https://twitter.com/UAB_FB/status/888160850242088960

Toward the end there is an older man addressing the team. Surely that is not Watts?

BTW, congrats on the facility. I am really jealous of the open air practice field.

Side note - where did all of the funds come from that were nonexistent before?

Sure looked like him. I can't believe the coach let him talk. I'd bar him from any activity

(07-21-2017 09:31 AM)Jack Bauer Wrote:  Sure looked like him. I can't believe the coach let him talk. I'd bar him from any activity

I mean Watts is still his boss. What can Clark really do about it?

Wonder when Bear Jr. will come speak to them ?

When Hell freezes over.

(07-21-2017 09:27 AM)eagle04 Wrote:  https://twitter.com/UAB_FB/status/888160850242088960

Toward the end there is an older man addressing the team. Surely that is not Watts?

BTW, congrats on the facility. I am really jealous of the open air practice field.

Side note - where did all of the funds come from that were nonexistent before?

Yes it was FRW. I wonder what was going through the minds of the players who were in that room 2 yrs ago that had to sit through him standing before them?

Bless those kids for being able to contain themselves and at least respect the position. I wouldn't blame a single one of them for walking out and wanting to spit on his shoes on the way out though either.

About as welcome as a cockroach on a wedding cake.

Money was never the problem.

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Him addressing the team has to be incredibly awkward for everyone.

Money came from two places:

1. Long-time boosters who previously were never allowed to give directly to the football program. That's right, you were not allowed to give an earmarked donation to football.

2. Heavy hitters in the Birmingham business community finally become in tune to the injustice of the UA BOT after 6 months straight of protesting and media coverage. Deep pockets that had never given before said enough is enough and wrote some major checks.

A big part of point #2 is showing those business leaders tangible numbers that UAB's growth=Birmingham's growth. An economic impact study was done that shows for every 1,000 students UAB adds to enrollment Birmingham sees a $50M impact. They then showed how successful athletics (especially football) drives up enrollment.

Thanks for the responses folks.

(07-23-2017 01:18 AM)hooverblazer Wrote:  A big part of point #2 is showing those business leaders tangible numbers that UAB's growth=Birmingham's growth. An economic impact study was done that shows for every 1,000 students UAB adds to enrollment Birmingham sees a $50M impact. They then showed how successful athletics (especially football) drives up enrollment.

Hoover, is there a link to this study? That is terrific and I would love to see Charlotte take a look at this. There is always talk about what the NFL, NBA, and NASCAR bring to our community, but I think this would really position us as more important.

Same goes for Norfolk. Big city big school just makes sense. Glad Birmingham realized this.

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(07-27-2017 03:22 PM)Nugget49er Wrote:  

(07-23-2017 01:18 AM)hooverblazer Wrote:  A big part of point #2 is showing those business leaders tangible numbers that UAB's growth=Birmingham's growth. An economic impact study was done that shows for every 1,000 students UAB adds to enrollment Birmingham sees a $50M impact. They then showed how successful athletics (especially football) drives up enrollment.

Hoover, is there a link to this study? That is terrific and I would love to see Charlotte take a look at this. There is always talk about what the NFL, NBA, and NASCAR bring to our community, but I think this would really position us as more important.

It's quoted in several article such as this one:

http://www.ncaa.org/static/champion/lost...ivision=d1

"And economic data gathered by the Birmingham Business Alliance was sobering: While UAB already had a $5 billion annual impact on Birmingham's economy, every 1,000 students it added translated to a $50 million boost to local businesses."

The Birmingham Business Alliance commissioned the study, but I don't think the full study is publicly available online. I've seen a hard copy of it in person though.

To go back to the original question, if the University President wants to address the team, it is all but impossible to say no. There are only a few players who were here when it was shut down, 13 or 14 I think... and I don't doubt that they were having trouble stifling the urge to offer a few choice words.

I can't wait until that bag of fertilizer retires. We can't get rid of him. His puppetmasters on the BoT were pleased with his efforts.