UAB Blazers

Hello There, Guest! (LoginRegister)

Post Reply 
Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Author Message
iam4uab Offline
All American
*

Posts: 4,702
Joined: Jul 2007
Reputation: 45
I Root For: UAB
Location: Wilmington, NC
Post: #1
Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Just wondering...

I had a die hard Alabama fan actually discussing with me today, objectively, our plight as a second class citizen within the system, and her comment was, "There needs to be a lot of powerful alumni support and things will change."

So that got me to thinking...who are our powerful alumni? Do we have any? Not enough? Have they been carrying the banner? Are they being silent? Is there something we can do to lobby them to take on the cause? Are they leading the charge? If not, why not?

Just wondering the thoughts of those on the board at the risk of aggitating those tired of talking about it.
12-04-2012 12:34 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


Matrix Offline
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 14,505
Joined: Oct 2009
Reputation: 197
I Root For: UAB, N'Western
Location:
Post: #2
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Isn't there a member of the Harbert Family mentioned as a prominent alumni? Someone of the female persuasion, I think.
12-04-2012 01:11 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
the_blazerman Offline
Legend
*

Posts: 30,397
Joined: Nov 2004
Reputation: 95
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #3
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Most of the time, a powerful alum would be on the Board of Trustees.
12-04-2012 01:15 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
rook360 Offline
All American
*

Posts: 4,473
Joined: Oct 2007
Reputation: 64
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #4
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
I thikn she passed if I'm not mistaken.
12-04-2012 01:16 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
the Dragon Offline
Heisman
*

Posts: 5,451
Joined: Feb 2004
Reputation: 85
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #5
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Alabama State Senators who graduated from UAB:
Linda Coleman


Yes. I checked the website and found only one out of 35 senators with a degree from UAB. There were multiple graduates from Montevallo, Troy, USA, Alabama State, Auburn, and Bammer. And Linda's profile says she graduated from the University of Alabama, Birmingham. 03-banghead

I'll try to check the Representatives. I know one- Oliver Robinson.
(This post was last modified: 12-04-2012 01:17 PM by the Dragon.)
12-04-2012 01:17 PM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
the_blazerman Offline
Legend
*

Posts: 30,397
Joined: Nov 2004
Reputation: 95
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #6
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
(12-04-2012 01:16 PM)rook360 Wrote:  I thikn she passed if I'm not mistaken.

Her husband passed away a few years ago, but to my knowledge she is still alive. I could be wrong though.
12-04-2012 01:18 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


rook360 Offline
All American
*

Posts: 4,473
Joined: Oct 2007
Reputation: 64
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #7
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
(12-04-2012 01:18 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  
(12-04-2012 01:16 PM)rook360 Wrote:  I thikn she passed if I'm not mistaken.

Her husband passed away a few years ago, but to my knowledge she is still alive. I could be wrong though.

Then from what I have heard from some folks who ave talked or known her, she can't stand some people on the board and bryant Jr.

Fiesty old lady. But she is getting up in age.
12-04-2012 01:20 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
mobileblazer Offline
DadofTwins
*

Posts: 5,538
Joined: Nov 2004
Reputation: 44
I Root For: UAB
Location: West Mobile
Post: #8
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Blazer Sax
12-04-2012 01:46 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Smaug Offline
Happnin' Dude
*

Posts: 61,211
Joined: Mar 2005
Reputation: 842
I Root For: Dragons
Location: The Lonely Mountain

BlazerTalk AwardBlazerTalk AwardBlazerTalk AwardBlazerTalk Award
Post: #9
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Wita Harbert is worth ~1.4 billion (with a b) dollars. That's enough jing to point at Cubby Bryant and say "Bring me that boy's kneecaps."

I know she's spread some love our way over the years. How willing she is to go to bat for UAB is, though, I have no idea.

She's a BSC alum, and was on their BoT. I don't know if she still is.
(This post was last modified: 12-04-2012 01:54 PM by Smaug.)
12-04-2012 01:49 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
the Dragon Offline
Heisman
*

Posts: 5,451
Joined: Feb 2004
Reputation: 85
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #10
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Alabama State representatives who graduated from UAB:

Merika Coleman
Darrio Melton
Mary Moore
Arthur Payne (Auburn and UAB)
Oliver Robinson
John Rogers (Tenn. State, Bammer, and UAB)
Patricia Todd (first openly gay legislator)
Jack Williams? (UAB isn't listed, but he is a big Blazer fan)

So about 8 out of 103.

It is worth noting that a dozen or so legislators don't have their schools listed, so there may be a few more.
(This post was last modified: 12-04-2012 01:52 PM by the Dragon.)
12-04-2012 01:49 PM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
the_blazerman Offline
Legend
*

Posts: 30,397
Joined: Nov 2004
Reputation: 95
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #11
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
So basically Brian Mackin is the most influential.
12-04-2012 01:59 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


bladhmadh Offline
All American
*

Posts: 4,801
Joined: May 2011
Reputation: 92
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #12
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
(12-04-2012 01:49 PM)Smaug Wrote:  Wita Harbert is worth ~1.4 billion (with a b) dollars. That's enough jing to point at Cubby Bryant and say "Bring me that boy's kneecaps."

They save that sort of behavior for South America labor organizers. Except instead of breaking his knees they execute him in front of his children
12-04-2012 01:59 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
BlazrDawg Offline
Heisman
*

Posts: 6,947
Joined: Oct 2004
Reputation: 49
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #13
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Well, you dont have to be alumni to be powerful supporters of UAB,, and the most powerful ones that Ive come across have $$$ but don't necessarily have collegiate ties to UAB.
(This post was last modified: 12-04-2012 02:01 PM by BlazrDawg.)
12-04-2012 02:00 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
the Dragon Offline
Heisman
*

Posts: 5,451
Joined: Feb 2004
Reputation: 85
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #14
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Regina Benjamin, Surgeon General of the USA

I doubt she is a big UAB sports fan, but someone with the contacts should offer to honor her as an alumnus at a game.
12-04-2012 02:01 PM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
BAMANBLAZERFAN Offline
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 17,221
Joined: Oct 2005
Reputation: 57
I Root For: UAB & Bama
Location: Cropwell, AL

BlazerTalk Award
Post: #15
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
He was not a UAB alumnus but John Harbert did endow a "chair" at UAB for George Wallace as an inducement for Wallace to order the immediate completion of I-459 between US 31 and US 280 in order to protect his large investments in Riverchase. That section was quickly completed (years before the rest) and is today "The John Harbert Highway" (there is a sign to that effect).

In the past, I have asked if the UAB administration has ever approached his widow with a request to help fund the "John and "Wita" Harbert Memorial Stadium"? She is the state's only Forbes listed Billionaire.
12-04-2012 02:13 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Matrix Offline
Hall of Famer
*

Posts: 14,505
Joined: Oct 2009
Reputation: 197
I Root For: UAB, N'Western
Location:
Post: #16
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
(12-04-2012 01:49 PM)the Dragon Wrote:  Alabama State representatives who graduated from UAB:

Merika Coleman
Darrio Melton
Mary Moore
Arthur Payne (Auburn and UAB)
Oliver Robinson
John Rogers (Tenn. State, Bammer, and UAB)
Patricia Todd (first openly gay legislator)
Jack Williams? (UAB isn't listed, but he is a big Blazer fan)

So about 8 out of 103.

It is worth noting that a dozen or so legislators don't have their schools listed, so there may be a few more.

Isn't William Bell a UAB Alumni? "Powerful" or "influential" may be not be the word I'd use in description.
12-04-2012 02:15 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Advertisement


the_blazerman Offline
Legend
*

Posts: 30,397
Joined: Nov 2004
Reputation: 95
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #17
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Yes he is, but he is not influential in the way that we would like.
12-04-2012 02:17 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
the Dragon Offline
Heisman
*

Posts: 5,451
Joined: Feb 2004
Reputation: 85
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #18
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
(12-04-2012 02:15 PM)Matrix Wrote:  
(12-04-2012 01:49 PM)the Dragon Wrote:  Alabama State representatives who graduated from UAB:

Merika Coleman
Darrio Melton
Mary Moore
Arthur Payne (Auburn and UAB)
Oliver Robinson
John Rogers (Tenn. State, Bammer, and UAB)
Patricia Todd (first openly gay legislator)
Jack Williams? (UAB isn't listed, but he is a big Blazer fan)

So about 8 out of 103.

It is worth noting that a dozen or so legislators don't have their schools listed, so there may be a few more.

Isn't William Bell a UAB Alumni? "Powerful" or "influential" may be not be the word I'd use in description.

William Bell, Mayor of Birmingham
Walt Maddox, Mayor of Tuscaloosa and former UAB Football player
12-04-2012 02:21 PM
Visit this user's website Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
rook360 Offline
All American
*

Posts: 4,473
Joined: Oct 2007
Reputation: 64
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #19
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Walt Maddox has more pull than Bell.
William Bell is easily influenced, I don't know about influential.

Thats just my opinion.
12-04-2012 02:30 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
hooverblazer Offline
Promoter of UAB
*

Posts: 13,777
Joined: Dec 2006
Reputation: 101
I Root For: UAB
Location:
Post: #20
RE: Who would you consider our most "powerful" alumni?
Tony Petelos, Jefferson County Manager and former mayor of Hoover
Teresa Petelos, judge in the Bessemer courthouse

Then I know Jimmy Filler and Adam Cohen are two of our biggest boosters but I don't know if they're alumni. Cohen has a niece on the tennis team.
12-04-2012 02:30 PM
Find all posts by this user Quote this message in a reply
Post Reply 




User(s) browsing this thread: 1 Guest(s)


Copyright © 2002-2024 Collegiate Sports Nation Bulletin Board System (CSNbbs), All Rights Reserved.
CSNbbs is an independent fan site and is in no way affiliated to the NCAA or any of the schools and conferences it represents.
This site monetizes links. FTC Disclosure.
We allow third-party companies to serve ads and/or collect certain anonymous information when you visit our web site. These companies may use non-personally identifiable information (e.g., click stream information, browser type, time and date, subject of advertisements clicked or scrolled over) during your visits to this and other Web sites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services likely to be of greater interest to you. These companies typically use a cookie or third party web beacon to collect this information. To learn more about this behavioral advertising practice or to opt-out of this type of advertising, you can visit http://www.networkadvertising.org.
Powered By MyBB, © 2002-2024 MyBB Group.