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Bill Clark agreed to a five-year contract extension to remain UAB's football coach when the Blazers resume playing in 2017 after football got killed for six months. Clark now has a tangible five-year deal he can sell to recruits and appease worried donors. Now comes the compelling part during negotiations for the actual contract. How much autonomy will UAB and University of Alabama trustees give Birmingham businessmen to create a private foundation for UAB football? This is a key sticking point for Clark, who believes UAB will be right back in the same boat without private investment, according to sources familiar with Clark's thinking.

Clark and some prominent Birmingham businessmen believe the football program needs sustainable and independent fundraising above the baseline funding provided by UAB. The idea is to raise this money through a non-profit foundation, similar to what many college football programs have, such as the Crimson Tide Foundation at Alabama. “If they don't let this program have autonomy, then it's stupid to bring the team back and they're basically not giving Bill a chance,” one source said.

Clark felt comfortable enough to sign the term sheet after meeting last weekend with business leaders whom he believes will be able to control the foundation. The term sheet for Clark's contract includes this key phrase: “In the event a foundation is formed to support UAB Athletics, UAB will work with such foundation in its efforts to raise funds for UAB Athletics facilities as well as operations consistent with UAB's rule and procedures.” Get ready for months of negotiating what that one sentence means and who ultimately controls the foundation.

If someone like Hatton is at it's head I'll have no problems but if say a BOT or other UAT toadie is "appointed" (see UAT/BOT in charge of Campaign for UAB) then we will be hamstrung again w/ moving goalposts & it will be nothing more than another slush fund for UAT rather than UAB

Did someone say Toadies?

Nobody will give to the Foundation if it is as opaque as described above.

(09-17-2015 03:46 PM)blazerwkr Wrote:  If someone like Hatton is at it's head I'll have no problems but if say a BOT or other UAT toadie is "appointed" (see UAT/BOT in charge of Campaign for UAB) then we will be hamstrung again w/ moving goalposts & it will be nothing more than another slush fund for UAT rather than UAB

That's an extreme comment. A UAB Football Foundation would never become slush fund for UAT. The BOT is powerful but they ain't that damn bold. But a UAT toadie could limit the amount of money raised or make it difficult for monies to be raised.

Simple. Find out how UAT's football foundation program is run and do it the same way. That way if the BOT balks at it, we can show they aren't treating the schools the same as they have claimed.

(09-18-2015 09:39 AM)GreenGiant67 Wrote:  Simple. Find out how UAT's football foundation program is run and do it the same way. That way if the BOT balks at it, we can show they aren't treating the schools the same as they have claimed.

Yep. They are forcing us to use the same model as UAT so we go with that until they choke on it

(09-18-2015 09:39 AM)GreenGiant67 Wrote:  Simple. Find out how UAT's football foundation program is run and do it the same way. That way if the BOT balks at it, we can show they aren't treating the schools the same as they have claimed.

I'm willing to bet most people around here wouldn't be satisfied as to the transparency of the Crimson Tide Foundation.

(09-18-2015 09:39 AM)GreenGiant67 Wrote:  Simple. Find out how UAT's football foundation program is run and do it the same way. That way if the BOT balks at it, we can show they aren't treating the schools the same as they have claimed.

I'm certainly not donating to an organization that openly flouts federal law.

I would prefer that the foundation be named after Bartow in some way and benefit all sports not just football