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

Probably give USM fans a new brown paper bag to put over their head as the ones they’ve currently got are a bit worn out.

(10-21-2021 09:20 AM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  A warning, have a throw-up bag nearby when you read it as it goes out of its way to lionize Finis and Watts.

You spelled wrong.

(10-21-2021 10:42 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  

(10-21-2021 09:28 AM)Ramblin Wreck Wrote:  https://theamerican.org/news/2021/10/21/...ities.aspx

From the AAC official press release -

“42,000-seat Protective Stadium in 2021”

Does anybody really know what the stadium capacity is?

Hmmm…kind of reminds me of a song. “Does anybody really care?”

47,100 is total number of seats built per the contract documents. (drawings / specifications / blueprints)

that's all I need to know!

(10-21-2021 11:23 AM)georgia_tech_swagger Wrote:  

(10-21-2021 09:20 AM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  A warning, have a throw-up bag nearby when you read it as it goes out of its way to lionize Finis and Watts.

You spelled wrong.

Punkinhead has his own emoji (Smilie) ! I'm STILL not sure why Watts is still prez, but... in some weird bizzaro way, we are in better shape than ever... but yeah he is still the essence of this image!

Also, can we please get better licensing now!
Our merchandise has been woeful ever since Snoozy's shutdown.

(10-21-2021 09:20 AM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  https://uabsports.com/news/2021/10/21/fo...rence.aspx


A warning, have a throw-up bag nearby when you read it as it goes out of its way to lionize Finis and Watts.


The video they dropped on twitter is nice though.

There's definitely bad history, but it's also refreshing to see St John say some positive things and to have him and the BOT on board for the move. This move will mean an increase to our athletic budget which they ultimately sign off on.

we also thank the UAB Athletics Foundation and many other supporters inside and outside of UAB whose vital contributions made this possible. We will need continued campus and community support to compete at the highest levels."

Do yall think Watts is talking about past contributions that have gotten us to this point or new contributions that are directly going toward the AAC move (exit fees, entrance fees, budget upgrade?)

Here's the email Watts sent out to UAB employees:

Blazer Family,

We are excited to announce that UAB Athletics will compete in the American Athletic Conference. The American will increase our exposure and raise the profile of the institution and enhance competitive opportunities for our student athletes and coaches.

Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice and Texas San Antonio will join us as new members in The American and compete against current members East Carolina, Memphis, Navy, South Florida, Southern Methodist, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa and Wichita State.

We are grateful for more than 25 years with Conference USA and many great memories, and we look forward to forging new memories with perennial basketball power Wichita State, former UAB rivals Memphis and Tulane, tradition-rich service academy Navy, and the many other well-known and respected institutions of The American.

As a campus and beyond – including our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding community and civic and business leaders – the recent, unprecedented support and success of UAB Athletics is a shared point of pride for many. As we celebrate this milestone, we recognize and thank everyone in our Department of Athletics, university and community who played a part in making this possible; we wouldn’t be here without you.

In recent weeks, as conference realignment talks have emerged, we’ve engaged with faculty, staff, students, fans, donors and others who overwhelmingly support UAB seizing this opportunity.

Competing for championships in The American will require additional investments, but we are confident that this decision is in the best interest of the university. We have the support of UAB leadership, UAB Athletics Foundation and UAB National Alumni Society, as well as faculty, staff and student leaders and other key groups.

We have been thoughtful and deliberate in making this decision with the expertise and unwavering support from Chancellor Finis St. John, the University of Alabama System Office and the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees, for which we are grateful.

As excitement continues to grow, we encourage Blazer fans to build your priority standing for future season tickets and seat selection by joining Blazer Boosters and supporting our teams now. You’ll be glad you did.

Go Blazers,
Ray Watts
President

Mark Ingram
Director of Athletics

I thought this line was interesting:

"Competing for championships in The American will require additional investments"

So Watts and the BOT are on board to increase the budget and continue facility upgrades. I wonder if the timeline on a Bartow Arena renovation gets moved up.

(10-21-2021 01:22 PM)blazerblazer Wrote:  Also, can we please get better licensing now!
Our merchandise has been woeful ever since Snoozy's shutdown.

+1!

The UAB press conference today:

There was an gathering tonight @ protective stadium to announce the conference move to the UAB supporters. It was great and Mr. H Smith is as enthusiastic as ever.

(10-21-2021 07:33 PM)kdblazer Wrote:  There was an gathering tonight @ protective stadium to announce the conference move to the UAB supporters. It was great and Mr. H Smith is as enthusiastic as ever.

He sure was..

Hatton is fantastic. He really got the attendees engaged ( loved him leading the toast to ourselves with a funky beer in hand ).

(10-21-2021 01:22 PM)blazerblazer Wrote:  Also, can we please get better licensing now!
Our merchandise has been woeful ever since Snoozy's shutdown.

This is so true.