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The indoor practice facility is not the best answer. A nice gesture, but UAB football most needs a revenue producer. Mayor Bell, first and then members of the Council, should meet with Mr. Watts and Mr. Mackin about re-thinking BBVA Compass Field. Such as, expand the seating capacity to 18,000-20,000, with the City being the financial partner, thereby developing a first-class soccer venue for Birmingham to go with Crossplex and Regions Field. Maybe even re-think the location. The facility could be used for UAB football and soccer, major soccer events, and eventually even an MLS team. Maybe BBVA Compass would contribute money annually for the naming rights on such a facility.

If football attendance grows UAB could then pay for an addition to the venue. Both FIU and FAU have relatively new 20,000+- seat venues for FBS football.

(11-17-2014 07:02 AM)Island Blazer Wrote:  The indoor practice facility is not the best answer. A nice gesture, but UAB football most needs a revenue producer. Mayor Bell, first and then members of the Council, should meet with Mr. Watts and Mr. Mackin about re-thinking BBVA Compass Field. Such as, expand the seating capacity to 18,000-20,000, with the City being the financial partner, thereby developing a first-class soccer venue for Birmingham to go with Crossplex and Regions Field. Maybe even re-think the location. The facility could be used for UAB football and soccer, major soccer events, and eventually even an MLS team. Maybe BBVA Compass would contribute money annually for the naming rights on such a facility.

If football attendance grows UAB could then pay for an addition to the venue. Both FIU and FAU have relatively new 20,000+- seat venues for FBS football.

Absolutely brilliant idea! In addition, Conference USA member, University Of Charlotte, their 2 year old on campus stadium for the time being seats between 10-15K, but is expandable for the near future. All of their season tickets were sold out. The Soccer stadium should be able to accommodate football as well...Really, really like your suggestion. I would state what I think the city's agenda with UAB is, but I will not at this time, I'll wait and see as events unfold....

I'll take that indoor practice facility. That's what Clark wants.

That's a great idea. I have no idea how the city would pay for it.

Get the IPF done. That's smaller, doable, and if the city front ends the bonds and the Foundation pays them, the finances are pretty well in hand.

(11-17-2014 10:04 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Get the IPF done. That's smaller, doable, and if the city front ends the bonds and the Foundation pays them, the finances are pretty well in hand.

This.

The BOT killed our on campus stadium. One of the things that Mackin has done since is that he has kept pecking away at facilities as he could, piece by piece. Things like the softball field have made a big difference to the programs involved.

Getting that IPF would be a major step. It is my fond hope that we do get to build it, because that would mean that we have a football team to use it.

(11-17-2014 11:25 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Things like the softball field have made a big difference to the programs involved.

We can't keep pointing to the softball field as an indication of proactive facility upgrades. The main reason that softball field exists is because of a Title IX complaint and potential lawsuit.

(11-17-2014 11:42 AM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(11-17-2014 11:25 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Things like the softball field have made a big difference to the programs involved.

We can't keep pointing to the softball field as an indication of proactive facility upgrades. The main reason that softball field exists is because of a Title IX complaint and potential lawsuit.

No, but we can tout it as a pretty clear indicator better facilities= better teams.

(11-17-2014 11:55 AM)Smaug Wrote:  

(11-17-2014 11:42 AM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(11-17-2014 11:25 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Things like the softball field have made a big difference to the programs involved.

We can't keep pointing to the softball field as an indication of proactive facility upgrades. The main reason that softball field exists is because of a Title IX complaint and potential lawsuit.

No, but we can tout it as a pretty clear indicator better facilities= better teams.

Correct. For some reason I left out the Brian Mackin part in the quote...which is what I was actually addressing.

(11-17-2014 07:45 AM)Matrix Wrote:  

(11-17-2014 07:02 AM)Island Blazer Wrote:  The indoor practice facility is not the best answer. A nice gesture, but UAB football most needs a revenue producer. Mayor Bell, first and then members of the Council, should meet with Mr. Watts and Mr. Mackin about re-thinking BBVA Compass Field. Such as, expand the seating capacity to 18,000-20,000, with the City being the financial partner, thereby developing a first-class soccer venue for Birmingham to go with Crossplex and Regions Field. Maybe even re-think the location. The facility could be used for UAB football and soccer, major soccer events, and eventually even an MLS team. Maybe BBVA Compass would contribute money annually for the naming rights on such a facility.

If football attendance grows UAB could then pay for an addition to the venue. Both FIU and FAU have relatively new 20,000+- seat venues for FBS football.

Absolutely brilliant idea! In addition, Conference USA member, University Of Charlotte, their 2 year old on campus stadium for the time being seats between 10-15K, but is expandable for the near future. All of their season tickets were sold out. The Soccer stadium should be able to accommodate football as well...Really, really like your suggestion. I would state what I think the city's agenda with UAB is, but I will not at this time, I'll wait and see as events unfold....

Yep, and title nine should help with women's soccer.

(11-17-2014 11:42 AM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(11-17-2014 11:25 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Things like the softball field have made a big difference to the programs involved.

We can't keep pointing to the softball field as an indication of proactive facility upgrades. The main reason that softball field exists is because of a Title IX complaint and potential lawsuit.

They'd either have folded the team or still be playing at Green Springs were it not for that.

IPF - NFM

If the City and BBVA Compass could provide most of the funding to get BBVA Compass Field to say 17,500 with berms built on each end until further expansion is needed, UAB FBS football could make that work. And the berms would provide a great vantage point for viewing soccer play around the goal.

Football and soccer don't need to share a field, period. We have a fantastic soccer program, and the last thing we need to do is screw that up. The dimensions aren't the same. The lines aren't the same. Both teams beat the hell out of the field in different ways. It doesn't work. I understand those not really understanding why the soccer upgrade was allowed, but $1.5m is a drop in the bucket compared to some of some of our football projects costs.

I know nobody means any harm by the suggestion, but it just doesn't work.

agree with 9911

It makes for bad sightlines for football and moves fans further from the playing field. (See Legion Field)

(11-18-2014 08:32 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  Football and soccer don't need to share a field, period. We have a fantastic soccer program, and the last thing we need to do is screw that up. The dimensions aren't the same. The lines aren't the same. Both teams beat the hell out of the field in different ways. It doesn't work. I understand those not really understanding why the soccer upgrade was allowed, but $1.5m is a drop in the bucket compared to some of some of our football projects costs.

I know nobody means any harm by the suggestion, but it just doesn't work.

You are right as rain.

& even if it was an option why should we settle?