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Faculty, staff and students,

I would like to share with you an announcement I am making this afternoon so you are aware of some important next steps in our strategic planning process.

A common theme we have heard in the many meetings I have had with UAB's major constituency groups on and off campus, including faculty, staff, students, alumni and other supporters, is a desire to have an independent financial firm evaluate the numbers that served as a basis for our decisions in the Athletic Department.

I have listened, and I agree that if an independent financial review is needed to verify the credibility of our numbers, then that is what we should do.

To that end, we have formed a committee representative of our constituents to select a firm to review our initial report. This new committee will be led by National Alumni Society President Wes Smith. Other committee members are:

Shannon Ealy – Interim Athletic Director
Chad Epps – President of the Faculty Senate
Don Hire – UAB Athletics, Champions Club
Harold Jones – Head of our athletic director search committee and also our former lead in NCAA certification
Steve Mitchell – A former UAB athlete
Anjali Wagle – President of the Student Government Association
Once a firm is selected, we will ask that a report be completed within 90 days. While this report is being developed, we will continue to have dialogue with all stakeholders on this important matter.

I'm sure a question is: Are you bringing back football? Only after an independent review of the numbers will we have the ability to have a credible and constructive dialogue about moving forward. It is important to note that we will not field a football team in 2015.

I want to thank everyone for their engagement and suggestions in this process. I hope this decision is well received as a positive step to moving the UAB community forward.

Very sincerely,

Ray L. Watts

Ray L. Watts
President

Watts thinks this will help him but it doesn't IMO. It again shows how misguided and deceitful he was about this. Even if one small review like Carr did showed questionable things another study should have been sought. BEFORE ending football.

Its a delay tactic. He sees the writing on the wall.

(01-09-2015 03:28 PM)GreenMississippi Wrote:  Its a delay tactic. He sees the writing on the wall.

Yup..... His a$$ has still got to go. Period.

Still has to go. Killing football did harm to the University. Watts is a published scientist (as recently as 2014) and a lay person could tell the carr report was fraudulent. I do approve of that committee but I think the committee could do the analysis.

If football is reinstated, he will have cost UAB and the taxpayer MORE money AND set back UAB football for years. He must go.

Blah blah blah. You should have created these task forces from the beginning to evaluate what was needed to make football viable and consistently competitive.

(01-09-2015 03:36 PM)STLouis Blazer Wrote:  Blah blah blah. You should have created these task forces from the beginning to evaluate what was needed to make football viable and consistently competitive.

Exactly. Regardless of the outcome, he has cost UAB big time in many ways. Watts, save a little dignity - apologize and walk away now.

But he won't.

The question is, If they find your report to be complete garbage will you reinstate athletic programs?

This study needs to make sure it accounts for all those not accounted for by the first. Loss of CUSA affiliation, financial impact on remaining sports, financial impact from loss of alumni giving and impact to brand recognition, etc etc. Whoever leads the study needs to talk to all the big boosters and donors and find out how much they would be willing to give to save football. And yes pledges need to count. No one can expect a check in the bank. We also need to revisit with the coaches about what is actually needed vs just a wish list that will be used against them.

Moreover this committee needs to look outside of finances. It needs to look at how football impacts UAB beyond the $$$.

CUSA needs to vote and allow us to remain in CUSA but contingent on football returning. This also gives more teeth to the reassessment of football vs no football.

Where is Frank Messina?

UAB football foundation needs to start aggressive fundraising campaign now. Needs to be proof UAB folks are willing to support and save football.

Actually, I think this was a calculated move on his part. He has seen the writing on the wall and, I think, expects the vote of no confidence. By setting up the committee now, he has effectively stopped a president from coming in and reversing the decision immediately. He is forcing us to wait the three months now while this process goes on, thereby possibly hurting us more. Will C-USA wait for the results or kick us out? Will the movement die down in 3 months and not force someone's hand to reinstate the programs?

(01-09-2015 03:59 PM)blazed247 Wrote:  Where is Frank Messina?

I wish he was on the committee. He probably should be on the committee, but I think, in his role, he will still work with the committee and firm as they go through the process.

Even if he is forced out, the board won't allow the appointment of an interim or full-time president that will reinstate football.

If such a president WANTED to reinstate football, she (or he) could begin accepting donations for a football team short of the FBS-scholarship levels (and one of the women's teams) to play for the next couple of years (perhaps with a C*USA schedule) and a fund for football to 1. Gauge support 2. Give us a running start into full FBS status. This can go on while the committee evaluates the status of the football program.

(01-09-2015 04:33 PM)Cole Wrote:  Actually, I think this was a calculated move on his part. He has seen the writing on the wall and, I think, expects the vote of no confidence. By setting up the committee now, he has effectively stopped a president from coming in and reversing the decision immediately. He is forcing us to wait the three months now while this process goes on, thereby possibly hurting us more. Will C-USA wait for the results or kick us out? Will the movement die down in 3 months and not force someone's hand to reinstate the programs?

I think your line of thinking is right. It could be a dilatory tactic designed to win a battle of attrition against UAB football supporters. Under this circumstance we may get football back but at a lower level (FCS).

Right now if the vote of no confidence was to pass and having to deal with the several potential SACS violations he is good as gone. If he can avoid the vote of no confidence he may have the leverage to stay.

Alternatively he may be willing to re-instate football to keep his job and is having another committee to "look into it" so that he can save face. If we get it back we may have a year or so playing at a lower level until we get up to the scholarships we need to compete at D1. If we don't field a team by 2016-2017 season football and our whole athletics department may be in trouble.

We still really need to vote of no-confidence to strengthen our hand and I hope that the faculty senate has not been deceived by his actions.

Heads I win, tails you lose. There is something about this that feels off. I like the people he included on this task force but I have to question what the parameters are. So, what will be determined to be a success if we challenge the numbers and show a different story? Will he make them use numbers for the first few years of reinstated football, years where if we are being honest we would probably struggle on the field after this "temporary" shutdown?

(01-09-2015 04:34 PM)Cole Wrote:  

(01-09-2015 03:59 PM)blazed247 Wrote:  Where is Frank Messina?

I wish he was on the committee. He probably should be on the committee, but I think, in his role, he will still work with the committee and firm as they go through the process.

I wouldn't worry about Mr. Messina . He will get his input added to the fray.

From the names listed they seem to be more open minded/pro athletic types but what's to stop Watts & Co from going behind their back to whatever firm they decide to do the study & again define/limit what the parms are for the report that only backs up what Watts & Co decide?