The University of Alabama-Bimingham shut down its football program nearly 28 years to the day after Wichita State eliminated its program -- the last FBS school to eliminate football was Pacific in 1995. Ironically UAB is 6-6 and is bowl game eligible. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_defunct_college_football_teams UAB shutting down football program BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — UAB is shutting down the football program after one of the Blazers stronger seasons, the first school to make that cost-cutting move in nearly two decades. The university announced the decision Tuesday minutes after President Ray Watts met with the Blazers players and coaches, while several hundred UAB students and fans gathered outside for the third straight day in efforts to support the program. UAB made the decision after a campus-wide study conducted by a consulting firm over the past year. The fiscal realities we face — both from an operating and a capital investment standpoint — are starker than ever and demand that we take decisive action for the greater good of the Athletic Department and UAB, Watts said in a statement released by the university. As we look at the evolving landscape of NCAA football, we see expenses only continuing to increase. When considering a model that best protects the financial future and prominence of the Athletic Department, football is simply not sustainable. UAB said in the release that it subsidizes $20 million of the athletic departments operating budget of some $30 million annually, and said both those numbers rank fifth in Conference USA. The university said the difference over the next five years would be an extra $49 million with football, including a projected $22 million needed for football facilities and upgrades. Despite the numbers outlined by UAB, Watts insisted at an afternoon news conference that the decision is not about financial woes. This is about planning for excellence in the future in everything we do. UAB is the first major college program since Pacific in 1995 to shut down. Players cried and hugged after leaving the meeting. An emotional coach Bill Clark, who just completed his first season with a 6-6 record, briefly addressed supporters, saying players, families and coaches were all hurting. UAB is eligible for only its second bowl appearance and first since 2004. This is one of the most difficult days that I have had to endure in my personal as well as my coaching career, Clark said in a statement. I am absolutely heartbroken for my players and my assistant coaches. He has two years left on a contract worth $500,000 annually. Watts wouldnt give the specific cost of shutting down football. UABs deal for the opener with Tennessee alone called for either school to pay $925,000 to get out of the game. UAB tight end Brandon Prince, 20, transferred from Austin Peay back to his hometown to help his ailing father. Now, hes not sure where hell be able to do what he loves most: Play football. Its like SMU, Prince said. We got the death penalty without any NCAA violations. Eliminating football jeopardizes UABs membership in Conference USA and associated programs including the schools marching band, though the school said it hopes to remain in the league and Division I. Members of the band and cheerleaders joined in protests on campus. Conference USAs current bylaws require members to sponsor football. Commissioner Britton Banowsky said the leagues board of directors will decide UABs status. We dont fully understand the decision, nor agree with it, but do respect it and the authority of the UAB administration to make it, Banowsky said UAB is also the cutting bowling and rifle programs, which school officials said he cost a combined $400,000-$600,000 annually to operate. Athletic director Brian Mackin will now serve as special assistant to the president for athletics. Senior Associate Athletic Director Shannon Ealy will take over on an interim basis. Zac Woodfin, the teams strength coach and a former player, said a decision to eliminate the program would hurt not only the 125 players and 50 coaches and support staff but also other sports that could see scholarship reductions, band members and fans. The trickle effect is going to be huge in a negative way, said Woodfin. Playing in the shadows of Southeastern Conference powers Alabama and Auburn and lacking an on-campus stadium, UAB has struggled to develop a fan base and consistent attendance in the nearly two decades since it joined the Football Bowl Subdivision. Average attendance doubled this year under Clark to more than 20,000 fans per game. University of Alabama System Trustee John D. Johns, a Birmingham businessman, said Watts made a tough decision in a methodical, objective manner. Its really a rough, tough situation any way you look at it, Johns said.\ Reports: UAB heading toward shutting down football BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The University of Alabama-Birmingham appears close to dropping football. Coach Bill Clark told ESPN on Sunday he expects the school to end a program that has struggled financially and on the field for years. Clark told ESPN: Unless something changes before the weekend ends, I think its over. I think the odds are very high it ends this week. Sports Illustrated and USA Today, citing unidentified sources, reported UAB was taking steps to disband the program this week, including letting go athletic director Brian Mackin. Clark later tweeted: Contrary to news, We havent heard any decision about our program. We are still fighting! In its first season under Clark, UAB (6-6) is eligible for bowl game for the first time since 2004. Hundreds of students rally to save football at UAB BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Scores of students, alumni and athletes marched to the administration building at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and rallied for hours Monday in response to reports that officials will shut down the football program. Chanting We want football and We are UAB, We are Birmingham, demonstrators demanded that UAB President Ray Watts come outside to discuss the future of the program, which earned a possible bowl appearance with a win on Saturday. Watts never showed before the protest concluded, and school officials didnt respond to a request for comment. Protesters said they would return Tuesday. Im going to fight for this school and I could care less what people think. I believe in my heart that its right, said Zac Woodfin, who played at UAB and is now an assistant coach. Much of the demonstrators anger was directed toward University of Alabama System trustees, who control campuses in Birmingham, Huntsville and Tuscaloosa. Trustees previously blocked UABs efforts to construct a new stadium and hire Jimbo Fisher, now the head coach at Florida State. Officials have said there are evaluating the viability of UAB football, and coach Bill Clark told ESPN on Sunday that he expects the school to end a program that has struggled financially. Clark later tweeted: Contrary to news, We havent heard any decision about our program. We are still fighting! In its first season under Clark, UAB (6-6) is eligible for a bowl game for the first time since 2004. In Tuscaloosa, Alabama coach Nick Saban said the uncertainty surrounding UABs program is kind of news to me. Theyre part of the same university system. My thoughts are always with the players and the people in our profession that are affected by losing their jobs, whether its getting fired or someone discontinuing their program, Saban said. I hate to see that for anyone in our profession. I certainly hate to see players have to go through the things they have to go through when they have to change programs or dont have the opportunity to play were they thought they were going to play. Saying all that, I understand the other side of it, too. Theres a business aspect to all this that has to make sense to people relative to justifying athletic programs in general. And thats above my pay grade, and Im not involved at all in any opinion in what should and shouldnt be done. Playing in the shadows of Alabama and Auburn and lacking an on-campus stadium, UAB has struggled to develop a fan base and consistent attendance in the nearly two decades since it joined the Football Bowl Subdivision. Average attendance doubled this year under Clark to more than 20,000 fans per game, but reports circulated that administrators might kill the program even as the Blazers compiled their best record in a decade. Eliminating football would jeopardize UABs membership in Conference USA and associated programs including the schools marching band. Members of the band and cheerleaders joined in the protest at the administrative offices. Protests over shutdown of UAB football continue BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Protests over the shutdown of UABs football program have moved to the basketball court. Students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham dressed in black to show their disapproval of the decision during UABs basketball game against Morehead State on Thursday night. The football team walked on to the floor during halftime to chants of We want football. And bumper stickers calling for the firing of UAB President Ray Watts were handed out by some. Students with signs also filled the court after the game. Watts says the school will save $49 million over five years by eliminating football. He says that will allow UAB to concentrate more on academic priorities and other sports including basketball. The womens rifle and bowling programs also are being eliminated. UAB player receives support after viral video BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — UAB linebacker Jordan Ricks has been amazed by the support since the announcement that the program was being dismantled. Auburn and Alabama fans reached out on social media and thousands have watched video he captured of the players emotional reaction after university President Ray Watts told the team of his decision Tuesday. A professor even pushed back a deadline on a paper and trimmed the requirement by a couple of pages. The professor understands that a lot of us are having to pick up and move in a little less than a month, and figure out where were going, said Ricks, a Birmingham native who grew up going to UAB games. You have to focus on school and everything but your mind is still on this. Its like, Whats your next move? Theres a little bit of confusion. The Blazers got the news a few days after completing the best season in a decade under first-year coach Bill Clark. The raw emotion on display at the meeting with Watts was evident in the video, which drew more than 450,000 views on YouTube by Wednesday evening. Tristan Henderson, a 26-year-old tight end, rose from his seat a few feet from Watts and talked of serving in the military before college. I was in a bunker in Iraq, Henderson, who is from Los Alamitos, California, told Watts. I watched two of my soldiers walk out and get blown up. Two of them, right in front of me. And from that day on I knew what a brotherhood was. I felt it. ... In my soul I felt it. When I came here, thats what this turned in to. Thats what this is. He spoke of trying to answer his 3-year-old sons question about whats going to happen. Theres 18-year-olds in here, 17-year-olds, Henderson said. What are they supposed to do? Some of these cats came from 3,000 miles away to be a part of this, to be a part of all of this. But you say numbers. Thats what you come to us and say, numbers. UAB cited a 16-page report from consultant Bill Carr indicating it would cost at least another $49 million over the next five years to field a competitive football team, including such expenses as a new field house. The university cited rising costs in college athletics including paying cost of attendance, which Carr estimated at $5,442 for each player. Ricks, who sat out the season after back surgery, said some teammates arent sure they want to keep playing football because they dont want to play with anybody else. We know each other so well. Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White, a former UAB star, said Wednesday that he was saddened by news that the university was shutting down the program. He also offered encouraging words for players left without a team. The football program was a big part of that community, and the people in that area made great impacts on the lives of those young men, including myself, White said. I know those players are going through a lot of emotions right now, but I want them to know that you have an opportunity to continue playing college football and continue to work towards your degree. Do not allow this decision to derail your dreams. UAB players, coaches left seeking other shots BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Brandon Prince transferred to UAB to help his ailing father, a single parent, while still doing what he loves most: Playing football. The redshirt freshman tight end sat out the Blazers surprisingly strong season after transferring from Austin Peay, only to see his hometown program get shut down on Tuesday. Its like SMU, Prince said. We got the death penalty without any NCAA violations. Now Prince and his teammates are left looking for new football homes and scholarships. They are eligible to play immediately if they transfer. UAB became the first major college program since Pacific in 1995 to shut down football. The university said keeping football would cost an additional $49 million over the next five years, including $22 million in facilities and upgrades. As we look at the evolving landscape of NCAA football, we see expenses only continuing to increase, UAB President Ray Watts said. When considering a model that best protects the financial future and prominence of the Athletic Department, football is simply not sustainable. Several hundred UAB students and fans gathered on campus for the third straight day to support the program that won six games to become eligible for a bowl game for the first time in a decade. Their efforts were futile, leaving coaches and staff looking for jobs. UAB, which had a consulting firm conduct a study that included athletics over the past year, said in a news release that it subsidizes $20 million of the athletic departments operating budget of some $30 million annually, and said both those numbers rank fifth in Conference USA. Despite the numbers outlined by UAB, Watts insisted at an afternoon news conference that the decision is not about financial woes. This is about planning for excellence in the future in everything we do. Players cried and hugged after leaving the meeting. An emotional coach Bill Clark, who just completed his first season with a 6-6 record, briefly addressed supporters, saying players, families and coaches were all hurting. This is one of the most difficult days that I have had to endure in my personal as well as my coaching career, Clark said in a statement. I am absolutely heartbroken for my players and my assistant coaches. He has two years left on a contract worth $500,000 annually. Watts wouldnt give the specific cost of shutting down football. UABs deal for the opener with Tennessee alone called for either school to pay $925,000 to get out of the game. Eliminating football jeopardizes UABs membership in Conference USA and associated programs including the schools marching band, though the school said it hopes to remain in the league and Division I. Members of the band and cheerleaders joined in protests on campus. Conference USAs current bylaws require members to sponsor football. Commissioner Britton Banowsky said the leagues board of directors will decide UABs status. We dont fully understand the decision, nor agree with it, but do respect it and the authority of the UAB administration to make it, Banowsky said UAB is also the cutting bowling and rifle programs, which school officials said had cost a combined $400,000-$600,000 annually to operate. Athletic director Brian Mackin will now serve as special assistant to the president for athletics. Senior Associate Athletic Director Shannon Ealy will take over on an interim basis. Zac Woodfin, the teams strength coach and a former player, said a decision to eliminate the program would hurt not only the 125 players and 50 coaches and support staff but also other sports that could see scholarship reductions, band members and fans. The trickle effect is going to be huge in a negative way, said Woodfin. Players and staffers were left trying to figure out their next move, which they hope includes playing in a bowl game. I love to play ball, and you kind of pull the plug from playing ball, Prince said. Its like, Whats next? So many things are running through your mind. Are they going to reverse it? Are we going to go to a bowl game? Do we clean out our lockers? I hope we get a bowl bid and were able to play one more game as a UAB Blazer.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 17:18:56 +0000
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