Dome Stadium...... (Birmingham, Auburn: universities, price, budget)

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by steveklein

How can you say the program is in good shape?

I quoted an article that said as much. Did you miss it?

Birmingham wants to build them an indoor practice facility.

Birmingham wants to build a multi purpose facility and perhaps allow UAB to use it for home games.

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by Tourian

I quoted an article that said as much. Did you miss it?

Birmingham wants to build them an indoor practice facility.

Birmingham wants to build a multi purpose facility and perhaps allow UAB to use it for home games.

Quoting an article is great and everything, but not if the article was written with green and gold glasses. I gave you facts that whether you look at the program in terms of wins and losses or money (more important), the program has thus far failed.

As for a practice facility and new field, Birmingham may want to do all these things, but they have had years to do it and haven't. At some point you do have to stop the bleeding or make a big investment.

[Tourian]

Originally Posted by steveklein

Quoting an article is great and everything, but not if the article was written with green and gold glasses. I gave you facts that whether you look at the program in terms of wins and losses or money (more important), the program has thus far failed.

Lol, "facts?"

Let me remind you of what you "gave" me:

Originally Posted by steveklein
nobody goes to the games. nobody follows the team. the product on the field is consistently poor. the facilities are lacking, and it is a money pit.

To which I respond to with attendance figures for this year, their current record, and the movement to improve their facilities through OUTSIDE investment. These are real facts in direct contradiction to your baseless comment above.

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by steveklein

Quoting an article is great and everything, but not if the article was written with green and gold glasses. I gave you facts that whether you look at the program in terms of wins and losses or money (more important), the program has thus far failed.

As for a practice facility and new field, Birmingham may want to do all these things, but they have had years to do it and haven't. At some point you do have to stop the bleeding or make a big investment.

Sorry. At last count, only 22 Division I college football teams either made money or broke even last year. If we use that criterion, the NCAA would have fewer teams than the NFL.

I'm not a UAB fan per se, but the program seems to be getting some traction under the new coach. Despite inheriting a shambles of a program, the current coach will likely turn in a winning season this year, and build on it from there. My theory is that Paul Bryant Jr., et al, think this is their best opportunity to snuff it out.

So I guess what I'm saying is that the fate of the UAB football team should rest in the hands of the UAB leadership, not the University of Alabama system. In truth, while UAB has half the number of students at UofA, they generate much, much more cash, making them the tail that wags the dog. So if they want the program, so be it.

[raj kapoor]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Sorry. At last count, only 22 Division I college football teams either made money or broke even last year. If we use that criterion, the NCAA would have fewer teams than the NFL.

I'm not a UAB fan per se, but the program seems to be getting some traction under the new coach. Despite inheriting a shambles of a program, the current coach will likely turn in a winning season this year, and build on it from there. My theory is that Paul Bryant Jr., et al, think this is their best opportunity to snuff it out.

So I guess what I'm saying is that the fate of the UAB football team should rest in the hands of the UAB leadership, not the University of Alabama system. In truth, while UAB has half the number of students at UofA, they generate much, much more cash, making them the tail that wags the dog. So if they want the program, so be it.

Very well said.

I don't understand the negative rant over UAB football. Especially in light of the announcement that was just made last week about the formation of the UAB Football Foundation.

I am honored to know the man who started this foundation and I can say that he has never been associated with any sort of failure in his life.

To those so negative, I would say, because it has not reached a certain goal till this date does not mean that it is wrong to aspire to the goal. That level of negativity would stop most efforts in their tracks. The reason the city is entertaining discussion as to its role in UAB football's future is obviously because the city itself is just beginning, under new leadership, to realize it has a future of growth and accomplishment ahead of it. The city is awakening and can now have vision again. To say I am irritated by those that want to blind that vision is an understatement. Mayor Bell has been talking about UAB athletics for over a year now.

[wardamnbham]

It's good that this story is getting traction. The UA Board of Trustees has been hostile to UAB for quite some time. Especially in athletics but in a lesser sense, academics as well.

I't important to note that if football is shutdown, the basketball program (and many other sports) will take a severe hit as well. C-USA is a conference that requires football. Without it, UAB will be kicked out and forced to find a new home in a lowly conference.

If you'd like to see UAB and its athletics program thrive, be sure to contact local and university officials to express support. President Watts and AD Mackin need to hear from the community, not to mention those in government.

[bhamguy]

http://m.bizjournals.com/birmingham/...all-in-the.htm

I am so happy that we have the mayora support, on UAB keeping their football team. Of course, the final say isn't up to him, but a new stadium could use his backing, perhaps. I think Bill Clark has done a great job with the team this year, and I am optimistic that things will only improve for the team. I am for UAB being away from the UA system. Smh

[cpg35223]

Originally Posted by bhamguy

http://m.bizjournals.com/birmingham/...all-in-the.htm

I am so happy that we have the mayora support, on UAB keeping their football team. Of course, the final say isn't up to him, but a new stadium could use his backing, perhaps. I think Bill Clark has done a great job with the team this year, and I am optimistic that things will only improve for the team. I am for UAB being away from the UA system. Smh

I'm pretty sure that the City of Birmingham has all kinds of leverage it can inflict -- I mean use -- on the UofA system. The City has been an enthusiastic partner with UAB over the years, and the results show.

[Tourian]

Having a strong Blazer fanbase with a 30-40k fan attendance each game, along with a new place to play would go a long way to bringing back the title of "Football Capital of the South."

Hundreds of Millions of Fans Tune to Record-Setting College Football Coverage across ESPN Networks « ESPN MediaZone

Birmingham Leads All Markets for 13th Straight Year with Highest-Rated Season Ever
The top four most-viewed metered markets for ESPN’s game telecasts in 2013 were the same as in 2012 with Birmingham securing its first place finish for a 13th consecutive season. The Alabama city averaged a 9.2 rating, the highest ever for the market. Greenville was second with a 4.9 rating followed by Knoxville (4.4) and New Orleans (4.3).

I mean, look at that. We watch more then anywhere. Imagine all the sports grille/bars and fandom stores that could profit off that if suddenly there was a clean/inviting/safe place downtown for an SEC kickoff game and the Blazers to play at home. That's money on the table just laying there ready to be scooped up.

[steveklein]

Originally Posted by cpg35223

Sorry. At last count, only 22 Division I college football teams either made money or broke even last year. If we use that criterion, the NCAA would have fewer teams than the NFL.

I'm not a UAB fan per se, but the program seems to be getting some traction under the new coach. Despite inheriting a shambles of a program, the current coach will likely turn in a winning season this year, and build on it from there. My theory is that Paul Bryant Jr., et al, think this is their best opportunity to snuff it out.

So I guess what I'm saying is that the fate of the UAB football team should rest in the hands of the UAB leadership, not the University of Alabama system. In truth, while UAB has half the number of students at UofA, they generate much, much more cash, making them the tail that wags the dog. So if they want the program, so be it.

Check your facts. Perhaps 22 athletic programs made money, but far more than 22 football programs made money. UAB was not one of them.