If UAB leaves who replaces them?

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

USM is now the only original CUSA team to be continuously in the league the entire time. Charlotte is a original member but they were dropped for lack of football.

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

To stay division one, a university has to field 14 teams, six being mens teams. They are now down to five. Will this force them to drop to DII?

ChristopherRyanWilkes · December 2, 2014

I really can't imagine this happening. It would be like a family member dying.

My heart goes out to those fans and players/coaching staff. I hope they all root against Alabama. It would be really sweet if mizzou beats them in the SEC championship.

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

It's official. Final seasons for football, bowling and rifle need to be in the 2014-2015 academic year.

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

The 2014-2015 academic year ends on August 31st. So no football next season.

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

Also, CUSA bylaws state all members must have a football team.

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

President said cost of paying athletes was a deciding factor. I don't think this will be the only school who drops football. ULM and Hawaii have to be high on that list of possibilities.

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

Official Press Release

Dear UAB Family,

More than a year ago, UAB began the largest, most comprehensive strategic planning process in the university's history. Designed to identify areas of excellence and set priorities for investment and growth, this strategic review has empowered leaders across campus to think critically about how to best invest resources and position UAB as a premier and sustainable institution for the future.

Today, we announced results of the Athletic Department's strategic planning process. In order for us to more effectively reinvest in athletic programs that are most likely to bring growth, prolonged success and national prominence to UAB, the 2014-2015 academic year will be the final season for UAB football, bowling and rifle.

After an extensive review of current and future financial data, it became clear that, despite noteworthy success this season under Coach Bill Clark, investments in football were unlikely to produce a sustainable return relative to the required investment. This is especially the case with the rapidly evolving NCAA landscape and the soaring costs associated with maintaining a competitive team.

UAB already subsidizes $20 million of the roughly $30 million annual Athletic Department budget, which is the fifth-largest budget and subsidy in Conference USA. We will continue to support Athletics at this level, which amounts to an institutional investment of at least $100 million over the next five years. According to expert analysis by CarrSports Consulting, UAB would have to substantially increase our operating budget and our capital investments in facilities to support an Athletic Department that fields a competitive Conference USA football team.

The difference between our future Athletic Department with and without football is an additional $49 million investment on top of the $100 million UAB will already invest in Athletics in the next five years. From an operating budget standpoint alone, the difference between the scenario in which we maintain a competitive Conference USA football program and eliminate it is more than $27 million over the next five years. This does not include additional needed capital investments of $22 million for football facilities alone. These capital projects would include a field house, an indoor practice facility and a turf field, but not a stadium.

We have considered many options to fill this financial gap, including through philanthropic support; but our informed analysis of current and past support and interest concluded that the gap is simply too wide.

It would be fiscally irresponsible and virtually impossible to keep pace with these growing financial demands without sacrificing the financial health and sustainability of Athletics, or redirecting funds from other critical areas of importance, like education, research, patient care or student services.

This decision is not about cutting the Athletics budget, but instead is about reallocating resources to more fully support and reinvest in athletic programs in which we have an opportunity to achieve a high level of success. Many of our programs have been on the cusp, and redirecting funds from football can propel them to the next level.

With this strategy, I am confident that UAB's best days for Athletics are ahead. But the coming days and months will be difficult for those most affected. We couldn't be more proud of how well our student-athletes and coaches have represented the institution, even in the midst of recent, very regrettable distractions. They have earned our respect and appreciation, which makes this necessary financial decision all the more difficult.

I have met with impacted student-athletes and coaches, and will meet with others affected. It is my top priority to make this transition as easy as possible. We will honor scholarships for those who choose to stay at UAB beyond this season, and we will honor coaches' contracts. When a program is discontinued, per NCAA bylaws, players who decide to leave UAB to play elsewhere will not be required to sit out of competition the following season.

To those who are losing something they hold dear with this decision, I am truly sorry. I know many are saddened by this news. As a Birmingham native, a sports fan, and a UAB graduate who loves this university and its people, I am among those disappointed in the necessity of this decision. While it is the right one for the financial future of UAB Athletics and UAB as a whole, it is an agonizing one to make.

I know many will be interested in following developments during this transition. For more information, and updates as they become available, I encourage you to visit http://www.uab.edu/athleticsplan.

Very sincerely,

Ray L. Watts

Ray L. Watts

President

UAB '76

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

UAB president can't seriously expect CUSA to tear up their bylaw requiring football, other schools have been kicked in past. This is his excuse as to why they have to move.

I wouldn't be shocked if they dropped to 5 mens sports so they would have a cover excuse to drop to div II, very sad for a strong BB program.

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

CUSA statement:

Commissioner's Statement on UAB

Dec. 2, 2014

Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky

Statement on UAB:

"We are aware of the study but disappointed with the decision to discontinue the sport of football at UAB, particularly because of its effect on the lives of the student-athletes and coaches that have worked so hard to restore the quality of the program. We don't fully understand the decision, nor agree with it, but do respect it and the authority of the UAB Administration to make it.

As a conference, we will move forward in our pursuit of excellence in athletics and academics, with the primary goal of providing a positive educational experience for all of our 5,000 student-athletes. Our universities have invested in athletics, and in facilities to support athletics, and are focused on their student-athletes and the contribution college athletics makes on their campuses and in their communities.

UAB has been a contributing member to the Conference since its inception and has expressed a strong interest in remaining a member, a topic that the Conference's Board of Directors will take up in the months ahead. The Conference's current bylaws require all members to sponsor football."

UNTFan23 · December 2, 2014

It's not just athletics that suffers, I would expect student enrollment to drop as students do look for the full "college experience" which does include football/sports.

Edited December 2, 2014 by UNTFan23

forevereagle · December 2, 2014

It's not just athletics that suffers, I would expect student enrollment to drop as students do look for the full "college experience" which does in football/sports.

If the UA trustees are attempting to kill the university, they have taken a fine first step.

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

It's not just athletics that suffers, I would expect student enrollment to drop as students do look for the full "college experience" which does in football/sports.

That would be fine with the trustees. UA is in a huge spending deficit and need more enrollment to balance the books. The want those UAB undergrads to enroll at UA, and make UAB in effect UA's medical school.

FirefightnRick · December 2, 2014

That statement is complete horseshit. If money was the concern they could have simply dropped down.

This BOR blocked them from hiring Jimbo Fisher one time. Then last year they prevented them from pursueing private donations for facilities.

Everyone reading that statement is laughing their asses off,...and crying at the same time.

Rick

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

Live news feed from local TV: http://www.foxalabamalive.com/

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

Assuming they figure out some way to stay D1, where do they go? Sunbelt? A10? Southern?

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

SBC could lose one of ULL/ASU/TXST to CUSA. Add NMST all sports, add UAB and end up at 12 for BB and 10 in FB. They could even drop Idaho and end up with a FB friendly 9.

UNTFan23 · December 2, 2014

Assuming they figure out some way to stay D1, where do they go? Sunbelt? A10? Southern?

If you're dropping sports, why would any conference, no matter what level, want you?

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

If you're dropping sports, why would any conference, no matter what level, want you?

Sweet, sweet NCAA tournament credits.

UAB has 12 tournament appearances, 3 sweet 16s, 1 elite 8.

Coffee and TV · December 2, 2014

SBC could lose one of ULL/ASU/TXST to CUSA. Add NMST all sports, add UAB and end up at 12 for BB and 10 in FB. They could even drop Idaho and end up with a FB friendly 9.

If I'm Idaho I'm dropping back down to FCS and trying my luck. At this point the Big Sky has gotta be a better option than the Mountain West invite that will never happen.

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

Troy, USA and GSU all had UAB on their schedule next year.

UNTGuy5 · December 2, 2014

Sad day for UAB. Too many inbred jackoffs in Tuscaloosa.

Cerebus · December 2, 2014

All players are immediately eligible to transfer and do not have to sit out.

Arkstfan · December 2, 2014

SBC could lose one of ULL/ASU/TXST to CUSA. Add NMST all sports, add UAB and end up at 12 for BB and 10 in FB. They could even drop Idaho and end up with a FB friendly 9.

That's what I'm hoping for B'ham would be perfect to host a lot of conference championship events. It's nearly dead center in the league.

TIgreen01 · December 2, 2014

That president looked scared to death on his way in, and again on his way out. I don't know the full extent of the situation, but pretty chicken to send in just him and not have the entire BOR there for the announcement (or were they and I just missed that?).