CSNbbs

Anyone have any connections of folks that attended this meeting? Any reports?

Wasn't able to attend the whole thing. More of the same from what I did hear.

Some things stated by Watts (paraphrasing):

Never to old to learn. Have learned a lot from this process and how it could have been handled.

How he became the face of this decision but really Margison and others were driving the decision.

Met with most of the big donors. Did not let them get the checks because we weren't sure how much they would actually come forward with.

Have a presentation to make to CUSA. Hope to stay but have a good backup.


Obviously some real head scratching comments in there. Most of which we've heard before. Will post more as I have time/remember it.

What a brave man blame it on the person, who is no longer there. Newsflash Mr Watts Margison retired and YOU made this decision.

(01-07-2015 10:10 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote: [ -> ]What a brave man blame it on the person, who is no longer there. Newsflash Mr Watts Margison retired and YOU made this decision.

And from what I remember, when Mr. Margison was the interim AD for a time, he was very pro-football and athletics.

Also, would love to hear his "good backup". Sun Belt doesn't count.

(01-07-2015 10:10 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote: [ -> ]What a brave man blame it on the person, who is no longer there. Newsflash Mr Watts Margison retired and YOU made this decision.

He did say in the end he was the president and he made the decision. So I think he takes credit for the ultimate decision but in terms of who was doing most of the initial work and analysis he is putting on Margison and others.

but ... but ... great leaders make tough decisions!

Was also asked his opinion on if UAB needs their own BoT

Said that while he would support more UAB alums being on the board, he said nothing that had sound financial plan/proposal has been presented to the BOT that was not approved.

Someone should ask him if he has another job lined up or will he simply retire on his blood money.

Watts is getting paid a heck of a lot of money for his on-the-job training.

I don't believe he has a backup plan. He doesn't know a thing about athletics and what they mean for a university.

How does he blame it on someone else (Margison) when he stated it was his decision?

Watts is incompetent as a university president. Look up the Peter Principle and it will describe Ray Watts.

He hasn't learned anything. If he had then he would have already reversed the decision. No he is still a stubborn old man who will say anything to stay in power. The only new tricks that old dog is learning are in the art of coverup and CYA. At $853,000 a year we are paying for more than a guy who has to learn on the job. Gross incompetence disqualifies him.

CYA exibits:
1. After stating that the decision was all his he now says that he was just doing what the finace VP was telling him to do. Classic example of blaming someone who is now unaccountable.
2. After his "data driven process" failed to consider the possibility of eviction from C-USA a new backup has now mysteriously appeared.

My question is how much police protection did 'ol Ray bring with him to the town hall meeting this morning?

#fireraywatts #freeuab

(01-07-2015 10:23 AM)Blazer85 Wrote: [ -> ]Was also asked his opinion on if UAB needs their own BoT

Said that while he would support more UAB alums being on the board, he said nothing that had sound financial plan/proposal has been presented to the BOT that was not approved.

Did someone refute him by citing the on campus stadium proposal. Or does he not count items that the board won't even put on the agenda?

He also stated that UAB was the largest financial giver to UAB athletics at about $5 million. Said that only 2 or 3 other donors gave large sums but only in the $1.xx million range. Implication being that this would not have been enough to compensate for the money we would need based on the study conclusions.

He is a piece of work.

Did he mention the newly formed football foundation?

Nah, I didn't think so.

The study numbers were not accurate as someone couldn't do simple addition. I don't buy this at all. Blame on Margison? Really? Someone should contact Margison and ask some questions. This doesn't make sense at all. I will think Watts is simply trying to cover his butt.

But the "study" has been proven to be from a alternate reality so why does he now continue to justify his decsion based on this joke study.

Does he still stand by the study? If so then he has learned nothing in the last 2 weeks.

He keeps harping on the subsidies UAB provides to athletics. What will stop him from using this same logic to cut the remaining athletic programs? Furthermore, there are other Universities in this nation that have spent even more money on athletics than we have, but I guess getting Athletics off the University money is a goal of our UAT BOT.

@SocaMelly is live tweeting from the closed meeting today with Ray Watts #FreeUAB

(01-07-2015 10:40 AM)BandGrad Wrote: [ -> ]The study numbers were not accurate as someone couldn't do simple addition. I don't buy this at all. Blame on Margison? Really? Someone should contact Margison and ask some questions. This doesn't make sense at all. I will think Watts is simply trying to cover his butt.

Yes he is and I think a new cheer at the Basketball games needs to be "CYA! CYA! CYA!"

(01-07-2015 10:39 AM)KevMo4UAB Wrote: [ -> ]Did he mention the newly formed football foundation?

Nah, I didn't think so.

He actually did in a condescending manner. Said they wanted to do what they wanted outside the strategic plan type thing. In other words suggesting they were a rebel group.