The Debate Rages about UAB Football

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2014/12/raywattsfootball1.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:300;s:4:"file";s:29:"2014/12/raywattsfootball1.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:5:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"raywattsfootball1-336x168.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:168;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"raywattsfootball1-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:27:"raywattsfootball1-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"raywattsfootball1-470x235.jpg";s:5:"width";i:470;s:6:"height";i:235;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:29:"raywattsfootball1-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Dan Carsen
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => WBHM
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1660441458 
1417996800

Almost a week after UAB President Ray Watts’ announcement that the university’s football program would end, vigorous debate continues about the decision. Watts said the university couldn’t afford a projected $49 million increase in spending over the next five years to make football competitive.

David Goldenberg of FiveThirtyEight.com argues UAB was hobbled by the unsupportive Alabama System Board of Trustees and an increasingly difficult financial picture. Meanwhile, Associated Press writer Paul Newberry says costs will drive more universities to cut football programs.

But Vice Sports contributor Andy Schwarz says UAB does have the money and actually might lose some by ending football.

The Birmingham Business Journal offers two competing views. Kris Dunn says UAB football is dead because of a great leader and the enemies a great leader attracts. Tony Mauro says President Ray Watts’ decision represents an unpopular one, but the right one for the university.

ESPN’s College GameDay aired a piece on Saturday on the end of UAB football, but university officials dispute a claim in the story that administrators didn’t approach top donors about contributing more money to save the team. The school has released a FAQ on the UAB football situation pointing out what it says are inaccuracies.

 

Infowars conspiracist Alex Jones is a big step closer to losing his studio and brand

Jones has lost control of his media empire to a newly-appointed receiver who will sell it off to pay the Sandy Hook Elementary School families who sued Jones for defamation after the 2012 shootings.

A lock of hair may have just changed what we know about life in the Incan Empire

Inca society kept records by encoding information into knotted cords called khipu. A new analysis of hair woven into these cords suggests this record-keeping was practiced by commoners as well as elites.

Zelenskyy: Trump supports ceasefire and security guarantees for Ukraine at Putin summit

European leaders held a high-stakes meeting Wednesday with President Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Ukraine's Zelenskyy, NATO's chief, and European leaders ahead of Friday's US Russia summit.

In 1985, famine led to Live Aid and a U.S. alert plan. Trump froze it. Now it’s back

It's the 40th anniversary of the superstar concert to raise money for an Ethiopian famine — and of the creation of a U.S. program called FEWS NET to prevent future famines.

With replay review and ‘robot umps,’ who is still trying to become an MLB umpire?

Between replay review, automated balls and strikes and viral lowlights on social media, the work of baseball umpires has been transformed by technology. But none of that has deterred aspiring umpires.

High prices and healthcare costs may turn Latino voters away from Republicans in 2026

Latino voters helped deliver the White House to President Trump in the last election but many of them already say they won't vote for Republicans next year, but they aren't yet turning to Democrats.

More Education Coverage