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

From Tears to Triumph

Quote:The recently-formed UAB Athletics Foundation, a non-profit entity formed by some of Birmingham’s business heavyweights, came to the Board with fundraising commitments and a plan. The Board responded by agreeing to finance the facility with bonds to be paid by the donors’ pledges. Several members of the UA Board have even agreed to join the Foundation themselves, pledging $100,000 of their personal money to the cause.

I've got a crush on the BOT.
What are we supposed to do with Ray Watts and his sidekicks?
He is radioactive.

http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20...9770?tc=cr

(11-07-2015 07:48 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20...9770?tc=cr

Quote:Our statement today speaks for itself,” said Trustee Finis St. John. “We understand what this program is, what this proposal is, we understand the people behind it. We know their pledges are real, their efforts, they have
a good organized plan, and we are supporting it.”

Quote:“There is support that has come that frankly we have been looking for 20 years,” St. John said. “Broad-based support in the community, among the students, among the citizens of Birmingham and around the state. That is what is required to have a successful athletics program.”

I bet they understand the people behind it.

The people behind it can make life hell for the BOT members.

I'm still shocked if any of the BOT members actually pledged $100,000 to the UAB athletics foundation. Not saying $100,000 is necessarily going to bankrupt any of them, but if they did actually contribute that much money I would be more than a little surprised. Anyone know which BOT members contributed?

Johnny John Johns is the only one that would be on the verge of contributing.

That doctor from Anniston hasn't done anything for UAB.

I heard a couple of days ago that several of them pledged money. irrc they did the same five year pledge that we did. my guess is and if you add it all up comes to the 100k

So a token pledge like Watts.

I can't figure Johnny Johns out. Part of me thinks we actually got to him, and part of me thinks we actually GOT to him.

(11-07-2015 09:46 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  So a token pledge like Watts.

$100K is a lot bigger than my pledge.

He is over the Campaign For UAB & I'm guessing he realizes that ain't no more money coming in if they don't get their act straightened out.

(11-07-2015 09:47 AM)Smaug Wrote:  

(11-07-2015 09:46 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  So a token pledge like Watts.

$100K is a lot bigger than my pledge.

Watts pledge was $2000 a year for 5 years wasn't it?

(11-07-2015 09:48 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  

(11-07-2015 09:47 AM)Smaug Wrote:  

(11-07-2015 09:46 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  So a token pledge like Watts.

$100K is a lot bigger than my pledge.

Watts pledge was $2000 a year for 5 years wasn't it?

That one's bigger than mine, too.

On Johns, you may be right on the Campaign for UAB. I just have the feeling that this whole kerfuffle has hit him closer to home than any of the other trustees.

Not sure what Johns' reward for heading up the campaign is.

That may be why he seems to be responding more.

That or the fact that he has to live amongst us Birminghamians.

I think Johns has become our biggest friend on the BOT. If the trustees serving on the foundation actually made a 100k pledge..wow.

(11-07-2015 09:46 AM)Smaug Wrote:  I can't figure Johnny Johns out. Part of me thinks we actually got to him, and part of me thinks we actually GOT to him.

Either way works. I think that he is invested enough in Birmingham to want good things for the city. I also think he likes and does business with many of the power guys on our side, or at worst that he simply has no incentive to actively seek to be on their bad side.

Getting out of the way is enough, but if he actively tries to help he can do us a lot of good.

(11-07-2015 09:19 AM)KevMo4UAB Wrote:  

(11-07-2015 07:48 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20...9770?tc=cr

Quote:Our statement today speaks for itself,” said Trustee Finis St. John. “We understand what this program is, what this proposal is, we understand the people behind it. We know their pledges are real, their efforts, they have
a good organized plan, and we are supporting it.”

Quote:“There is support that has come that frankly we have been looking for 20 years,” St. John said. “Broad-based support in the community, among the students, among the citizens of Birmingham and around the state. That is what is required to have a successful athletics program.”

What a load of crap. UAB had a well organized plan with real pledges behind it for the on campus stadium and they shot it down. The people backing the stadium are the same people supporting the program now. They got caught with their pants down and mismanaged their plan to kill football so now they're on board to save face. Whatever, their money spends just as well as mine.

(11-07-2015 12:14 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  

(11-07-2015 09:46 AM)Smaug Wrote:  I can't figure Johnny Johns out. Part of me thinks we actually got to him, and part of me thinks we actually GOT to him.

Either way works. I think that he is invested enough in Birmingham to want good things for the city. I also think he likes and does business with many of the power guys on our side, or at worst that he simply has no incentive to actively seek to be on their bad side.

Getting out of the way is enough, but if he actively tries to help he can do us a lot of good.

He understands that the very people who's approval he craves are now supporting UAB

Do they have to meet the same deadlines that they came up with for our pledges??? It's one thing to say you pledge X amt, it's an entirely different to actually live up to it. I'll believe it when I see that