This is more likely for the P5 schools, but consider: if there came a day when the for-profit UAB football team was comprised of full-time UAB students, part-time UAB students, players with their education "on hold", and some who have never enrolled at UAB but are playing to prepare for the NFL on the promise that they can come back at anytime to complete their education on 100% scholly (all players are also receiving pay specifically for playing football); would you still follow the Blazers? Consider yourself a fan? Assume basketball takes on a similar arrangement.
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I think the P5 are sharpening up the carving knife for that goose.
Dumb question. Anyone who is still a UAB all that UAB has been thru will answer yes to that question no matter the stipulation. Those who would answer no have already stopped being fans
I'm not even a die hard UAB fan but I would still support them. This should be an obvious question.
If UAB was doing those things, it would be because everyone else was doing the same. Those who back UAB blazer sports do so because of choice within the existing rules of the day. No one should expect the NCAA rules to be applied the same for the P-5 as the rest, but then that is the way it is in all other phases of American life so football will adjust.
If UAB became essentially a semi-pro team the nature of my support would change. Just for instance, my donations to athletics are almost a completely separate issue from my being a "fan." I don't donate so we can win (or because we win or don't), I donate because it's part of my alma mater providing the same or better education I received. If athletics becomes semi-pro then the decision has essentially been made to completely sever the education from the athletics, in my opinion. I would still root for the teams to some degree - perhaps the same - but my donations to athletics would end as would my consideration of UAB athletics as an endeavor with some measure of integrity, nobility, and higher purpose.
Your question was would you still be a fan, not if your support would change.
Glad no one said they would no longer be a fan if this happened. Doubt anyone would say it though.
I would still be a fan. I love college football, but I love UAB even more. Nothing will change that.
(04-26-2014 02:27 PM)blazr Wrote: [ -> ]This is more likely for the P5 schools, but consider: if there came a day when the for-profit UAB football team was comprised of full-time UAB students, part-time UAB students, players with their education "on hold", and some who have never enrolled at UAB but are playing to prepare for the NFL on the promise that they can come back at anytime to complete their education on 100% scholly (all players are also receiving pay specifically for playing football); would you still follow the Blazers? Consider yourself a fan? Assume basketball takes on a similar arrangement.
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I'd still be a UAB fan, but I wouldn't consider that a college football team.
I stayed a loyal fan through the Callaway and McGee eras, so I'd still be a fan under the circumstances you laid out. The hard times towards the end of the Brown era did test me though.
(04-28-2014 06:39 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote: [ -> ]I'd still be a UAB fan, but I wouldn't consider that a college football team.
Yep.
Still a fan. I think we are seeing the start of minor league pro ball though.
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Minor league college ball as well