The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

Fellow Blazers,

With the announcememt of the expected outcome of no bowl invite, the last realistic chance of extending the national interest long enough to bring adequate pressure to reverse Watts decision has faded. Only one real chance remains and the window of time is very short.

UAB has no advocates in state politics with adequate influence or power to correct this horrendous and historically destructive decision. We have no organized activity to raise $20M and put the check in Watts hand this week. Watts may get a vote of no confidence on Tuesday, but I have no expectation of that changing the situation with football, if it even happens. We have no strong national advocate. The news media has been heroic but the message has not connected with tje decision makers in this state. Our alumni society has been invisible and has no courage or teeth. Our dedicated boosters simply dont have enough money or power to save the program on such short notice.

There is only one lever remaining with the power to keep the national spotlight on the disgrace that is being allowed to happen to this university and the city around it. There is one remaining source of power that might tip the scale in the favor of a brighter future for UAB, the ones with no voice among the powerful of this state.

This is the highest risk option, one that will require remarkable courage and sacrifice from a few, and an approach that many of you will hate and decry immediately. Understandable. But historically it has been proven effective, in some situations (but not all), as a strategy for combatting gross injustice or corruption.

The last option is solidarity, which has already been nobly modeled by the womens coaches. But for this athletic department and university to maintain status and dignity, these coaches courageous example has to be adopted by the last persons with any power to influence.

The last hope for UAB is our student athletes, outside of football, particularly those in season right now. If they make the hard decision among themselves..this week...to not play another game until this evil is addressed and corrected, then the world will not take its eyes off UAB, and the scrutiny will intensify.

If the mens and womens basketball teams agree among themselves to be model students and practice athletes, but refuse to play another game until the football team and coach clark are reinstated, and Watts resigns due to lack of empathy and integrity, there would be ALL IN solidarity and immense pressure on the power brokers. UAB athletics would shift from a national joke (based on Watts actions and the response of the UAB haters) to national leaders and models of standing up for truth and what is just. UAB still has the power to flip this story, but that opportunity will fade after this week.

Frankly, athlete solidarity is also the only real hope to avoid a serious downgrade in conference and destruction of recruiting, and loss of quality coaches, in all sports. More importantly it may be the only way to save the future quality of the UAB undergrad programs and to bring about BOT reform.

But it has to be ALL in to work...and that means mens basketball cant stand by and watch the women fight for UABs future. They.have to step up and lead, and share the risk, or all will suffer over the next few yeaes.

Easy for me to say, since there is no risk.for me? True. But that uncomfortable fact doesnt change the harsh reality that the UAB athletes are the last men and women with the power to save this athletic department and perhaps undergraduate school from permanent, crippling damage. This is not about just sports and that must bebpart of the message.

Athletes, you and ONLY you have the power to stand in the gap here. Thats not drama, its painful truth. But I cant ask you to take that risk and make that sacrifice.

You can only ask each other to take such a historic risk. We as elders can only point to history and remind you that solidarity in the face of wrong has sometimes proven extremely effective, but could also come at a high price to you.

For this to happen, leaders from within your own ranks would have to step forward this week and be the first to decide, and to then step forward and stand for the vision of those who blazed the trail for UAB, and for those to come.

UAB athletes, you have the power and opportunity to stand up and write history for this state this week. Listen to your hearts and if you hear differently, ignore my note and forgive my forwardness. May God grant you wisdom and courage.

Why do I get the feeling that Watts is not the only one trying to destroy UAB athletics? Because that is an excellent plan to accomplish that goal.

I think a better plan is for the basketball team to win C*USA and march through march madness with "Fire Ray Watts" posters on national TV.

(12-08-2014 12:37 AM)ranger1386b Wrote:  Fellow Blazers,

With the announcememt of the expected outcome of no bowl invite, the last realistic chance of extending the national interest long enough to bring adequate pressure to reverse Watts decision has faded. Only one real chance remains and the window of time is very short.

UAB has no advocates in state politics with adequate influence or power to correct this horrendous and historically destructive decision. We have no organized activity to raise $20M and put the check in Watts hand this week. Watts may get a vote of no confidence on Tuesday, but I have no expectation of that changing the situation with football, if it even happens. We have no strong national advocate. The news media has been heroic but the message has not connected with tje decision makers in this state. Our alumni society has been invisible and has no courage or teeth. Our dedicated boosters simply dont have enough money or power to save the program on such short notice.

There is only one lever remaining with the power to keep the national spotlight on the disgrace that is being allowed to happen to this university and the city around it. There is one remaining source of power that might tip the scale in the favor of a brighter future for UAB, the ones with no voice among the powerful of this state.

This is the highest risk option, one that will require remarkable courage and sacrifice from a few, and an approach that many of you will hate and decry immediately. Understandable. But historically it has been proven effective, in some situations (but not all), as a strategy for combatting gross injustice or corruption.

The last option is solidarity, which has already been nobly modeled by the womens coaches. But for this athletic department and university to maintain status and dignity, these coaches courageous example has to be adopted by the last persons with any power to influence.

The last hope for UAB is our student athletes, outside of football, particularly those in season right now. If they make the hard decision among themselves..this week...to not play another game until this evil is addressed and corrected, then the world will not take its eyes off UAB, and the scrutiny will intensify.

If the mens and womens basketball teams agree among themselves to be model students and practice athletes, but refuse to play another game until the football team and coach clark are reinstated, and Watts resigns due to lack of empathy and integrity, there would be ALL IN solidarity and immense pressure on the power brokers. UAB athletics would shift from a national joke (based on Watts actions and the response of the UAB haters) to national leaders and models of standing up for truth and what is just. UAB still has the power to flip this story, but that opportunity will fade after this week.

Frankly, athlete solidarity is also the only real hope to avoid a serious downgrade in conference and destruction of recruiting, and loss of quality coaches, in all sports. More importantly it may be the only way to save the future quality of the UAB undergrad programs and to bring about BOT reform.

But it has to be ALL in to work...and that means mens basketball cant stand by and watch the women fight for UABs future. They.have to step up and lead, and share the risk, or all will suffer over the next few yeaes.

Easy for me to say, since there is no risk.for me? True. But that uncomfortable fact doesnt change the harsh reality that the UAB athletes are the last men and women with the power to save this athletic department and perhaps undergraduate school from permanent, crippling damage. This is not about just sports and that must bebpart of the message.

Athletes, you and ONLY you have the power to stand in the gap here. Thats not drama, its painful truth. But I cant ask you to take that risk and make that sacrifice.

You can only ask each other to take such a historic risk. We as elders can only point to history and remind you that solidarity in the face of wrong has sometimes proven extremely effective, but could also come at a high price to you.

For this to happen, leaders from within your own ranks would have to step forward this week and be the first to decide, and to then step forward and stand for the vision of those who blazed the trail for UAB, and for those to come.

UAB athletes, you have the power and opportunity to stand up and write history for this state this week. Listen to your hearts and if you hear differently, ignore my note and forgive my forwardness. May God grant you wisdom and courage.

Well stated and you are correct in that the window of opportunity is closing at lightning speed. If Watts can withstand this week then he probably will survive for several more years.

These athletes must ask themselves do they want to go through life watching movies or do they want to be shaping the plots of future epics? Think about Glory Road, Red Tails and Hoosiers and what would the world be like if those men had not taken a stand?

History is not written about the faint of heart and only the brave can win the fight.

#FreeUAB

(12-08-2014 12:44 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Why do I get the feeling that Watts is not the only one trying to destroy UAB athletics? Because that is an excellent plan to accomplish that goal.

The ultimate revenge for what Gene did in '91.

(12-08-2014 12:44 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Why do I get the feeling that Watts is not the only one trying to destroy UAB athletics? Because that is an excellent plan to accomplish that goal.

How did I know you would be the first to respond, and that this would be your exact response? Clairvoyant? Nah, we are both just old and predictable.

I dont want to fight or defend, because i know how much you love UAB basketball and you are not the enemy here, but fact is basketball is going to be at a greater disadvantage than ever after this debacle...and we are already on track for one of our worst bball seasons ever. Dont drink the koolaid Watts has offered. The increased money and better conference are more empty promises, and in about 24 months the strawman of fiscal responsibility will force the next cut. Beware Romans bearing gifts, basketball.

And tell me, please, what high talent basketball player comes to UAB after this? How can any athlete trust this university after the manner in which these three teams were arrogantly dimissed?

If football dies, the rest of the athletic dept wont recover for a half decade, if ever.

If the athletic dept doesnt make a stand this week, then UAB looses (including bball), because the story will fade into the background of holidays and bowl games and basketball. And the last persons with any real power in this school are the athletes who play the games. I dont like it either.

What has UAB won since 1987 ?

Other than 2 basketball games in 2004, all UaB's glory was before 75% of our fans were born.

If we get a coach we want, they get run off. ( Anderson, Clark) And go willingly to get the #uck out before permanent damage is done to themselves ( Mike Davis)

Ranger & Rob are right. We have a wave of support behind us. Nuke Watts & the BOT from orbit, it is the only way to be sure.

(12-08-2014 12:47 AM)GreenMississippi Wrote:  I think a better plan is for the basketball team to win C*USA and march through march madness with "Fire Ray Watts" posters on national TV.

I love that plan but we simply dont have the players this year and March is much too late to make a difference.

Drastic times call for drastic measures.

(12-08-2014 01:33 AM)KevMo4UAB Wrote:  Drastic times call for drastic measures.

No balls = No blue chips.

(12-08-2014 01:35 AM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(12-08-2014 01:33 AM)KevMo4UAB Wrote:  Drastic times call for drastic measures.

No balls = No blue chips.

That reminds me. Someone asked me if I would have kicked Watts in the balls if I had been outside the Football Offices when he walked out? I told them I wouldn't have wasted my time because it's obvious that Ray Watts hasn't got any balls!

(12-08-2014 01:44 AM)BlazerRob Wrote:  

(12-08-2014 01:35 AM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(12-08-2014 01:33 AM)KevMo4UAB Wrote:  Drastic times call for drastic measures.

No balls = No blue chips.

That reminds me. Someone asked me if I would have kicked Watts in the balls if I had been outside the Football Offices when he walked out? I told them I wouldn't have wasted my time because it's obvious that Ray Watts hasn't got any balls!

LOL!!!

I'd say while the OP plan might have been effective on December 4th before playing Morehead or today before playing Illinois State, it is simply too late now. The next Men's Basketball home game is December 14th and the next Women's Basketball home game is December 19th. Both of those are too late for an athlete strike to occur, as by then most of the football players will probably be gone. Finals week is indeed THE final battle to keep this team, and I'm sorry to say we're losing...

...but on the flipside, I believe Ray Watts is just as screwed next year if he somehow survives this week. Moreover, the entire BOT is probably screwed sometime in the next 3 years if not next year as well. Every idiotic, sleazy, underhanded move these powerful but criminal people make just tightens the eventual noose around their necks...with the exception of Witt. He's been very quiet in this whole mess, which worries me.

But even he will eventually fall as this whole dirty money empire inevitably crumbles when hit by national scrutiny and federal criminal charges. In closing, by trying to destroy UAB's football program in the short term, PBJ and the BOT have most likely begun their own downfall in the long run, and one fine day UAB shall indeed be free!

(12-08-2014 02:14 AM)EnviroBlazerD Wrote:  

(12-08-2014 01:44 AM)BlazerRob Wrote:  

(12-08-2014 01:35 AM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(12-08-2014 01:33 AM)KevMo4UAB Wrote:  Drastic times call for drastic measures.

No balls = No blue chips.

That reminds me. Someone asked me if I would have kicked Watts in the balls if I had been outside the Football Offices when he walked out? I told them I wouldn't have wasted my time because it's obvious that Ray Watts hasn't got any balls!

LOL!!!

I'd say while the OP plan might have been effective on December 4th before playing Morehead or today before playing Illinois State, it is simply too late now. The next Men's Basketball home game is December 14th and the next Women's Basketball home game is December 19th. Both of those are too late for an athlete strike to occur, as by then most of the football players will probably be gone. Finals week is indeed THE final battle to keep this team, and I'm sorry to say we're losing...

...but on the flipside, I believe Ray Watts is just as screwed next year if he somehow survives this week. Moreover, the entire BOT is probably screwed sometime in the next 3 years if not next year as well. Every idiotic, sleazy, underhanded move these powerful but criminal people make just tightens the eventual noose around their necks...with the exception of Witt. He's been very quiet in this whole mess, which worries me.

But even he will eventually fall as this whole dirty money empire inevitably crumbles when hit by national scrutiny and federal criminal charges. In closing, by trying to destroy UAB's football program in the short term, PBJ and the BOT have most likely begun their own downfall in the long run, and one fine day UAB shall indeed be free!

It will have the same effect if the athletes publicly anmounce it this week and follow through next week. But if we leave this week without a major strategic event that is national news (but in a positive way for the cause, not stupid or violent or false) then Clark and football at the FBS level are gone. If athletes agree upon a walk out there is still a chance it all stays, and Watts goes. Its very high risk, but short of a $35M check delivered on the evening news there is no other chance. After this week, football as we know it is finished, and UAB as we know it begins to fade.

Or we could just maintain status quo with remaining sports and hope that the BOT is nice to UAB from here forward and that we win a national championship in basketball in 2 years.

Clark and football are gone. Yesterday was the last day. That ship has sailed. FBS football may return, but not this version of it. Players are making visits and signing papers as we speak. No protest by anyone is going to bring Bill Clark and his team back.

(12-08-2014 07:46 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Clark and football are gone. Yesterday was the last day. That ship has sailed. FBS football may return, but not this version of it. Players are making visits and signing papers as we speak. No protest by anyone is going to bring Bill Clark and his team back.

We'll just have to get Blazer Football 2.0

(12-08-2014 07:47 AM)BlazerFire Wrote:  

(12-08-2014 07:46 AM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  Clark and football are gone. Yesterday was the last day. That ship has sailed. FBS football may return, but not this version of it. Players are making visits and signing papers as we speak. No protest by anyone is going to bring Bill Clark and his team back.

We'll just have to get Blazer Football 2.0

I agree. Ranger seems to think though that if the basketball team refused to play, Watt would throw his hands in the air and cry "What have I done? The basketball team won't play. I must be crazy."

It isn't happening and does more damage than has been done. As soon as a program refuses to play in protest, that sport is done too.

A very stupid idea.

Faculty senate & students & media.

I agree. The football ship has sailed. We will not be playing football next year. God and blazer willing, we will have it back In a few years, but it's going to be a while. I don't think an athlete strike will do anything, outside of possibly hastening the demise of the entire athletic department. The only way Uab comes out on top of this mess is to get rid of watts and either change the representation on the BOT or secede completely and become an independent university..

The next 26 hours are crucial to this movement. It's not our last opportunity, but it is one we can't piddle away over fantasies that are never going to happen.

Concentrate on the things that can make a difference.

Unfortunately football is gone for the time being. Protesting by not going to any other sporting events IS NOT GOING TO BRING IT BACK. To the contrary, it will give the traitor Watts more ammo to cut these programs as well.

For now we must focus on cutting the cancer Watts and the BOT from our University. Only then can we bring back football.