((HT: KING5 TV))
Late March in Washington state will always be remembered for the killer mudslides that seemed to take over the state.
The Oso mudslide made its impact on the people of the town of Darrington where the high school was this/close to having to disband the boy's basketball program because they couldn't find a coach who was interested that could combat all the travel difficulties to get to the Darrington area to coach.
Here's Chris Daniels to introduce you to the man whose "heart project" has the Loggers on the floor...
Showing posts with label dissolve. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dissolve. Show all posts
Friday, December 26, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
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))
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))
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
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...
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...
Thursday, December 18, 2014
OKC Barons Stopping After This Season... One Step Closer To AHL Western Division...???
((HT: KFOR-TV))
In the American Hockey League, anyway...
The AHL, which the HQ has been saying for a few months, is looking at some location swapping with franchises in the ECHL to create a truer representation for affiliate agreements announced the Oklahoma City Barons are not going to be a part of the league plans next season.
Here are the prepared statements:
Statement from Prodigal
"The decision to cease operations of the OKC Barons at the end of the current season was business-driven. This was a very difficult decision to make because we love the team, love the city and love our fans," said Bob Funk Jr., CEO of Prodigal, the OKC Barons' management company. "Without a more equitable financial agreement with economic terms to provide the best opportunity for sustained success, we can no longer justify additional investments in the operations without higher returns. We have the highest regard for the Edmonton Oilers organization and it has been a privilege serving as its primary development club. Even though we were not successful at completing an agreement, we have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the Edmonton Oilers' management and coaching staff over the past five years. We are also grateful for the committed partner we have had in the City of Oklahoma City. They shared our passion for bringing hockey to Oklahoma City. Most of all, we want to thank our fans in Oklahoma City for five years of unconditional enthusiastic support. We appreciate your dedication to the OKC Barons and the sport of the hockey. The management team at the OKC Barons is unequaled. They are simply the best. We will never say never to bringing professional hockey back to Oklahoma City in the future. We will always leave the door open."
Statement from Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett
"I love hockey and I've been a fan since the time of the Oklahoma City Blazers. I am appreciative to Prodigal for bringing professional hockey back to Oklahoma City five years ago with the Barons. Throughout their tenure in Oklahoma City, Prodigal, through the Barons, Energy and other events, has enhanced the quality and variety of entertainment offerings available in our growing city," Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said. "I want to personally thank Bob Funk Jr. and his team at Prodigal for bringing the Barons to Oklahoma City and running a first class operation. The recent overwhelming success of the OKC Energy during its inaugural season points to good things ahead for the company and Oklahoma City."
Statement from Edmonton Oilers
"The players, coaches and fans of the OKC Barons have been outstanding partners to our organization as our development team affiliate. We have enjoyed a solid working relationship with the City of Oklahoma City as well as with Prodigal, the Barons' management company, throughout the team's five years," said Oilers Entertainment Group President & COO Patrick LaForge. "The decision to move on from Oklahoma City, although not easy, will open new opportunities for the Oilers organization and our AHL business. We want to thank Bob Funk Jr. and his team at Prodigal for their partnership in bringing professional hockey to Oklahoma City."
This isn't to say that the Barons, or hockey in general, couldn't return to Oklahoma City for 2015 and beyond. It will just take some work figuring out what the city thinks can proceed.
If they should even make the effort...
Here's Bob Funk discussing the decision
So, taking our previous posts into account, Anaheim or Edmonton would make their play for an expansion franchise next season (or taking the Barons assets) and what Gerry Cantlon talking about back then may be coming into play after all.
In the American Hockey League, anyway...
The AHL, which the HQ has been saying for a few months, is looking at some location swapping with franchises in the ECHL to create a truer representation for affiliate agreements announced the Oklahoma City Barons are not going to be a part of the league plans next season.
Here are the prepared statements:
Statement from Prodigal
"The decision to cease operations of the OKC Barons at the end of the current season was business-driven. This was a very difficult decision to make because we love the team, love the city and love our fans," said Bob Funk Jr., CEO of Prodigal, the OKC Barons' management company. "Without a more equitable financial agreement with economic terms to provide the best opportunity for sustained success, we can no longer justify additional investments in the operations without higher returns. We have the highest regard for the Edmonton Oilers organization and it has been a privilege serving as its primary development club. Even though we were not successful at completing an agreement, we have enjoyed an excellent working relationship with the Edmonton Oilers' management and coaching staff over the past five years. We are also grateful for the committed partner we have had in the City of Oklahoma City. They shared our passion for bringing hockey to Oklahoma City. Most of all, we want to thank our fans in Oklahoma City for five years of unconditional enthusiastic support. We appreciate your dedication to the OKC Barons and the sport of the hockey. The management team at the OKC Barons is unequaled. They are simply the best. We will never say never to bringing professional hockey back to Oklahoma City in the future. We will always leave the door open."
Statement from Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett
"I love hockey and I've been a fan since the time of the Oklahoma City Blazers. I am appreciative to Prodigal for bringing professional hockey back to Oklahoma City five years ago with the Barons. Throughout their tenure in Oklahoma City, Prodigal, through the Barons, Energy and other events, has enhanced the quality and variety of entertainment offerings available in our growing city," Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said. "I want to personally thank Bob Funk Jr. and his team at Prodigal for bringing the Barons to Oklahoma City and running a first class operation. The recent overwhelming success of the OKC Energy during its inaugural season points to good things ahead for the company and Oklahoma City."
Statement from Edmonton Oilers
"The players, coaches and fans of the OKC Barons have been outstanding partners to our organization as our development team affiliate. We have enjoyed a solid working relationship with the City of Oklahoma City as well as with Prodigal, the Barons' management company, throughout the team's five years," said Oilers Entertainment Group President & COO Patrick LaForge. "The decision to move on from Oklahoma City, although not easy, will open new opportunities for the Oilers organization and our AHL business. We want to thank Bob Funk Jr. and his team at Prodigal for their partnership in bringing professional hockey to Oklahoma City."
This isn't to say that the Barons, or hockey in general, couldn't return to Oklahoma City for 2015 and beyond. It will just take some work figuring out what the city thinks can proceed.
If they should even make the effort...
Here's Bob Funk discussing the decision
So, taking our previous posts into account, Anaheim or Edmonton would make their play for an expansion franchise next season (or taking the Barons assets) and what Gerry Cantlon talking about back then may be coming into play after all.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
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...
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...
Sunday, December 7, 2014
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
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
Saturday, December 6, 2014
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.
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.
Friday, December 5, 2014
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...
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...
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
More Reaction From The Room When Ray Watts Spoke To UAB Football
((HT: BlazerTVdotcom))
We're posting this for a better angle of what we have seen before...
Here's another angle of the Ray Watts explanation and Tristan Henderson's rebuttal...
The HQ is doing this for the sake of reinforcement of how much of a crock this is...
We're posting this for a better angle of what we have seen before...
Here's another angle of the Ray Watts explanation and Tristan Henderson's rebuttal...
The HQ is doing this for the sake of reinforcement of how much of a crock this is...
UAB Has To Add Sports To Stay Division I; More Premeditation Evidence Coming Forward...???
((HT: MyFoxAL/WBRC-TV))
The NCAA requires 14 Division I sports teams (with at least six men's sports) to stay eligible for Division I status. With the football program dissolved, UAB is down to five men's sports. The CarrSports Consulting folks recommended men's cross country and track as the sports to add to stay up on that level.
Staying in Conference USA will remain an uphill fight since their by-laws mandate football for membership.
From the press release that UAB put out with the announcement:
In eliminating football, UAB will be better positioned to invest in programs where the institution can be sustainably competitive on a conference and even national level. Funds from discontinued programs will be redirected to more fully support UAB's priority sports and build those into championship programs.
“We are not looking to reduce the athletic budget, but instead to reallocate our resources to remaining athletic programs,” Watts said. “This strategic plan will give us our best chance to win championships and national prominence. Many of our programs have been on the cusp, and funds redirected from football can propel them to the next level. The best days for UAB Athletics are yet to come.”
The HQ would LOVE to know what sports are a priority on campus in President Watts' view IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA OTHER THAN FOOTBALL!!!
Alan Collins was in front of a group of angry students protesting in front of the admininstration building for another day
John Archibald, in his Al.com column, brings forth more evidence that some combination of the CarrSports folks, the Board of Trustees, and President Watts were in on this for a long time and it had to do with the contract with Legion Field:
The contract in 2010 ran for four years, until the end of UAB's 2013 football season.
But this spring, UAB asked for a different deal. And though it irked some city workers, UAB got what it wanted. A one-year contract to play at Legion Field.
"This Agreement shall have effect for a period of one (1) year beginning at the start of UAB's 2014 football season (July 21, 2014) and ending at the conclusion of UAB's 2014 football season (December 15, 2014)."
Draw your own conclusion there...
And Birmingham Mayor William Bell was told by Watts last week that there was nothing to worry about...
So much for that idea...
The NCAA requires 14 Division I sports teams (with at least six men's sports) to stay eligible for Division I status. With the football program dissolved, UAB is down to five men's sports. The CarrSports Consulting folks recommended men's cross country and track as the sports to add to stay up on that level.
Staying in Conference USA will remain an uphill fight since their by-laws mandate football for membership.
From the press release that UAB put out with the announcement:
In eliminating football, UAB will be better positioned to invest in programs where the institution can be sustainably competitive on a conference and even national level. Funds from discontinued programs will be redirected to more fully support UAB's priority sports and build those into championship programs.
“We are not looking to reduce the athletic budget, but instead to reallocate our resources to remaining athletic programs,” Watts said. “This strategic plan will give us our best chance to win championships and national prominence. Many of our programs have been on the cusp, and funds redirected from football can propel them to the next level. The best days for UAB Athletics are yet to come.”
The HQ would LOVE to know what sports are a priority on campus in President Watts' view IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA OTHER THAN FOOTBALL!!!
Alan Collins was in front of a group of angry students protesting in front of the admininstration building for another day
John Archibald, in his Al.com column, brings forth more evidence that some combination of the CarrSports folks, the Board of Trustees, and President Watts were in on this for a long time and it had to do with the contract with Legion Field:
The contract in 2010 ran for four years, until the end of UAB's 2013 football season.
But this spring, UAB asked for a different deal. And though it irked some city workers, UAB got what it wanted. A one-year contract to play at Legion Field.
"This Agreement shall have effect for a period of one (1) year beginning at the start of UAB's 2014 football season (July 21, 2014) and ending at the conclusion of UAB's 2014 football season (December 15, 2014)."
Draw your own conclusion there...
And Birmingham Mayor William Bell was told by Watts last week that there was nothing to worry about...
So much for that idea...
UAB Football: Tristan Henderson Speaks Publicly
((HT: OTL on ESPN))
The most emotionally raw video that came out of UAB when President Ray Watts announced the dissolving of the football program was the confrontation among the players and Watts himself.
Tristan Henderson's voice was the loudest...
The 26-year-old Iraq vet was a tight end for the team and made a point to go after Watts- personifying the anger of the squad.
His is the voice we remember the most and he was a guest on "Outside The Lines" to talk about the dissolving of the program
Henderson's voice will always be the voice the HQ remembers the most- and we hope it always will be
The most emotionally raw video that came out of UAB when President Ray Watts announced the dissolving of the football program was the confrontation among the players and Watts himself.
Tristan Henderson's voice was the loudest...
The 26-year-old Iraq vet was a tight end for the team and made a point to go after Watts- personifying the anger of the squad.
His is the voice we remember the most and he was a guest on "Outside The Lines" to talk about the dissolving of the program
Henderson's voice will always be the voice the HQ remembers the most- and we hope it always will be
Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Long Live UAB Football: President Kills Program- The Press Conference
((HT: MyFoxAlabama/WBRC-TV))
So, as it turns out, it wasn't JUST football...
To satisfy Title IX guidelines, it is football, rifle, and bowling that are going away at Alabama-Birmingham.
President Ray Watts came in through a back door and had this press conference
Players were involved in a heated discussion with President Watts and UAB VP of Finance G. Allen Bolton, Jr. and Watts was cussed at when he exited the fieldhouse where they gave their dissertation.
Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky released a statement:
“We are aware of the study but disappointed with the decision to discontinue the sport of football at UAB, particularly because of its effect on the lives of the student-athletes and coaches that have worked so hard to restore the quality of the program. We don't fully understand the decision, nor agree with it, but do respect it and the authority of the UAB Administration to make it.
As a conference, we will move forward in our pursuit of excellence in athletics and academics, with the primary goal of providing a positive educational experience for all of our 5,000 student-athletes. Our universities have invested in athletics, and in facilities to support athletics, and are focused on their student-athletes and the contribution college athletics makes on their campuses and in their communities.
UAB has been a contributing member to the Conference since its inception and has expressed a strong interest in remaining a member, a topic that the Conference's Board of Directors will take up in the months ahead. The Conference's current bylaws require all members to sponsor football.”
Head coach Bill Clark released a written statement:
"This is one of the most difficult days that I have had to endure in my personal as well as my coaching career.
I am absolutely heartbroken for my players and my assistant coaches. These coaches and players have done a tremendous job and have worked extremely hard for this university, to achieve six wins and be bowl eligible.
I want to pay a special tribute to our many loyal fans for all the support hey have given us this season and especially, during these last few challenging weeks.
Sometimes we as people do not understand why certain things happen; however my faith tells me that God has a plan for the lives of our players, my coaching staff, and for me and my family.
I am grateful for the opportunity I have had here at UAB and making so many new relationships during my time here.
There is no doubt in my mind that we were in the process of building something special at UAB. This goes further than our football program, the athletics department, or the university as a whole. This team is Birmingham - we represent Birmingham and this community.
It is unfortunate that it has come to this. But again, it is a decision that has been reached and I must respect it and will move forward.
Thank you Birmingham and the UAB Community for everything you have done for our players, this coaching staff and me personally."
The issue now for UAB is to find a conference that will accept them without football- and that will be an interesting quest.
More when we know more...
So, as it turns out, it wasn't JUST football...
To satisfy Title IX guidelines, it is football, rifle, and bowling that are going away at Alabama-Birmingham.
President Ray Watts came in through a back door and had this press conference
Players were involved in a heated discussion with President Watts and UAB VP of Finance G. Allen Bolton, Jr. and Watts was cussed at when he exited the fieldhouse where they gave their dissertation.
Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky released a statement:
“We are aware of the study but disappointed with the decision to discontinue the sport of football at UAB, particularly because of its effect on the lives of the student-athletes and coaches that have worked so hard to restore the quality of the program. We don't fully understand the decision, nor agree with it, but do respect it and the authority of the UAB Administration to make it.
As a conference, we will move forward in our pursuit of excellence in athletics and academics, with the primary goal of providing a positive educational experience for all of our 5,000 student-athletes. Our universities have invested in athletics, and in facilities to support athletics, and are focused on their student-athletes and the contribution college athletics makes on their campuses and in their communities.
UAB has been a contributing member to the Conference since its inception and has expressed a strong interest in remaining a member, a topic that the Conference's Board of Directors will take up in the months ahead. The Conference's current bylaws require all members to sponsor football.”
Head coach Bill Clark released a written statement:
"This is one of the most difficult days that I have had to endure in my personal as well as my coaching career.
I am absolutely heartbroken for my players and my assistant coaches. These coaches and players have done a tremendous job and have worked extremely hard for this university, to achieve six wins and be bowl eligible.
I want to pay a special tribute to our many loyal fans for all the support hey have given us this season and especially, during these last few challenging weeks.
Sometimes we as people do not understand why certain things happen; however my faith tells me that God has a plan for the lives of our players, my coaching staff, and for me and my family.
I am grateful for the opportunity I have had here at UAB and making so many new relationships during my time here.
There is no doubt in my mind that we were in the process of building something special at UAB. This goes further than our football program, the athletics department, or the university as a whole. This team is Birmingham - we represent Birmingham and this community.
It is unfortunate that it has come to this. But again, it is a decision that has been reached and I must respect it and will move forward.
Thank you Birmingham and the UAB Community for everything you have done for our players, this coaching staff and me personally."
The issue now for UAB is to find a conference that will accept them without football- and that will be an interesting quest.
More when we know more...
DEVELOPING: UAB To Announce The End Of Football Today
((HT: Al.com/Scarbinsky))
At some point today, it is expected that UAB President Ray Watts will announce the end of the football program.
Funny thing is, according to AL.com's John Talty, is that the football program looks like it was a proftable one.
The football program posted a slim positive margin of $24,222 in a time frame of Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Education's Equity in Athletics data
Yes, it's heavily subsidized. The HQ knows that...
But in an interview with Barnett Wright, former university President and founder of the football program, Scotty McCallum, said it shouldn't be a Board of Trustees decision to make:
"This is not the Board of Trustees' decision," said McCallum, who was instrumental in the first UAB football team taking the field in 1991. "The decision should be made by the (UAB) president and the faculty members at the university. It's ridiculous for the Board of Trustees to even think about dropping it."
At the same time, what the HQ- and a lot of you out there- already think was publicly divulged by Talty in an interview with UAB Football booster Jimmy Filler. Filler is the head of the UAB Football Foundation. The Foundation is set to donate $5-million to the efforts of keeping football around, but Filler claims to Talty that no one ever called him to discuss the matter once he came to the fore and the idea is two decades old to blow up the program:
Filler doesn't believe the study will have any impact on whether the program folds or not. Instead, he says, its fate was sealed as far back as 1991 when former UAB coach and athletic director Gene Bartow advised the NCAA to investigate Alabama's basketball program. In the letter to the NCAA, published by The Los Angeles Times in 1993, Bartow wrote that several former Alabama football coaches had been penalized by the NCAA and that they were "trained" by legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant.
Filler believes Paul Bryant Jr., the son of Bear Bryant and a member of the Board of Trustees, has been trying to kill UAB's program for years as a "vendetta" for Bartow's letter. Filler has battled Bryant Jr. and the rest of the board for years to try to get UAB a new football stadium with little success.
"Coach Bartow was a dear, close friend of mine. He said this (would) happen," Filler said. "He said it two weeks before he passed that they wanted to kill UAB athletics. My good friend and dear man was 100 percent right."
There is talk that President Watts will make a public announcement of the university's intentions when it happens...
May his God help him if he does with the reaction he will receive on campus...
Here was the look this morning from campus as students were set to march again:
((HT: MyFoxAL.com))
At some point today, it is expected that UAB President Ray Watts will announce the end of the football program.
Funny thing is, according to AL.com's John Talty, is that the football program looks like it was a proftable one.
The football program posted a slim positive margin of $24,222 in a time frame of Oct. 1, 2013 to Sept. 30, 2014, according to the U.S. Department of Education's Equity in Athletics data
Yes, it's heavily subsidized. The HQ knows that...
But in an interview with Barnett Wright, former university President and founder of the football program, Scotty McCallum, said it shouldn't be a Board of Trustees decision to make:
"This is not the Board of Trustees' decision," said McCallum, who was instrumental in the first UAB football team taking the field in 1991. "The decision should be made by the (UAB) president and the faculty members at the university. It's ridiculous for the Board of Trustees to even think about dropping it."
At the same time, what the HQ- and a lot of you out there- already think was publicly divulged by Talty in an interview with UAB Football booster Jimmy Filler. Filler is the head of the UAB Football Foundation. The Foundation is set to donate $5-million to the efforts of keeping football around, but Filler claims to Talty that no one ever called him to discuss the matter once he came to the fore and the idea is two decades old to blow up the program:
Filler doesn't believe the study will have any impact on whether the program folds or not. Instead, he says, its fate was sealed as far back as 1991 when former UAB coach and athletic director Gene Bartow advised the NCAA to investigate Alabama's basketball program. In the letter to the NCAA, published by The Los Angeles Times in 1993, Bartow wrote that several former Alabama football coaches had been penalized by the NCAA and that they were "trained" by legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant.
Filler believes Paul Bryant Jr., the son of Bear Bryant and a member of the Board of Trustees, has been trying to kill UAB's program for years as a "vendetta" for Bartow's letter. Filler has battled Bryant Jr. and the rest of the board for years to try to get UAB a new football stadium with little success.
"Coach Bartow was a dear, close friend of mine. He said this (would) happen," Filler said. "He said it two weeks before he passed that they wanted to kill UAB athletics. My good friend and dear man was 100 percent right."
There is talk that President Watts will make a public announcement of the university's intentions when it happens...
May his God help him if he does with the reaction he will receive on campus...
Here was the look this morning from campus as students were set to march again:
((HT: MyFoxAL.com))
Sunday, November 30, 2014
DEVELOPING: Done, Done, and Done: UAB Blowing Up Football
In one of the more transparent power plays by a Board of Trustees in recent memory, the University of Alabama Birmingham has fired its Athletic Director and will shutter its football program.
The "when" is the only question...
Joe Schad caught up with Clark after the game as well, and Clark was not optimistic at all: "I think it's going to happen," said Clark, who led UAB to a 6-6 record in his first season at the school. "Unless something changes before the weekend ends, I think it's over. I think the odds are very high it ends this week. To shut the doors? That's sad."
Dan Wolken over at USA Today has some more information: With UAB's football future hanging in the balance, a person close to the decision-making process told USA TODAY Sports that athletics director Brian Mackin has given indications the program will shut down this week and that Mackin is working on a separation agreement from the university. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the conversations were supposed to be private. Mackin did not return multiple calls and text messages seeking comment.
Clark is meeting with his president tomorrow, via his Twitter:
Contrary to news, We haven't heard any decision about our program. We are still fighting!
Here's head coach Bill Clark after becoming bowl eligible yesterday- the irony is inescapable...
Obviously, more when we know more, but the HQ hopes the UA Board of Trustees is happy with themselves...
The "when" is the only question...
Joe Schad caught up with Clark after the game as well, and Clark was not optimistic at all: "I think it's going to happen," said Clark, who led UAB to a 6-6 record in his first season at the school. "Unless something changes before the weekend ends, I think it's over. I think the odds are very high it ends this week. To shut the doors? That's sad."
Dan Wolken over at USA Today has some more information: With UAB's football future hanging in the balance, a person close to the decision-making process told USA TODAY Sports that athletics director Brian Mackin has given indications the program will shut down this week and that Mackin is working on a separation agreement from the university. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the conversations were supposed to be private. Mackin did not return multiple calls and text messages seeking comment.
Clark is meeting with his president tomorrow, via his Twitter:
Contrary to news, We haven't heard any decision about our program. We are still fighting!
Here's head coach Bill Clark after becoming bowl eligible yesterday- the irony is inescapable...
Obviously, more when we know more, but the HQ hopes the UA Board of Trustees is happy with themselves...
Saturday, November 8, 2014
UAB Looking To Blow Up Football...???
((HT: AL.com))
The answer is: Probably...
And you find it more from the quotes of the higher-ups in the University these days than those of us who normally float the idea in the first place...
Evidence
((HT: CBS42 Birmingham))
More Evidence...
Nick Birdsong has this statement from AD Brian Mackin
"Like all areas across our campus, the Athletic Department is working on a strategic plan to maximize our resources and drive excellence. This process is critical to ensuring the best days of UAB Athletics are yet to come for our students, alumni, fans and community. "Coming out of this process, we will know what it takes -- from the institution, as well as supporters including our donors -- to best support our programs. My staff and I, and our consultants -- Carr Sports Consulting, a trusted adviser and expert in college athletics -- have invested a great deal of care in undertaking a department-wide strategic plan. As we close in on completing this initiative, we will make informed decisions that are supported by data and expert analysis. It would be premature to speculate about pending results, but I firmly believe this approach will lead to the most exciting era in UAB Athletics."
That paragraph was sent out after the university President, Ray Watts, said this earlier in the week:
More than a year ago, UAB began the most comprehensive campus-wide strategic planning process in our history, calling for the 10 schools, College of Arts and Sciences, Honors College, Information Technology, Research Administration, and other units to develop individual strategic plans, set priorities and implement long-term goals.
"Within that framework, the Athletic Department is conducting a full strategic review of its programs. The Athletic Department has engaged outside experts and is exploring a full range of options - not all of which will be implemented - to reach its desired results of sustained excellence."
Former UAB players have met with Watts to discuss their concerns, and AL.com's Kevin Scarbinsky had this point:
New coach Bill Clark's original contract is for three years only when most college head coaches have deals that run for a minimum of four or five years, and UAB has no non-conference football games scheduled beyond 2016.
Which is flat strange...
Alternatives...
Not many...
Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News wrote an article in 2009 as UAB was pursuing their own football stadium not names Legion Field. The numbers back then weren't pretty when it came to the profit and loss ratios of the Blazers football program.
From 2006 to 2009, UAB reported just as much football revenue from the university ($6.55 million in subsidies) as it got from donors ($6.53 million). And that doesn't factor in student fees that went for athletics and increased 30 percent over those four years.
Good for UAB if enough companies will consistently pony up for the stadium. But projections are just that.
UAB projected in its 2009 athletics budget that the football program would receive $935,552 in university subsidies, rather than the $2 million it actually received. Overall, UAB projected a $1.1 million loss on football; it turned out to be $1.7 million.
Solomon followed up that piece five years later with the numbers back in February of 2014 that outlined that a lot of Alabama schools are heavily subsidized. UAB's numbers were up in the five year gap between our paragraphs. There's a good graph in their as well...
The UAB athletics department received $1.4 million less in institutional support during the 2013 fiscal year, resulting in a rare decrease of total subsidies directed to Blazers sports even as student fees climbed.
UAB received $18.1 million in total subsidies for sports in 2013, down from $18.7 million a year earlier, according to the athletics department's latest NCAA financial report. This marked the first time subsidies have decreased during the eight years AL.com/The Birmingham News has charted the university's athletics finances.
The Blazers had a long day hosting Louisiana Tech to even out their schedule at 5-5, losing 40-24.
Here's Kyle Sappington going against the Bulldogs special teams
UAB and Hawai'i are two looking at the same dark tunnel and it will be interesting to see how they come out the other side.
The answer is: Probably...
And you find it more from the quotes of the higher-ups in the University these days than those of us who normally float the idea in the first place...
Evidence
((HT: CBS42 Birmingham))
More Evidence...
Nick Birdsong has this statement from AD Brian Mackin
"Like all areas across our campus, the Athletic Department is working on a strategic plan to maximize our resources and drive excellence. This process is critical to ensuring the best days of UAB Athletics are yet to come for our students, alumni, fans and community. "Coming out of this process, we will know what it takes -- from the institution, as well as supporters including our donors -- to best support our programs. My staff and I, and our consultants -- Carr Sports Consulting, a trusted adviser and expert in college athletics -- have invested a great deal of care in undertaking a department-wide strategic plan. As we close in on completing this initiative, we will make informed decisions that are supported by data and expert analysis. It would be premature to speculate about pending results, but I firmly believe this approach will lead to the most exciting era in UAB Athletics."
That paragraph was sent out after the university President, Ray Watts, said this earlier in the week:
More than a year ago, UAB began the most comprehensive campus-wide strategic planning process in our history, calling for the 10 schools, College of Arts and Sciences, Honors College, Information Technology, Research Administration, and other units to develop individual strategic plans, set priorities and implement long-term goals.
"Within that framework, the Athletic Department is conducting a full strategic review of its programs. The Athletic Department has engaged outside experts and is exploring a full range of options - not all of which will be implemented - to reach its desired results of sustained excellence."
Former UAB players have met with Watts to discuss their concerns, and AL.com's Kevin Scarbinsky had this point:
New coach Bill Clark's original contract is for three years only when most college head coaches have deals that run for a minimum of four or five years, and UAB has no non-conference football games scheduled beyond 2016.
Which is flat strange...
Alternatives...
Not many...
Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News wrote an article in 2009 as UAB was pursuing their own football stadium not names Legion Field. The numbers back then weren't pretty when it came to the profit and loss ratios of the Blazers football program.
From 2006 to 2009, UAB reported just as much football revenue from the university ($6.55 million in subsidies) as it got from donors ($6.53 million). And that doesn't factor in student fees that went for athletics and increased 30 percent over those four years.
Good for UAB if enough companies will consistently pony up for the stadium. But projections are just that.
UAB projected in its 2009 athletics budget that the football program would receive $935,552 in university subsidies, rather than the $2 million it actually received. Overall, UAB projected a $1.1 million loss on football; it turned out to be $1.7 million.
Solomon followed up that piece five years later with the numbers back in February of 2014 that outlined that a lot of Alabama schools are heavily subsidized. UAB's numbers were up in the five year gap between our paragraphs. There's a good graph in their as well...
The UAB athletics department received $1.4 million less in institutional support during the 2013 fiscal year, resulting in a rare decrease of total subsidies directed to Blazers sports even as student fees climbed.
UAB received $18.1 million in total subsidies for sports in 2013, down from $18.7 million a year earlier, according to the athletics department's latest NCAA financial report. This marked the first time subsidies have decreased during the eight years AL.com/The Birmingham News has charted the university's athletics finances.
The Blazers had a long day hosting Louisiana Tech to even out their schedule at 5-5, losing 40-24.
Here's Kyle Sappington going against the Bulldogs special teams
UAB and Hawai'i are two looking at the same dark tunnel and it will be interesting to see how they come out the other side.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
DEVELOPING: NPSL Supporter's Group Producers PCFC Documentary
((HT: Gulf Coast Armada))
Abram Chamberlain, the leader of the Pensacola City FC Supporter's Group- the Gulf Coast Armada- has put together a half-hour on the situation involving the dissolving of Pensacola City FC.
He analyzes the owner's approach to having a franchise and its marketing for the 2014 season (or a lack thereof), interviews (now) former players about living conditions and their individual situations, asks legitimate questions around the operation of a franchise- regardless of professional level, and has a noble goal for the future...
It's worth a look...
We'll be asking Chamberlain some questions as we go forward in week 2 and beyond...
Abram Chamberlain, the leader of the Pensacola City FC Supporter's Group- the Gulf Coast Armada- has put together a half-hour on the situation involving the dissolving of Pensacola City FC.
He analyzes the owner's approach to having a franchise and its marketing for the 2014 season (or a lack thereof), interviews (now) former players about living conditions and their individual situations, asks legitimate questions around the operation of a franchise- regardless of professional level, and has a noble goal for the future...
It's worth a look...
We'll be asking Chamberlain some questions as we go forward in week 2 and beyond...
Saturday, May 31, 2014
NPSL: The First Weekend Without PCFC
The only thought is to have the remaining six games be walkovers and let people get their points since they may not play each other in true round-robin fashion. But the end is currently in discussion at the NPSL league level.
The Southeast Conference is one short with the shocking folding of Pensacola City FC and the whole saga is far from being over.
At least, that's the gut feeling at the HQ. PCFC was supposed to play the Georgia Revs Friday night before their next meeting was supposed to be in Chattanooga FC, but that's now in the wind.
As is the rest of their season...
The other teams carried on as they did: Nashville was hosting Rocket City. Chattanooga FC was playing Knoxville Force and New Orleans traveled the eight hours to Atlanta to take on Silverbacks Reserves against that backdrop (pictured right, thanks New Orleans Jesters their own selves). It was as everything was normal save the fold/dissolving/whatever-you-want-to-call-it after only three games into a season.
The opinions have been documented from both sides over the last few days from both ownership and players of the franchise- you can catch up with them hyah for starters...
So, what do the rest of the league think of what has gone down...???
"It surprised me," Silverbacks head coach Alejandro Pombo admitted. "It has never happened before. When you're here, you commit to the league and I have always thought that you end the season. Three years ago, when we were Atlanta FC, we had on-the-field problems. But we finished the season.
"What happened there... that's not the way. You have to figure it out to the end. They were supposed to travel to Chattanooga to play, but now they're not. They should have talked with the league to see if they could get some help to continue to play and finish the season.".
New Orleans Jesters head coach Kenneth Farrell was more matter-of-fact about it:
"Irresponsible. Unprofessional. Embarrassing...
"We can pull together as brothers in times like this," he admitted. "Once you have committed, you have committed to the league. You should have talked to the league about it and figured out what to do. And the league would have done that. You don't blame the league in a situation like this. It happened without them knowing- any of us knowing... we're a good league and you just don't do that."
Sources close to the league that OSG Sports talked to about this raise the standard financial questions. Did the re-branding and name change from the Texans family to PCFC come as a result of partners pulling out and, therefore, create a loss of funds that Bill Fetke counted on for financial stability...? There were plans, we are told, of bringing in players from all corners- including Asia. That did't happen, either.
So, is this a part of a larger cascade for Fetke and PCFC that created the dissolving...???
Only he can answer... and now some of the Internationals on the roster have to still find a way to pay bills and have a roof over their heads starting tomorrow...
And that prospect is daunting at least and scary at most...
More when we know more...
The Southeast Conference is one short with the shocking folding of Pensacola City FC and the whole saga is far from being over.
As is the rest of their season...
The other teams carried on as they did: Nashville was hosting Rocket City. Chattanooga FC was playing Knoxville Force and New Orleans traveled the eight hours to Atlanta to take on Silverbacks Reserves against that backdrop (pictured right, thanks New Orleans Jesters their own selves). It was as everything was normal save the fold/dissolving/whatever-you-want-to-call-it after only three games into a season.
The opinions have been documented from both sides over the last few days from both ownership and players of the franchise- you can catch up with them hyah for starters...
So, what do the rest of the league think of what has gone down...???
"It surprised me," Silverbacks head coach Alejandro Pombo admitted. "It has never happened before. When you're here, you commit to the league and I have always thought that you end the season. Three years ago, when we were Atlanta FC, we had on-the-field problems. But we finished the season.
"What happened there... that's not the way. You have to figure it out to the end. They were supposed to travel to Chattanooga to play, but now they're not. They should have talked with the league to see if they could get some help to continue to play and finish the season.".
New Orleans Jesters head coach Kenneth Farrell was more matter-of-fact about it:
"Irresponsible. Unprofessional. Embarrassing...
"We can pull together as brothers in times like this," he admitted. "Once you have committed, you have committed to the league. You should have talked to the league about it and figured out what to do. And the league would have done that. You don't blame the league in a situation like this. It happened without them knowing- any of us knowing... we're a good league and you just don't do that."
Sources close to the league that OSG Sports talked to about this raise the standard financial questions. Did the re-branding and name change from the Texans family to PCFC come as a result of partners pulling out and, therefore, create a loss of funds that Bill Fetke counted on for financial stability...? There were plans, we are told, of bringing in players from all corners- including Asia. That did't happen, either.
So, is this a part of a larger cascade for Fetke and PCFC that created the dissolving...???
Only he can answer... and now some of the Internationals on the roster have to still find a way to pay bills and have a roof over their heads starting tomorrow...
And that prospect is daunting at least and scary at most...
More when we know more...
Friday, May 30, 2014
DEVELOPING: NPSL Commissioner Responds To Pensacola City Situation (Kinda)
((HT: Michael Hitchock's Twitter))
Although not to direct question, the Commissioner of the NPSL has responded in a series of Tweets to the situation in Pensacola
Dear @NPSLSoccer fans: No one is more frustrated with the PCFC situation than me. With all the positive momentum for the NPSL right now 1/2
The owner of PCFC has let down the NPSL, the South East members & most importantly his players. We are getting all the info & addressing 2/2
The @NPSLSoccer is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission it to grow the sport of soccer in US in a sustainable way. Run by the members.
Consistent with the NPSL structure & philosophy, South East conference members will work together with NPSL on PCFC issue. Thx for support!
1/2 Official Statement: @NPSLSoccer is extremely disappointed to hear that Pensacola City FC has decided to cease operations immediately...
2/2 Statement: League remains committed to the Pensacola soccer community and looks forward to working with fans & supporters in the future.
OSG Sports has asked the Commissioner about the 7 games on the schedule that PCFC were to play and how the schedule is reconfigured...
And, in an amazingly similar to Tweet number 4 above, he replied:
South East Conference members are working with NPSL on PCFC issue. Consistent with NPSL structure
More when we know more... and, maybe, more details...
Although not to direct question, the Commissioner of the NPSL has responded in a series of Tweets to the situation in Pensacola
Dear @NPSLSoccer fans: No one is more frustrated with the PCFC situation than me. With all the positive momentum for the NPSL right now 1/2
The owner of PCFC has let down the NPSL, the South East members & most importantly his players. We are getting all the info & addressing 2/2
The @NPSLSoccer is a not-for-profit corporation whose mission it to grow the sport of soccer in US in a sustainable way. Run by the members.
Consistent with the NPSL structure & philosophy, South East conference members will work together with NPSL on PCFC issue. Thx for support!
1/2 Official Statement: @NPSLSoccer is extremely disappointed to hear that Pensacola City FC has decided to cease operations immediately...
2/2 Statement: League remains committed to the Pensacola soccer community and looks forward to working with fans & supporters in the future.
OSG Sports has asked the Commissioner about the 7 games on the schedule that PCFC were to play and how the schedule is reconfigured...
And, in an amazingly similar to Tweet number 4 above, he replied:
South East Conference members are working with NPSL on PCFC issue. Consistent with NPSL structure
More when we know more... and, maybe, more details...
DEVELOPING: NPSL Pensacola City FC Reax- Alvaro Pichardo
OSG Sports has received an e-mail from Pensacola City FC midfielder Alvaro Pichardo about what has happened over the last 36 hours...
This is his first-person account as to what he experienced in the folding of the franchise...
It is a stream-of-consciousness review and OSG Sports left punctuation alone...
It is heart-breaking, head-scratching and leaves a lot of questions still...
Well, we received an email from Bill at 9:10 Wednesday night that said we had a meeting the next day (Thursday) at 1:00 pm because he was doing an equipment check. (who does equipment checks at this level, why would you need to check our equipment if there hasn't been a problem with us wearing the wrong gear or anything? at this point we started talking as a team about what we thought would happen and some of us came up with the thoughts that the team was folding because we hadn't trained on Wednesday, 2 days before a game, and we hadn't discussed the traveling plans for Thursday afternoon to travel to Georgia for the game.
Anyway... we get there and Bill takes our equipment, when he is finished "checking" our equipment he gives us this lecture of how we are workers and just like any business if you don't do your job you can get fired, he even goes to say that he heard that some of the guys had gone out to drink the night before the Chattanooga game, which i know for a fact that no one went out, we finished the game and everyone went home because we had a game the next day at 1. then he says that we played like "shit" against CFC because we were hungover... i have 2 things to say about that, 1st we didnt play like shit, we lost 1-0 against the best team in the conference, a team that is competing in the US Open Cup and is one of the best in the NPSL year after year with almost the exact same line up from the night before in 90 degree weather with a team that has almost no organization due to the fact that we have had 0 tactical sessions all year and don't know how to defend and play as a team, this goes to tell you that we worked our asses off for Bill and we only lost 1-0... 2nd no one had any alcohol in them. we lost because they were the better team.
Bill also added that him and his business partners decided that it was not worth spending so much money when the public was not reacting and supporting us, this is normal in sports, you dont make a team and 2 years later start making money, this is normal in any business, it takes years to start making money first you invest, then you start breaking even and then you make a profit... this is what i think actually happened, Bill doesnt really have a good idea on how to run a sports team.
At first I didn't want to say anything because I had a good relationship with Bill, he had been really nice to me last year and even this year but it really bothers me that he has blamed us for terminating the team, this is not our fault, you do not expect us to win every game when the set up has been an absolute joke, from having no goals for the first few days to doing the same thing every single day at training without any intensity and not working tactically, soccer is not a sport that you just go out there and kick a ball around, you have to be organized and run a system, which we didn't do... we pretty much were just thrown out there to kick the ball around. If anything, Bill should be happy that we worked hard in the games and didn't lose by more with such a disorganized and unprofessional environment around us...
Also, I'm not too happy about how he is treating the injured players, Remy (Moulard) hurt in ankle and had to be taking the hospital about a week ago and he has yet to have an MRI, I wonder how Bill would feel if this happened to his son and the owner of the team simply didn't care about his health. I dont think he has realized how much we gave up to come play for him and how much we have lost now that he terminated the team. Remy is injured and has nowhere to go but he doesnt care about this, he is probably gonna have to sit out his next college season due to this injury and this could affect him to reach his goal of becoming a professional soccer player but evidently Bill could care less... I had other options before coming here, PDL other NPSL team and I even passed up on playing with my countries national team because i was promised a professional environment and a very organized team with MLS and USL coaches coming to watch us (which never happened)...
He also said "i have no control of where they lived, they stayed with local players. so local players are the ones who kicked out their teammates" this has really pissed me off that he would lie like this, he had control of where we lived, yes we stayed with local players but those local players live in apartments which require you to pay rent obviously, and guess who agreed to pay that rent... Mr. Bill Fetke himself, so now that we have 2 days till rent is due, what are we supposed to do? No one has enough money to afford rent because we have not been working, because of the fact that Bill promised us food and housing.
Yes he has folded the team and there is nothing we can do now but the least he can do is keep his promise to pay for our rents, at least for 1 more month to give us time to find another team and he could pay for the injured players' medical bills. Just like in any business if you get injured while working, the employer has to pay for medical bills but it seems like he forgot about this or maybe he is just a cold person that doesn't care about the well being of others.
More reaction will be posted as we receive it and OSG Sports also has another question into NPSL Commissioner Michael Hitchcock about how the folding of the franchise relates to the rest of the schedule going forward...
This is his first-person account as to what he experienced in the folding of the franchise...
It is a stream-of-consciousness review and OSG Sports left punctuation alone...
It is heart-breaking, head-scratching and leaves a lot of questions still...
Well, we received an email from Bill at 9:10 Wednesday night that said we had a meeting the next day (Thursday) at 1:00 pm because he was doing an equipment check. (who does equipment checks at this level, why would you need to check our equipment if there hasn't been a problem with us wearing the wrong gear or anything? at this point we started talking as a team about what we thought would happen and some of us came up with the thoughts that the team was folding because we hadn't trained on Wednesday, 2 days before a game, and we hadn't discussed the traveling plans for Thursday afternoon to travel to Georgia for the game.
Anyway... we get there and Bill takes our equipment, when he is finished "checking" our equipment he gives us this lecture of how we are workers and just like any business if you don't do your job you can get fired, he even goes to say that he heard that some of the guys had gone out to drink the night before the Chattanooga game, which i know for a fact that no one went out, we finished the game and everyone went home because we had a game the next day at 1. then he says that we played like "shit" against CFC because we were hungover... i have 2 things to say about that, 1st we didnt play like shit, we lost 1-0 against the best team in the conference, a team that is competing in the US Open Cup and is one of the best in the NPSL year after year with almost the exact same line up from the night before in 90 degree weather with a team that has almost no organization due to the fact that we have had 0 tactical sessions all year and don't know how to defend and play as a team, this goes to tell you that we worked our asses off for Bill and we only lost 1-0... 2nd no one had any alcohol in them. we lost because they were the better team.
Bill also added that him and his business partners decided that it was not worth spending so much money when the public was not reacting and supporting us, this is normal in sports, you dont make a team and 2 years later start making money, this is normal in any business, it takes years to start making money first you invest, then you start breaking even and then you make a profit... this is what i think actually happened, Bill doesnt really have a good idea on how to run a sports team.
At first I didn't want to say anything because I had a good relationship with Bill, he had been really nice to me last year and even this year but it really bothers me that he has blamed us for terminating the team, this is not our fault, you do not expect us to win every game when the set up has been an absolute joke, from having no goals for the first few days to doing the same thing every single day at training without any intensity and not working tactically, soccer is not a sport that you just go out there and kick a ball around, you have to be organized and run a system, which we didn't do... we pretty much were just thrown out there to kick the ball around. If anything, Bill should be happy that we worked hard in the games and didn't lose by more with such a disorganized and unprofessional environment around us...
Also, I'm not too happy about how he is treating the injured players, Remy (Moulard) hurt in ankle and had to be taking the hospital about a week ago and he has yet to have an MRI, I wonder how Bill would feel if this happened to his son and the owner of the team simply didn't care about his health. I dont think he has realized how much we gave up to come play for him and how much we have lost now that he terminated the team. Remy is injured and has nowhere to go but he doesnt care about this, he is probably gonna have to sit out his next college season due to this injury and this could affect him to reach his goal of becoming a professional soccer player but evidently Bill could care less... I had other options before coming here, PDL other NPSL team and I even passed up on playing with my countries national team because i was promised a professional environment and a very organized team with MLS and USL coaches coming to watch us (which never happened)...
He also said "i have no control of where they lived, they stayed with local players. so local players are the ones who kicked out their teammates" this has really pissed me off that he would lie like this, he had control of where we lived, yes we stayed with local players but those local players live in apartments which require you to pay rent obviously, and guess who agreed to pay that rent... Mr. Bill Fetke himself, so now that we have 2 days till rent is due, what are we supposed to do? No one has enough money to afford rent because we have not been working, because of the fact that Bill promised us food and housing.
Yes he has folded the team and there is nothing we can do now but the least he can do is keep his promise to pay for our rents, at least for 1 more month to give us time to find another team and he could pay for the injured players' medical bills. Just like in any business if you get injured while working, the employer has to pay for medical bills but it seems like he forgot about this or maybe he is just a cold person that doesn't care about the well being of others.
More reaction will be posted as we receive it and OSG Sports also has another question into NPSL Commissioner Michael Hitchcock about how the folding of the franchise relates to the rest of the schedule going forward...
DEVELOPING: More Owner+Player Reax From NPSL Pensacola City FC Fold
After reaching out to players and the front office personnel, we're getting more details about the situation at Pensacola City FC after owner Bill Fetke decided to fold the franchise yesterday- blaming his relationship with the city and bringing forward issues with player behavior.
Fitke responded to follow-up questions from OSG Sports early Friday morning:
All the teams in the conference and the commissioner have been in contact with me. As far as the players go, it is not a good situation, being terminated/let go is a part of business. I do feel for them, and actually, I had lots of tears while I addressed them today. If they were not playing for me this summer, most would have found a way home. Some are truly stuck, and I feel bad for them. I remember them playing hung over or not putting forth an effort in training or matches or not willing to go to practice, then I have to say to myself, they didn't care about me and the investment I made on them. At the end of the day, this is a business, and when employees do not do their job, they get fired. Businesses close everyday, people lose their job everyday. This is not what I envisioned when I started this, but what entrepreneur plans on going out of business. But the players were a small piece of the problem, the city of Pensacola and lack of support from the community these last couple years were a bigger part of the problem.
For the record, I had nothing to do with the players getting kicked out of the apartments. I have no control over where they lived. They stayed with local players. So local players are the ones who kicked out their teammates.
Responding to our desire for player comment was defender Joe-Tyla Butcher:
When I arrived the training field didn't even have goals, and was in shocking condition. A joke compared to last years facilities, what makes me laugh is that I was told it was urgent to come down here and even skipped walking at my graduation so that I could be here in time for the first game. yet I arrive and the training field doesn't even have goals, I should have known from there it was going to be a joke. Secondly I had been messaged by a few of the players saying that the coach was unorthodox and not very good, but whatever I gave it the benefit of the doubt, I got here and in all fairness Gary Hindley is a very nice guy, but in soccer terms he was totally out of his depth in my opinion, we did the same drills every day, possession then a scrimmage, I did more advanced sessions when I was ten years old, he played players out of position, seemed to have no tactical knowledge of the game at all, a huge contrast to last years coach Neto(Knoxville force coach) who is probably the best footballing coach I have met out here. A lot of the players quickly became unmotivated and actually considered quitting but we all stuck around as we had made a commitment to bill, coach gary and the team.
Anyways yesterday we get a text, no training. team meeting at the stadium at one, bring all your equipment, and that is when we were told the team would be folding, apparently the players didn't care enough and went out every night before games (false information) I know for a fact none of the boys went out before the Knoxville or Chattanooga games, perhaps the reason for players being tired is they were asked to play two 90 minute games within 24 hours of each other, putting almost an identical line up to the first game out (tactical knowledge hint hint) and I forgot to mention that the second game was scheduled at 1pm in 95 degree heat against the best team in the league, some good management right there. Then to top it all off the assistant coach Don Maples (just as hopeless) goes on his personal facebook after shaking all our hands and sympathizing with us at the meeting saying that it was the players fault the team broke down, two faced… perhaps he should stick to coaching u15 girls in Tennessee.
But the part that is most a joke is that all these players were brought down here, id say at least 80% of the players are international, the messed up thing is all of our food and bills were being paid for, so nobody has worked in preparation for this summer, everyone is working on limited funds. And we the team gets folded ay 28th, rent for next month is due June 1st with none of us having worked or any way to pay for it, effectively not only leaving the players without a team for the summer, but potentially with out housing or money to buy foods. Now everyone is frantically contacting their parents and other teams trying to sort something out for themselves, some of the American boys have already left. The thing that gets to me the most is that one of our players got hurt in a reserve game, went away in an ambulance, he was scheduled to have an MRI the day the team gets folded, and guess what still no MRI, the owner says that he will pay for his MRI but has told him, I don't care if you don't have the money or a place to stay its not his problem anymore. Bearing in mind this lad is an international, hasn't worked or saved up money and was fully expecting to be supported by the club for this whole summer, I think its extremely f**ked up to be honest. Now he will in a few days not have a place to stay, is also injured and on crutches, possibly out for his college season as well, the least they could do is support the agreement they made all of us which was to house and give meals to the players until the end of the season July 4th.
Adding to that is the comments goalkeeper Steven Hermosa who sent word to the Gulf Coast Armada supporter's group...
From the Armada Twitter:
Also, Bill's comment about players not wanting to "waste gas" in order to train in perdido was questionable. I have no record of anyone saying that but most of the players rely on just a few cars for transportation. Bill changed the scheduled training times the day of- so those with cars had made plans according to the original schedule and couldn't just switch around to switch bill's schedule because he was unprepared.
OSG Sports is still waiting for any kind of public comment from NPSL Commissioner Michael Hitchcock as this continues to play out in the soccer media.
Fitke responded to follow-up questions from OSG Sports early Friday morning:
All the teams in the conference and the commissioner have been in contact with me. As far as the players go, it is not a good situation, being terminated/let go is a part of business. I do feel for them, and actually, I had lots of tears while I addressed them today. If they were not playing for me this summer, most would have found a way home. Some are truly stuck, and I feel bad for them. I remember them playing hung over or not putting forth an effort in training or matches or not willing to go to practice, then I have to say to myself, they didn't care about me and the investment I made on them. At the end of the day, this is a business, and when employees do not do their job, they get fired. Businesses close everyday, people lose their job everyday. This is not what I envisioned when I started this, but what entrepreneur plans on going out of business. But the players were a small piece of the problem, the city of Pensacola and lack of support from the community these last couple years were a bigger part of the problem.
For the record, I had nothing to do with the players getting kicked out of the apartments. I have no control over where they lived. They stayed with local players. So local players are the ones who kicked out their teammates.
Responding to our desire for player comment was defender Joe-Tyla Butcher:
When I arrived the training field didn't even have goals, and was in shocking condition. A joke compared to last years facilities, what makes me laugh is that I was told it was urgent to come down here and even skipped walking at my graduation so that I could be here in time for the first game. yet I arrive and the training field doesn't even have goals, I should have known from there it was going to be a joke. Secondly I had been messaged by a few of the players saying that the coach was unorthodox and not very good, but whatever I gave it the benefit of the doubt, I got here and in all fairness Gary Hindley is a very nice guy, but in soccer terms he was totally out of his depth in my opinion, we did the same drills every day, possession then a scrimmage, I did more advanced sessions when I was ten years old, he played players out of position, seemed to have no tactical knowledge of the game at all, a huge contrast to last years coach Neto(Knoxville force coach) who is probably the best footballing coach I have met out here. A lot of the players quickly became unmotivated and actually considered quitting but we all stuck around as we had made a commitment to bill, coach gary and the team.
Anyways yesterday we get a text, no training. team meeting at the stadium at one, bring all your equipment, and that is when we were told the team would be folding, apparently the players didn't care enough and went out every night before games (false information) I know for a fact none of the boys went out before the Knoxville or Chattanooga games, perhaps the reason for players being tired is they were asked to play two 90 minute games within 24 hours of each other, putting almost an identical line up to the first game out (tactical knowledge hint hint) and I forgot to mention that the second game was scheduled at 1pm in 95 degree heat against the best team in the league, some good management right there. Then to top it all off the assistant coach Don Maples (just as hopeless) goes on his personal facebook after shaking all our hands and sympathizing with us at the meeting saying that it was the players fault the team broke down, two faced… perhaps he should stick to coaching u15 girls in Tennessee.
But the part that is most a joke is that all these players were brought down here, id say at least 80% of the players are international, the messed up thing is all of our food and bills were being paid for, so nobody has worked in preparation for this summer, everyone is working on limited funds. And we the team gets folded ay 28th, rent for next month is due June 1st with none of us having worked or any way to pay for it, effectively not only leaving the players without a team for the summer, but potentially with out housing or money to buy foods. Now everyone is frantically contacting their parents and other teams trying to sort something out for themselves, some of the American boys have already left. The thing that gets to me the most is that one of our players got hurt in a reserve game, went away in an ambulance, he was scheduled to have an MRI the day the team gets folded, and guess what still no MRI, the owner says that he will pay for his MRI but has told him, I don't care if you don't have the money or a place to stay its not his problem anymore. Bearing in mind this lad is an international, hasn't worked or saved up money and was fully expecting to be supported by the club for this whole summer, I think its extremely f**ked up to be honest. Now he will in a few days not have a place to stay, is also injured and on crutches, possibly out for his college season as well, the least they could do is support the agreement they made all of us which was to house and give meals to the players until the end of the season July 4th.
Adding to that is the comments goalkeeper Steven Hermosa who sent word to the Gulf Coast Armada supporter's group...
From the Armada Twitter:
Also, Bill's comment about players not wanting to "waste gas" in order to train in perdido was questionable. I have no record of anyone saying that but most of the players rely on just a few cars for transportation. Bill changed the scheduled training times the day of- so those with cars had made plans according to the original schedule and couldn't just switch around to switch bill's schedule because he was unprepared.
OSG Sports is still waiting for any kind of public comment from NPSL Commissioner Michael Hitchcock as this continues to play out in the soccer media.
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