CSNbbs

Solid.

I think he's dead on. A mid-major type football program can have plenty of success in Bham without eating into the success at Bama and Auburn.

The UA System BOT does not fear a "midmajor level" UAB football team. They did not become multimillionaires by "tilting at windmills". They have seen the new century's trend regarding urban universities - like USF, UCF, GA State, Memphis, Charlotte, etc. - and know that if left to their own devices, UAB might well become a major national university as well. FBHC Clark proved that the school could attract better and better athletes as its facilities improved and that would lead to growing enrollment. Like Adolph and Joseph in WWII acted to protect themselves at the expense of their nations, the BOT's way of thinking is to preserve themselves and their power even at the expense of the schools they are supposed to help prosper and grow.

They acted last December to "protect THEIR medical center" at the expense of the rest of UAB just like they sacrifice the nonathletic side in Tuscaloosa for the sake of the only UA program there that operates "in the black", the athletic department. Only by increasing tuition and other fees by about 50% over the last 5 years has that school been able to survive so far. BTW, the BOT raised UAB costs just like those at Bama. At the present rate, they will reach 100% increase since 2008 before 2020.

Quote:If the Blazers start playing again, and build a good, sound program, I think it will be a plus for Birmingham and won’t do anything to harm the programs at Auburn or Alabama

Pat Dye

Thanks, Pat. I agree.

I don't think the governor is opposed to UAB having a program, but I believe that a couple of very influential UA BOTs are opposed and they're shoving down their agenda down UAB's throat by forcing everyone else to "tow the line." You'd be very surprised to see what some people would do for $$$$'s.