The Blazers blaze no more

[The Six]

Shutting down UAB football is 'going to happen,' coach Bill Clark tells ESPN, school to fire AD reports say

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/11/shutting_down_uab_football_is.html

After the one of the brightest moments in its history, the future, for UAB football, looks bleak, according to first-year head coach Bill Clark.

A day after guiding the Blazers to a sixth win, a 45-24 triumph on the road against Southern Miss, making them eligible for bowl competition for the first time in 10 years, Clark told ESPN today he fears the program could be shutdown.

"I think it's going to happen," Clark told college football reporter Joe Schad. "Unless something changes before the weekend ends, I think it's over. I think the odds are very high it ends this week. To shut the doors? That's sad."

The Blazers finished the regular season 6-6, including a 4-4 mark in Conference USA play. Their 2014 win total exceeds the five wins they amassed in two seasons under former coach Garrick McGee. The six wins triples the number of victories they had in 2013.

Concern the program could be shut down, following a university-wide strategic planning initiative, surfaced earlier this month.

[Townhallsavoy]

Sad but needed.  UAB could easily devote its athletic resources to basketball and make the tournament almost every year.

[jmar]

Sad but needed.  UAB could easily devote its athletic resources to basketball and make the tournament almost every year.

Did they have a pass defense?

[Jumbo]

That's such horseshit Uab posted a revenue last year in football. I think it's a huge fuck you to Birmingham.

[Buzz Killington]

That's such horseshoot Uab posted a revenue last year in football. I think it's a huge fudge you to Birmingham.

That program was a threat to the money they have invested in Nick Sabbin.  It was threatening to get better and spend more with an actual good coarch.

[The Six]

That's such horseshit Uab posted a revenue last year in football. I think it's a huge fuck you to Birmingham.

Paul Jr. has held a grudge against Bartow/UAB for decades. This is what he has wanted for some time now.

[djsimp]

This is some bs. As soon as they hire a coach that can make the program relevant, they can the football program.

[Townhallsavoy]

Them UAB folk passionate, y'all:

Post

[Kaos]

Is there any possibility this transparent travesty finally starts to uncover the cockroaches that run this mess?  Is it enough to get people to finally pay attention to the fact that the REC is real, the coverups are real, the blatant cheating is real. 

Hope?  Will this finally piss enough people off?

[dallaswareagle]

Is there any possibility this transparent travesty finally starts to uncover the cockroaches that run this mess?  Is it enough to get people to finally pay attention to the fact that the REC is real, the coverups are real, the blatant cheating is real. 

Hope?  Will this finally piss enough people off?

Nope. I don't live there anymore but I remember this:  Bama media?

[Buzz Killington]

Is there any possibility this transparent travesty finally starts to uncover the roosterroaches that run this mess?  Is it enough to get people to finally pay attention to the fact that the REC is real, the coverups are real, the blatant cheating is real. 

Hope?  Will this finally piss enough people off?

Nope.  Nada.  Zizzeroni chance.
Rick Karle and even the news anchors on Fox 6 last night repeated over and over that "this had nothing to do with the Alabama BoT."  Much like the "Got 15?" narrative, if they repeat it enough times, people will start believing it to be true.

[GH2001]

Nope.  Nada.  Zizzeroni chance.
Rick Karle and even the news anchors on Fox 6 last night repeated over and over that "this had nothing to do with the Alabama BoT."  Much like the "Got 15?" narrative, if they repeat it enough times, people will start believing it to be true.

Most Ive seen are actually calling out the BOT and Bryant Jr. on this one. Even Jon Solomon. Greg Doyel has written a couple of articles at the national level, as has Tony Barhart over in Ga. Brando has been chiming in as well. It looks like many see it for what it is. This has EVERYTHING to do with PBJ and Bama's animosity towards UAB in general for the last 3-4 decades. Theyve wanted them squashed for a while now and this was PBJ's last act while on the board.

There is an article Doyel wrote on CBS Sports back around 06/07 detailing all of the shady shit Bama and PBJ has done in re to UAB. A lot of it involving Jimbo Fisher when he was at LSU and Bama's attempt at the time to land Nick Saban while in Miami.

[Townhallsavoy]

This isn't just Little Bear; it's Drunk Bear too.

http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-05/sports/sp-20797_1_gene-bartow

Gene Bartow, basketball coach and athletic director at the University of Alabama Birmingham, Wednesday apologized for making comments critical of the late Paul (Bear) Bryant, University of Alabama football coach and athletic director from 1957 to '82.

Bartow's comments about Bryant were part of a letter to David Berst, NCAA assistant executive director for enforcement, written in November of 1991. Portions of the letter appeared Wednesday in The Times.

Bartow, who followed John Wooden as UCLA basketball coach, wrote in the letter that he believed his life would have been in danger had the NCAA delved too deeply into the activities of the late Sam Gilbert, the Bruin booster who was closely aligned with the program during the Wooden years.

Bartow also urged Berst to investigate the Alabama basketball program and noted that several football coaches whose programs had drawn NCAA sanctions--including Jackie Sherrill, Danny Ford and Charley Pell--were "trained" by Bryant.


In a statement issued Wednesday by UAB, Bartow said:

"I had great respect for Coach Bryant as the greatest football coach who ever lived and sincerely apologize to family, friends, former players and fans who were offended.

"I would also apologize to the coaches who worked under Coach Bryant who were mentioned. . . . They are all fine coaches, and I'm not sure why I put that in my letter.

"This letter was written out of deep frustration about our apparent inability to recruit the same high-caliber players Alabama was getting under their former staff. I would like to emphasize that I have the greatest respect for the current athletic staff . . . at Alabama.

"I was extremely upset at the NCAA enforcement staff at the time, especially with what I saw as their failure to enforce NCAA rules. . . . "

Bartow also said in the statement:

"I think it is unfortunate that, after almost two years, a writer from the Los Angeles Times would seemingly receive confidential information. . . . Without question, I admit to writing the NCAA on a few occasions . . . and I am sure that others have written the NCAA staff a time or two to comment on our program."

I haven't been able to find exactly what Bartow accused Bryant of, but there's this:

Bartow's letter, written to the N.C.A.A. enforcement director, DAVID BERST, and first reported Tuesday in The Los Angeles Times, said four former Alabama players told him of rules violations after transferring to U.A.B. Bartow also linked former Alabama Coach BEAR BRYANT to numerous rules breaches in college athletics.

From what I've been able to find in non-media sources, seems like Bartow accused Bryant (Sr) of doing everything in his power to keep UAB down as a football and basketball program. Also claimed:

Bartow, who also serves as athletic director, wrote that "cheating in recruiting has been a way of life" in Alabama.

No doubt in my mind that those fuckers over there instigated the majority of the Cam bullshit.  No doubt they have fueled every negative rumor about Auburn, and I sincerely believe that the suits and ties at the University of Alabama would have no qualms about doing away with Auburn athletics if they could figure out how to do so. 

[GH2001]

This isn't just Little Bear; it's Drunk Bear too.

http://articles.latimes.com/1993-08-05/sports/sp-20797_1_gene-bartow

I haven't been able to find exactly what Bartow accused Bryant of, but there's this:

From what I've been able to find in non-media sources, seems like Bartow accused Bryant (Sr) of doing everything in his power to keep UAB down as a football and basketball program. Also claimed:

No doubt in my mind that those fuckers over there instigated the majority of the Cam bullshit.  No doubt they have fueled every negative rumor about Auburn, and I sincerely believe that the suits and ties at the University of Alabama would have no qualms about doing away with Auburn athletics if they could figure out how to do so.

Correct. And Little Bear is simply carrying out old vendettas. This stuff transcends death and generations.

[Buzz Killington]

If they had the ways and means, they would do to Auburn exactly what they just did to UAB.  They have sure as hell tried other paths hundreds of times over the years. 

I can only hope that Auburn fans never forget that.

[GH2001]

If they had the ways and means, they would do to Auburn exactly what they just did to UAB.  They have sure as hell tried other paths hundreds of times over the years. 

I can only hope that Auburn fans never forget that.

Auburn (and even Troy now to a degree) has way too much of a financial and cultural impact on the entire state. The UABs and Samfords can be spared without much impact. Sports wise anyway.

Plus now the Finebaum rednecks can start saying: "Hayyy Awbren, you can stop sayin UAT now. Therrrr aint no uther un inymorrrr!"

[Snaggletiger]

I'm not questioning any of this.  Sounds like some of you are far more knowledgeable about the animosity between UAB and UAT than I am.  Wasn't really aware of it.  The question I do have is why?  What threat is UAB now or have they ever been to UAT?  Athletically, they have a normally competitive basketball program.  Nothing great.  They make a little more noise than Auburn on occasion.  They started the football program in 1991 as a Division III independent, long after Drunk Bear died. They've struggled since day 1 and this year's 6-6 record is like worst to first for them. 

Other than the odd recruit in basketball, they're never going to steal players from UAT in any sport.  They only averaged 134 people a game in football attendance so no threat there.  Again, not saying Drunk Jr. doesn't want them squashed.  Had no idea.  Just wondering why when they're less a threat to UAT than Troy would be to Auburn? 

[GH2001]

I'm not questioning any of this.  Sounds like some of you are far more knowledgeable about the animosity between UAB and UAT than I am.  Wasn't really aware of it.  The question I do have is why?  What threat is UAB now or have they ever been to UAT?  Athletically, they have a normally competitive basketball program.  Nothing great.  They make a little more noise than Auburn on occasion.  They started the football program in 1991 as a Division III independent, long after Drunk Bear died. They've struggled since day 1 and this year's 6-6 record is like worst to first for them. 

Other than the odd recruit in basketball, they're never going to steal players from UAT in any sport.  They only averaged 134 people a game in football attendance so no threat there.  Again, not saying Drunk Jr. doesn't want them squashed.  Had no idea.  Just wondering why when they're less a threat to UAT than Troy would be to Auburn?

Read all of THS' post. Mainly in re to Bartow and allegations.

[Snaggletiger]

Read all of THS' post. Mainly in re to Bartow and allegations.

I did but hell, everyone on the planet with half a functioning brain knows about their history.  Wonder how many letters Spurrier wrote.  Forget letters, he just flat out said it publically. 

"Kid committed to us.  Takes a trip to Tuscaloosa.  He and his daddy come back with brand new SUV's.  He's no longer committed to us.  I'm not sayin'....I'm just sayin."

[WiregrassTiger]

The most disappointing thing about what THS posted to me is the fact that Bartow's letter to the NCAA was leaked by the NCAA. How does this magically appear to an LA reporter?

This just furthers the proof of UA/NCAA connections. The NCAA is obviously powerless against the certain schools and UA definitely tops that list.

Bartow's letter seems a little paranoid and as if he's grasping at straws but it was a confidential letter to a supposed governing body.

I wonder when/if the NCAA apologizes for the security breach? Actually, I really don't wonder that. I doubt they will but if they were legit, they would investigate and punish.

Re: UAB, I was aware of the years of animosity but IF the football program truly was a financial drain (as I suspect they were), I can understand pulling the plug. I haven't followed the story closely and only knew that it was serious within the last week.

Wondered for years how they could rise up so quickly with so little asses in the seats at games. And who would want to go the dump and risk getting car jacked anyway? Anytime WT has been there, he feels like he may have to spring into karate mode at any minute. It's a stressful environment. They will shoot you.