The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(11-23-2014 09:55 PM)Big Dee Wrote:  

(11-23-2014 09:25 PM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  

(11-23-2014 06:02 PM)blazr Wrote:  

(11-23-2014 05:45 PM)UABslant Wrote:  My thought is if the athletic budget is getting out of hand, fire the AD and bring in someone else to whittle it down... don't just kill football. Heck, I'd rather see us drop to FCS than lose football completely.

I really hope worst-case scenario is drop a division to free up money in the budget to build our own stadium and practice facilities.

Wait...dropping a division would actually cost UAB more money. It doesn't "free up" anything. You realize that, right? I think everyone agrees that there is fat that needs trimming, but dropping football to FCS is not going to help when expenses barely drop while revenue nosedives...and I'm just referring to lost revenue from CUSA, not counting the lost donations to the entire athletic department as people walk away from every program even basketball (a home slate of Big South opponents? no one, not new money or old, is going to tolerate that).

Yep! Add to all that the fact that you cannot justify our coaches salaries in lesser conferences for BB, SB,etc. We would probably lose them all eventually...

The best coach on the southside is Getman, I would hate to lose him.

I don't know that we would. He isn't that expensive, and obviously soccer is funded for the future. Unless we got pushed into some **** conference, the soccer program may not take a huge hit.(a lot of foreign guys don't give a **** about having a football program)

(11-24-2014 01:43 AM)UABslant Wrote:  I'm talking hypothetically about saving the football program, regardless of what happens. (of course I want to stay at the FBS level and build facilities to grow our program)

Would we as fans rather keep the program, even if it means playing FCS ball, or just have it cut altogether?

Point is, I would rather be playing FCS ball than no ball at all.

The line in the sand has been drawn. UAB should never have to compromise the level of any of its athletic programs and be placated with the thought of "at least we have (insert sport)."

Accepting FCS as a compromise only greases the wheel of corruption to take a stab at basketball. FBS was Gene Bartow's goal and I refuse to accept FCS as a reasonable sacrifice to offer the false gods in Tuscaloosa.

My motto is don't feed the Bear; it only makes him more hungry to take another bite.

(11-24-2014 01:43 AM)UABslant Wrote:  I'm talking hypothetically about saving the football program, regardless of what happens. (of course I want to stay at the FBS level and build facilities to grow our program)

Would we as fans rather keep the program, even if it means playing FCS ball, or just have it cut altogether?

Point is, I would rather be playing FCS ball than no ball at all.

Rather have it cut altogether. Going to FCS is death...just brain death while machines keep the organs pumping. Football is still going to be our biggest expense and will still be the #1 target of the axe every 3-4 years.

(11-24-2014 09:03 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  I don't know that we would. He isn't that expensive, and obviously soccer is funded for the future. Unless we got pushed into some **** conference, the soccer program may not take a huge hit.(a lot of foreign guys don't give a **** about having a football program)

"Unless we got pushed into some **** conference..."

Who, in their right mind, still has a doubt on what will happen here? What options for us, in the Deep South and with no football, are not **** conferences? What conference, in our region, is a basketball and soccer hotbed that Haase, Getman, and our fans/supporters will be pumped about competing in every year?

Hell, I'll allow the pipe dream that is the A-10. That conference is going to energize our basketball, soccer, AND baseball programs?

C-USA, 2013-2014
Bowl Games: $7.5 million
NCAA Tournaments: $3 million
TV Deals: $14 million
Total: $24.5 million

A-10, 2013-2014
Bowl Games: $0
NCAA Tournaments: $11.5 million
TV Deals: $5 million
Total: $16.5 million

(11-24-2014 09:44 AM)blazr Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 09:03 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  I don't know that we would. He isn't that expensive, and obviously soccer is funded for the future. Unless we got pushed into some **** conference, the soccer program may not take a huge hit.(a lot of foreign guys don't give a **** about having a football program)

"Unless we got pushed into some **** conference..."

Who, in their right mind, still has a doubt on what will happen here? What options for us, in the Deep South and with no football, are not **** conferences? What conference, in our region, is a basketball and soccer hotbed that Haase, Getman, and our fans/supporters will be pumped about competing in every year?

Hell, I'll allow the pipe dream that is the A-10. That conference is going to energize our basketball, soccer, AND baseball programs?

I didn't say a thing about basketball, so don't put words in my mouth. if we joined the A-10 it wouldn't be the biggest drop off in the world, again for soccer. If we joined a conference without soccer, I'm guessing we could stay in C-USA. I don't think either is likely, I'm just saying soccer has some other options. I don't think joining the A-10 would kill our soccer program though. If we joined the southern conference, that would.

(11-24-2014 10:50 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  I didn't say a thing about basketball, so don't put words in my mouth. if we joined the A-10 it wouldn't be the biggest drop off in the world, again for soccer. If we joined a conference without soccer, I'm guessing we could stay in C-USA. I don't think either is likely, I'm just saying soccer has some other options. I don't think joining the A-10 would kill our soccer program though. If we joined the southern conference, that would.

And all that's great, but remember I said "allow the dream that is the A-10..." We're not joining the A-10 and the list of conferences we will have to pick from all sponsor soccer...which means we have to compete in those conferences (Notre Dame can be independent in football, but they can't play football in the B1G by NCAA rule...Kentucky and USC-e can compete in CUSA soccer because the SEC doesn't sponsor men's soccer, but the day it did they would have no choice but to compete in the SEC). Hello, Southern/Big South/A-Sun. Goodbye, Haase and Getman (Shoop is content hanging in Bham).

As always, you are right and I am wrong. It's been a good while since you've started some **** with me, so thanks for that.

(11-24-2014 11:35 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  As always, you are right and I am wrong. It's been a good while since you've started some **** with me, so thanks for that.

It's always good to have someone who knows the future set you straight.

No one knows what will happen in these realignment days.

I do know this.

1. No matter what conference we end up in, it won't be a huge drop from CUSA in basketball. It will be from a one bid conference to another one bid conference.

2. It has been proven by Memphis, Butler and Gonzaga that being the dominant player in a lower conference can be beneficial.

3. I support UAB teams no matter who their competition is or what conference they are in.

(11-24-2014 11:47 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 11:35 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  As always, you are right and I am wrong. It's been a good while since you've started some **** with me, so thanks for that.

It's always good to have someone who knows the future set you straight.

No one knows what will happen in these realignment days.

I do know this.

1. No matter what conference we end up in, it won't be a huge drop from CUSA in basketball. It will be from a one bid conference to another one bid conference.

2. It has been proven by Memphis, Butler and Gonzaga that being the dominant player in a lower conference can be beneficial.

3. I support UAB teams no matter who their competition is or what conference they are in.

I agree with all of this. Basketball will take a slight hit in my opinion, but that is only because I could see CUSA getting an occasional year with two bids.

And I love your 3rd point. That is my feeling too, but it is seemingly not shared by many.

(11-24-2014 11:47 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  No one knows what will happen in these realignment days.

We're discussing realignment? Maybe just me, but this "realignment" feels a lot more, um, "rapey" than the last round. Though it does only involve us so I guess we should feel special...

(11-24-2014 12:35 PM)blazr Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 11:47 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  No one knows what will happen in these realignment days.

We're discussing realignment? Maybe just me, but this "realignment" feels a lot more, um, "rapey" than the last round. Though it does only involve us so I guess we should feel special...

I started to reply, but realized it was pointless and would eventually lead to a bunch of asterisks and you calling me names.

Quote:I support UAB teams no matter who their competition is or what conference they are in.

Before anything else, I wanted to say that I've been a lurker on this board for a good while and that I really respect that dedication. One of the reasons I registered a few days ago was to say that the level of commitment you guys display is exemplary, and, another, was because of this sentiment I've seen being expressed.

I like UAB athletics a lot, but I don't think I could really stand to support it anymore if they dropped out of C-USA.

There were great men that started the programs here and set forth with a vision that we would be doing a disservice to dream too little. I'm tired of seeing us more backwards which, in of itself, is ridiculous considering this football season is supposed to be a step forward. I want to be able to say that I could support UAB teams no matter what, but that wouldn't necessarily be true. Sure, I'll still hope they win. It's just that I wouldn't invest any more of my time or money.

We all know that we are fans of a program that has been intentionally gimped by the powers that be. We all have some insight into the machinations of the Board of Trustees and how they steadily chip away at the program. There is a lot of material for a good 30 for 30. What gets me, though, is that I feel like I can't even trust the people we have employed here. If they fold on football despite all the good, practical arguments I've seen here and elsewhere, then how I can expect them to make a stand for anything else? Am I suppose to trust them if it comes to basketball? If it comes to undergraduate?

I have watched UAB fight every inch of the way and dropping the program outright or to a lower level of play would effectively be surrender. After that, it's all about being on the wrong side of reparations.

TL;DR: I'm done with UAB sports if they can't protect a program finding success in spite of everything that has happened to it.

(11-24-2014 01:36 PM)Hopeful Wrote:  

Quote:I support UAB teams no matter who their competition is or what conference they are in.

Before anything else, I wanted to say that I've been a lurker on this board for a good while and that I really respect that dedication. One of the reasons I registered a few days ago was to say that the level of commitment you guys display is exemplary, and, another, was because of this sentiment I've seen being expressed.

I like UAB athletics a lot, but I don't think I could really stand to support it anymore if they dropped out of C-USA.

There were great men that started the programs here and set forth with a vision that we would be doing a disservice to dream too little. I'm tired of seeing us more backwards which, in of itself, is ridiculous considering this football season is supposed to be a step forward. I want to be able to say that I could support UAB teams no matter what, but that wouldn't necessarily be true. Sure, I'll still hope they win. It's just that I wouldn't invest any more of my time or money.

We all know that we are fans of a program that has been intentionally gimped by the powers that be. We all have some insight into the machinations of the Board of Trustees and how they steadily chip away at the program. There is a lot of material for a good 30 for 30. What gets me, though, is that I feel like I can't even trust the people we have employed here. If they fold on football despite all the good, practical arguments I've seen here and elsewhere, then how I can expect them to make a stand for anything else? Am I suppose to trust them if it comes to basketball? If it comes to undergraduate?

I have watched UAB fight every inch of the way and dropping the program outright or to a lower level of play would effectively be surrender. After that, it's all about being on the wrong side of reparations.

TL;DR: I'm done with UAB sports if they can't protect a program finding success in spite of everything that has happened to it.

Welcome to the board, and I think that there are probably a lot of folks here that agree with this sentiment!

I think most of us feel the same way.

Speak for yourself. There are UAB fans who will support their alma mater no matter what sports they compete in or at what level. Although the number of fans will be reduced with the loss of the football only fans, we will rebuild the fanbase.

(11-24-2014 03:17 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Speak for yourself. There are UAB fans who will support their alma mater no matter what sports they compete in or at what level. Although the number of fans will be reduced with the loss of the football only fans, we will rebuild the fanbase.

He said "most." Are you speaking for most?

(11-24-2014 03:27 PM)blazr Wrote:  

(11-24-2014 03:17 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Speak for yourself. There are UAB fans who will support their alma mater no matter what sports they compete in or at what level. Although the number of fans will be reduced with the loss of the football only fans, we will rebuild the fanbase.

He said "most." Are you speaking for most?

I started to reply, but realized it was pointless and would eventually lead to a bunch of asterisks and you calling me names.

(11-22-2014 12:11 AM)bftb Wrote:  There have been many efforts made recently to "save the program," from providing talking points, to petitions to sign, to tweets and emails, to impassioned pleas on tv and radio, and before the city council. All those are good, and should be continued. But as long as we allow those who oppose the program to frame the argument about whether UAB football should continue to exist, we don't have a chance.

Inevitably, the discussion from the other side always comes down to whether football makes a profit, including the Governor's uninformed attempt to weigh in this past week. Certainly, there is a need for good financial stewardship and accountability for the program to remain viable, but the primary goal of college athletics is NOT making money. If that be the case more than 75% of D-I football programs should be shut down, not to mention EVERY D-IAA, D-II, and D-III school. And we won't even begin to mention all the "non-revenue" sports.

In our state, UAB happens to be positioned between two of the most profitable football programs in all of college sports. But also numbered among the public universities with D-I and D-II football programs are Troy, South Alabama, Jacksonville State, Alabama A&M, Alabama State, West Alabama and North Alabama, none of which turns a profit. If losing money disqualifies a program from continuing to field a team, then all of those should be shut down as well. But we haven't heard the governor suggest that, now, have we?

On Thursday, I drove through campus on my way to St. Vincent's, and saw an awful lot of activity going on that will not be producing a profit. The new Student Center, being built where the old Hill Center stood until it was recently torn down, will be a great addition to the campus and to student life, but will not be "profitable." The Rec Center is world-class--and I am sure is attractive to prospective students--but I doubt they are making money. For that matter, the multiple libraries on campus, unless they are charging exorbitant fines for late books, are all "in the red." And so too the Greek organizations, and bands, and intramurals, and student government, and on an on.

Using the profit logic, maybe we should shut those down too. Likewise, we can venture to Tuscaloosa and Huntsville and Auburn and Troy, et al., and shut down every building, program, sport, and extra-curricular activity that is not paying for itself. That is, IF the point of higher education is to make money.

UAB is a university, charged with providing an environment for learning and well-rounded growth educationally and socially, in the classroom and out. And, intercollegiate athletics, and college football in particular, is a valuable asset and worthy investment for student life at a college campus, and a proven positive recruiting tool for enrollment. Which is why so many schools around the country are starting football these days, not stopping it.

My point is nothing new to UAB fans, I know, because we basically "get it." It's just those who encircle us, so used to filled 100,000 seat stadiums (for spring games!) and $25 million/year conference tv deals, don't get it. They are the exception, not the norm, not just in our state but around the country. So we must not let them frame an uninformed discussion about the future of UAB football.

My $.02.

This is an excellent post and has some of the best points that have been made. The 'losing money' argument has absolutely no substance. It's an ignorant, childish viewpoint, and those who make this argument truly have no business being in a position to impact UAB's financial decisions. If they say they haven't seen a ROI regarding UAB Football or Athletics, then they are measuring the wrong data points.

Similarly, would anyone argue with the positive impact Railroad Park has had for the city of Birmingham? It's existence is bringing in a lot of money and has greatly increased the quality of life for downtown residents. And yet at the same time, if you just looked at the books, its costing the city a lot of money. In the same way, a proper investment in UAB football will have an immeasurable positive impact for UAB.

[quote='Hopeful' pid='11430804' dateline='1416854174']
[quote]


I have watched UAB fight every inch of the way and dropping the program outright or to a lower level of play would effectively be surrender. After that, it's all about being on the wrong side of reparations.

TL;DR: I'm done with UAB sports if they can't protect a program finding success in spite of everything that has happened to it.
[/quote]

You're right. If football is snuffed, it's a moot point, because it's going to have a ripple effect on all the other sports at UAB, this I promise you, but what's to stop the bastards from going after another UAB sport they feel "threatened" by, "ahem", Softball, if they (bleeping) feel like it? UAB's an object of amusement to these (bleepers!)....