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

(11-08-2014 12:17 AM)Blazeramo Wrote:  

(11-08-2014 12:01 AM)the Dragon Wrote:  

(11-07-2014 11:32 PM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  Indiana State is seriously considering it after this year. I think Boston University quit football a couple of years ago. To my knowledge giving up football has not enhanced others sports at the university...

I know a guy who went to Boston U. He said giving up football killed their university donor program.

That would happen here too.

Might want to check endowments of U.S. universities. They are 82 with endowments of more than 1 billion dollars (although some are systems UF, UTex, UMizzou, etc). One of the stand-alone universities in the list is Boston U. with an endowment of 1.3 billion (and it has increased from 2004--first year of the chart). Not saying some didn't stop giving--but it doesn't seem to have hurt them in any substantial way.

Boston U is a 175 year old private school. That is nowhere close to an analog for UAB.

(11-07-2014 05:39 PM)KSUBlazer Wrote:  

(11-07-2014 05:35 PM)rook360 Wrote:  If Watts does pull the trigger, he will probably be the domino to start the talk for other FBS schools to close down their programs. He'll be a big hit with other fans

I was thinking this as well...it reminds me of the "austerity economics" arguments that have done nothing to improve economies around the world. Cutting expenses does not and cannot lead directly to sustained growth, and the same can be said for athletics at a major university. Of course football is an expensive proposition, but it's also the most marketable and the one with the most potential financial upside. The revenue and prestige lost from the dismantling of the football program would directly impact basketball as well; it would not take long until the same arguments pushed by the BoT (supposed lack of fan interest and poor attendance) could become their argument to end or seriously damage the basketball program as well.

It won't cause a domino effect. UAB is unique in terms of BoT interference and all-around hostility towards it by it's board. The schools in the worst shape for their FBS football programs (Idaho? Directional Michigans?) are going nowhere.

(11-08-2014 01:04 AM)GreenMississippi Wrote:  

(11-08-2014 12:17 AM)Blazeramo Wrote:  

(11-08-2014 12:01 AM)the Dragon Wrote:  

(11-07-2014 11:32 PM)WesternBlazer Wrote:  Indiana State is seriously considering it after this year. I think Boston University quit football a couple of years ago. To my knowledge giving up football has not enhanced others sports at the university...

I know a guy who went to Boston U. He said giving up football killed their university donor program.

That would happen here too.

Might want to check endowments of U.S. universities. They are 82 with endowments of more than 1 billion dollars (although some are systems UF, UTex, UMizzou, etc). One of the stand-alone universities in the list is Boston U. with an endowment of 1.3 billion (and it has increased from 2004--first year of the chart). Not saying some didn't stop giving--but it doesn't seem to have hurt them in any substantial way.

Boston U is a 175 year old private school. That is nowhere close to an analog for UAB.

BU's endowment has gone up about 80% since 2005--despite the loss of football. Football had also been at BU much longer--but losing it didn't hurt their endowment. Football has a much briefer history at UAB and losing it probably won't effect our endowment much either. There may be a brief period of pouting and refusal to give--but I suspect football or the lack thereof will not have much impact on the big givers. Hopefully football is here to stay.