(12-06-2017 05:21 PM)the Dragon Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 04:51 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 03:50 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 12:18 PM)Blazerstadium Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 10:42 AM)mobileblazer Wrote: [ -> ]If we're setting our sights on a CUSA/Sunbelt merger, we'll never grow as a program. Our focus should ONLY be in joining the ACC ASAP
Unfortunately we don't get to hand pick which conference we go to. Although, if there is a major realignment, the AAC will also be involved. Their tv deal won't last much longer, and they are also spread all over the place.
When there is another round of realignment, the AAC will be targeted. We need to be in an attractive position when that happens and climb back in with the old C-USA teams now in the AAC.
We needed to be ready when the AAC formed, but we weren't allowed to be. We are at a point now where we control our own destiny more than at any point in my memory as a UAB fan. We need to do what it takes to get picked next time, and there is nothing more important to that than butts in seats and people donating money.
Those other conference's powers have memories of 12/2/14 too. They are going to demand more than crossed fingers and "#The Return" as signs that UAB is "captain of its own ship". What signs will be good enough? I don't know, and perhaps no one else does either. It's a building process, and we can hope when that time arrives, we will be ready.
The competition will certainly be fierce and capital backing for the university and its athletics will be important ingredients in their decision. Good indicators would be: Who are our main competitors? and What financial backing do they bring to the table?
The first big sign is a $22 million football complex.
Another sign is a group of rich businessmen backing UAB Football.
Another sign is attendance for football games and to a lesser degree basketball games.
Another sign is that our market is competitive. HA! We have the number one TV market in America for college football! Yes, it revolves around other schools, but it shows that people here will follow college football, even when it isn't there first choice team. Advertisers don't care if the watchers of AAC games love Alabama or Auburn more than UAB. They care that the people are watching the UAB games and seeing their ads.
The next sign needs to be a new stadium.
Signing Clark to an extension with a decent raise was another good sign. I'd say another sign we need is a facility investment in basketball either through a practice facility (major reno of Wallace Gym) or upgrades to Bartow.
(12-06-2017 05:23 PM)hooverblazer Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 05:21 PM)the Dragon Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 04:51 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 03:50 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 12:18 PM)Blazerstadium Wrote: [ -> ]Unfortunately we don't get to hand pick which conference we go to. Although, if there is a major realignment, the AAC will also be involved. Their tv deal won't last much longer, and they are also spread all over the place.
When there is another round of realignment, the AAC will be targeted. We need to be in an attractive position when that happens and climb back in with the old C-USA teams now in the AAC.
We needed to be ready when the AAC formed, but we weren't allowed to be. We are at a point now where we control our own destiny more than at any point in my memory as a UAB fan. We need to do what it takes to get picked next time, and there is nothing more important to that than butts in seats and people donating money.
Those other conference's powers have memories of 12/2/14 too. They are going to demand more than crossed fingers and "#The Return" as signs that UAB is "captain of its own ship". What signs will be good enough? I don't know, and perhaps no one else does either. It's a building process, and we can hope when that time arrives, we will be ready.
The competition will certainly be fierce and capital backing for the university and its athletics will be important ingredients in their decision. Good indicators would be: Who are our main competitors? and What financial backing do they bring to the table?
The first big sign is a $22 million football complex.
Another sign is a group of rich businessmen backing UAB Football.
Another sign is attendance for football games and to a lesser degree basketball games.
Another sign is that our market is competitive. HA! We have the number one TV market in America for college football! Yes, it revolves around other schools, but it shows that people here will follow college football, even when it isn't there first choice team. Advertisers don't care if the watchers of AAC games love Alabama or Auburn more than UAB. They care that the people are watching the UAB games and seeing their ads.
The next sign needs to be a new stadium.
Signing Clark to an extension with a decent raise was another good sign. I'd say another sign we need is a facility investment in basketball either through a practice facility (major reno of Wallace Gym) or upgrades to Bartow.
Those are all good points about what UAB has. Now, who are likely to be our strongest competitors for replacement spots, and what do they offer category by category? That is likely to be the way a new conference might judge the various schools. It may be years before this competition becomes relevant so we are just guessing right now.
(12-06-2017 04:02 PM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 03:44 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 10:39 AM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ]Give to the honorary coaches?
I don’t know what that means
http://uabhonorarycoaches.com/
Interesting. I’m a season ticket holder, BlazerBooster, made an initial 5 year pledge to thereturn...and I’ve never heard of this
Same here. 10 year season ticket holder, 5 year pledge to the return.
(12-07-2017 09:17 AM)Pavy78 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 04:02 PM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 03:44 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 10:39 AM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ]Give to the honorary coaches?
I don’t know what that means
http://uabhonorarycoaches.com/
Interesting. I’m a season ticket holder, BlazerBooster, made an initial 5 year pledge to thereturn...and I’ve never heard of this
Same here. 10 year season ticket holder, 5 year pledge to the return.
Attalla has pushed it on this board. The nice guy from the AD who calls every few weeks looking for booster money on top of the return money has never mentioned it.
(12-07-2017 09:17 AM)Pavy78 Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 04:02 PM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 03:44 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 10:39 AM)LairDweller Wrote: [ -> ]Give to the honorary coaches?
I don’t know what that means
http://uabhonorarycoaches.com/
Interesting. I’m a season ticket holder, BlazerBooster, made an initial 5 year pledge to thereturn...and I’ve never heard of this
Same here. 10 year season ticket holder, 5 year pledge to the return.
It's basically a discretionary fund Coach Clark has full control over. It allows him to supplement the regular football budget for things like player nutrition, expanded recruiting budget, assistant coach salaries, etc.
You haven't heard of it because if you look at the bottom of the page it's not affiliated with UAB in any official way
I'm sure its legal but Im not sure I would not donate to anything not affiliated directly to UAB. A channel funds that a university has no oversight over seems like a recipe for disaster in less scrupulous hands. Not that Clark would do anything like that
And that's why it needs to get more attention.
In no way am I saying that any of us need to do any less with regard to supporting the Athletic Department. That is still hugely important. However, this secondary channel gives Coach options that don't require his reaching into his own pocket to make something happen. It's good support.
(12-07-2017 01:19 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote: [ -> ]I'm sure its legal but Im not sure I would not donate to anything not affiliated directly to UAB. A channel funds that a university has no oversight over seems like a recipe for disaster in less scrupulous hands. Not that Clark would do anything like that
The lack of oversight by the university and those who are overseeing that university is exactly what is needed at UAB when the overseers are not trustworthy (despite their name - trustees).
I acknowledge that you have a point about the fund potentially being in less scrupulous hands. But unfortunately, I trust Clark and the guys running his fund more than I trust the UAB administration and their overseers right now (see 2002, 2006, 2011, and 2014).
Our AD and one more from the University is on the board for the honorary coaches but have no vote. So there is transparency and I strongly encourage people to donate.
The breakfasts at Iron City with Coach Clark were a nice perk for the Honorary Coaches.
(12-07-2017 01:19 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote: [ -> ]And that's why it needs to get more attention.
In no way am I saying that any of us need to do any less with regard to supporting the Athletic Department. That is still hugely important. However, this secondary channel gives Coach options that don't require his reaching into his own pocket to make something happen. It's good support.
I don't understand why those things can't be handled within the foundation. Is the "honorary coaches" an officially organized non-profit organization with bylaws and financial reporting? Can I find out where my money goes? Is it more than just a bank account that Clark has a debit card on?
(12-06-2017 05:52 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 05:23 PM)hooverblazer Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 05:21 PM)the Dragon Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 04:51 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote: [ -> ] (12-06-2017 03:50 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote: [ -> ]When there is another round of realignment, the AAC will be targeted. We need to be in an attractive position when that happens and climb back in with the old C-USA teams now in the AAC.
We needed to be ready when the AAC formed, but we weren't allowed to be. We are at a point now where we control our own destiny more than at any point in my memory as a UAB fan. We need to do what it takes to get picked next time, and there is nothing more important to that than butts in seats and people donating money.
Those other conference's powers have memories of 12/2/14 too. They are going to demand more than crossed fingers and "#The Return" as signs that UAB is "captain of its own ship". What signs will be good enough? I don't know, and perhaps no one else does either. It's a building process, and we can hope when that time arrives, we will be ready.
The competition will certainly be fierce and capital backing for the university and its athletics will be important ingredients in their decision. Good indicators would be: Who are our main competitors? and What financial backing do they bring to the table?
The first big sign is a $22 million football complex.
Another sign is a group of rich businessmen backing UAB Football.
Another sign is attendance for football games and to a lesser degree basketball games.
Another sign is that our market is competitive. HA! We have the number one TV market in America for college football! Yes, it revolves around other schools, but it shows that people here will follow college football, even when it isn't there first choice team. Advertisers don't care if the watchers of AAC games love Alabama or Auburn more than UAB. They care that the people are watching the UAB games and seeing their ads.
The next sign needs to be a new stadium.
Signing Clark to an extension with a decent raise was another good sign. I'd say another sign we need is a facility investment in basketball either through a practice facility (major reno of Wallace Gym) or upgrades to Bartow.
Those are all good points about what UAB has. Now, who are likely to be our strongest competitors for replacement spots, and what do they offer category by category? That is likely to be the way a new conference might judge the various schools. It may be years before this competition becomes relevant so we are just guessing right now.
All that and academics.