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

(10-02-2013 11:42 AM)dragonzden Wrote:  There population within the city limits of SA is 1.3 million. Birmingham is what 235,000. How many of them are Auburn and Alabama fans. That just leaves us with not a lot people to gain interest from.

Surely many of those San Antonio natives were also fans of some college football team (Texas, A&M, Texas Tech, Baylor, etc.) before UTSA began playing.

(10-02-2013 11:29 PM)dragonzden Wrote:  

(10-02-2013 07:14 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(10-02-2013 05:23 PM)dragonzden Wrote:  

(10-02-2013 11:47 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(10-02-2013 11:42 AM)dragonzden Wrote:  There population within the city limits of SA is 1.3 million. Birmingham is what 235,000. How many of them are Auburn and Alabama fans. That just leaves us with not a lot people to gain interest from.

The numbers that matter aren't quite that far off. Metro San Antonio is 2.2 million, Metro Birmingham is 1.2 million. Big difference, but not 1.3m vs. 230k.

South Alabama outdraws UAB and Metro Mobile is only 450k or so.

They are that far off San Antonio city limits population is 1.3 million. Birmingham city limits population is 230,000. "City Limits" thats a huge difference. SA metro population od 2.2 million includes all other cities around it. Birmingham metro would be the same but at 1.2 million like you stated. I'm not talking about ther surrounding cities. I'm just talking about the city of Birmingham. Not Hoover, Homewood, Vestavia Hills, Gardendale, Pelham, etc... Just Birmingham only. In comparison with San Antonio only that is a huge difference.

You can only go to UAB games if you live in the city limits of Birmingham?

I'm willing to bet that a very, very small minority of people who show up Saturday will have spent the night in the city limits the night before.

No. What I'm saying is that SA population is 1.3 million to B'ham 230k. There pool of people to attract is larger than ours just inside the city limits. They don't have to grab a metro fan base. If they do its just a bonus for them. For example, they attract 20k from within city limits, and another 20k from outside the city limits (metro) they could easily average 40k, give or take a couple of thousand for a home game. 40k people out of 2.2 million. The other 2.16 are probably fans of other major schools or fans of both in the state of Texas.

This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read.

Just for reference San Antonio city limits is 465+ sq miles where as Birmingham is 151+. I live 20 miles from the Alamo and I still live in the city limits. So if B'ham were set up like SA the Hoovers, Vestavias, and Mountain Brooks would all be considered Birmingham. I'm not making the argument that they are apples to apples, San Antonio is definitely bigger. However comparing the Birmingham metro area to the San Antonio city limits would be most accurate IMO.

And so what if the national media only would listen for a couple days? At least SOMEONE would have listened. At least you give UAB a chance. Maybe as a result, the next time the board thinks they can pull one over on us they think twice knowing that our leadership has the balls to stand up for the university they are supposed to be representing.

(10-02-2013 08:41 PM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  I think Watts has taken the approach that if UAB wants something they'll have to get it themselves. Hence, the $1B fund drive. Once complete UAB will be able to make more of their own decisions. Sure, the BOT could still say no, but can you imagine the outcry if UAB raises $1B and the BOT tells them how to spend it or rather how NOT to spend it. A pre-emptive strike is more likely...

I really hope so. The point of my post (and I got derailed slightly out of frustration) was supposed to be it's time we took responsibility for our own destiny not let the blame ROLL on to to BOT (see what I did there?). If you raise the cash yourself you force their hand. If they say no, they can no longer use financing as an excuse.

(10-03-2013 08:30 AM)FTDS66 Wrote:  And so what if the national media only would listen for a couple days? At least SOMEONE would have listened. At least you give UAB a chance. Maybe as a result, the next time the board thinks they can pull one over on us they think twice knowing that our leadership has the balls to stand up for the university they are supposed to be representing.

The end result would be that the president and AD would be out of a job once the national media looked the other way & this would do us no good.

I would rather someone stand up for UAB in the light and risk losing their job than trying to backdoor our way in.

We tried being sensible with the BOT, we put a plan together that made sound financial sense. No one with any sort of business sense could have denied our plan was solid. The boxes were sold. The facilities are needed for our program to keep up.

The sensible approach didn't work...

Now IF we are raising money and taking steps towards are goal behind closed doors we are falling behind the competition daily.

Make it public launch a campaign to raise the money specifically for a stadium. Avoid stepping on their toes publicly by saying it is contingent on BOT approval.

I just want someone to stand up for our school.

UAB is a great place, everyone on this board knows it. But in my time there I got so tired of having to defend it to fellow students and even athletes. Just like at any organization, moral and culture is established from the top down. If we had someone leading our school that publicly stood up and defended us when someone tries to bring us down, I really believe lots of peoples attitudes would change around campus.

It's really easy to not believe in someone that doesn't seem like they believe in themselves.

Everyone who thinks someone else should risk their job for UAB should feel free to kick it off themselves. Really easy to play fast and loose with other people's jobs (I mean just look at the current situation with the feds)

Carol Garrison sacrificed her job for a stadium and look where it got both her and the stadium project. Thinking someone can just stand up to the Board and by sheer force of will get the stadium project approved has no idea how the world or the governance of the University of Alabama System works.

(10-03-2013 10:46 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  Everyone who thinks someone else should risk their job for UAB should feel free to kick it off themselves. Really easy to play fast and loose with other people's jobs (I mean just look at the current situation with the feds)

Carol Garrison sacrificed her job for a stadium and look where it got both her and the stadium project. Thinking someone can just stand up to the Board and by sheer force of will get the stadium project approved has no idea how the world or the governance of the University of Alabama System works.

If that's true then I really wish she had found that internal fortitude in 2006 when she approved the apocalypse known as Neal Callaway. Almost a whole decade flushed because she wouldn't stand against what supposedly she and everyone else at UAB knew was a mistake. Now we get beat in recruiting by Troy, USA, Western Kentucky, and MTSU. Now we are competing with North Texas (8), New Mexico State (10) and Eastern Michigan (19) for most consecutive losing seasons. Without those 8 anchors around our neck we might already be in our stadium.

Yeah, thanks for your all your efforts for football Dr. Garrison. You really laid it on the line for the Blazers.

To get back to USA vis a vis UAB, the way things are going industrially around Mobile with the state's leadership traveling the world on their behalf, it is likely that Mobile will be the #1 metro area in population and wealth (excluding one or two suburbs in Jeffco) by the middle of the next decade if not sooner. With its own medical and pharmacy school, it can take advantage of its own BOT to do anything they decide to do and pay for it. I expect the next coaches in the major men's sports to be national names, not "Coach Who?" and when they do build an OCS, it won't be a "starter bandbox" stadium like UAB has begged for recently.

UTSA has a situation B'ham would "die for" in regard to local metro area support. Our city is surrounded by overtly hostile suburbs who wish the central city would just "go away" or at least quit bothering them. What I read in the posts from Texas is that San Antonio's suburbs are very supportive of what the central city is trying to do and that helps a lot. Of course, it helps to be the home of The Alamo which is dear to the hearts of all Texans. What in B'ham is dear to the hearts of Alabamians?

The stadium probably wasn't the only thing if it was at all. For one thing she had served longer than any previous president, and the BOT doesn't want anyone getting too entrenched.

She officially retired. Maybe that's all it was.

(10-03-2013 12:33 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  To get back to USA vis a vis UAB, the way things are going industrially around Mobile with the state's leadership traveling the world on their behalf, it is likely that Mobile will be the #1 metro area in population and wealth (excluding one or two suburbs in Jeffco) by the middle of the next decade if not sooner. With its own medical and pharmacy school, it can take advantage of its own BOT to do anything they decide to do and pay for it. I expect the next coaches in the major men's sports to be national names, not "Coach Who?" and when they do build an OCS, it won't be a "starter bandbox" stadium like UAB has begged for recently.

UTSA has a situation B'ham would "die for" in regard to local metro area support. Our city is surrounded by overtly hostile suburbs who wish the central city would just "go away" or at least quit bothering them. What I read in the posts from Texas is that San Antonio's suburbs are very supportive of what the central city is trying to do and that helps a lot. Of course, it helps to be the home of The Alamo which is dear to the hearts of all Texans. What in B'ham is dear to the hearts of Alabamians?

That statue at Legion Field

(10-03-2013 12:35 PM)Memphis Blazer Wrote:  She officially retired. Maybe that's all it was.

Well, given that she continued drawing her full salary up until the end of this month, when she was paid out her remaining vacation, I doubt that is true. Smells an awful lot like being paid the rest of her contract.

(10-03-2013 10:46 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  Everyone who thinks someone else should risk their job for UAB should feel free to kick it off themselves. Really easy to play fast and loose with other people's jobs (I mean just look at the current situation with the feds)

Carol Garrison sacrificed her job for a stadium and look where it got both her and the stadium project. Thinking someone can just stand up to the Board and by sheer force of will get the stadium project approved has no idea how the world or the governance of the University of Alabama System works.

If it were in my job description to pursue the best interests of UAB, I WOULD stand up and risk sacrificing my job for something that I believed would improve the institution that I represented.

Change has to start somewhere. All reform begins with people saying things like, "If you think standing up to X will work you're crazy."



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(10-03-2013 12:45 PM)FTDS66 Wrote:  

(10-03-2013 10:46 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  Everyone who thinks someone else should risk their job for UAB should feel free to kick it off themselves. Really easy to play fast and loose with other people's jobs (I mean just look at the current situation with the feds)

Carol Garrison sacrificed her job for a stadium and look where it got both her and the stadium project. Thinking someone can just stand up to the Board and by sheer force of will get the stadium project approved has no idea how the world or the governance of the University of Alabama System works.

If it were in my job description to pursue the best interests of UAB, I WOULD stand up and risk sacrificing my job for something that I believed would improve the institution that I represented.

Change has to start somewhere. All reform begins with people saying things like, "If you think standing up to X will work you're crazy."



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That only works if there is a constituency that you can leverage against the oppressors. The vast majority of people in the state don't care, and nationally care even less. That's why the whole idea of getting national media to try to pick up the story is just asinine. I've never understood that point of view. Why would the New York Times give a damn about the Board of Trustees denying a stadium for UAB, no matter what the reason? Standing up and dying on your sword doesn't matter when the UAB fan base are the only people who care.

First, let me clarify. My suggestion of raising such a stink would be a reaction to the situation that occurred with the BOT. We approached with a sensible plan, they responded with nonsense, I wouldn't lay down and take it.

A preemptive plan would work much better. As I said previously, launch a capital campaign, publicly, specifically to raise money for a stadium. Go on every local media outlet possible announcing the plan to raise money to independently fund an on campus stadium. Create a buzz throughout the entire campaign so that everyone and their mother knows that you are going to fund a stadium with cash. Keep people informed of progress, put up a website with funds committed on the UAB homepage as sort of a countdown, share designs, share the mission, pass out flyers on campus stating every dollar donation helps, set up donation booths at the HUC and Commons and sporting events. Be creative, add a penny tax to every dollar that is spent on campus. Do everything you can in the light of day. Do all this with one caveat, whenever you mention the project in the media, whenever you pass out a flyer you note that this project is CONTINGENT ON BOARD APPROVAL. Once you have raised the capital, again let everyone and their mother know that you have met your goal and then ONLY then go ask the BOT for approval very publicly. If they turn you down this time, you can raise holy hell and you will make a much bigger wave because you got everyone involved.

I'm sure there are holes in that plan, but then again I thought it up in all of about 5 minutes. I just truly believe there is a way to go about getting what you want without giving the BOT the power to say no.

(10-03-2013 01:05 PM)FTDS66 Wrote:  First, let me clarify. My suggestion of raising such a stink would be a reaction to the situation that occurred with the BOT. We approached with a sensible plan, they responded with nonsense, I wouldn't lay down and take it.

A preemptive plan would work much better. As I said previously, launch a capital campaign, publicly, specifically to raise money for a stadium. Go on every local media outlet possible announcing the plan to raise money to independently fund an on campus stadium. Create a buzz throughout the entire campaign so that everyone and their mother knows that you are going to fund a stadium with cash. Keep people informed of progress, put up a website with funds committed on the UAB homepage as sort of a countdown, share designs, share the mission, pass out flyers on campus stating every dollar donation helps, set up donation booths at the HUC and Commons and sporting events. Be creative, add a penny tax to every dollar that is spent on campus. Do everything you can in the light of day. Do all this with one caveat, whenever you mention the project in the media, whenever you pass out a flyer you note that this project is CONTINGENT ON BOARD APPROVAL. Once you have raised the capital, again let everyone and their mother know that you have met your goal and then ONLY then go ask the BOT for approval very publicly. If they turn you down this time, you can raise holy hell and you will make a much bigger wave because you got everyone involved.

I'm sure there are holes in that plan, but then again I thought it up in all of about 5 minutes. I just truly believe there is a way to go about getting what you want without giving the BOT the power to say no.

IF, in ALABAMA, the system BOT was actually worried about what anyone around UAB thought of them or anyone in the state cared what happened to UAB, we might have a chance for what you suggest to work. Unfortunately the practical evidence suggests that the Crimson Tide FB program is in a one to one struggle with God Almighty for supremacy in this state and may be winning. (Remember when Hoover HS was invited to play in Ohio on TV and was blocked to great state political applause because the game was to be played on Sunday? Score one for God over HS FB. That same year, the Crimson Tide agreed to play a bowl game - ON SUNDAY - and not a single "peep" was heard from our political leaders saying they should not play in the game. Score one for CT FB & Zero for God)

I just don't believe that if you approach the board with cash in hand they can tell you no. We gave them an easy excuse by funding through bonds. Anyone with any financial knowledge knows that under our current conditions bonds are easy and very cheap money. But most people fear the word debt and they knew it "It is the Board's duty to be responsible stewards of the limited resources available for higher education. In these difficult economic times of rising tuition and decreasing state funds, we cannot justify the expenditure of $75 million in borrowed money for an athletic stadium..."

Show up cash in hand publicly and call their bluff. We have got to stop making excuses. I know they are legit but it is possible for us to control our own destiny and take a stand.

(10-03-2013 01:35 PM)FTDS66 Wrote:  I just don't believe that if you approach the board with cash in hand they can tell you no. We gave them an easy excuse by funding through bonds. Anyone with any financial knowledge knows that under our current conditions bonds are easy and very cheap money. But most people fear the word debt and they knew it "It is the Board's duty to be responsible stewards of the limited resources available for higher education. In these difficult economic times of rising tuition and decreasing state funds, we cannot justify the expenditure of $75 million in borrowed money for an athletic stadium..."

Show up cash in hand publicly and call their bluff. We have got to stop making excuses. I know they are legit but it is possible for us to control our own destiny and take a stand.

That is an entirely different issue from standing up and sacrificing your job for the stadium. UAB doesn't have the money in hand to build it, and is a very long way from it.

(10-03-2013 01:47 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(10-03-2013 01:35 PM)FTDS66 Wrote:  I just don't believe that if you approach the board with cash in hand they can tell you no. We gave them an easy excuse by funding through bonds. Anyone with any financial knowledge knows that under our current conditions bonds are easy and very cheap money. But most people fear the word debt and they knew it "It is the Board's duty to be responsible stewards of the limited resources available for higher education. In these difficult economic times of rising tuition and decreasing state funds, we cannot justify the expenditure of $75 million in borrowed money for an athletic stadium..."

Show up cash in hand publicly and call their bluff. We have got to stop making excuses. I know they are legit but it is possible for us to control our own destiny and take a stand.

That is an entirely different issue from standing up and sacrificing your job for the stadium. UAB doesn't have the money in hand to build it, and is a very long way from it.

How about a three year capital campaign like this? Build a $50MM stadium that can be expanded to meet the original plan ($75MM) at a later date using funds from operating profit. I simplified for this example, but I am certain there are folks out there who are smarter than I, who could come up with a plan to raise more money in a quicker time frame.

The point being if you want to make it happen you can find a way to make it happen.