Just wondering...
I had a die hard Alabama fan actually discussing with me today, objectively, our plight as a second class citizen within the system, and her comment was, "There needs to be a lot of powerful alumni support and things will change."
So that got me to thinking...who are our powerful alumni? Do we have any? Not enough? Have they been carrying the banner? Are they being silent? Is there something we can do to lobby them to take on the cause? Are they leading the charge? If not, why not?
Just wondering the thoughts of those on the board at the risk of aggitating those tired of talking about it.
Isn't there a member of the Harbert Family mentioned as a prominent alumni? Someone of the female persuasion, I think.
Most of the time, a powerful alum would be on the Board of Trustees.
I thikn she passed if I'm not mistaken.
Alabama State Senators who graduated from UAB:
Linda Coleman
Yes. I checked the website and found only one out of 35 senators with a degree from UAB. There were multiple graduates from Montevallo, Troy, USA, Alabama State, Auburn, and Bammer. And Linda's profile says she graduated from the University of Alabama, Birmingham.
I'll try to check the Representatives. I know one- Oliver Robinson.
(12-04-2012 01:16 PM)rook360 Wrote: [ -> ]I thikn she passed if I'm not mistaken.
Her husband passed away a few years ago, but to my knowledge she is still alive. I could be wrong though.
(12-04-2012 01:18 PM)the_blazerman Wrote: [ -> ] (12-04-2012 01:16 PM)rook360 Wrote: [ -> ]I thikn she passed if I'm not mistaken.
Her husband passed away a few years ago, but to my knowledge she is still alive. I could be wrong though.
Then from what I have heard from some folks who ave talked or known her, she can't stand some people on the board and bryant Jr.
Fiesty old lady. But she is getting up in age.
Wita Harbert is worth ~1.4 billion (with a b) dollars. That's enough jing to point at Cubby Bryant and say "Bring me that boy's kneecaps."
I know she's spread some love our way over the years. How willing she is to go to bat for UAB is, though, I have no idea.
She's a BSC alum, and was on their BoT. I don't know if she still is.
Alabama State representatives who graduated from UAB:
Merika Coleman
Darrio Melton
Mary Moore
Arthur Payne (Auburn and UAB)
Oliver Robinson
John Rogers (Tenn. State, Bammer, and UAB)
Patricia Todd (first openly gay legislator)
Jack Williams? (UAB isn't listed, but he is a big Blazer fan)
So about 8 out of 103.
It is worth noting that a dozen or so legislators don't have their schools listed, so there may be a few more.
So basically Brian Mackin is the most influential.
(12-04-2012 01:49 PM)Smaug Wrote: [ -> ]Wita Harbert is worth ~1.4 billion (with a b) dollars. That's enough jing to point at Cubby Bryant and say "Bring me that boy's kneecaps."
They save that sort of behavior for South America labor organizers. Except instead of breaking his knees they execute him in front of his children
Well, you dont have to be alumni to be powerful supporters of UAB,, and the most powerful ones that Ive come across have $$$ but don't necessarily have collegiate ties to UAB.
Regina Benjamin, Surgeon General of the USA
I doubt she is a big UAB sports fan, but someone with the contacts should offer to honor her as an alumnus at a game.
He was not a UAB alumnus but John Harbert did endow a "chair" at UAB for George Wallace as an inducement for Wallace to order the immediate completion of I-459 between US 31 and US 280 in order to protect his large investments in Riverchase. That section was quickly completed (years before the rest) and is today "The John Harbert Highway" (there is a sign to that effect).
In the past, I have asked if the UAB administration has ever approached his widow with a request to help fund the "John and "Wita" Harbert Memorial Stadium"? She is the state's only Forbes listed Billionaire.
(12-04-2012 01:49 PM)the Dragon Wrote: [ -> ]Alabama State representatives who graduated from UAB:
Merika Coleman
Darrio Melton
Mary Moore
Arthur Payne (Auburn and UAB)
Oliver Robinson
John Rogers (Tenn. State, Bammer, and UAB)
Patricia Todd (first openly gay legislator)
Jack Williams? (UAB isn't listed, but he is a big Blazer fan)
So about 8 out of 103.
It is worth noting that a dozen or so legislators don't have their schools listed, so there may be a few more.
Isn't William Bell a UAB Alumni? "Powerful" or "influential" may be not be the word I'd use in description.
Yes he is, but he is not influential in the way that we would like.
(12-04-2012 02:15 PM)Matrix Wrote: [ -> ] (12-04-2012 01:49 PM)the Dragon Wrote: [ -> ]Alabama State representatives who graduated from UAB:
Merika Coleman
Darrio Melton
Mary Moore
Arthur Payne (Auburn and UAB)
Oliver Robinson
John Rogers (Tenn. State, Bammer, and UAB)
Patricia Todd (first openly gay legislator)
Jack Williams? (UAB isn't listed, but he is a big Blazer fan)
So about 8 out of 103.
It is worth noting that a dozen or so legislators don't have their schools listed, so there may be a few more.
Isn't William Bell a UAB Alumni? "Powerful" or "influential" may be not be the word I'd use in description.
William Bell, Mayor of Birmingham
Walt Maddox, Mayor of Tuscaloosa and former UAB Football player
Walt Maddox has more pull than Bell.
William Bell is easily influenced, I don't know about influential.
Thats just my opinion.
Tony Petelos, Jefferson County Manager and former mayor of Hoover
Teresa Petelos, judge in the Bessemer courthouse
Then I know Jimmy Filler and Adam Cohen are two of our biggest boosters but I don't know if they're alumni. Cohen has a niece on the tennis team.