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

Given the apathy toward UAB athletics in Birmingham right now, I'm not certain a top-10 ranking by the Blazers would sell out Bartow. We couldn't sell it out for a visit by one of the most storied programs in college basketball.

In the words of Jack Nickloson's Joker: "This town needs an enema."

(12-10-2013 05:10 PM)Grammar-Nazi Wrote:  Given the apathy toward UAB athletics in Birmingham right now, I'm not certain a top-10 ranking by the Blazers would sell out Bartow. We couldn't sell it out for a visit by one of the most storied programs in college basketball.

In the words of Jack Nickloson's Joker: "This town needs an enema."

Is that a coffee or a barium one?

I have fond memories of birmingham, but one wonders if a college that has accomplished so much athletically and academically in its 35-odd years of existence would have such little support and so much apathy in nearly any other city? What gives?

(12-10-2013 05:10 PM)Grammar-Nazi Wrote:  Given the apathy toward patrons by the UAB Ticket Office and Management right now, I'm not certain a top-10 ranking by the Blazers would sell out Bartow. We couldn't sell it out for a visit by one of the most storied programs in college basketball.

FIFY

I'd rather be ranked as much and as high as possible.
I don't see it happening going into conference play (although I wouldn't be shocked)

(12-10-2013 10:37 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  I have fond memories of birmingham, but one wonders if a college that has accomplished so much athletically and academically in its 35-odd years of existence would have such little support and so much apathy in nearly any other city? What gives?

Answer, good question, and a thread buster that deserves its own thread.

But I am going to try and tie it in to the current thread. The area where you live should be familiar to you, you tend to pay more attention to its up keep and condition, you are more supportive when you see the needs, mainly because you have skin in the game.

This current UAB basketball team IF it continue to grow, win and bring positive news for the community, It could give both the UAB family and the Birmingham community some skin in the game.

Most Birmingham residents see UAB as an Employer or Healthcare provider.
Birmingham residents select what college to cheer for as so far as Football and Basketball like its a family hand me down, its based on family tradition as much as anything.
Employer,Healthcare, Athletic and Academics, is more of an indivdual choice, no skin in the game, no need to give life support or cut it off.

When you consider the vast majority of people in the tri-city area didnt attend any higher insititution of learning, never mind attending Auburn or Alabama, still Auburn and Alabama to a majority is where their loyality is, then you have to consider other veriables for it to make sense.

One veriable is longevity, there's also the bandwagon, winning, tradition, regional interest, sports preference, Professional vs.Amatuers, etc ...

Until the UAB administration close the gap between the average fan with no skin in the game who does not care if UAB, Auburn or Alabama are on life support or to cut it off, until that gap is closed, UAB will be a luke warm commodity and the 2nd or 3rd choice for the Birmingham community and its entertainment dollars.

Birmingham is a bandwagon town. Win enough and they'll start to pay attention.

(12-11-2013 02:40 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Birmingham is a bandwagon town. Win enough and they'll start to pay attention.

Case & point, UAB's well attended years were pre-Saban at UAT.

(12-11-2013 02:57 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(12-11-2013 02:40 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Birmingham is a bandwagon town. Win enough and they'll start to pay attention.

Case & point, UAB's well attended years were pre-Saban at UAT.

No connection

(12-11-2013 03:26 PM)LairDweller Wrote:  

(12-11-2013 02:57 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(12-11-2013 02:40 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Birmingham is a bandwagon town. Win enough and they'll start to pay attention.

Case & point, UAB's well attended years were pre-Saban at UAT.

No connection

I disagree with a point. If we are talking football, UAB has had losing seasons since the beginning, but we had a core of around 15k who still went to the games regardless of the record. That number has steadily declined. I think it is in part associated with Alabama's unprecedented success. People see their friends family and neighbors celebrating and being happy about all things Bama and human nature is to want to join in. Why continue to be miserable about your UAB school when it continues to fail and no improvement in facilities or conference affiliation is on the horizon.

People are sheep in general. They want to fit in. They see Alabama or Auburn fans and want to be the status quo. They assimilate.

So regarding football, I believe there is a connection between the two. Regarding basketball, Birmingham is not a basketball town. They get fired up for basketball for about three weeks in March, and don't care the rest of the time, definitely not during The Holy Days from late August to early December. Even Mike Anderson with his brand of basketball could barely move the needle. I don't think that will ever change.

Average UAB team + average UAT team = Apathetic fans wandering into UAB games

Bad UAB team + Saban coached UAT team = Zero bandwagon fans at UAB games & stadium expansion at UAT.

You either meant Mike Anderson or are being sarcastic. The blue font would have resolved this.

Meantime, we're also a pretty young fan base. I do know all this "Ah was born a bammuh fayan" stuff is real, but as a parent, I've found that from-the-cradle indoctrination works for UAB fans, as well.

(12-11-2013 04:11 PM)Smaug Wrote:  You either meant Mike Anderson or are being sarcastic. The blue font would have resolved this.

Meantime, we're also a pretty young fan base. I do know all this "Ah was born a bammuh fayan" stuff is real, but as a parent, I've found that from-the-cradle indoctrination works for UAB fans, as well.

I caught that and corrected. We should have never hired two Mikes in a row.

Some think that we should have never hired two Bartows in a row.

It will be very hard to hire two Jarod's in a row.

We haven't even hired one Jarod in a row.

maybe we should go see if we can find a Mike Haase or a Jerod Bartow

(12-10-2013 10:37 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  I have fond memories of birmingham, but one wonders if a college that has accomplished so much athletically and academically in its 35-odd years of existence would have such little support and so much apathy in nearly any other city? What gives?

It's a general lack of sophistication and cosmopolitan attitude, partially due to lack of education and socio-economic challenges, coupled with an SEC centric and Crimson Tahd mindset that causes a general dumbing down of the populace and apathy toward anything that is "new" and "different" and requires a shift in attitude. Sprinkle in a little racism and the divide between the City of Birmingham proper and the suburban communities and you get the status quo.

(12-11-2013 02:57 PM)BlazerPhil Wrote:  

(12-11-2013 02:40 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Birmingham is a bandwagon town. Win enough and they'll start to pay attention.

Case & point, UAB's well attended years were pre-Saban at UAT.

After Mike Anderson, UAB style of play as been shall we say "not as exciting" to those bandwagon fans.