UAB to the A-10 in 2016?

[Washingtonian]

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/11/wil...r-2016-jury-out-and-decision-could-affect-odu

Craft was not encouraged with what he heard, saying he did not get a “definitive answer” on whether the study could lead to dropping football.

“It was definitely a strong thought after coming out of that meeting that that could be a possibility,” Craft said.

Some media outlets speculate that UAB will drop football and join the Atlantic 10.

Craft and other UAB football players sent Watts a letter urging him to retain football.

“As you are aware, to lose football is to lose conference affiliation and to lose conference affiliation means that basketball and the rest of our outstanding sports programs would be relegated to the lower echelons of the NCAA,” the letter said.

“These thoughts are unacceptable, and we know that your leadership will now allow such drastic decisions to be made.”

 

[A.-Siegfried]

Even if they drop football...can't see the A-10 wanting to expanded all the way to Alabama. Doesn't make any sense at all.

 

[polepino]

Even if they drop football...can't see the A-10 wanting to expanded all the way to Alabama. Doesn't make any sense at all.

Seems college bball/football is getting like that though. Creighton plays in the Big East now. I mean I understand the catholic school connection but logistically kind of far. Same can be said of Maryland joining the Big 10.

 

[GMUgemini]

Seems college bball/football is getting like that though. Creighton plays in the Big East now. I mean I understand the catholic school connection but logistically kind of far. Same can be said of Maryland joining the Big 10.

There was a pretty big leap in revenue moving into those conferences. UAB going from CUSA to the A10 might actually lose revenue, although they won't have to field a revenue sucking FBS football team either so they might come out ahead.

My question would be on their long-term commitment to basketball. According to basketball state they cut 13% from their basketball budget year over year. Will that trend continue or is that a product of trying to prop up their football team? That's a pretty big question

 

[A.-Siegfried]

Seems college bball/football is getting like that though. Creighton plays in the Big East now. I mean I understand the catholic school connection but logistically kind of far. Same can be said of Maryland joining the Big 10.

Monster difference in Maryland leaving the ACC and going Big 10 and UAB leaving CUSA and going A10. It's not close to comparable.

 

[Walter]

Even with being located in a state that is crazy about football and being able to play essentially for free at Legion Field, they couldn't make a go at FBS.

UAB is very similar to vcu. Inner city campus with a good medical school, a history of good basketball, and I wouldn't let my kids go to college there.

 

[phoenix-arizona]

Birmingham is a pretty nice town though

 

[Five Two]

The A10 is going to need to be ready to replace Saint Louis when (not if, IMO) they and possibly Dayton get poached by the Big East. FOX is going to want more markets in their TV deal and SLU brings that, along with a very solid program and a commitment to spend $$ on hoops.

 

[p8triotfan4life]

I would never bring in UAB. doesn't' fit the footprint, or are they a brand name. I say no.

 

[933127]

The A10 is going to need to be ready to replace Saint Louis when (not if, IMO) they and possibly Dayton get poached by the Big East. FOX is going to want more markets in their TV deal and SLU brings that, along with a very solid program and a commitment to spend $$ on hoops.

The rumors that Dayton and Saint Louis would leave was during and after the 2013-2014 season. It didn't happen and they are still in the A10. The chances of them leaving is low in my opinion, they would have left after 2013-2014 season if they wanted to. If something does happen after this season hopefully it's only one of the two schools mentioned above. I agree with everyone else, UAB would not be a good replacement.

 

[Five Two]

Its not going to happen until the Big East and FOX have to negotiate their new contract.

 

[A.-Siegfried]

If St Louis sticks around watch for a possible move to 16 by the A-10....

....hello Wichita State and one other school....

 

[Washingtonian]

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf...-to-shut-down-football-program-220231657.html

Not long after becoming bowl eligible for the third time in its existence, the UAB football program may be shutting down.
Per USA Today, the school "has given indications the program will shut down this week and that (athletic director Brian) Mackin is working on a separation agreement from the university."

SI.com also reported that Mackin is parting ways with the school and that an announcement would be made about the (lack of a) future of the football program on Thursday. Coach Bill Clark told ESPN that he feared the program would be shut down.

"I think it's going to happen," Clark said. "Unless something changes before the weekend ends, I think it's over. I think the odds are very high it ends this week. To shut the doors? That's sad."

On Saturday, UAB beat Southern Mississippi 45-24 to be 6-6 and eligible for a bowl for the first time since 2008. Clark was hired before the 2014 season and had signed a three-year deal.

 

[Washingtonian]

http://espn.go.com/college-football...s-shut-football-program?ex_cid=sportscenterFB

UAB has shut down its football program, a source told ESPN's Joe Schad on Tuesday.

School officials had said they were evaluating the viability of UAB football, and coach Bill Clark told ESPN.com on Sunday that he expected the school to end a program that has struggled financially.

Bill Clark led UAB to a 6-6 record in his first season.


UAB finished 6-6 this season and is eligible to play in a bowl game should the Blazers get an invitation. Players will meet later Tuesday to decide if they want to play should a bowl berth be extended.

Playing in the shadows of Alabama and Auburn and lacking an on-campus stadium, UAB has struggled to develop a fan base and consistent attendance in the nearly two decades since it joined the Football Bowl Subdivision.

 

[MasonFanatic]

Birmingham, AL is 50 miles farther from Davidson, NC than St. Louis, MO is from Dayton, OH. If the Billikens are on an island, then UAB would really be on an island. I can't see how the geography makes any sense for the A-10, even if the Blazers were otherwise a good fit for the league.

If the A10 expands, it's going to be schools within or bordering the existing footprint (e.g. Siena, Charleston, Iona, Manhattan, Boston U) or schools that give SLU a closer neighbor (e.g. Belmont, Wichita State, Valparaiso, Evansville) in my opinion.

 

[Five Two]

If the A10 expands, it will be about television markets. Either strengthening existing markets (NYC could use a boost) or adding new markets.

 

[Pablo]

If the A10 expands, it will be about television markets. Either strengthening existing markets (NYC could use a boost) or adding new markets.

Which addition would you suggest to boost TV ratings in NYC?

 

[polepino]

Didn't we play UAB in some tourney a few years ago?

 

[EXpatriot13]

Which addition would you suggest to boost TV ratings in NYC?

This is how the NYC area feels about college basketball: ............

It just doesn't. The only time MSG is packed for a college basketball game is when UConn or Syracuse come to town.

Don't think there's a team in the area that could help boost the NYC market as a whole.

 

[GMUgemini]

This is how the NYC area feels about college basketball: ............

It just doesn't. The only time MSG is packed for a college basketball game is when UConn or Syracuse come to town.

Don't think there's a team in the area that could help boost the NYC market as a whole.

Do you really blame them? What has New York college basketball done for NYC in the last decade?

St. Johns must have been semi-big in the 80s. I mean, big enough that Mr. Soul Glow took Prince Akeen to a St. Johns game.