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

(05-28-2015 08:54 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:31 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:18 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:14 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  as opposed to a four month public campaign which raised twenty million in private and corporate structured dollars?

This would have required the cooperation of the university, instead of them actively working against the process.

How could you have not gone to corporate and individual donors, publicly and privately and said, "we need to raise $20 million dollars" for an upcoming campaign for UAB football?. This is what it will need to look like, can we count on you when the time comes? I have worked on United Way campaigns over multiple years, which have raised in excess of probably $100MM total, and that is exactly how it's done. It's fundraising 101.

you don't know that this wasn't done. As I stated before, it would be foolish to throw a high figure out there and then have watts say that's good but we need another $10 million. Lowball what you have, wait for him to give a number, and pounce. If the atf and ff have not been working towards this moment, then they have failed miserably. now is the time to show exactly what we have and where it is coming from.

And just so you know, we were getting money in the bank through a season ticket drive. That was legit, paid, money in the bank. UAB shut that down. And you wonder why they've had a hard time getting money in the bank??

Yep, I expect so.

(05-28-2015 08:57 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:31 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:18 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:14 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  as opposed to a four month public campaign which raised twenty million in private and corporate structured dollars?

This would have required the cooperation of the university, instead of them actively working against the process.

How could you have not gone to corporate and individual donors, publicly and privately and said, "we need to raise $20 million dollars" for an upcoming campaign for UAB football?. This is what it will need to look like, can we count on you when the time comes? I have worked on United Way campaigns over multiple years, which have raised in excess of probably $100MM total, and that is exactly how it's done. It's fundraising 101.

Because, again, that would have taken the support of the university to accomplish. Regions Bank isn't going to listen to Justin Craft, private individual. They're going to listen to people with @uab.edu email addresses and job titles like Director of Development, Vice President, and President.

Who with an @uab.edu contacted you about your football pledge before you made it in the last four weeks? No one with that address did me.

(05-28-2015 09:10 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:57 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:31 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:18 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:14 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  as opposed to a four month public campaign which raised twenty million in private and corporate structured dollars?

This would have required the cooperation of the university, instead of them actively working against the process.

How could you have not gone to corporate and individual donors, publicly and privately and said, "we need to raise $20 million dollars" for an upcoming campaign for UAB football?. This is what it will need to look like, can we count on you when the time comes? I have worked on United Way campaigns over multiple years, which have raised in excess of probably $100MM total, and that is exactly how it's done. It's fundraising 101.

Because, again, that would have taken the support of the university to accomplish. Regions Bank isn't going to listen to Justin Craft, private individual. They're going to listen to people with @uab.edu email addresses and job titles like Director of Development, Vice President, and President.

Who with an @uab.edu contacted you about your football pledge before you made it in the last four weeks? No one with that address did me.

I'd like to know too. I saw a few people say that Chaka Kahn emailed back confirming that their donation was accepted. I emailed her yesterday asking if mine was and haven't heard back from her.

(05-28-2015 09:10 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:57 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:31 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:18 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:14 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  as opposed to a four month public campaign which raised twenty million in private and corporate structured dollars?

This would have required the cooperation of the university, instead of them actively working against the process.

How could you have not gone to corporate and individual donors, publicly and privately and said, "we need to raise $20 million dollars" for an upcoming campaign for UAB football?. This is what it will need to look like, can we count on you when the time comes? I have worked on United Way campaigns over multiple years, which have raised in excess of probably $100MM total, and that is exactly how it's done. It's fundraising 101.

Because, again, that would have taken the support of the university to accomplish. Regions Bank isn't going to listen to Justin Craft, private individual. They're going to listen to people with @uab.edu email addresses and job titles like Director of Development, Vice President, and President.

Who with an @uab.edu contacted you about your football pledge before you made it in the last four weeks? No one with that address did me.

That's my whole point. UAB has at best been zero help and at worst actively hindering this process. For the really big names, companies that trade on stock markets, UAB has to be involved and cooperating.

(05-28-2015 09:30 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 09:10 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:57 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:31 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:18 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  This would have required the cooperation of the university, instead of them actively working against the process.

How could you have not gone to corporate and individual donors, publicly and privately and said, "we need to raise $20 million dollars" for an upcoming campaign for UAB football?. This is what it will need to look like, can we count on you when the time comes? I have worked on United Way campaigns over multiple years, which have raised in excess of probably $100MM total, and that is exactly how it's done. It's fundraising 101.

Because, again, that would have taken the support of the university to accomplish. Regions Bank isn't going to listen to Justin Craft, private individual. They're going to listen to people with @uab.edu email addresses and job titles like Director of Development, Vice President, and President.

Who with an @uab.edu contacted you about your football pledge before you made it in the last four weeks? No one with that address did me.

That's my whole point. UAB has at best been zero help and at worst actively hindering this process. For the really big names, companies that trade on stock markets, UAB has to be involved and cooperating.

It's a valid point, and I don't get how it isn't making sense. UAB has done nothing on its own to help any of this. Don hire and Justin craft don't represent UAB. They may be boosters, but that really doesn't make them anything other than people who care about the university.

(05-28-2015 09:30 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 09:10 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:57 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:31 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:18 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  This would have required the cooperation of the university, instead of them actively working against the process.

How could you have not gone to corporate and individual donors, publicly and privately and said, "we need to raise $20 million dollars" for an upcoming campaign for UAB football?. This is what it will need to look like, can we count on you when the time comes? I have worked on United Way campaigns over multiple years, which have raised in excess of probably $100MM total, and that is exactly how it's done. It's fundraising 101.

Because, again, that would have taken the support of the university to accomplish. Regions Bank isn't going to listen to Justin Craft, private individual. They're going to listen to people with @uab.edu email addresses and job titles like Director of Development, Vice President, and President.

Who with an @uab.edu contacted you about your football pledge before you made it in the last four weeks? No one with that address did me.

That's my whole point. UAB has at best been zero help and at worst actively hindering this process. For the really big names, companies that trade on stock markets, UAB has to be involved and cooperating.

Ok, that's five companies in Birmingham out of 800 or so total. Regions, Vulcan Materials, Energen, ProAssurance, and Protective (which is probably out unless Johnny Johns really has turned to the Force from the Dark Side).

(05-28-2015 07:42 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 11:47 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 11:33 PM)tibber Wrote:  Where have these big corporate donors been all this time?

This is what I'm trying to figure out

I think the biggest donors have probably been waiting to show Their hands. I have no inside information whatsoever, so this is pure speculation, but it seems like they've been playing the same game watts is. If we put all our money together, and had a figure, say $30 million, then watts would have said we need $40 million. I know we aren't Alabama, but it's hard to believe we couldn't raise $5 million a year for 5 years.

This is pretty much my read. If I were Justin Craft, Don Hire, and Jimmy Filler playing this game of poker with Watts I would have held a couple of big old aces out, expecting him to try to throw a monkeywrench in at the last minute. Filler could change his pledge off of the OCS to a more immediate contribution, he could have heavy hitter friends that he has kept quiet. A big corporate donor could step in to be a last minute hero.

Hell, Johnny Johns could donate some money, or shake the tree from some of his friends. Who knows what might happen? I sure as hell don't, anything may happen between now and Monday.

It's getting right down to nut cuttin' time.

Someone Wrote: Because, again, that would have taken the support of the university to accomplish. Regions Bank isn't going to listen to Justin Craft, private individual. They're going to listen to people with @uab.edu email addresses and job titles like Director of Development, Vice President, and President.

I disagree, given the recent hits to their reputation the University administration has taken as as a result of this fiasco, I don't think that Birmingham business people would regard anything that an administration toady would do as credible. And these Birmingham business people aren't stupid. They know that no one in Watts' organization is going to lift a finger to save football. On the other hand, Justin Craft may be running the show, but other business people in this city know that the Foundation is the handiwork of some of the wealthiest, most well respected business folks in this area. Don't tell me that Regions Bank and other like business are not going to listen to folks like Jimmy Filler and Harold Ripps and trust them implicitly.

On the other hand I am going to say this again - You don't know what you don't know I do know that when the original $6M was announced the Foundation had much more than that pledged. Craft said at the time that the next step in the process was to approach the business community for contributions. How do you know whether that had not already been done. Let me answer that for you - you don't.

As someone has already pointed out, of the really big boosters, we have seen the hand of only one - Filler - and he could yet alter his offer. We don't know whether the contributions of people like Don Hire, Harold Ripps and many others have already been counted.

So unless you have $10 million or so you can spare, everyone needs to take a chill pill and trust those who know far more than we do right now - by the way, it's not like we have any choice in the matter.

(05-28-2015 09:39 AM)blazers9911 Wrote:  It's a valid point, and I don't get how it isn't making sense. UAB has done nothing on its own to help any of this. Don hire and Justin craft don't represent UAB. They may be boosters, but that really doesn't make them anything other than people who care about the university.

If that's really the case, then the people who want UAB football back are truly a "vocal minority" as Dr. Witt said. I don't believe that, and you don't either. There is and has been wide spread, nationwide support for this program. The notion that boosters who were charged by the University Administration publicly to specifically "explore other funding sources and sources of support" don't have the ability to do just that is ridiculous.

Please let's quit playing the victim here and get on with doing what is necessary to take this argument, this weak, demeaning argument, off the table.

(05-27-2015 10:05 PM)BlazerFire Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 09:45 PM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 09:27 PM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 08:57 PM)blzr4life Wrote:  2. Money is almost there to cover the donut hole of $15 mil.
3. Additional money is required for some facility needs (Turf and coaches /football complex). We need to come up with more before university will commit to a bond issue. We need to do our part is what I understand.
3. Total number has moved. Donut hole plus facilities needs to be @ $25 million.
4. OCS is not on table currently. Fillers commitment is contingent on OCS,so his commitment needs to be re-assessed to help us out.
6. Decision by Monday. If money is not there...no returning of sports.

Ok, these don't make sense.

The donut hole is $15m, but $25m has to be raised for him to bring it back? $10m extra and an OCS isn't on the table? What's that $10m for? To cover the entire city of Birmingham in cherry trees?

If the "donut hole" doesn't include facilities, what does it include above and beyond what UAB was already spending? The cost of football didn't increase $15 million from last season to this season.

Something doesn't add up, at all.

And if we raise the money for an OCS why wouldn't it be on the table?

And finally, why would he hold football supporters to a number without making that number public? Why wouldn't he come up with this number, publicly announce it, and say we're going to have a two month public fund drive with the full support of the Athletics Department, the Development Office, and the technical backing of UAB's website and payment systems?

Is he really that fscking stupid to think that what he's doing isn't transparent?

Also, what was his opinion on the SGA offering increased student fees? Wonder if they are counting that or not, since the administration, not the SGA, is who would implement and have to approve such a fee.

My guess is that the $15 covers the actual donut hole, and the extra $10m covers the costs incurred in shutting it down. No, that's not fair, he did it he should pay, yeah, I know, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that's the thinking.

I was talking to Kim Rafferty at Admin this afternoon and she said that he was undercounting the donations to cover this.

"My guess is that the $15 covers the actual donut hole, and the extra $10m covers the costs incurred in shutting it down."

this.

My thoughts exactly! He wants the extra $10m to cover the expenses HE has cost UAB fighting the restoration effort!

Hustle more pledges, guys. Bottom line is if we want it back we have to come up with more money.

(05-28-2015 11:17 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  Hustle more pledges, guys. Bottom line is if we want it back we have to come up with more money.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9zDSJGwdd4

(05-28-2015 09:43 AM)CajunBlazer Wrote:  Someone Wrote: Because, again, that would have taken the support of the university to accomplish. Regions Bank isn't going to listen to Justin Craft, private individual. They're going to listen to people with @uab.edu email addresses and job titles like Director of Development, Vice President, and President.

I disagree, given the recent hits to their reputation the University administration has taken as as a result of this fiasco, I don't think that Birmingham business people would regard anything that an administration toady would do as credible. And these Birmingham business people aren't stupid. They know that no one in Watts' organization is going to lift a finger to save football. On the other hand, Justin Craft may be running the show, but other business people in this city know that the Foundation is the handiwork of some of the wealthiest, most well respected business folks in this area. Don't tell me that Regions Bank and other like business are not going to listen to folks like Jimmy Filler and Harold Ripps and trust them implicitly.

On the other hand I am going to say this again - You don't know what you don't know I do know that when the original $6M was announced the Foundation had much more than that pledged. Craft said at the time that the next step in the process was to approach the business community for contributions. How do you know whether that had not already been done. Let me answer that for you - you don't.

As someone has already pointed out, of the really big boosters, we have seen the hand of only one - Filler - and he could yet alter his offer. We don't know whether the contributions of people like Don Hire, Harold Ripps and many others have already been counted.

So unless you have $10 million or so you can spare, everyone needs to take a chill pill and trust those who know far more than we do right now - by the way, it's not like we have any choice in the matter.

Yep

(05-28-2015 09:10 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:57 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:31 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:18 AM)mixduptransistor Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:14 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  as opposed to a four month public campaign which raised twenty million in private and corporate structured dollars?

This would have required the cooperation of the university, instead of them actively working against the process.

How could you have not gone to corporate and individual donors, publicly and privately and said, "we need to raise $20 million dollars" for an upcoming campaign for UAB football?. This is what it will need to look like, can we count on you when the time comes? I have worked on United Way campaigns over multiple years, which have raised in excess of probably $100MM total, and that is exactly how it's done. It's fundraising 101.

Because, again, that would have taken the support of the university to accomplish. Regions Bank isn't going to listen to Justin Craft, private individual. They're going to listen to people with @uab.edu email addresses and job titles like Director of Development, Vice President, and President.

Who with an @uab.edu contacted you about your football pledge before you made it in the last four weeks? No one with that address did me.

I read your post wrong earlier when I responded. Nonetheless, I wrote Dr. Khan an email saying there was a rumor that Dr. Watts was not wanting to acknowledge the private pledge forms and could she authenticate my pledge form had been signed. She just wrote back and said that it had indeed been signed.

I got an email saying mine had been signed as well.

I've not gotten any emails notifying of my pledge being accepted or not???

Been away for a couple of day so just getting back to reading things & from reading them, it looks as though Watts & Co has just put up another hoop for us to jump through all in an effort to be sure we never are able to jump through the next put up (Lucy pulls the ball again)

I have donated for many years. It would be silly to not count my pledge or those I recruited.
I am amazed at the ability to raise money with out support from the administration.