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Okay, call me the eternal optimist, but here's what I'm thinking:

This consultant visit couldn't be happening at a better time. Perhaps, the non-commital attitude of the leadership is by design.

Think about it for a minute. This report will tell them that with a mediocre (5-4) football team, our attendance is up 130%. It will tell them with a good coach, success is indeed possible. The letters, emails and media attention will tell them that there is interest. And the media attention goes beyond what is happening with this story. From uniforms to coaching score cards, we've been in the media this year. They will see former and current NFL stars supporting their school. They will see the formation of an independent foundation made up of Birmingham businessmen with the success of the football program as it's goal

Yes, there are a lot of bad things that will come from this report, especially looking at the last several years, but the contrast of this year's performance will also show undeniable proof that success is not only possible but closer than it's ever been.

Just trying to process this whole thing. Am I totally off base?

Nope. If proper weight is placed on our current state instead of our previous states, then it should come out as a positive.

Still don't trust them until they show me other reason to think so.

I'm not worried about a report. I care about the season.

The report could recommend an On Campus Stadium to make the program more financially stable. Think about it we will no longer have to split revenues with the city of Bham and attendance would increase especially with the positive momentum going for the program.

But, then the pessimist in me realizes there is more to this than meets the eye.

Political animals like Dr. Watts - and he is that...not remotely an academic anymore after crossing the line into the positions he has held - don't ask questions to which they don't know the answers. Commissioning a study is asking a question. The answer is predetermined. It's just a matter of making sure the right group is hired to ask the correct, specific questions which already have an answer.

...which is why I think it would be interesting for the Foundation (if possible) to embark on an independent study to show the benefits UAB enjoys by having a "complete undergraduate experience."

What makes you think (I don't necessarily disagree) that Dr. Watts feels or acts that way? Am I missing public statements he's made to this effect?

We go from possibly getting a stadium 3 years ago to kicking the can in about 3 months.....what in hell is really going on here. Why do we accept this nonsense!

(11-05-2014 10:56 PM)TPBlaze84 Wrote:  What makes you think (I don't necessarily disagree) that Dr. Watts feels or acts that way? Am I missing public statements he's made to this effect?

No, you are not missing public statements. You are missing comments from people regarding private conversations directly with Watts and/or with people connected to Watts. Comments that, like the conversations, will remain private...for now.

(11-05-2014 10:56 PM)TPBlaze84 Wrote:  What makes you think (I don't necessarily disagree) that Dr. Watts feels or acts that way? Am I missing public statements he's made to this effect?

I wrote you a nice long response but you don't have PM's enabled and I said a couple of things that I don't want to put out on the main board. We know that they do read it.

Send me a PM when you have them up and I'll get back to you.