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

(12-06-2017 05:52 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 05:23 PM)hooverblazer Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 05:21 PM)the Dragon Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 04:51 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  

(12-06-2017 03:50 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  When there is another round of realignment, the AAC will be targeted. We need to be in an attractive position when that happens and climb back in with the old C-USA teams now in the AAC.

We needed to be ready when the AAC formed, but we weren't allowed to be. We are at a point now where we control our own destiny more than at any point in my memory as a UAB fan. We need to do what it takes to get picked next time, and there is nothing more important to that than butts in seats and people donating money.

Those other conference's powers have memories of 12/2/14 too. They are going to demand more than crossed fingers and "#The Return" as signs that UAB is "captain of its own ship". What signs will be good enough? I don't know, and perhaps no one else does either. It's a building process, and we can hope when that time arrives, we will be ready.

The competition will certainly be fierce and capital backing for the university and its athletics will be important ingredients in their decision. Good indicators would be: Who are our main competitors? and What financial backing do they bring to the table?

The first big sign is a $22 million football complex.

Another sign is a group of rich businessmen backing UAB Football.

Another sign is attendance for football games and to a lesser degree basketball games.

Another sign is that our market is competitive. HA! We have the number one TV market in America for college football! Yes, it revolves around other schools, but it shows that people here will follow college football, even when it isn't there first choice team. Advertisers don't care if the watchers of AAC games love Alabama or Auburn more than UAB. They care that the people are watching the UAB games and seeing their ads.

The next sign needs to be a new stadium.

Signing Clark to an extension with a decent raise was another good sign. I'd say another sign we need is a facility investment in basketball either through a practice facility (major reno of Wallace Gym) or upgrades to Bartow.

Those are all good points about what UAB has. Now, who are likely to be our strongest competitors for replacement spots, and what do they offer category by category? That is likely to be the way a new conference might judge the various schools. It may be years before this competition becomes relevant so we are just guessing right now.