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

It's no secret that, by and large, these are tough times in Birmingham. The city has only one remaining Fortune 500 company, and its population is in a state of general decline (http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/02/us_c...latio.html). Indeed, if not for UAB, Birmingham might very well sink into an abyss comparable to Detroit or to Youngstown. UAB is the pillar keeping this city standing.
That is why, in my view, this fight has to be about more than the OCS. More specifically, it's not really about the OCS at all. It's about the long-term viability of the city of Birmingham. To his credit, Mayor Bell has realized this, and that is why the OCS has been presented as part of a "package" alongside RR Park, the new Barons stadium and other projects. To reject the OCS, then, is to reject the revitalization of Birmingham.
We've seen this before, of course. When the AHSAA moved the Super 6 to Tuscaloosa/Auburn, it was a shot at Birmingham. How the residents of the Birmingham metro area -- whose livelihood depends on the city's economy -- could generally support such a move is as absurd as it is offensive. Sure, if you're a fan of UAT or API, you want your school to do well. But you live in Birmingham. Birmingham is putting food on your family's plate. Isn't it in your own interest to see your city succeed? Somehow, though, this viewpoint was lost, and the move was roundly applauded as the right and intelligent one.
Not again. What has happened with the OCS has to be framed in larger terms. It has to be seen as an attempt on the life of Birmingham. This is a point that should be hammered home, whether on the radio, at protests, in letters of complaint, etc. My own feeling, moreover, is that this is the best way to get the point across, even (or especially) to those who don't support UAB athletics. Football is one thing, but the sustainability of a city and a region is something else.

It would be very good for the City of Birmingham to come out and take a stand on this.

And where is Gene Hallman at? Isn't he normally concerned about promoting Birmingham?

Hallman is too busy parking cars for U of A.

Yes, it is amazing how you openly are for better things, yet privately it is only certain "better" things.

The rest of the state of Alabama has always been anti-Birmingham. For a current example, just look at the car tag renewal mess they have imposed on us (yes, I believe this was a jab at B'ham since Jeffco is bankrupt and had to close it's satellite offices making them by far the least equipped county in the state to deal with this mess). Also, college football is an unofficial religion to many residents of this state. Some B'ham residents will put their god ahead of what is best for the less significant portions of their lives such as their home and family, or they are too stupid to realize what is really good for them.

Quote:And where is Gene Hallman at? Isn't he normally concerned about promoting Birmingham?

He is concerned with promoting Gene Hallman. I'm sure he's very pleased with this week's events.

Has anyone emailed or called Gene the lesser?

(11-02-2011 09:24 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  It would be very good for the City of Birmingham to come out and take a stand on this.

And where is Gene Hallman at? Isn't he normally concerned about promoting Birmingham?

Gene Hallman was against this from the beginning. He wants Birmingham to build a dome. UAB building a stadium means he doesn't get to control it and means the dome is even more dead.

Ah, that's right! Forgot about that little nugget of truth.

I forgot as well.

I thought that he would have been behind the Bham Baseball Stadium, but that may conflict with his Hoover stuff.

As long as this matter is couched in Blazer vs Crimson Tide terms, we don't have a chance. This is about the system BOT violating its SACH limitations on micromanaging the internal business of its member campuses. They did it by interferring in the hiring of the coach and now they are deciding what is "best for UAB" solely on their own agenda which is painted vivid CRIMSON.