I think most people will agree that UAB and UAH are not fairly represented on the University of Alabama Board of Trustees.
Twelve of 15 trustees graduated from the University of Alabama, two graduated from UAB and none from UAH–one is a graduate of both UA and UAB, where he attended medical school.
Can we implement an equitable solution? Maybe not–there’s a potential roadblock.
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Tom Cosby. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
The late, great Fred Sington (himself a University of Alabama football All American) used to proudly say “I’m a Birmingham man. If its good for Birmingham, I’m for it.” Count me in, all in, on Mr. Sington’s team. And since I believe the killing of UAB football is not good for Birmingham, I’m not for it.
Continue reading A silver lining: a good thing emerges from the UAB football controversy
The UAB basketball team won nine straight home games, triumphed in the Conference USA Tournament, and captured a cherished birth in the NCAA Play Offs. But as the clock counted down in the final moments of the Conference USA championship game, some UAB fans broke into the all too familiar chant, “Fire Ray Watts!”
I completely understand why many UAB fans are upset. Last fall the plug was pulled on UAB football and the decision and announcement was totally mishandled. We must blame someone. Continue reading Fire Ray Watts chant makes me crazy
A sharecropper is someone who raises crops for the owner of a piece of land and is paid a portion of the money from the sale of the crops.
We in Birmingham have always been controlled by outside landlords.
Birmingham is the city of iron and steel and historically U.S. Steel controlled every aspect of our lives-politics, business, and people. U.S. Steel is headquartered in Pittsburgh and was for much of Birmingham’s history our largest employer. Birmingham’s labor was first to be laid off and last to be rehired. All decisions favored Pittsburgh over Birmingham, and of course, all profits were sent up north.
Fortunately, U.S. Steel is no longer our largest employer, but unfortunately we are still being impacted. February 5th, U.S. Steel announced it could lay off up to 1,840 workers here.
But even though we are not now totally dependent on U.S. Steel, we are still controlled by outsiders. Continue reading Birmingham at mercy of outside interests
I am dumbfounded by the unfair personal attacks against Dr. Ray Watts and UAB’s decision to shut down football.
We say we want brave leaders who are willing to make unpopular decisions when it’s for the greater good—but that certainly is not how we are responding.
It appears almost everyone—student, public, and media—are unanimously dumping on Dr. Watts. These are the same folks who had the opportunity for years to support Blazer football, but were missing in action.
Continue reading Ray Watts: A good man at the wrong place at the wrong time
I wrote a piece doubting the longevity of UAB Football, a young Auburn student wrote a rebuttal, and all hell broke loose on the Internet.
I expected some push back—but it didn’t come from where I expected.
Sher hates UAB & Birmingham
In my defense, I am pro UAB and Birmingham, but some commenters didn’t think so.
“What a convoluted, illogical, irrelevant opinion by Sher. And this man is supposed to be singing the praises of The Comeback Town?…What a conceited jerk.” Continue reading Call BAMA ‘UAT’—Join the witness protection program
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Michael Bullington. In this piece, Michael is responding to 5 reasons UAB will pull the plug on UAB football. If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
1) Eventually, the U of A Trustees will cave
There is continuous and mounting public pressure for the University of Alabama System’s Board of Trustees to offer greater resources and attention to UAB. UAB is not the commuter school that it once was. About 18,700 students are enrolled at UAB, more than half as many as UAT has. If UAB’s student population was a city, it would be the 34th largest city in Alabama. Also, while only 40% of students at UAT are from the state of Alabama, nearly 80% of UAB’s students are in-state. These are students whose families have paid taxes to support the system. Their voice matters. If football really matters to UAB students (and it should), then they will fight for their program. Regardless of football, they should fight for their school. UAB Football may take a hit, but given time the Board will inevitably come to realize that greater athletic offerings can only help UAB, the System, and the State. #FreeUAB Continue reading 5 reasons David Sher Is Wrong About UAB Football
There’s been talk that UAB may discontinue its Division 1 football program. UAB boosters are joining ranks to save it.
It’s heartbreaking because Bill Clark and UAB are showing new life, but I think it’s unavoidable. There are just too many obstacles for UAB football to overcome.
Even though UAB is having a great turnaround season only 9,457 fans showed up at Legion Field this past week for UAB’s loss to Louisiana Tech. Continue reading 5 reasons why UAB will pull the plug on UAB football
I love Alabama football.
I attended the University in the early ‘60’s when Bear Bryant was winning football games just as Nick Saban is today. By the way–even the Bear lost a game or two every once in a while.
My claim to fame is that while eating at the Little Cookie, a burger joint in Tuscaloosa, Joe Namath asked me to pass the salt.
And I take great pride in our University’s growth. Continue reading Should our self-worth hinge on Alabama football?
ComebackTown is published by David Sher to begin a discussion on a better Birmingham.
Today’s guest blogger is Taylor Peake Wyatt . If you’d like to be a guest blogger, please click here.
When I recently read the guest blog on ComebackTown, A 4 letter word: Why young professionals leave Birmingham, I had to respond.
I’m eager to give Birmingham’s business community the credit it deserves and to explain why I enjoy growing my career here.
I would like to answer the question how a small but vibrant city is keeping talented young professionals inspired and growing.
Being a young professional has a lot of challenges and being a young female entrepreneur has even more. There’s a lot of pressure in being independent and starting your career – especially if you’re dealing with student loans, a lack of available jobs, and wanting to support a family of your own. It takes balance, passion, and perseverance. Continue reading Young professional: How to make it in Birmingham