(09-25-2013 06:28 PM)BlazerDave Wrote: I can kinda see where Gary is coming from.
Put the item on the agenda, have an intelligent (I use this term lightly) conversation/debate about the issue. That way they can voice their concerns in a public forum and UAB (and everyone else interested in the project) can know exactly what needs to be done. Not just speculation and hints. We need a specific road map. We weren't given the opportunity to obtain one.
So, we start winning and the attendance increases. Now, the way it was handled, they can, and probably will, bring up some other reason. You can't afford to pay your players a stipend so why should we approve an OCS or there's about to be four super conferences formed and guess what UAB ain't gonna be included so why do we need to spend the money? 
As Gary pointed out, why not even hear the motion?
I know, I'm preaching to the choir but Gary just brought the sermon back up.
Beat Vandy!
That's exactly the point. Even had they heard the proposal, denied it, but offered some insight as to why and a plan in order to get it accomplished down the road, I think most rational people could respect that.
The problem here is that we were told no without hearing the funding plan. Plus, we were told to show improvement in terms of support without any specifics behind it. What sort of improvement? Improvement in season ticket sales specifically? Attendance? Student involvement? Booster donations? Of course improvement in all of those would be ideal, but how much improvement do we need to make in order to satisfy their demands to show improvement? Is 10% improvement adequate? 50%? That's just it. We still don't know unless something has been told to Mackin in private.
Right now, at least with respect to the OCS, we're aiming at a moving target. One might assume that an average attendance of 30,000 (approx. seating capacity of proposed stadium) would be sufficient, but we don't have anything written or otherwise to establish that. Maybe they would only accept 30,000 in season tickets.
The fact is, they don't want it discussed because they don't even want to consider the possibility. Whether it is financially feasible isn't really their concern. Folks can call it conspiracy, but what other explanation can you offer that the issue isn't even discussed in an intellectual manner through a democratic process in which the issue is debated publicly and voted upon? I can't think of any explanation that doesn't involve what some want to call "conspiracy."
Having said all of that, again, I think it is important to move forward with ANY facility improvements we can get approved. These things should be done in a thoughtful manner so that it compliments what we hope will come to pass in the future with an OCS. Folks that want to see change just need to be prepared when this campaign kicks off next month.
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UAB's own Gary Sanders goes off on lack of stadium on NBC13 (video)
