Good morning, Conference USA family and friends. Our time in my favorite conference is coming to an end, in lieu of what has happened to our beloved UAB Blazers Football team, I am very heartbroken and angry, we have let these young men and women down here at UAB, not just the football team, but the rifle and bowling teams as well, even more emphatic, we've allowed on our watch the decimation of the legacy of Gene Bartow. This is not what his vision was for UAB Athletics, and IMO, we've done a terrible job protecting and perpetuating it. Although I am still proactive in trying to help UAB get equal representation and complete restoration of our lost sports teams, my desire to even watch a collegiate athletic event has taken a huge hit because of all this. You've heard me say several times here prior to the murder of our football team that if you don't have a seat at the dinner table, you are probably on the menu.

Well, we at UAB have learned this the hard way. I wouldn't wish this feeling on my worst enemy (except for the people responsible for what happened to our team, university and city), and my message to everyone here is simple...Support your teams with your time, energy and money, do your due dilligence, know your governing bodies and keep an eye on them consistently, because I cannot shake the feeling that this is going to become a pandemic in the so-called "G-5" Conferences, I even heard a sports writer arrogantly say that this is the harsh reality of college sports if you're not a member of a "Power" Conference. My red flag has been up ever since hearing him (Pablo Torres) say that last week on "Around The Horn."

You all have seen what happened to us at UAB, they "Pearl Harbored" our Football program at a time when they just beginning to enjoy the taste of success, our university is in emotional turmoil and our city government's powerless to do anything impacting to restore what has been fiendishly taken from us. I don't want to see that happen to anyone else, the devastation is indescribable, you all have seen the videos of the reactions to this, and the sorrow in our faces. Do not let this happen to your school!!! I wish you all the very best of fortune, Conference USA.

(12-08-2014 11:25 AM)Matrix Wrote:  Good morning, Conference USA family and friends. Our time in my favorite conference is coming to an end, in lieu of what has happened to our beloved UAB Blazers Football team, I am very heartbroken and angry, we have let these young men and women down here at UAB, not just the football team, but the rifle and bowling teams as well, even more emphatic, we've allowed on our watch the decimation of the legacy of Gene Bartow. This is not what his vision was for UAB Athletics, and IMO, we've done a terrible job protecting and perpetuating it. Although I am still proactive in trying to help UAB get equal representation and complete restoration of our lost sports teams, my desire to even watch a collegiate athletic event has taken a huge hit because of all this. You've heard me say several times here prior to the murder of our football team that if you don't have a seat at the dinner table, you are probably on the menu.

Well, we at UAB have learned this the hard way. I wouldn't wish this feeling on my worst enemy (except for the people responsible for what happened to our team, university and city), and my message to everyone here is simple...Support your teams with your time, energy and money, do your due dilligence, know your governing bodies and keep an eye on them consistently, because I cannot shake the feeling that this is going to become a pandemic in the so-called "G-5" Conferences, I even heard a sports writer arrogantly say that this is the harsh reality of college sports if you're not a member of a "Power" Conference. My red flag has been up ever since hearing him (Pablo Torres) say that last week on "Around The Horn."

You all have seen what happened to us at UAB, they "Pearl Harbored" our Football program at a time when they just beginning to enjoy the taste of success, our university is in emotional turmoil and our city government's powerless to do anything impacting to restore what has been fiendishly taken from us. I don't want to see that happen to anyone else, the devastation is indescribable, you all have seen the videos of the reactions to this, and the sorrow in our faces. Do not let this happen to your school!!! I wish you all the very best of fortune, Conference USA.

Posted this over on our board at the Blue Raider Zone. Thanks-- we needed that dose of reality this morning.

Thank you, Kajun. I love Conference USA, & want it to evolve into something great. I know it can and hope it will...I will miss it terribly...

I formed a protest here at FAU. A photo of students holding #FreeUAB signs next to a statue of our mascot, which had a sign that said FAU supports UAB taped to it, was retweeted well over 100 times in 24 hours by FAU and UAB fans alike.

An attack on higher education, especially against an CUSA member, is a attack on FAU. We will fight with you. #FreeUAB

(12-08-2014 12:06 PM)Matrix Wrote:  Thank you, Kajun. I love Conference USA, & want it to evolve into something great. I know it can and hope it will...I will miss it terribly...

Never. Ever. Give Up.

UNO thought they were dead and relegated to D-III. They got rid of their prez, and remained 1-A.

If UNO can do it, with their fraction of UAB's fanbase, you guys can too-- BAMA be damned.

Matrix, I know we all wish we could have done something to help you guys avoid this disaster. Unfortunately it is obvious this was a done deal for a long time. My heart goes out to your players especially. Terrible for them. The coaches and fans got ripped also. I have installed the Blazer emblem as my new avatar here. I know it is nothing really, but a way I could show my support for your team and fans.

Well said...

Some of my best memories of WKU in my life have been with UAB. All of the battles with Gene Bartow were classic. I was really looking forward to a renewed rivalry with UAB and would still love to see them stay in the conference in all other sports.

Hopefully this will happen!

Fire Watts. Get your program back. You guys are on the cusp of something big. Win more games and get your stadium built. We are with you!

For my 4500th post I will tell you this is the low point in my years of fandom of college football. I feel for ya man....

Truly appreciate all of you. When I tell you that I love Conference USA, I mean that literally, and that goes for its many fans, too. This is where my heart is...This is where I'd like to stay as a fan.

UAB's not gone yet. The faculty Senate meeting earlier today (Dec. 09) was encouraging. I think this can still be saved.

I intend to share this with the other G5 Conferences. However our situation pans out, we can never, ever let our guard down, or be subjected to this:

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/...cart_river

What do you make of UAB's former president (who made the move to DI-A) supporting Watts?

http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014...dibly.html

(12-10-2014 05:44 PM)galojah Wrote:  What do you make of UAB's former president (who made the move to DI-A) supporting Watts?

http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014...dibly.html

He was forced to resign for unethical behavior. I don't think anyone has heard from him for years until now. He's a single guy who says he supports Watts. Other presidents have said they don't support the decision.

(12-10-2014 05:44 PM)galojah Wrote:  What do you make of UAB's former president (who made the move to DI-A) supporting Watts?

http://www.al.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014...dibly.html

Birds of a feather, my friend. He was worthless when he was in office, too. Idiots like this stick up for others with the same myopic, pathetic mindsets.

I feel so bad for UAB, they didn't deserve this. I knew FBS college football was dysfunctional for a number of reasons, but this is ridiculous. Best wishes for UAB fans.

This unfortunately is the beginning and not the end to this. Others will follow. $$$ is going to get much tighter, and the faculty at many colleges don't support FB to begin with. If this move stands, and I expect it will. UAB should cut or get rid of student athletic fees.

(12-13-2014 09:00 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  This unfortunately is the beginning and not the end to this. Others will follow. $$$ is going to get much tighter, and the faculty at many colleges don't support FB to begin with.

Agreed.

Quote:If this move stands, and I expect it will.

We'll see.

One point to keep in mind: it's not as if this move was the result of the UAB community's participation in a long-term discussion, or a series of "town hall" meetings to collectively decide what their athletic future should look like. No, it was simply an ambush-decree by one man, acting (I believe) on behalf of the BOT and its anti-UAB faction, led by a man who will step down from the BOT in February.

I think the ambush has galvanized a lot of people to rise up and demand some basic changes that are long overdue. I think Watts will not be UAB's president within 6 months, and this decision (to shut-down football) will be reversed within 6-8 months after he leaves.

(12-13-2014 09:00 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  This unfortunately is the beginning and not the end to this. Others will follow. $$$ is going to get much tighter, and the faculty at many colleges don't support FB to begin with. If this move stands, and I expect it will. UAB should cut or get rid of student athletic fees.

All of the following is just speculation but I believe, in general, this is a bubble that is eventually going to burst. Tuition is constantly rising, but the value of degrees keep going down. That dynamic, in addition to lower funding on a state and federal level, will eventually bring about a time in the future when the divide doesn't have anything to do with schools being in power conferences or not. It'd be able the institutions that spent money now and invested wisely knowing what is looming over the horizon. The schools that construct and maintain new facilities, buildings, and things that are attractive to students before all the spending is halted in face of the bubble bursting will arguably come out better on the other side better whereas the schools that didn't use this time wisely will merely become a have not.

Regarding football, though, I don't think this is the beginning of a trend. Outside of UAB being a victim of nefarious circumstances and Hawaii being a victim of location, people that preside over schools know the value of having a football team. The notion that money spent on athletics should be spent on academics seems reasonable, but I don't think it's fair to sum it up like that. Pouring money on something doesn't make it better, and, if it did, there would surely be diminishing returns because it's not like colleges don't already spend a great amount of money ensuring that students have a sound experience with quality instructors. College athletics binds a school together, and serves as a rally point for people that are there, the people that moved on, and the people that want to be there.

(12-14-2014 05:25 PM)Hopeful Wrote:  

(12-13-2014 09:00 AM)goodknightfl Wrote:  This unfortunately is the beginning and not the end to this. Others will follow. $$$ is going to get much tighter, and the faculty at many colleges don't support FB to begin with. If this move stands, and I expect it will. UAB should cut or get rid of student athletic fees.

All of the following is just speculation but I believe, in general, this is a bubble that is eventually going to burst. Tuition is constantly rising, but the value of degrees keep going down. That dynamic, in addition to lower funding on a state and federal level, will eventually bring about a time in the future when the divide doesn't have anything to do with schools being in power conferences or not. It'd be able the institutions that spent money now and invested wisely knowing what is looming over the horizon. The schools that construct and maintain new facilities, buildings, and things that are attractive to students before all the spending is halted in face of the bubble bursting will arguably come out better on the other side better whereas the schools that didn't use this time wisely will merely become a have not.

Regarding football, though, I don't think this is the beginning of a trend. Outside of UAB being a victim of nefarious circumstances and Hawaii being a victim of location, people that preside over schools know the value of having a football team. The notion that money spent on athletics should be spent on academics seems reasonable, but I don't think it's fair to sum it up like that. Pouring money on something doesn't make it better, and, if it did, there would surely be diminishing returns because it's not like colleges don't already spend a great amount of money ensuring that students have a sound experience with quality instructors. College athletics binds a school together, and serves as a rally point for people that are there, the people that moved on, and the people that want to be there.

Reading this strong post reminds me of the CNN documentary series they ran a month ago called "Ivory Tower" that touches on the very things you mentioned here.