I gave this as a reply below but I wanted to call it out as I think it may give voice to those of us who are done with UAB as a whole...not just athletics. This was always an unwinnable fight in this backwards state.
UAB is not UAB anymore. It never was the buildings, mascots, uniforms, administrative positions, etc. it was the class and uncompromising character of the people who filled them. Gene Bartow's legacy has been scrubbed completely from the offices of the powers that be at UAB by the irresistible force of hate from petty, small people. Those in power at UAB have created something that bears no resemblance to what Coach Bartow and all the other leaders that came before built. You can close your eyes and wish that wasn't so, pointing to the letters and colors that haven't changed, but it's the truth of the matter. Maybe some of you will realize that one day, maybe you never will, but many of us have had our eyes opened to the fact that the UAB we knew and loved is gone. All that comes after this is just mop-up duty for BOT flunkies.
I'm gonna call the BS flag on you. You and several others thought there was no way in hell the UAB Football program would be shutdown. You gave the impression that you really believed that and shot down others who thought otherwise. When others did have their eyes open, you told them what they saw wasn't a reality. Now you're saying the fight is not winnable and it's time to face reality. Now you want to take your football and go home. You're a real piece of work.
Regardless of what you or I believe, this is still UAB. And will continue to be UAB long after you and I are gone. I understand if football is what brought you to UAB, but if that is all the school means to you then may be you wasn't a true UAB'er in the first place. I've attended and worked at UAB and I will never want to see anything bad happen to the school. But I will never stop supporting UAB; not even through the darkest of days will I ever stop supporting UAB.
My alma mater has never been about the red-bricked ivy-covered,Punic-columned past. UAB has always been about tomorrow. On the vanguard. Running point. Shooting the curl.
Killing football is one giant step backward, and that's not UAB.
at least we no longer have to deal with the fact that you always believe that whatever you have to say deserves its own thread.
peace out!
(12-01-2014 07:08 PM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ]at least we no longer have to deal with the fact that you always believe that whatever you have to say deserves its own thread.
peace out!
If we can save football, and lose Blazr, that will be a win win.
(12-01-2014 07:08 PM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ]at least we no longer have to deal with the fact that you always believe that whatever you have to say deserves its own thread.
peace out!
This is an important point. Could you put it in a thread of its own.
(12-01-2014 07:16 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]If we can save football, and lose Blazr, that will be a win win.
I wasn't even aware we'd have a chance to lose Blazr...so that definitely brightened my day some.
The past is never what it used to be, my brother. UAB was never perfect, was never close to perfect. It has always been held back from greatness by a pack of incompetents and buffoons. We believe it can be more than that. We look to a brighter future, not to a mis-remembered past.
Ann Reynolds was not a crusader. She was arrogant, she was disdainful of athletics, and she hired the imbecile Herman Frazier solely because of his race. I know this because she said so. She not only deserved to be fired, she should never have been placed in the presidency. She was better fit for the job than Ray L. Watts, sure, but so is my dog named Chester. And Chester eats ####.
I Claudius Bennett? The guy was fired for using UAB employees to landscape his private home.
Carol Z. Garrison? She actually understood what had to be done here, to build a complete university, but seemed to think she could head-butt all opponents into submission.
Herman Frazier. Watson Brown. Lee Moon. Brian Mackin. The litany of failure, cowardice and idiocy is astounding. Somewhere, Mr. Frazier is about to reveal his secret plan for UAB athletics.
Gene Bartow? Gene was truly great man. I knew Gene, I loved Gene. But saplings don't grow in the shade of a mighty oak. He was a solo act, not the captain of a band of brothers. He left no worthy heirs, and that's part of his legacy as well. Have you forgotten some of his memorable hires?
Of course the UAB we knew and loved is gone: because it never existed. We fought for what it could be, and continue to fight for what it can and should be. Gene Bartow left no one to take his place, so WE must carry on as his sons and daughters. And that's why we fight.
We fight.
(12-01-2014 07:16 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]If we can save football, and lose Blazr, that will be a win win.
Wow. I think I've finally found something I agree with the majority of this board about.
It could very well be that BLAZR is right about UAB being unable to change the culture of Alabama and is instead being dragged down by those backward forces as the state drifts towards state bankruptcy as this decade ends. If football dies, I will expect that before long, UAB will only have soccer, baseball and perhaps lacrosse to cheer - if that.
Its motto of "Damn the state's needs, full speed ahead on no new taxes" still resonates from the last elections. The AAA's effect on the SETF is going to become crystal clear as more and more funding is shifted to private schools (who will "get the gold mine")and UAB, like all levels of public education "gets the shaft".
Perhaps the UA "System" will cease to exist and all 3 will soon be reclassified as one UA body.