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Where have the heavy hitters in the Bham corporate community been in all this? It's nice to have small business owners sign on, but what about Regions, BBVA, Alabama Power, Energen, the Birmingham Business Alliance, etc?

If these companies/their executives publicly threw their support behind the program I think that would've been a game changer. Their lack of involvement is a sad commentary on their view of Bham.

I'd almost rather see them rescinding their donations to the Campaign for UAB.

(12-03-2014 02:16 AM)hooverblazer Wrote:  Where have the heavy hitters in the Bham corporate community been in all this? It's nice to have small business owners sign on, but what about Regions, BBVA, Alabama Power, Energen, the Birmingham Business Alliance, etc?

If these companies/their executives publicly threw their support behind the program I think that would've been a game changer. Their lack of involvement is a sad commentary on their view of Bham.

They all drive West or South every Saturday.

(12-03-2014 02:19 AM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(12-03-2014 02:16 AM)hooverblazer Wrote:  Where have the heavy hitters in the Bham corporate community been in all this? It's nice to have small business owners sign on, but what about Regions, BBVA, Alabama Power, Energen, the Birmingham Business Alliance, etc?

If these companies/their executives publicly threw their support behind the program I think that would've been a game changer. Their lack of involvement is a sad commentary on their view of Bham.

They all drive West or South every Saturday.

I work for a very large company that sponsors the teams to the west and southeast of B'ham. It sickens me to think of how many millions over the years have been written to these two teams – while UAB received pennies in comparison.. and B'ham is HOME to my employer.

A few weeks ago, I was talking with the director of a well known non-profit entity here in B'ham. We talked about sponsorships. He clued me in real quick, that the large corporations here in B'ham had really cut back on their sponsorships and donations in recent years. Don't think for one second that the BOT isn't aware of that. They want to make sure their baby keeps their share of sponsors' money – AND ours. I've been saying all along, this is a bigger piece of the puzzle than folks realize. They want it all.

(12-03-2014 02:18 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  I'd almost rather see them rescinding their donations to the Campaign for UAB.

This!! Remember John D. Johns is a board member, CEO of Protective Life, co-chairman of the Campaign for UAB and a strong community supporter. He did and said nothing for our cause or for UAB.

Doesn't Protective have a booth at Bryant-Denny? Wasn't it written that Mr. Johns proudly wore a houndstooth hat to the airport so his Japanese purchasers would recognize him? And we were depending on him?

too many people said too many times that this as not UAB vs. UAT. It should not have been, but it was. The only way to fight back effectively is to attack the sponsors of UAT. To beat the board, you have to hurt UAT, that's all they care about.

How the hell would we even pull that off??

You can't make it "UAB vs UAT". That's a loser before you start.

You make it "a few corrupt old men on the board with a grudge screwing UAB over" and you're not attacking their team or their fandom. And no one likes bullies.

(12-03-2014 07:58 AM)fbbbfan Wrote:  Doesn't Protective have a booth at Bryant-Denny? Wasn't it written that Mr. Johns proudly wore a houndstooth hat to the airport so his Japanese purchasers would recognize him? And we were depending on him?

Yep. They do. They have a campaign going on with UA now.

Johns gets to double dip & screw UAB at the same time.

Roll Tide.

That makes things very simple, dump Protective Life and get other insurance.

Also move you money from Bryant Bank if it is there - keep in mind that BB&T (Branch Bank and Trust) is not Bryant Bank.

Avoid or dump any other BOT business.

(12-03-2014 04:15 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  You can't make it "UAB vs UAT". That's a loser before you start.

You make it "a few corrupt old men on the board with a grudge screwing UAB over" and you're not attacking their team or their fandom. And no one likes bullies.

I don't wanna make it UAB vs. UAT either, but I must admit the NCAA making threats on their baby would really motivate the BOT to shape up. Sometimes the only language bullies understand is an even bigger bully.

But that being said, have you ever thought about why UAB Medicine has to take Viva health insurance? I wonder if Viva has ties to the BOT...