10-28-2014, 07:09 AM
For Immediate Release: Oct. 28, 2014
Contact: Jimmy Filler, 205.907.5140, penguinfund@yahoo.com
Birmingham Businessman Launches UAB Football Foundation
Birmingham, Ala. – Longtime UAB donor and local businessman Jimmy Filler is creating the UAB Football Foundation with its primary purpose to help secure funding among the business community and other individuals to support the enhancement of UAB's football program. The Foundation’s primary focus will be to help the necessary funding to build a modern on-campus football practice facility similar to other member institutions within Conference USA.
“As with so many in the Magic City, I am extremely impressed with Coach Bill Clark and his staff for the significant progress they are making on the gridiron and in the classroom. In our own conference, cities such as Charlotte, Shreveport and San Antonio have seized the positive impact of college football and its synergistic impact on their respective cities. In recent weeks, UAB Football has become Birmingham’s team, and with the support of our business community, UAB Football can have a transformative effect in student recruitment, alumni development, and economic opportunities on the Southside and throughout our metro area,” Filler said.
City officials who have met with Bill Clark also expressed their excitement about the formation of this new foundation. Mayor William Bell stated that “anything which would enhance the profile of UAB, the state’s largest employer, would also help the city and provide tremendous economic growth. The city of Birmingham will always support expansion efforts the Mayor went on to say, what is good for UAB is good for the city of Birmingham.”
The Foundation will be an independent entity, but it will align its efforts and resources with Coach Clark, the UAB administration, University of Alabama board of trustees and the city of Birmingham.
“I am very excited to hear about the Foundation and truly appreciate Mr. Filler’s passion for our program. UAB Football is poised to do amazing things and with strategic investments to our practice facilities, we can build a program that makes our City and University proud. In our first season, we have already seen the excitement with our attendance being one of the highest in the conference. Clearly, we have a great foundation to build Birmingham’s team,” Clark said.
In the next few weeks, Mr. Filler will be announcing appointments to the Board which will include members from the Birmingham business community and former UAB student-athletes.
“Birmingham has long been known as the Football Capital of the South and our Foundation will ensure a vibrant UAB football program which will preserve this sacred legacy. Further, the Foundation will help to provide the necessary resources to ensure that UAB students have a comprehensive college experience which includes a football program that builds tradition and pride in our University and Community,” Filler said.
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Contact: Jimmy Filler, 205.907.5140, penguinfund@yahoo.com
Birmingham Businessman Launches UAB Football Foundation
Birmingham, Ala. – Longtime UAB donor and local businessman Jimmy Filler is creating the UAB Football Foundation with its primary purpose to help secure funding among the business community and other individuals to support the enhancement of UAB's football program. The Foundation’s primary focus will be to help the necessary funding to build a modern on-campus football practice facility similar to other member institutions within Conference USA.
“As with so many in the Magic City, I am extremely impressed with Coach Bill Clark and his staff for the significant progress they are making on the gridiron and in the classroom. In our own conference, cities such as Charlotte, Shreveport and San Antonio have seized the positive impact of college football and its synergistic impact on their respective cities. In recent weeks, UAB Football has become Birmingham’s team, and with the support of our business community, UAB Football can have a transformative effect in student recruitment, alumni development, and economic opportunities on the Southside and throughout our metro area,” Filler said.
City officials who have met with Bill Clark also expressed their excitement about the formation of this new foundation. Mayor William Bell stated that “anything which would enhance the profile of UAB, the state’s largest employer, would also help the city and provide tremendous economic growth. The city of Birmingham will always support expansion efforts the Mayor went on to say, what is good for UAB is good for the city of Birmingham.”
The Foundation will be an independent entity, but it will align its efforts and resources with Coach Clark, the UAB administration, University of Alabama board of trustees and the city of Birmingham.
“I am very excited to hear about the Foundation and truly appreciate Mr. Filler’s passion for our program. UAB Football is poised to do amazing things and with strategic investments to our practice facilities, we can build a program that makes our City and University proud. In our first season, we have already seen the excitement with our attendance being one of the highest in the conference. Clearly, we have a great foundation to build Birmingham’s team,” Clark said.
In the next few weeks, Mr. Filler will be announcing appointments to the Board which will include members from the Birmingham business community and former UAB student-athletes.
“Birmingham has long been known as the Football Capital of the South and our Foundation will ensure a vibrant UAB football program which will preserve this sacred legacy. Further, the Foundation will help to provide the necessary resources to ensure that UAB students have a comprehensive college experience which includes a football program that builds tradition and pride in our University and Community,” Filler said.
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