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

(01-06-2016 02:39 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 01:29 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  They have not selected a design team. I anticipate it to be done within the next two weeks.

The next step will be a budget and a schedule. Then after that we will know when the drawings will be complete. When the project will start. When will it be complete. You can have a ground breaking and not start work for years so to speak. Groundbreakings mean nothing and are a dog an pony show.

I'm sure they will have one for a media show but my questions are listed above.

I still remember the ground breaking on the dome stadium.

All those steps could mean not getting any new building until sometime in the next decade. Can UAB afford to take such time when we are raising money from people who want to see something important built more quickly? It seems, to me anyways, that we are looking to originally build the world's first Football Operations Building, something no one has ever done before.

This might be an all time ridiculous post. So youre thinking you want an inflatable structure or maybe we all show up one weekend for a barn raising? Nothing gets built overnight.

(01-06-2016 02:01 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  No beer sales.

Seems a little bit early in the process to be making those types of decisions.

Many UAB coaches in the past would have enjoyed having beer sales in the football building. Tying one on might have improved their coaching skills.

(01-06-2016 10:31 PM)ranger1386b Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 02:39 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 01:29 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  They have not selected a design team. I anticipate it to be done within the next two weeks.

The next step will be a budget and a schedule. Then after that we will know when the drawings will be complete. When the project will start. When will it be complete. You can have a ground breaking and not start work for years so to speak. Groundbreakings mean nothing and are a dog an pony show.

I'm sure they will have one for a media show but my questions are listed above.

I still remember the ground breaking on the dome stadium.

All those steps could mean not getting any new building until sometime in the next decade. Can UAB afford to take such time when we are raising money from people who want to see something important built more quickly? It seems, to me anyways, that we are looking to originally build the world's first Football Operations Building, something no one has ever done before.

This might be an all time ridiculous post. So youre thinking you want an inflatable structure or maybe we all show up one weekend for a barn raising? Nothing gets built overnight.

This isn't a top 50 ridiculous post for this man. As a public educator he is explaining how the food industry works just this week.

(01-06-2016 11:25 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 10:31 PM)ranger1386b Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 02:39 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 01:29 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  They have not selected a design team. I anticipate it to be done within the next two weeks.

The next step will be a budget and a schedule. Then after that we will know when the drawings will be complete. When the project will start. When will it be complete. You can have a ground breaking and not start work for years so to speak. Groundbreakings mean nothing and are a dog an pony show.

I'm sure they will have one for a media show but my questions are listed above.

I still remember the ground breaking on the dome stadium.

All those steps could mean not getting any new building until sometime in the next decade. Can UAB afford to take such time when we are raising money from people who want to see something important built more quickly? It seems, to me anyways, that we are looking to originally build the world's first Football Operations Building, something no one has ever done before.

This might be an all time ridiculous post. So youre thinking you want an inflatable structure or maybe we all show up one weekend for a barn raising? Nothing gets built overnight.

This isn't a top 50 ridiculous post for this man. As a public educator he is explaining how the food industry works just this week.

It will be "ridiculous" IF, and only if, UAB actually builds a fully functional Football Operations Building along with the other needed practice facilities FBHC Clark has on his list before his present (2015-2020) contract runs out. Let's see how much closer we are at this time next January. BTW, I'm not the only one concerned about only hearing about fundraising and promises.

Given all that has happened, I believe the skepticism is more than reasonable. That's just how it is when the past is laced with memories of being marginalized and shut down. That's not us anymore, though. We're involved, we're organized, and we have the backing. These facilities are going up. The details and timelines will be figured out, and, eventually, revealed for us all to see. If the administration or the board try to pull something out of hat, then it's just going to be stuffed back down.

True, the timing is vital. If the stars align and buildings are going up while business is being handled on the field, on the court, and in classrooms then we can force ourselves into conversations. I understand the rationale behind desperately wanting to catch up as soon as possible, but we have to stay committed to the process. These buildings will be central not only to our program, but to the philosophy we've adopted in regard to athletics. These facilities will become a key part of what UAB athletics will be in the future. In my heart, I'd like to see things happening now but, deep down, I know this isn't something that should be rushed.

In short, I think we should continue to have faith in the people working with and for us and keep up with the things within our control. Worrying about the finding details of such a massive project will stress you out.

(01-06-2016 10:36 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 02:01 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  No beer sales.

Seems a little bit early in the process to be making those types of decisions.

That's one decision that was made many years ago. ;-)

(01-07-2016 01:51 AM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 11:25 PM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 10:31 PM)ranger1386b Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 02:39 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(01-06-2016 01:29 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  They have not selected a design team. I anticipate it to be done within the next two weeks.

The next step will be a budget and a schedule. Then after that we will know when the drawings will be complete. When the project will start. When will it be complete. You can have a ground breaking and not start work for years so to speak. Groundbreakings mean nothing and are a dog an pony show.

I'm sure they will have one for a media show but my questions are listed above.

I still remember the ground breaking on the dome stadium.

All those steps could mean not getting any new building until sometime in the next decade. Can UAB afford to take such time when we are raising money from people who want to see something important built more quickly? It seems, to me anyways, that we are looking to originally build the world's first Football Operations Building, something no one has ever done before.

This might be an all time ridiculous post. So youre thinking you want an inflatable structure or maybe we all show up one weekend for a barn raising? Nothing gets built overnight.

This isn't a top 50 ridiculous post for this man. As a public educator he is explaining how the food industry works just this week.

It will be "ridiculous" IF, and only if, UAB actually builds a fully functional Football Operations Building along with the other needed practice facilities FBHC Clark has on his list before his present (2015-2020) contract runs out. Let's see how much closer we are at this time next January. BTW, I'm not the only one concerned about only hearing about fundraising and promises.

Being allowed to use bonds was a huge win. We actually have money in place. Buildings of this caliber aren't built overnight. If it's this time next year and we still have nothing going on, it's time to worry. Right now we just need to be patient until the process begins.

Quit screaming patience people... It was "OUR" coach that said publicly that he'd like to have shovels in the ground before EOY 2015. There are no shovels in the ground and people are asking questions. That's legitimate. Quit making it seem like Blazer fans are getting antsy, when some are really just reacting to statements made by Clark.

& we all know the BOT's intent.

(01-07-2016 08:52 AM)ICB Wrote:  Quit screaming patience people... It was "OUR" coach that said publicly that he'd like to have shovels in the ground before EOY 2015. There are no shovels in the ground and people are asking questions. That's legitimate. Quit making it seem like Blazer fans are getting antsy, when some are really just reacting to statements made by Clark.

Shovels in the ground by the end of 2015 was extremely optimistic, especially given the timeframe of when he said it (like october-ish wasn't it?) and given that nothing had been before any boards to be approved. To hit some of these timelines the Board of Trustees would have to call a special meeting just for these, and they don't even do that for UA capital projects.

If we put shovels in the ground before a design team is selected, it will have all the meaning of the groundbreaking for the domed stadium the city held three or four years ago. Things are moving, and if they are not moving as fast as we wish, well, they are still moving.

(01-07-2016 09:42 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  To hit some of these timelines the Board of Trustees would have to call a special meeting just for these, and they don't even do that for UA capital projects.

No, they just start them without formal approval (see Media Center, Bryant-Denny Stadium).

(01-07-2016 10:09 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  If we put shovels in the ground before a design team is selected, it will have all the meaning of the groundbreaking for the domed stadium the city held three or four years ago. Things are moving, and if they are not moving as fast as we wish, well, they are still moving.

Ray Watts has told so many lies, he may actually believe them to be true.

Mark Ingram has been caught in multiple lies. I watched him lie to Brother Matrix re: the August fund-raising deadline. Attalla was standing beside me as it happened.

With that history, it's perfectly reasonable to want greater assurances than to be told that things are happening behind the scenes. What usually happens behind the scenes at UAB is that alumni, fans and students discover various foreign objects being inserted into us without any lube.

(01-07-2016 08:52 AM)ICB Wrote:  Quit screaming patience people... It was "OUR" coach that said publicly that he'd like to have shovels in the ground before EOY 2015.

Clark stated his reasons for wanting shovels in the ground by then. It was because he needed to show recruits that the facilities were actually happening. Other schools were saying it wasn't true.

Now, we have the recruits (mid-year guys) signed, so we have to follow the procedures. I'm not say be patient, but be realistic. The wheels are turning. If something gets out of line, we'll know about it, and we'll know when to raise a fuss.

The biggest thing that has changed from the past is that the business community is on our side now. Those guys have serious clout, even with the trustees, so finally, we have some power. Let those guys work on it.

It simply cannot go any faster without violating laws, ethics, laws of physics etc. Let's be happy we are finally going to be allowed to build facilities. Clark knows this now as well. I've tried to caution folks for a while now how long these processes take. You guys just see a building going up. A lot has to happen before the first footing is ever dug. What you will see is a streamlined process to get Clark the facilities for when he needs them.

I hate bulkdings myself.

I think we should trust those who are on our side yet still be cautious of those who we know aren't.

It does take time though to make sure that everything is done that needs to be done.

(01-07-2016 10:58 AM)58-56 Wrote:  With that history, it's perfectly reasonable to want greater assurances than to be told that things are happening behind the scenes. What usually happens behind the scenes at UAB is that alumni, fans and students discover various foreign objects being inserted into us without any lube.

Understood. All I know is that people who are a lot further inside than I am seem to be confident that things are still on track. I think that we have proved that if they screw us we can release the flying monkeys, and more than that, all the good PR and progress in the papers make it that much more damning if they try to cockblock us at this point.

At this point I don't really see them being so stupid as to be 3 months out from saying they're fully on board and officially endorsing plans to pulling the rug out from under us again. Anything is possible, but it's highly unlikely.

Mostly, as hard as it is, we just have to be patient and wait a bit longer. They will pick a firm soon, and once they do that actual design work can get started. Demanding shovels in the ground before there is a design and blueprints is pointless. All it does is aggravate people who are doing their best to move things forward as fast as they can.