CSNbbs

Afternoon to all... I'm Gary Estwick, a fairly-new hire at the Birmingham News/AL.com... I wanted to introduce myself to you guys... I'm a New Orleans native... Worked at several major metropolitan papers before landing in Alabama.

A big part of my job is covering UAB athletics, including the football saga.

Congrads on your recent push to restore football. Funny thing is, June 1 was scheduled to be my first day on the job - woulda been either the BEST or WORST first day for a sports reporter! Probably both...

Anyway, I'm always available to talk UAB... I balance a few other hats (NBA talk, Barons, general assignment sports), but the bigger the interest in UAB, measured in profile views and comments, the more my bosses will adjust our coverage. So it's really up to you.

BTW: Do me a favor and follow me on Twitter@GaryEstwick. At times, I'll ask for fan opinions that I can post at AL.com. I'll probably start Monday with some Bill Clark talk. On Twitter, I read just about everything that comes my way. Now I can't always respond in a public setting - for media competition reasons - but I soak in everything.
You can also reach me via e-mail at gestwick@al.com.

Thanks for reaching out Gary, and all you do for the Blazers.

Very classy thing to do.

I agree.

It's really nice to see some measure of outreach from AL.com. I'm looking forward to the pieces.

Hello Mr. Estwick.

Thanks for reaching out to us and Go Blazers #FreeUAB

Welcome to Blazertalk Gary! Here, you'll get as close to the pulse of Blazer fandom as you can.

On behalf of the Blazernation, I'd like to welcome you to Bham and look forward to reading your content. You'll truly enjoy having a front row seat for the upcoming Blazer basketball season!

And if you desire to catch up on any history, check out freeuab.org. The bottom line is this: the UABOT has held back, undermined and foiled UAB's ability to chart its own course for decades, and we're not going to stand for it any longer.

Welcome to the show!

I'm very impressed that you reached out. We may give you a hard time and a few grammar lessons if we see they're needed, but give our teams good coverage and we will be behind you.

...and by "good" we mean "fair" and "equal". We can be a thin-skinned bunch regarding column inches for the hometown team vs those teams from other counties.

We're a passionate but beleaguered bunch, Mr. Estwick. I've always believed message boards were where the fanatics congregate. Well, this is where Blazer fanatics congregate.

Nothing about blazerhood has ever come easy. Want the page clicks? Keep asking why that is.

So anyway, welcome to the 'ham.

Gary Estwick ‏@GaryEstwick 5h5 hours ago
Bill Clark #UAB contract negotiations – too slow or just business? Best comments published on http://AL.com .

Post comments via twitter...

Welcome aboard!

Just don't talk too much about attendance at UAB anything and I'll retweet and share whatever.

Very cool of you to reach out to the bbs. +5 Blazer points for you!

Welcome to the HOMETOWN team...UAB Basketball can't get here fast enough

NCAA Tournament Bound!

Welcome to BlazerTalk. We are a family. Sometimes dysfunctional but we are all brothers and sisters. The Blazernation is a very unique group. very loyal and hard core. After all we have suffered you cannot help but be.

Welcome.. I personally enjoy any tidbits on recruiting that you could share.

Hit us with some recruiting tidbits if possible like Drew use to, and some player background articles like Steve then youre good.

"The University of Alabama at Birmingham"

There is no hyphen, Mr. Est-Wick.

He found a button to push with U.A.-B. fans.

He'll learn.