CSNbbs

I received that email and I didn't particularly like the tone, especially when it talked about Watts' warning that UAB would not pay a penny more for football, bowling and rifle than was in last year's budget and implied that because of that they need the money now.

Here is how I replied: "I will consider providing my pledge early when Coach Clark signs his new contract. When that happens I will know that you are serious about reinstating the program; then we can talk. Until then I will not trust anything that comes out of a Ray Watts led administration. Alternately you can get rid of Ray Watts - if you do that I will know you are very serious."

The fact that the email was signed by Watts and that it read like he or his PR idiots wrote it did not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

I havent gotten that letter yet, but I did recieve another one a week or so ago asking that I make a payment by Sept 1. I plan to make a 50% payment before then. I dont anticipate making the rest of that first year's payment before more $ makes its way into my household; I had already made my Blazer Club yearly payment earlier this month. I dont want to hear any more crap from Watts or Ingram about donations until they show some progress on getting our coach a contract extension. I dont see any fiscal rationale for needing more $ from us donors right now if Watts truly intends to be able to continue the University component of the yearly funding of our sports programs. Clearly, there hasnt been any funding of student scholarships, rooming , board, medical and other ancillary costs, or coaching ( apart from Clark) for all those folks who had to transfer to other institutions. Moreover, there will be limited expense for such support this next year since we will only have 1 recruiting class to add to the mix starting in the fall.

"Shut up and give money." Same song.

(08-14-2015 05:31 PM)CajunBlazer Wrote: [ -> ]I received that email and I didn't particularly like the tone, especially when it talked about Watts' warning that UAB would not pay a penny more for football, bowling and rifle than was in last year's budget and implied that because of that they need the money now.

Here is how I replied: "I will consider providing my pledge early when Coach Clark signs his new contract. Wen that happens I will know that you are serious about reinstating the program; then we can talk. Until then I will not trust anything that comes out of a Ray Watts led administration. Alternately you can get rid of Ray Watts - if you do that I will know you are serious."

The fact that the email was signed by Watts and that it read like he or his PR idiots wrote it did not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

same feeling about the letter
when I saw watts signature ,,,my answer was it is gonna wait

I have no problem with the letter and its associated request. The only signature that's matters to me, on the letter, is the one from Hatton Smith. I plan to send my initial pledge in by September 1st. Let's blow this thing out of the water, and silence the critics and doubters!

If you are able to send the pledge in early, please do! If it doesn't work out, we would get our money back anyway. The more we pledge early, the worse it will be on our enemies.

(08-14-2015 08:24 PM)KevMo4UAB Wrote: [ -> ]I have no problem with the letter and its associated request. The only signature that's matters to me, on the letter, is the one from Hatton Smith. I plan to send my initial pledge in by September 1st. Let's blow this thing out of the water, and silence the critics and doubters!

That's how I feel right now. It's too soon for me to hate Ingram, indifference is my feeling

(08-14-2015 09:00 PM)Bham Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]If you are able to send the pledge in early, please do! If it doesn't work out, we would get our money back anyway. The more we pledge early, the worse it will be on our enemies.

Is that honestly truely been confirmed?
No "I assumes", or "well they would have to because" thinking. Factual, on paper, in writing if X does not happen and I paid Y amount of money in this time frame, then I as a payer get the full Y amount of my pledge money back.

Guys. If we do not raise 2.5 million by sept 1. No contract for Clark and no football. Believe me or not. I'm not arguing with anyone. I'm trying to save this program. If we hold pledges no football. It's that simple. This is all the boards doing. They are claiming the pledges are not real. If we don't have money in hand it will get ugly quickly.

They have NOT been negotiating Clark's contract. They have only talked a couple of times and it's dead silent now. They didn't even start when they said. I know when first contact was made and they refused more money and more facilities. Just five years. Now they won't negotiate without money in hand.

If we don't get our mkbey back we will seek litigation. Pledge now if you can. I cannot stress enough how critical this is.

(08-15-2015 07:39 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote: [ -> ]Guys. If we do not raise 2.5 million by sept 1. No contract for Clark and no football. Believe me or not. I'm not arguing with anyone. I'm trying to save this program. If we hold pledges no football. It's that simple. This is all the boards doing. They are claiming the pledges are not real. If we don't have money in hand it will get ugly quickly.

They have NOT been negotiating Clark's contract. They have only talked a couple of times and it's dead silent now. They didn't even start when they said. I know when first contact was made and they refused more money and more facilities. Just five years. Now they won't negotiate without money in hand.

All of this is some serious bull****. Just keep making rules up as we move along.

Hatton Smith's signature on this makes it ok for me. It shows me that they are serious about making things happen now. The other importance in getting money is so it can be budgeted for the upcoming fiscal year (which starts Oct.1), not that far away - and budgets are being finalized soon. I don't think it's an unreasonable request given the timing of things. A lot of people have misinterpreted it as a requirement, rather than a request. I think if one takes into consideration all these things, he could see the benefit of an accelerated payment for the first year or so.

I think after Hatton Smith speaks at the Campaign launch Aug. 18th at the Alumni House, along with the Blazer Boosters meeting on Aug. 20th @ 5:30pm (Green & Gold Room) things will seem a lot more palatable. Adding in the Clark's contract announcement in the next few weeks, more donors will see this as a green light & not continue to kick the old wounds.

Yes I know there is mistrust with both Watts & Ingram, but if we don't exit that mentality at this point, we can't focus on what needs to be done going forward. Believe me, I have been one of the harshest critics, but I feel the turning point is now. Clark's contract is about to finalize, Hatton Smith is shaking up the business support, players are signing weekly & plenty of other good things are happening.

Albeit, I'm sure there will some clinging on to major hatred for a while. All this is understandable.

Hatton Smith can turn water into wine on the 18th & it still would not make a difference.

He should be applauded for taking this on but what AB is mentioning from Watts & the BOT you realize that it is about to end again regardless of the money gathered.

How can the supporters prove that we met the amount that they needed?

Yes June 1 was only done to keep us from getting kicked out of CUSA & nothing else.

Watts isn't going to allow himself to be proven wrong on anything.

All we can hope for is that a truck flattens him.

(08-15-2015 07:39 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote: [ -> ]Guys. If we do not raise 2.5 million by sept 1. No contract for Clark and no football. Believe me or not. I'm not arguing with anyone. I'm trying to save this program. If we hold pledges no football. It's that simple. This is all the boards doing. They are claiming the pledges are not real. If we don't have money in hand it will get ugly quickly.

They have NOT been negotiating Clark's contract. They have only talked a couple of times and it's dead silent now. They didn't even start when they said. I know when first contact was made and they refused more money and more facilities. Just five years. Now they won't negotiate without money in hand.

Do we know how collections are going? Ah misread your statement.

Bottom line get money in before sept 1. Every dollar counts. Call their bluff. HS is aware of what's going on. He can't turn water into wine without our help.

HS will give us an update.

Very well. I'll get all of year 1 in this month and plan to do year 2 in January. Year 3 while prior to the start of 2017 will be tough, but probably be doable.

I hope we start seeing some tangible, concrete returns on our efforts.

Get the funds in and demand a 2016 return of UAB football.

2016 not happening and can't at this point. Watts and co delayed too long to allow a 2016 return.

My year-one pledge will be in Monday's mail. My wife told me this morning to get the check written this weekend.

Let's get this done for UAB, UAB Athletics, and Birmingham!