests on campus.
It is UAB tight end Timothy Alexander- and, yes, we said "athlete in a wheelchair."

His story reminds us all of what really is important- just like Cadet Slaughter's story...
((HT: CBS Sports))


A third example is a must read from AL.com's Alex McDaniel as she introduces us to the heartbreak of Birmingham local Brandon Prince- caring for his hospitalized dad when he heard the news.

These are the kind of athletes and persons UAB is getting rid of...

Good job...

Morning Wrap: UAB Student Blackout Dominates Hoops Game

((ht: wiat.com))

The #FreeUAB movement in Birmingham continued Thursday night as students and the Football team were featured attractions at the mens basketball team beat Morehead State at Bartow Arena.

Chanting Free UAB and holding signs saying Fire Ray Watts, the students were very visible, dressed entirely in black.

The football players were overwhelmed with the support received and took to the court during the first half of the game to express their gratitude.

While the students said this is only the beginning, they plan continuing the protests as long as they are able.

The Blazers football team was dissolved just four days earlier in what the school termed a "Financial Decision". The team finished the season 6-6 and bowl eligible for the 1st time in 10-years though it appears they will not get a bowl opportunity. Conference USA has more teams that finished bowl eligible than bowl spots.

UAB's only chance would be as an at-large choice and no bowl game seems to be willing to take them on and the publicity that may go along with it.

More on Thursday night's protest from WIAT-TV in Birmingham: