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

I don't get the not-supporting athletics because of Watts. It strengthens his non-support argument.

But I do think BlazerMatt is correct about the ultimate goal of the BoT. UAT doesn't want to compete against us as separate entities because when the higher-ed bubble pops, urban universities with medical campuses will vastly out-perform land grant party schools.

(02-07-2015 09:12 PM)GreenMississippi Wrote:  I don't get the not-supporting athletics because of Watts. It strengthens his non-support argument.

But I do think BlazerMatt is correct about the ultimate goal of the BoT. UAT doesn't want to compete against us as separate entities because when the higher-ed bubble pops, urban universities with medical campuses will vastly out-perform land grant party schools.

Our magic eight ball is cloudy.

It's frustrating that there are people around us that don't seem to understand that framing a school in mediocrity for the good of another doesn't do anyone any good in the long or short run, but letting the doom and gloom bring you down doesn't really accomplish much of anything.

I'm not as involved or as hardcore as most here, but being a UAB fan has caused me to get interested in a whole bunch of sports I normally wouldn't even pay attention to at all. Baseball is probably the best example of that, and Regions Field has to be one of the best places a college team plays at right now for sure. I'm cautiously optimistic about most of the programs. A lot is riding on the pending legislation, and, hopefully, just the threat that it is causes some looming questions to be answered in the open.

(02-07-2015 09:12 PM)GreenMississippi Wrote:  I don't get the not-supporting athletics because of Watts. It strengthens his non-support argument.

But I do think BlazerMatt is correct about the ultimate goal of the BoT. UAT doesn't want to compete against us as separate entities because when the higher-ed bubble pops, urban universities with medical campuses will vastly out-perform land grant party schools.

I agree with that. I think we've fought hard and very well on most fronts: students, alumni, faculty have done their part. Our people remain determined. We fight.

I am less encouraged by the Football Foundation's failure to provide an alternative landing place for donations and season-ticket pledges. A huge opportunity has been squandered.

Bryant, Watts and Co. are only men and women. They are not godlings, no matter what they believe. They can be beaten. But they do hold many advantages, and we aren't strong enough to throw away good opportunities. For years we've heard about "fighting for UAB behind the scenes," and you know what? There's one common theme in all of these "fights behind the scenes." We always lose them.

Ray Watts wants to wreck the UAB we know, and that we want to know. I have no doubt of this: there are many signs of it. The Board is in full agreement, and I never again want to read any garbage about Barbara Humphrey or anyone else "fighting behind the scenes." If you don't stand with us, then you stand with Bryant and you can rot in Hell chained to his feet, licking his boots for eternity.

I knew Gene Bartow. I loved Gene Bartow. And I remember what he taught us: We fight.

Those not going to games because of Watts, it's okay to go. He's not there. He doesn't want to be anywhere there isn't a phalanx of jackbooted thugs between him and the his students, faculty and alumni.

I draw some small measure of cold pleasure from the fact that the team is rockin' and he doesn't get to see it. He used to go to games.

(02-07-2015 10:26 PM)Smaug Wrote:  Those not going to games because of Watts, it's okay to go. He's not there. He doesn't want to be anywhere there isn't a phalanx of jackbooted thugs between him and the his students, faculty and alumni.

I draw some small measure of cold pleasure from the fact that the team is rockin' and he doesn't get to see it. He used to go to games.

I also enjoy the "Fire Ray Watts" chants that break out throughout the games. I wish we had chants for PBJ and the UABOT.

They won't kill basketball just yet especially since the hornets have already been stirred up now is not a good time to kick the nest. But, WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR TEAMS. WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR UNIVERSITY.

And there's this:

"Messina says Watts told him, "Coach Haase doesn't need to worry. I support basketball. I've just gotten a donor to commit several private plane trips for recruiting."
http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2015/..._says.html

(02-07-2015 10:09 PM)58-56 Wrote:  I agree with that. I think we've fought hard and very well on most fronts: students, alumni, faculty have done their part. Our people remain determined. We fight.

I am less encouraged by the Football Foundation's failure to provide an alternative landing place for donations and season-ticket pledges. A huge opportunity has been squandered.

Bryant, Watts and Co. are only men and women. They are not godlings, no matter what they believe. They can be beaten. But they do hold many advantages, and we aren't strong enough to throw away good opportunities. For years we've heard about "fighting for UAB behind the scenes," and you know what? There's one common theme in all of these "fights behind the scenes." We always lose them.

Ray Watts wants to wreck the UAB we know, and that we want to know. I have no doubt of this: there are many signs of it. The Board is in full agreement, and I never again want to read any garbage about Barbara Humphrey or anyone else "fighting behind the scenes." If you don't stand with us, then you stand with Bryant and you can rot in Hell chained to his feet, licking his boots for eternity.

I knew Gene Bartow. I loved Gene Bartow. And I remember what he taught us: We fight.

This also troubles me Brother 58. I would much have a living, breathing foundation with Don Hire, Justin Craft, Walt Maddox, and Izell Reese as board members than the one "announced" with its star-studded lineup. That foundation has done nothing publicly (I trust they gathered the funds before December 2 but we don't have tangible evidence). I've talked to many that want to give but don't want to give to some esoteric gofundme account. Our movement needs financial infrastructure to succeed.

We've done a great job of fighting thus far (we should take pride in the fact that the ridiculous propaganda commercial aired this week). However, there won't be any "big meetings" occurring as we move into spring.

The only way left to salvage any financial legitimacy before April 1 is to have the ATF set up a subcommittee, and have that group collect pledges for the football program.

Not to mention, the stronger we finish this season, the better... in other words, regular season championship, conference tournament champions, good attendance at the tournament, NCAA tournament run, etc. All of those things help both with our bid to remain in CUSA (shows the conference our value) and help us to align with a better basketball conference (A10, MVC) should we be kicked out of CUSA.

It certainly doesn't guarantee anything, but the stronger our basketball, the better position we will be to survive and thrive going forward.

Whether called a "Chicken Little" or something else, the things we don't know yet about where UAB athletics will be next year are like "shoes waiting to be dropped". C-USA decision is on hold, but it can still be made in a way not to UAB"s advantage any time after spring 2015. There are many possibilities of result according to what our conference mates decide for UAB, and some have been less than enthused about some offered possibilities.

Extended instability for UAB athletics is not good for the health of any of our teams, but that is not really under our control. UAB must just wait to see if Rep. Williams can get UAB any legislative relief, wait to see if C-USA is patient with us, wait to see if the coaches and players will stick around while waiting for the outcome of all that may happen.

When do we think we can hear/see results from Jack's efforts?

(02-07-2015 10:46 PM)FNblazer Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 10:09 PM)58-56 Wrote:  I agree with that. I think we've fought hard and very well on most fronts: students, alumni, faculty have done their part. Our people remain determined. We fight.

I am less encouraged by the Football Foundation's failure to provide an alternative landing place for donations and season-ticket pledges. A huge opportunity has been squandered.

This also troubles me Brother 58. I would much have a living, breathing foundation with Don Hire, Justin Craft, Walt Maddox, and Izell Reese as board members than the one "announced" with its star-studded lineup. That foundation has done nothing publicly (I trust they gathered the funds before December 2 but we don't have tangible evidence). I've talked to many that want to give but don't want to give to some esoteric gofundme account. Our movement needs financial infrastructure to succeed.

Exactly. The Foundation has the legitimacy to do this, and it would have inspired even more willingness to fight. I've also heard from many wanting to give, and many who feel shut out. Not everyone's suited to street-level revolution.

(02-07-2015 11:02 PM)Southside Blazer 82 Wrote:  When do we think we can hear/see results from Jack's efforts?

The session doesn't start for another 3-4 weeks. He's laying the groundwork and getting positive feedback. We're well into the air campaign, the ground war starts with the legislative session.

There is a meeting scheduled for tomorrow at the Fullness something or nother Christian Church tomorrow at 4 to work on planning for Montgomery.

It is open to everyone. I need to probably attend some to understand what we need to do.

(02-07-2015 11:07 PM)58-56 Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 10:46 PM)FNblazer Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 10:09 PM)58-56 Wrote:  I agree with that. I think we've fought hard and very well on most fronts: students, alumni, faculty have done their part. Our people remain determined. We fight.

I am less encouraged by the Football Foundation's failure to provide an alternative landing place for donations and season-ticket pledges. A huge opportunity has been squandered.

This also troubles me Brother 58. I would much have a living, breathing foundation with Don Hire, Justin Craft, Walt Maddox, and Izell Reese as board members than the one "announced" with its star-studded lineup. That foundation has done nothing publicly (I trust they gathered the funds before December 2 but we don't have tangible evidence). I've talked to many that want to give but don't want to give to some esoteric gofundme account. Our movement needs financial infrastructure to succeed.

Exactly. The Foundation has the legitimacy to do this, and it would have inspired even more willingness to fight. I've also heard from many wanting to give, and many who feel shut out. Not everyone's suited to street-level revolution.

I agree with both of you. I've been saying this for a while. We had tons of conference mates and people who didn't give a flying **** about UAB wanting to help. We never had a good place to send the money. Who knows how much we lost by not acting quickly.

Blazermatt, for what it's worth I buy into what you are saying. Those guys don't care about UAB athletics, and they sure as hell don't care about our undergrad.

(02-07-2015 11:07 PM)58-56 Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 10:46 PM)FNblazer Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 10:09 PM)58-56 Wrote:  I agree with that. I think we've fought hard and very well on most fronts: students, alumni, faculty have done their part. Our people remain determined. We fight.

I am less encouraged by the Football Foundation's failure to provide an alternative landing place for donations and season-ticket pledges. A huge opportunity has been squandered.

This also troubles me Brother 58. I would much have a living, breathing foundation with Don Hire, Justin Craft, Walt Maddox, and Izell Reese as board members than the one "announced" with its star-studded lineup. That foundation has done nothing publicly (I trust they gathered the funds before December 2 but we don't have tangible evidence). I've talked to many that want to give but don't want to give to some esoteric gofundme account. Our movement needs financial infrastructure to succeed.

Exactly. The Foundation has the legitimacy to do this, and it would have inspired even more willingness to fight. I've also heard from many wanting to give, and many who feel shut out. Not everyone's suited to street-level revolution.

The foundation should be incorporated and get 501 c 3 applied for status. They stated that they had a big donor group ready to be added to the FF board of Directors. Need these guys on board for credibility with bond issuers and potential joint venture partners. They should hire a fund raiser and part time/shared staff. If these minimal steps are accomplished then you could take "binding pledges".

Further the President and others had announced in FF name various sums of Cash from one million up to ten million. IF any money actually has been raised it should be put in a public escrow fund to impress.

I have seen nothing credible much less in the press. I am afraid we have zero real organization and agree that opportunities are being squandered

(02-07-2015 04:33 PM)rook360 Wrote:  They act like this is something new. UAB basketball has been having the same turn out for the past few years. Using anger at football is an excuse.

Call it an excuse if you would like, it is valid to some extent, though there are other factors such as a real slow start by the team that is the third youngest nationwide. The difference is that this is currently playing a lot better than any team than we have had in recent years and they deserve better support than they are getting.

(02-07-2015 11:19 PM)biglizard Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 11:02 PM)Southside Blazer 82 Wrote:  When do we think we can hear/see results from Jack's efforts?

The session doesn't start for another 3-4 weeks. He's laying the groundwork and getting positive feedback. We're well into the air campaign, the ground war starts with the legislative session.

What are the chances of breaking off completely? From the board.

When we played in the bjcc you didn't have 20 games a night on cable beeming in high def straight to your 60" TV in your living room. If you wanted to see basketball you had to go see it live for the most part

(02-08-2015 11:01 AM)Southside Blazer 82 Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 11:19 PM)biglizard Wrote:  

(02-07-2015 11:02 PM)Southside Blazer 82 Wrote:  When do we think we can hear/see results from Jack's efforts?

The session doesn't start for another 3-4 weeks. He's laying the groundwork and getting positive feedback. We're well into the air campaign, the ground war starts with the legislative session.

What are the chances of breaking off completely? From the board.

Slim to none