UAB Ends Football

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

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:300;s:4:"file";s:28:"2014/12/raywattsfootball.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:5:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:28:"raywattsfootball-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:28:"raywattsfootball-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:26:"raywattsfootball-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:28:"raywattsfootball-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:28:"raywattsfootball-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:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:0;s:14:"optimized_size";i:0;s:7:"percent";i:0;}s:5:"sizes";a:1:{s:4:"full";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:98:"Unknown error occurred (100 - Operation timed out after 45000 milliseconds with 0 bytes received) ";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => error
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

)
1636098607 
1417478400

UAB President Ray Watts has announced the university’s football program will end with the 2014-2015 academic year.

In an email to students and faculty, Watts said a review of athletic department finances shows that despite the on-field success of first-year coach Bill Clark, football is unlikely to generate a sustainable return relative to the necessary investment. According to university officials, $20 million of the $30 million athletic department’s budget is subsidized. If football were to continue, officials estimate an additional $49 million over five years would be needed to maintain a competitive program. This doesn’t include renovated or new facilities.

“I want the UAB family to know that this decision was not made lightly; that it has and will continue to be truly agonizing,” Watts said. “I know many will be disappointed. As a Birmingham native, UAB alum and sports fan, I am among them. I couldn’t be more proud of how well our student athletes and coaches have represented the institution.”

The university will also cut the bowling and rifle programs at the end of the current academic year. These decisions come as UAB announces the results of an athletic department strategic review.

Watts says eliminating football will allow the university to better support the remaining athletic programs. He says near-term priorities are to maintain NCAA Division I status and membership in Conference USA, although staying in that conference would require a waiver from the organization since Conference USA requires members to field a football team.

UAB Athletic Director Brian Mackin has been reassigned at his request to a newly created position of special assistant for athletics. Senior Associate Athletic Director Shannon Ealy will serve as interim athletic director.

Emotions Run Strong

Tears filled the eyes of football players as Watts met with them at the UAB football offices Tuesday afternoon to deliver the news. Coach Bill Clark later released a statement calling it one of the most difficult days of his coaching career.

“There is no doubt in my mind that we were in the process of building something special at UAB,” said Clark. “This goes further than our football program, the athletics department, or the university as a whole. This team is Birmingham — we represent Birmingham and this community.”

Birmingham Mayor William Bell, himself a UAB alumnus, told Al.com the decision is disappointing but the city doesn’t have options or leverage to convince university administrators to reverse the decision.

Birmingham Business Alliance President and CEO Brian Hilson also expressed disappointment at losing what he called a community asset.

“We expect there to be some negative impact on the local economy involving visitors to Legion Field and area hotels and restaurants,” Hilson said.

A day after saying he would look into the matter, Governor Robert Bentley, who is the ex-officio president of the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees, said he respects Watt’s decision to end the football program.

 

Puerto Rico holds general election that promises to be historic

Puerto Rico is holding elections that will be historic regardless of which of the top two gubernatorial candidates wins.

Boeing machinists approve contract, bringing an end to a bruising seven-week strike

Striking machinists voted to approve an agreement that will hike wages by 38%. The deal was endorsed by union leaders, who warned that Boeing’s next offer might be worse.

States and cities beef up security to prepare for potential election-related violence

Washington state's governor activated the National Guard to stand by to help local law enforcement as needed. Meanwhile, extra security is in place at locations across Washington, D.C.

When will mail-in and absentee ballots be counted?

Various state rules regarding when election officials can process and count mail ballots means it will likely take some time after Election Day before the results from these ballots are fully known.

When do polls close in every state? Here’s a timeline

The Associated Press can't call any races until polls close in their respective state. Here's a breakdown of when that will happen.

How has the Electoral College survived, despite being perennially unpopular?

Despite its substantial-sounding name, the Electoral College isn’t a permanent body: It’s more of a process. For decades, a majority of Americans have wanted it to be changed.

More Education Coverage