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

Thanks for providing the link. Walt does us proud every time he speaks in public. His logic and presentation of his viewpoints are superb and he is a true asset to the UAB family.

I know it's been said before but that was a stellar interview. Just listened. Maddox commanded attention and he eloquently delivered the facts (which, of course, have a UAB bias). Perfect delivery of emotional appeal and logical arguments. Wow.

Walt really did us a fine job on that interview. My letter writing hasn't even come close to his interview. I should have just forward a link to the interview! It is great to have Walt fighting for us.

(11-26-2014 01:21 PM)braish Wrote:  Walt really did us a fine job on that interview. My letter writing hasn't even come close to his interview. I should have just forward a link to the interview! It is great to have Walt fighting for us.

Ha. I might just start doing that myself.

Tremendous interview.

(11-26-2014 01:21 PM)braish Wrote:  Walt really did us a fine job on that interview. My letter writing hasn't even come close to his interview. I should have just forward a link to the interview! It is great to have Walt fighting for us.

Decided to do what you suggested. Next batch of emails will all include a link to Walt's interview.

Quote:Many supporters of UAB and its athletics program, especially the football team, are concerned. And rightfully so. I am one of those supporters. The reasons for these fears are well founded and are based on actions that have been well documented. Fans are upset. Concerned supporters are upset. I am upset. However, I write these words on the parchment of hope. If anyone is entitled to feel anger and distrust, it’s individuals like head football coach, Bill Clark. It’s his family. It’s his staff. It’s his team.

Yet, when I wrote Mr. Clark to express my support and appreciation, he responded with pure class. My email to him was printed out and returned to me. Attached in the message was a scanned, hand-written note he generously took the time to write. Like I said, pure class. That kind act resonated with me. I asked myself, if my words were printed for others to see, would I be proud of what they read? It is in that spirit of class and dignity that I write you today.

The issue that faces us all runs deeper than football. The weight of this decision would shake the foundation of UAB to its very core, and call into question its commitment to growth and excellence. In this era of modern college athletics, a thriving and competitive football program often correlates with a complete university experience that translates into higher student enrollment and increased alumni support. For the sake of brevity, I will not repeat all of the supporting evidence here as I believe the benefits are already well known.

Additionally, I do not believe a more eloquent and concise case for Blazer athletics could be better made than the one UAB graduate, former letterman, and current mayor of Tuscaloosa, Walter Maddox, has already delivered. In an interview (link: http://j.mp/1FrDTGt) with WJOX broadcasters on November 25, 2014, Mr. Maddox articulately outlined many compelling reasons why the Blazers football program deserved support and investment from the Board of Trustees and UAB administration.

I respectfully encourage you to reserve fifteen minutes of your time to listen to the online archive of this interview. A quarter of an hour is a but a small investment when considering a decision that may be felt for decades. I believe there are more supporters than skeptics. I believe there are more defenders than detractors. There are many, like me, on the outside who’ve decided to stand up and be counted. I humbly ask that you stand to be counted with us. In closing, I leave you with this single, and non-rhetorical, question:

When the time comes, will you stand with those who desire to see a thriving university by proudly going on record to show your support for the players, the coaches, and their families who are tirelessly working to build a competitive, FBS football program in Conference USA?

Respectfully yours,

(11-26-2014 07:19 PM)BirminghamBound Wrote:  

(11-26-2014 01:21 PM)braish Wrote:  Walt really did us a fine job on that interview. My letter writing hasn't even come close to his interview. I should have just forward a link to the interview! It is great to have Walt fighting for us.

Decided to do what you suggested. Next batch of emails will all include a link to Walt's interview.

Quote:Many supporters of UAB and its athletics program, especially the football team, are concerned. And rightfully so. I am one of those supporters. The reasons for these fears are well founded and are based on actions that have been well documented. Fans are upset. Concerned supporters are upset. I am upset. However, I write these words on the parchment of hope. If anyone is entitled to feel anger and distrust, it’s individuals like head football coach, Bill Clark. It’s his family. It’s his staff. It’s his team.

Yet, when I wrote Mr. Clark to express my support and appreciation, he responded with pure class. My email to him was printed out and returned to me. Attached in the message was a scanned, hand-written note he generously took the time to write. Like I said, pure class. That kind act resonated with me. I asked myself, if my words were printed for others to see, would I be proud of what they read? It is in that spirit of class and dignity that I write you today.

The issue that faces us all runs deeper than football. The weight of this decision would shake the foundation of UAB to its very core, and call into question its commitment to growth and excellence. In this era of modern college athletics, a thriving and competitive football program often correlates with a complete university experience that translates into higher student enrollment and increased alumni support. For the sake of brevity, I will not repeat all of the supporting evidence here as I believe the benefits are already well known.

Additionally, I do not believe a more eloquent and concise case for Blazer athletics could be better made than the one UAB graduate, former letterman, and current mayor of Tuscaloosa, Walter Maddox, has already delivered. In an interview (link: http://j.mp/1FrDTGt) with WJOX broadcasters on November 25, 2014, Mr. Maddox articulately outlined many compelling reasons why the Blazers football program deserved support and investment from the Board of Trustees and UAB administration.

I respectfully encourage you to reserve fifteen minutes of your time to listen to the online archive of this interview. A quarter of an hour is a but a small investment when considering a decision that may be felt for decades. I believe there are more supporters than skeptics. I believe there are more defenders than detractors. There are many, like me, on the outside who’ve decided to stand up and be counted. I humbly ask that you stand to be counted with us. In closing, I leave you with this single, and non-rhetorical, question:

When the time comes, will you stand with those who desire to see a thriving university by proudly going on record to show your support for the players, the coaches, and their families who are tirelessly working to build a competitive, FBS football program in Conference USA?

Respectfully yours,

Great letter my Blazer brother!

Too kind. Thanks, braish.

Awesome interview and he stayed positive which will go along way if the decision falls in our favor. I think everyone knows the problem but the political people are trying to give those in power a out by not calling them out directly. Even though the media is doing a good job of placing the blame squarely on the BOT and that small committee of idiots.

When's Walt's term as mayor up? As that kind of interview is the type that gets PBJ to run someone against him

Aren't there term limits for governor?

If so, then he would have a real open shot in 4 years.

If not, then he could still run in 4 years.

I think he is in the middle of his latest term as mayor.

I just now listened to Walt's interview. Wow! That was impressive.

(11-26-2014 10:15 PM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Aren't there term limits for governor?

If so, then he would have a real open shot in 4 years.

If not, then he could still run in 4 years.

I think he is in the middle of his latest term as mayor.

Robert Bentley cannot run for Governor in four years.