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Just thinking out loud, we have been told by our Ad, "we will make informed decisions that are supported by data and expert analysis. ........, but I firmly believe this approach will lead to the most exciting era in UAB Athletics."

Well then their financial data analysis needs to take into consideration that a number of their boosters may no longer support the athletic program if it no longer includes football. I am by no means a big booster, but I do contribute several thousand a year to the basketball and football programs. I was also in discussions with a representative of the department about contributing a goodly portion my estate (we have no children) to the program - probably several hundred thousand.

I have talked other boosters who contribute much more and work with with corporate and community leaders to improve UAB athletic facilities and generally improve the program. They have told me that if football is cut, they will have nothing more to do with UAB I am seriously considering telling our ID the same thing.

The only thing that may hold me back is the thought in the back of my mind that this is exactly the reaction that the BOT wants On the other hand, Watts and Mackin need to understand that without football, the entire athletic program is not viable, and without a viable athletic program, UAB campus life is not viable (and you know the rest).

In addition. what will there be left to support. Along with football goes the loss of decent conference affiliation and all hope of of remaining a major college program. That is why universities are adding football to their athletic programs, not dismantling them. This is not Gene Bartow's vision for UAB athletics and it is not mine.

Ultimately the only way to get BOTS attention is to threaten to hit them where it hurts. The community and political leaders in Huntville are still mad as hell at the BOT. we need to urge our state senators and representatives to band together with the Huntsville delegations and threaten to break UAB and UAH out of the UA system.

Great post

The figure I usually hear about charitable contributions to the Bama Athletic department - ranging from $150 million to $200 million annually - is I believe contingent upon maintaining Crimson Tide football at a NC level as the university's preeminent mission. Can they not imagine how those contribution levels might be affected if basketball was left to be the main Crimson Tide sport? UAB's financial contribution's income would likely deteriorate similarly.

The medical support MIGHT remain, but that for the rest of UAB would almost certainly suffer precipitous decline. That may be the problem of having one physician President who may think they are all that really matter at UAB.

(11-08-2014 08:08 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  The figure I usually hear about charitable contributions to the Bama Athletic department - ranging from $150 million to $200 million annually - is I believe contingent upon maintaining Crimson Tide football at a NC level as the university's preeminent mission. Can they not imagine how those contribution levels might be affected if basketball was left to be the main Crimson Tide sport? UAB's financial contribution's income would likely deteriorate similarly.

The medical support MIGHT remain, but that for the rest of UAB would almost certainly suffer precipitous decline. That may be the problem of having one physician President who may think they are all that really matter at UAB.