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I'm sure the stadium issue has been discussed. Watts is trying to get the city to build one for us, which is simply never going to fly. They might go halves with UAB on a stadium, but I strongly suspect if we go that route the city will want id down by the BJCC as part of renovations of that complex.

I'd much rather see us in our proper OCS per the plan, but I would take a new field by the BJCC. It would get us out of LF, be modern and comfortable, and be a recruiting tool. I'd bet we can negotiate better terms as far as the parking and concessions are concerned as well.

Shrug. I bet we hear something on the subject Monday.

(05-31-2015 02:26 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  I'd much rather see us in our proper OCS per the plan, but I would take a new field by the BJCC. It would get us out of LF, be modern and comfortable, and be a recruiting tool.

But it does nothing for the students or campus life at UAB. Besides, it will still be too big for UAB Football. I don't want to see UAB playing in a 60,000 seat stadium with 25-30,000 fans anymore.

(05-31-2015 02:40 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(05-31-2015 02:26 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  I'd much rather see us in our proper OCS per the plan, but I would take a new field by the BJCC. It would get us out of LF, be modern and comfortable, and be a recruiting tool.

But it does nothing for the students or campus life at UAB. Besides, it will still be too big for UAB Football. I don't want to see UAB playing in a 60,000 seat stadium with 25-30,000 fans anymore.

uab has its own bus transportation system. all they have to do is set up the normal pregame game day activities on campus and use the busses as a shuttle service to the stadium. they could even sell tailgate spots on the various lots to make money.

(05-31-2015 06:18 AM)bladhmadh Wrote:  

(05-31-2015 02:40 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(05-31-2015 02:26 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  I'd much rather see us in our proper OCS per the plan, but I would take a new field by the BJCC. It would get us out of LF, be modern and comfortable, and be a recruiting tool.

But it does nothing for the students or campus life at UAB. Besides, it will still be too big for UAB Football. I don't want to see UAB playing in a 60,000 seat stadium with 25-30,000 fans anymore.

uab has its own bus transportation system. all they have to do is set up the normal pregame game day activities on campus and use the busses as a shuttle service to the stadium. they could even sell tailgate spots on the various lots to make money.

So I am just going to go back to my original comment, UAB needs a OCS that is suitable for UAB's fan base, students, and that will create a campus environment in a more traditional form. A stadium downtown does not accomplish that period.

Samford doesn't bus students to their football games, Troy doesn't bus students to their football games. Jacksonville St does not bus students to their football games. Alabama St does not bus students to their games, Alabama A&M does not bus students to their games. I want UAB students and football players to have that true college gameday experience on campus, not downtown.

Exactly right. Build it where CZG wanted it. UAB already owns the property. UAB has secured the financing.

What's the problem?

Oh, wait.

(05-31-2015 02:40 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  But it does nothing for the students or campus life at UAB. Besides, it will still be too big for UAB Football. I don't want to see UAB playing in a 60,000 seat stadium with 25-30,000 fans anymore.

That's one of the main problems that we had. It's hard to have demand for tickets when anyone can walk up and know we have seats available. It also looks better when we have 17K to 20k fans in a 25k to 30k stadium.

I really want UAB to have an OCS but the city isn't going to fund the entire thing, nor should they. If they're going to invest in the construction of some type of sports venue it will be the MPF downtown. Continuing to play off campus wouldn't be ideal but playing in a nice new shiny venue downtown would be infinitely better than playing at Legion Field.

(05-31-2015 09:41 AM)BlazintheATL Wrote:  I really want UAB to have an OCS but the city isn't going to fund the entire thing, nor should they. If they're going to invest in the construction of some type of sports venue it will be the MPF downtown. Continuing to play off campus wouldn't be ideal but playing in a nice new shiny venue downtown would be infinitely better than playing at Legion Field.

I would rather play at Legion Field knowing that an OCS will be built in 5 years than playing in a new MPF knowing that UAB will never get an OCS.

(05-31-2015 09:45 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(05-31-2015 09:41 AM)BlazintheATL Wrote:  I really want UAB to have an OCS but the city isn't going to fund the entire thing, nor should they. If they're going to invest in the construction of some type of sports venue it will be the MPF downtown. Continuing to play off campus wouldn't be ideal but playing in a nice new shiny venue downtown would be infinitely better than playing at Legion Field.

I would rather play at Legion Field knowing that an OCS will be built in 5 years than playing in a new MPF knowing that UAB will never get an OCS.

Co-sign.

Ray has basically said his administration is not going to lift a finger to support UAB football, but he won't be president forever.

(05-31-2015 09:45 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(05-31-2015 09:41 AM)BlazintheATL Wrote:  I really want UAB to have an OCS but the city isn't going to fund the entire thing, nor should they. If they're going to invest in the construction of some type of sports venue it will be the MPF downtown. Continuing to play off campus wouldn't be ideal but playing in a nice new shiny venue downtown would be infinitely better than playing at Legion Field.

I would rather play at Legion Field knowing that an OCS will be built in 5 years than playing in a new MPF knowing that UAB will never get an OCS.

This has been my argument against the domed stadium the whole time. Lots of folks are happy to take a BJCC dome over Legion Field, but that means we'll be stuck there for the rest of our lives.

Getting back to VOSS749's question, Legion Field is the ONLY venue in this metro area suitable for the city to host its bowl game and the Magic City Classic. Its need to replace it with an MPF is based on what the city needs to attract larger conventions and sports events that the BJCC can not presently attract or accommodate.

Note that the GA Dome in 2014 hosted three college football games in the first week of the season, several GA State and Falcons home games during the season and the SEC Championship Game to wrap up the college season. It also hosted about 200 various sized conventions during its year as well. I wish B'ham could get some of that market as ell.

UAB's need for their own OCS has nothing to do with the city's need for its own MPF though if built it may serve UAB as at least a temporary home stadium while it spends its own money on more pressing facility constructions (from FBHC Clark's own stated list).

As for renovating Legion Field, #1- It doesn't belong to UAB and the city can spend such funds in more advantageous ways. #2- UAB can also spend its money in more advantageous ways on its own facilities.

One great advantage for UAB in having its OCS would be that it could sell its thousands of best seats as season tickets - perhaps with an attached premium - which it cannot LEGALLY do at present at Legion Field. 5,000 prime seats sold at prime prices can only help UAB's "bottom line".

I'm optimistic about Monday, but isn't this a little premature? We still technically don't have a football team. Unless someone knows something I don't.

(05-31-2015 10:33 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  I'm optimistic about Monday, but isn't this a little premature? We still technically don't have a football team. Unless someone knows something I don't.

It was stated earlier if the program is reinstated. But even if it isn't this will still be a subject to discuss.

(05-31-2015 10:49 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(05-31-2015 10:33 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  I'm optimistic about Monday, but isn't this a little premature? We still technically don't have a football team. Unless someone knows something I don't.

It was stated earlier if the program is reinstated. But even if it isn't this will still be a subject to discuss.

I didn't say it was irrelevant just premature. But, I wouldn't be surprised if Watts moves the goal today and says we need 50 million dollars in pledges and financial plans for a football stadium before Monday if he is going to reinstate the program.

(05-31-2015 10:55 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  

(05-31-2015 10:49 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(05-31-2015 10:33 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  I'm optimistic about Monday, but isn't this a little premature? We still technically don't have a football team. Unless someone knows something I don't.

It was stated earlier if the program is reinstated. But even if it isn't this will still be a subject to discuss.

I didn't say it was irrelevant just premature. But, I wouldn't be surprised if Watts moves the goal today and says we need 50 million dollars in pledges and financial plans for a football stadium before Monday if he is going to reinstate the program.

I didn't say it was irrelevant either. It also not premature to discuss either regardless of the outcome tomorrow.

FBHC Clark stated a list of facility priorities last spring and the OCS was not at the top of that list. When UAB can afford it all, then all will be built. Planning is based upon a belief in success. If success is prevented by authorities, then you make other plans. That's why "you keep your powder dry".

(05-31-2015 02:40 AM)BamaScorpio69 Wrote:  

(05-31-2015 02:26 AM)UAB Band Dad Wrote:  I'd much rather see us in our proper OCS per the plan, but I would take a new field by the BJCC. It would get us out of LF, be modern and comfortable, and be a recruiting tool.

But it does nothing for the students or campus life at UAB. Besides, it will still be too big for UAB Football. I don't want to see UAB playing in a 60,000 seat stadium with 25-30,000 fans anymore.

Are you seriously going to sit there and tell me that getting back football, bowling and rifle, getting a new football stadium, and gathering all the various UAB people pulling in one direction does nothing for the students or campus life?

That was a realistic post, stating the realities, not how we wish it would be. If you have $75m to build the OCS we all want immediately, feel free to pledge. In fact, you can deduct $7.5m from that, Jimmy Filler has already pledged that. Look at the money you saved!

OF COURSE we want the OCS, but a shiny new stadium that is closer to campus and reachable by bus, one that the Over The Mountain crowd won't be able to claim will get you killed, would be a huge step up.

Get a grip.

I could see a scenario that includes a 25-30K seat OCS where UAB would play (at least) 1 "special" game per year in any MPF that might be built...

I believe Scorpio's point is that playing off campus does not enhance campus life for students the way that playing on campus would. That's what this entire conversation about.

Bamablazer made an excellent point in his earlier post. Birmingham's need for a MPF is completely independent of UAB's need for an OCS and one doesn't exclude the other. The problems with Legion Field are obvious but the BJCC is also in need of an upgrade. As the MPF proponents have stated, if Birmingham wants to remain competitive in the convention business and continue to bring in high quality concerts, sporting events, and other entertainment and trade show events, then a new facility is needed. Whether UAB decides to play their games there are build their own stadium is totally up to the UAB administration and the BOT, it has nothing to do with the city and their needs.