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

I need the following:

1) Concise form letter from a UAB person, suitable for print or fax or email.
2) Concise form letter from a non-UAB person, suitable for print or fax or email.
3) Super concise form letter from a UAB person, suitable for handwritten letter/fax.
4) Super concise form letter from a non-UAB person, suitable for a handwritten letter/fax.

I also need an optional paragraph if either the UAB or non-UAB person are from the state of Alabama. This needs to talk about responsible handling of your tax dollars, and about where in the UA system the money comes from (UAB) and how the UAB football team is self-sustaining and funds other sports despite being facility hamstrung by UABOT.

It should talk -- in both -- about the opportunities provided by collegiate athletics, in particular football, and the tremendous pride/economic income/community/personal growth it can bring the athletes and the community.

I also need for a spot in the letter for the UAB person to specify if they are faculty/staff/student/fan or any combination of the former. And a spot for the non-UAB person to specify who they root for.

With these bits I can create a simple form where you can specify if you live in Alabama and your relation to UAB and BAM out pops a long form and short form letter.

These letters need to be addressed to as yet unnamed political figure(s).


Get on it. Post contribution here so it can be proofed/etc.

Bump

I'll handle all proofreading.

Didn't want this to get lost in the shuffle, so I stickied it.

Unpinning for increased visibility (SO MANY PINNED THREADS!)

Bumpity.

Green Mississippi, 58-56 & Legal Blazer have penned some of the best.

Bumpage.

I would be willing to write a letter as a UA-T Alum. PM me with what needs to be addressed.

Is this something along the lines of what you are looking for, GTS?

The decision of Ray Watts, president of UAB, to unilaterally eliminate the school’s football program, rifle program, bowling program and likely as a consequence, the marching band and a large portion of the cheerleading squad and other support groups, is among the most short-sighted decisions one could make for a university, particularly one located in the heart of Birmingham.

These programs, and particularly football, bring a vitality and visibility to the UAB campus, as well as the city of Birmingham at large, and provide students the scholarships and opportunities for education they may have never been afforded. The economic impact of having these students live both on and off-campus provide economic, societal and educational positives to every constituent with whom they come in touch.

The last time I checked, the mission of a University isn’t one based on economics, it’s one based upon making the world a better place. Yes, a university needs to be financially responsible, but a part of that responsibility is born by ensuring it produces dedicated and educated alumni who are willing and able to give back to the University that gave to them. It also should present to the community at large the image and evidence that the institution is providing that contribution to the community, to generate community and corporate support. The decision to eliminate football eliminates that willingness from many current and past students, and likely local businesses and supporters as well. And it greatly reduces the likelihood of future students coming to UAB and becoming future contributors.

As a (UAB student/staff/faculty/alumnus/alumna/booster/supporter), I have never been more disappointed or concerned about an administrator’s decision regarding UAB. This appears to have been poorly considered, and the Carr Study used to justify the decision extremely flawed. I have great hopes you will use your influence and role as a state leader to thoroughly examine how this came to pass, and also to use whatever means available to you to rectify the situation and make the necessary changes to the Board of Trustees to ensure this never happens again.

UAB is a $2 billion contributor to the state. This decision will only diminish that contribution over time. If you value UAB as a strong contributor to the state of Alabama, please help us gain our autonomy before it’s too late.

Niiiiice.

Grammar, would you be willing to email that to saveuabfootball@gmail.com? I'd love to include it in the mass mailing to Watts.

(12-03-2014 03:51 PM)Tree Missile Wrote:  Grammar, would you be willing to email that to saveuabfootball@gmail.com? I'd love to include it in the mass mailing to Watts.

Done.

Take this and cut it as you like:

Quote:To the Administrators, Elected Representative, Faculty Senate and other concerned parties,
My name is ______[name]______. I ___[connection to UAB]___.

While college athletics is not the first mission of a University academics, let me relay my concerns as to why President Watts’ decision to shut down UAB Football is counter-intuitive to the mission of the University, harmful to the greater good of Birmingham, and Watts continued leadership is dangerous.
UAB athletics is a rallying point for the all students, alumni, staff, and citizens of Birmingham. UAB Medicine’s role in the revitalization of Birmingham is unparalleled, but a hospital is not something for recent high school graduates to seek out when they are hoping to meet new people who are also young and vibrant and full of new ideas. We want a student body who has studied 5 nights a week to have something to do on a Saturday that has him around other students and alumni in a jovial environment. While President Watts claims that UAB athletics has not been a consistent part of UAB student life, this year’s attendance at football, the homecoming parades, and the protests on the streets and in the campus green makes this claim seem uninformed.

UAB Football fans are some of the most loyal UAB students and alumni I know. I do know people who cared more about UA-Tuscaloosa, Auburn, or care nothing for athletics at all, but this university will struggle to get any support for UAB from them when they have enough money to donate.

President Watts’ announcement of the closure of the UAB Football program after one of its most successful years in history in terms of attendance and wins, he has succeeded in angering the alumni and current students who care the most about the university, and alienating himself from the administration of the city of Birmingham. He has endangered the rest of the athletic program by putting conference membership in jeopardy, and makes further spending on athletics to likely be a lost cause as there will be less visible notoriety and alumni and student support. In justifying his decision, President Watts references a report that he admits was hurried, and this report only scratches the surface of what athletics brings. I do not believe President Watts and the board who appointed him are ignorant of this. Other universities investigating in football investment (even those using the same consulting firm) have received more in-depth reports that encourage that investment. Clearly there is an agenda, and this decision is not based just on cold facts.

People I know have express bewilderment at how this decision was made, and the make-up of the UA Board of Trustees that appointed President Watts. This problem does not end with athletics. Even the UAB School of Medicine has had its reputation endangered by Dr. Watts, as its USA Today rankings have fallen, and the SUPPORT program is being used as a demonstration in ethics classes of how to poorly handle a clinical trial and how to poorly respond to the criticism.

As recently as this November, President Watts told the faculty senate:
"Rumors are buzzing about significant changes in Athletics. Please do not pay heed to rumors. The Athletic Department, as every other department, is going through their strategic plan process to reach for excellence. As in every other department, we are utilizing data-driven strategic processes to discuss which areas we want to invest in. We would like to focus on 1 or 2 programs to grow to be nationally competitive and to have a balanced budget. We appreciate what Athletics brings to the table; we are proud of our athletics and do not consider them a lower priority. No decisions have been made yet as the department has just begun their process." –Ray Watts, 11 November 2014

This demonstrates that President Watts is willing to say whatever is necessary to deflect scrutiny. If I were an faculty member or administrator, I could not take him at his word that I and my program would be supported. If someone asked me if they should attend UAB, I could not tell them with full confidence that they or their program of interest would be supported.

By virtue of President Watts mismanagement of the athletics program, relationship with students, relationship with alumni, mismanagement of the School of Medicine, and terrible negative visibility, I implore the faculty senate and all administrators to vote no confidence in President Watts, and call for a swift end to his leadership. I also hope that the faculty senate calls for an independent board of trustees, or at least equal representation, as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
___[Name]___