University Board of Trustees (UA BoT)
TL;DR summary: They're the bad guys, and we hate them.
The board is made up of 15 members. 15 "regular serving" and 2 that are held by the governor and superintendent of education. They are the ruling body for The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and The University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH).
The trustees serve terms of 6 years and are not allowed to serve after they turn 70 (hence Bryant, Jr.'s resignation at the end of the year). 3 are chosen from Tuscaloosa's congressional district while the other 12 are pulled by twos from every other congressional district in Alabama.
The BoT have been criticized for the lack of equal representation. 15 members are graduates from the University of Alabama, 2 members are graduates from UAB, and there are no graduates from UAH.
In 2011, UAB made a proposal for an on campus stadium. The Blazers used to play at Legion Field (an awful place where dreams go to die) but like other campuses with on-campus stadiums, the UAB family thought this would only greatly improve the football program. The UA BoT immediately dismissed the proposal, without even taking a vote. Simply saying it was too expensive. UAB students responded with protests and rallies, demanding the board to #FreeUAB
Time and time again, the UA BoT has proved it shows no interest in improving UAB. According to Watts, "On purpose, we have kept the Board out of this decision," he said. "This is a university decision." Hmmm.
Bartow vs. Bryant, Jr.
Gene Bartow is royalty at UAB. He's considered the father of UAB athletics and led our basketball team to some impressive success. Hell, our basketball arena that houses commencement every year is even named in his honor. Also, nbd but he was inducted into the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009
Back in 1991, Batow accused The University of Alabama of illegal recruiting and wrote a letter to the NCAA and "linked Paul 'Bear' Bryant to violations."
Paul Bryant, Jr. as president pro tempore at UA, has been infamous for blocking improvements for UAB athletics through his membership on the UABoT
Paul Bryant, Jr. is also retiring from the Board of Trustees at the end of the year.
This seems suspicious to say the least.
Who's on UAB's Side?
UAB students were excited to hear Alabama's Governor Robert Bentley's optimism on the outlook for UAB football Monday, a day before Ray Watt's announcement of its elimination, telling the media:
"We have a very good coach this year. He's done a fantastic job. The team has improved. I'm very optimistic, actually, about the team this year compared to what I've seen in the past. Hopefully it's going to survive, and I'm going to find out some more information about the situation over the next day or two. But that is a decision that the Board of Trustees makes, and I am the chairman of the Board of Trustees and I always want people to remember that."
If that last sentence isn't a "hint, hint, wink, wink, I got y'all's back, UAB," I must be really bad at interpreting English.
Then, just one day later, after Watt's announcement, Bentley released this statement:
"This season of UAB football has been one of the best for Blazer football, and I congratulate Coach [Clark] and his team of coaches, staff and, most importantly, players who have dedicated themselves to UAB. As a graduate of the University of Alabama School of Medicine, I am proud of the impact UAB has on the City of Birmingham and the State of Alabama. The decision to end the football program at UAB is President Watts' decision, and I respect his authority as UAB President. He has a strong vision for the future of UAB, and I look forward to the great things that await the University in research, academics and athletics."
Suddenly his hands are tied, and he must respect Ray Watts. Oh, also, Paul Bryant, Jr. gave thousands to fund Bentley's campaign last year
UAB Football
UAB has not ever been #1 in football. In fact, we were never really that good. Until this season. With Coach Bill Clark coming on as head coach in 2014, he led the Blazers "to a 6-6 (4-4 in Conference USA) regular-season record." That means we won more games this season than we have the past two seasons combined under McGee. For the first time in a decade, the Blazers became bowl eligible with Saturday's win against Southern Miss 45-24. Attendance had greatly improved this season. The program was eliminated Tuesday.
Football is Not the Only Sport Eliminated
Both the rifle and bowling teams have also been cut.
More Shady Things
There's some other things at play that the administration is not telling its UAB family.
UAB Family Reaction
The UAB community has really come together to voice their disdain for the decision, Ray Watts, and the UA BoT. Students have marched and protested outside of Watt's office all week. Others have written to Watts, Board of Trustees members, and even congressmen. #FreeUAB has been trending on twitter worldwide the past two days and The New York Times, The Washington Post, and ESPN have all been reporting the campus's outrage.
UAB Football Players React to Ray Watt's Destruction of the Football Program
View this video on YouTube
Heartbreaking.
What's Next?
There are a lot of pieces to a puzzle here, and there's more to be brought to light. I firmly believe "financial realities," as Watts explained, were not the actually reason we are now left without a football team. Updates to be made.
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