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

I have been following this drama since media coverage began reporting the rumors on eliminating the UAB football program. I have read many articles, posts, and forums from many who have protested the biasness of UA supporters, and the UA BOT. Many of us, UA alumni and UA employees feel UAB's pain concerning the loss of UAB football, rifle, and bowling teams; furthermore, we dislike the heavy-handedness of President Watts and his administration over how the decision was handled and the "slight of hand" tactics that were employed. Being a UA employee, I see a lot of this elitism in our own administration and have concluded that college administrative politics do nothing but bring down morale within any given institution. Watts is bad for UAB and even worse for UA. He has caused much negative speculation against UA that I fear the blow-back once everything is out in the open. I hope that the UA BOT doesn’t have a finger in all of this controversy; however, if it is proven otherwise, then the integrity of the entire UA System will fall into jeopardy. The negative pr will cost UAB, UA, & UAH more than the UAB football, rifle, and bowling programs estimated costs in the CarrsReport. Negative publicity takes years to overcome, and that is why Watt’s strategy, or lack thereof, is so puzzling.

There is so much anger (understandably so) pointed toward Tuscaloosa and its college, that many within our own community that supports UAB find it difficult to voice their support due to the overwhelming animosity held toward our alma mater, and the constant negative diatribe coming from UAB supporters. However, that being said, please know that you have support at UA and many of us find what President Watts has done to your school horrible and inexcusable. Many of us feel that UAB football has a place in Alabama and that it should be continued. It provides valuable access for aspiring athletes who for whatever reason could not get into a "power conference", allowing them to continue playing football, and possibly get scholarship money while earning a college degree. I am a staunch Crimson Tide football fan; however, I am not blinded by the passion I feel toward my team. UAB deserves their own football team, basketball team, or whatever sport the student body, faculty, alumni, or community want to support.

Here’s to the UAB Blazers…Good luck! I hope you get rid of Watts, and get your football team reinstated!!!

(12-16-2014 11:33 PM)FNblazer Wrote:  

Thanks for the post and show of support!

Most of us here try very hard to not make this a UAB vs. UA thing. It shouldn't be. I'm sorry if you've experienced animosity as it is misplaced when fired at UA, their fans, students or teams.

I think a lot of that is a result of the people who seem to be so anti-UAB for no apparent reason. I've had countless arguments and discussions with these people over the past couple of weeks (well, actually years...) and for some reason they almost always seem to be Alabama fans. I don't know why that is. I've yet to run across anybody who cheers for Auburn or Tennessee or LSU and has the ability, time and determination to completely ignore facts the way these anti-UAB people do. It's amazing really.

That said, of course we know not all UA fans are that way. We've got tons of support from UA fans. I'm an LSU fan myself, but I cheer for UAB first and foremost, in everything. Thanks again for the support!

(12-16-2014 11:41 PM)ndjs22 Wrote:  Thanks for the post and show of support!

Most of us here try very hard to not make this a UAB vs. UA thing. It shouldn't be. I'm sorry if you've experienced animosity as it is misplaced when fired at UA, their fans, students or teams.

I think a lot of that is a result of the people who seem to be so anti-UAB for no apparent reason. I've had countless arguments and discussions with these people over the past couple of weeks (well, actually years...) and for some reason they almost always seem to be Alabama fans. I don't know why that is. I've yet to run across anybody who cheers for Auburn or Tennessee or LSU and has the ability, time and determination to completely ignore facts the way these anti-UAB people do. It's amazing really.

That said, of course we know not all UA fans are that way. We've got tons of support from UA fans. I'm an LSU fan myself, but I cheer for UAB first and foremost, in everything. Thanks again for the support!

Thanks much for the support; it is much appreciated.

I find the vast majority of UA students and alumni are classy people who do not hold any animosity toward UAB or its athletic program. My wife is one of those people.

Unfortunately, some of the BOT members are not in that number. I think that most of the animosity between the two schools can be laid at the feet of these anti UAB board members and Alabama's worst sidewalk alumni who seem to treat the very existence of UAB athletics as an affront to the memory of Bear Bryant.

We UAB supporters would well to always remember not to judge any group of people by their worst members.

(12-17-2014 12:05 AM)CajunBlazer Wrote:  Thanks much for the support; it is much appreciated.

I find the vast majority of UA students and alumni are classy people who do not hold any animosity toward UAB or its athletic program. My wife is one of those people.

Unfortunately, some of the BOT members are not in that number. I think that most of the animosity between the two schools can be laid at the feet of these anti UAB board members and Alabama's worst sidewalk alumni who seem to treat the very existence of UAB athletics as an affront to the memory of Bear Bryant.

We UAB supporters would well to always remember not to judge any group of people by their worst members.

That's pretty much what I was trying to say. Sorry if that wasn't clear enough. You are correct in that we should not judge any group by their worst members.

Thank you for your post. I too try very hard to make it clear that this is not a UA vs UAB thing. The bottom line is that PBJ's 30 year old grudge has finally taken down our football program as a retirement gift to himself. There is no way that anyone will get me to believe that this was not done at the behest of the BoT. There are very few decisions of substance that they do not have something to say about.

As to the animosity, I invite you to go to Al.com and look at any of the articles that are basically pro-uab and read the comments section. It's a cesspool. I think that in a general sense that the UA grads don't get caught up in it, but the Wal-Mart Bama fans seem to have a bottomless hatred for all things UAB. I don't know if this is the traditional rural hatred of Birmingham, or a racially motivated disdain of the minority government here, or simply that football is UA's baby and that no one else is allowed. The thing is that this does not seem to come into play regarding Troy or South Alabama, etc, just UAB. We hear that crap all the time and eventually become kneejerk Bama haters. It isn't right, but if you kick your dog long enough he'll start to bite you. Shrug.

In any case, thank you for your kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to come here and say what you did, it was generous and gracious.

Sipseygirl, thank you for your post.

This is UAB versus Ray Watts and PBJ's UABOT. PBJ's fingerprints are all over this chaos, and that's why Watts has been so secretive. PBJ has blocked one thing after another regarding UAB football. He never wanted UAB to field a football team. That history points right back at him again. Watts tied the bow on PBJ's retirement gift.

Bryant Junior would never pass muster as a pro sports owner due to the gambling connections, re-insurance etc. Having his and Espy's hands (and by extension, Milton McGregor's) on Tide football should enrage every actual UA grad. There's a reason no major sports league will touch Las Vegas.

I was unfamiliar with Milton McGregor until I googled him after your mention 58-56.

Looks like an interesting guy.

Take a look at who his lawyer is.

(12-17-2014 02:14 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Take a look at who his lawyer is.

Espy. Shocked.

I appreciate those on the UA side who support UAB. It is not a direct UAB vs UA issue. Unfortunately there are quite a number of UA fans that march to the same best of the drum as PBJr and Finis. Not sure why as you really don't see many (or any) Auburn fans with the same level of hatred for UAB. Unfortunately the minority of UA fans which hate anything related to UAB are extremely vocal and give the casual UAB observer the impression that UA hatred of UAB is widespread.

Bottom line is that UAB folks need to focus on the real enemy here. Those UA folks who support UAB could be a powerful ally, particularly if something comes to a statewide vote.

(12-17-2014 09:19 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  Those UA folks who support UAB could be a powerful ally, particularly if something comes to a statewide vote.

Absolutely.

Right now, Saban's arrogance is a shield for them. When the Next Guy takes over in a few years and fails to kick a field goal that would beat the line, was it sound game strategy or the Board's gamblers at work? That question should never come up, which is why these guys would never be allowed near the NFL.

(12-17-2014 01:15 AM)58-56 Wrote:  Bryant Junior would never pass muster as a pro sports owner due to the gambling connections, re-insurance etc. Having his and Espy's hands (and by extension, Milton McGregor's) on Tide football should enrage every actual UA grad. There's a reason no major sports league will touch Las Vegas.

You do know that Uncle Milty supports the team to the East, don't you?

(12-17-2014 09:55 AM)backyardblazer Wrote:  

(12-17-2014 01:15 AM)58-56 Wrote:  Bryant Junior would never pass muster as a pro sports owner due to the gambling connections, re-insurance etc. Having his and Espy's hands (and by extension, Milton McGregor's) on Tide football should enrage every actual UA grad. There's a reason no major sports league will touch Las Vegas.

You do know that Uncle Milty supports the team to the East, don't you?

And that affects his mouthpiece's allegiances how, exactly?

(12-17-2014 09:19 AM)Blazer85 Wrote:  I appreciate those on the UA side who support UAB. It is not a direct UAB vs UA issue. Unfortunately there are quite a number of UA fans that march to the same best of the drum as PBJr and Finis. Not sure why as you really don't see many (or any) Auburn fans with the same level of hatred for UAB. Unfortunately the minority of UA fans which hate anything related to UAB are extremely vocal and give the casual UAB observer the impression that UA hatred of UAB is widespread.

Bottom line is that UAB folks need to focus on the real enemy here. Those UA folks who support UAB could be a powerful ally, particularly if something comes to a statewide vote.

Auburn and UAB have had over the years, a working relationship, there's mutual respect there, most of the grief I've ever gotten about UAB, whether good natured or not, has been from those who root for UA, and this latest backlash regarding UAB shouldn't be, IMO, a direct reflection upon the entire UA campus, but overall attitude is a reflection of leadership, and as long the BOT is allowed to flaunt their power and swagger without being held accountable, this is what the perception's going to be. More times than not, I've seen more Auburn fans wearing their colors & cheering the Blazers on at UAB sporting events than I have UA over the years, but again, this is only my observation. Charles Barkley has probably been to more UAB basketball games in recent memory than he has his alma mater. If the "legend" was true, and having lived in this state most of my life, & I had to choose one of the two...#WDE would be mine! The enemy of my enemy...is my friend...

(12-17-2014 01:39 AM)ndjs22 Wrote:  I was unfamiliar with Milton McGregor until I googled him after your mention 58-56.

Looks like an interesting guy.

Thank you for your kind words.

(12-16-2014 11:33 PM)FNblazer Wrote:  

...Rev 6:8...