November 4, 2014

Dr. Ray WattsPresidentUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham1720 2nd Avenue SouthBirmingham, Alabama 35294

Re:  The Future of UAB Football Future Scheduling after 2016 Extending Bill Clark’s contract past 2016

Dear Dr. Watts,

This letter comes in an effort to seek your leadership, support and direction in building a truly comprehensive undergraduate education experience at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB).  Clearly, one of the best ways to achieve this is through a robust athletic program which includes college football.  As we have witnessed at the University of South Alabama, Old Dominion University, and University of Central Florida to name a few, college football has proven to be a strategic element that has increased enrollment, built an alumni base and greatly improved economic development for the communities surrounding these universities.

In recent years, UA has borrowed hundreds of millions of dollars to build new dorms, student facilities, and infrastructure to grow student enrollment and enhance athletic facilities. According to data compiled by the University of Alabama, five million new dollars in the City of Tuscaloosa's economy are generated for every 1,000 new students recruited to campus.   This bold risk clearly has worked. UA should be commended for their willingness to take chances. By succeeding, they have strengthened their University, grown enrollment and the City of Tuscaloosa has had the economic benefits. Where would the university be if they had given up on the program after less than 20 years?

Growing enrollment is more than just amenities, it's about having a comprehensive student life which includes competitive athletics in all sports. UA has demonstrated just how positive football can be for their institution and community.  Over a year ago, in a story on 60 Minutes, Chancellor Bob Witt stated that the hiring of Nick Saban was "the best financial investment this university has ever made. We have made an investment that's been returned many fold."  We believe that UAB Football needs to follow the same model and on a smaller scale make the same type of investment that can create returns many fold for our University and the City of Birmingham.

Fortunately for all of us, the timing has never been better to create something special on the Southside. With the hiring of Coach Bill Clark, which we truly thank you for, UAB Football has seen a resurgence of energy and passion being displayed by students, fans, and the greater community.  To that end, UAB ranks fifth in Conference USA in attendance, and it's up over

130% from last year. That is true growth. There is certainly more buzz about the Blazers this year than any time since 2004.  

This buzz has also created new opportunities.  It is our understanding that the City is exploring ways to invest in UAB football as they recognize the benefit of having a hometown team everyone can be proud of.  Further, the creation of the UAB Football Foundation has established an opportunity to raise funding from the business community for a much needed capital improvement to the football practice facilities, which as you know have been needed for over a decade (see attached pictures).

For years, UAB Football has had to compete with scarce resources, especially regarding facilities.  Dr. Watts, we know you will join us in our excitement for these investments and upgrades and will welcome the support of the City and foundation. Coach Clark has demonstrated that UAB Football can be successful on so many levels with subpar investments in the program. Imagine what UAB Football could achieve if it had similar capital resources as the rest of the teams in CUSA.

To better understand what UAB Football could mean to our University and our community, the B Club (former players) has compiled some information, which you might find useful, on similar universities who invested into their respective football programs and the impact on enrollment growth. ( see attachment)

As we close, I would like to address a few matters that have recently come to our attention. It is our understanding that you are awaiting the results of a "study" being conducted to determine whether to continue the UAB Football Program. We are also aware that a potential contract extension for Coach Clark as well as the scheduling out of conference games past 2016 has been placed on hold. In the B Club's opinion, delaying long overdue capital improvements and Coach Clark's contract extension would potentially jeopardize the future of our football program.  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.  These thoughts are unacceptable and we know your leadership will not allow such drastic and unbeneficial decisions to be made.

For better or worse, and for reasons known and unknown, UAB Football has never enjoyed the unconditional support from some in powerful positions.  As former football players, we all have felt this impact through lack of a competitive edge, practice conditions that were not always safe, and subpar training facilities.  To debate whether this is right or wrong now is not going to transform our campus or our city. That is why we have to act immediately and boldly to chart a new course.  

Our future is on the horizon, and it can be amazing if we are willing to take the needed steps.  At this moment, UAB Football is poised to become Birmingham's team, and a source of pride for you, the Board of Trustees, the City of Birmingham, and most importantly for students and alumni of UAB.  With your continued leadership, we can build a Football program that provides UAB's students the same type of college experience enjoyed at other FBS schools across our nation. Birmingham can experience the same economic benefits enjoyed by other peer

communities. We look forward to your response and support by Saturday, as we welcome La Tech to Historic Legion Field.  

Moving forward, let us remember the charge of our first president, Joseph Volker who stated, "we would do Birmingham a great disservice if we dreamed too little dreams.”

Sincerely,

Justin CraftB Club member

Lee Miller Izell Reese Brian Thomas Roddy WhiteB Club President Former NFL Player Former NFL Player Current NFL, All Pro

CC:   B Club Members    Dr. Robert E. Witt, Chancellor  University of Alabama Board of Trustees

Mayor William BellTony Petelos, Jefferson County ManagerBrian Mackin, Athletic DirectorCity CouncilCounty Commissioners

Enrollment growth of schools that turned Division I (FBS) or started football at a similar time to

UAB and invested in it.

Boise State * UCF (University Central Florida)*

1996 14,000 1996 24,000

2014 23,000 2014 60,000 (2nd largest in United States) **

* numbers are approximate and taken from the schools website

UCF website on Past Presidents

** Dr. Trevor Colbourn 3rd President

"under his leadership UCF raised admissions

standards, increased research funding, built new

facilities and grew the campus foot print. However

his most notable accomplishment was supporting

and investing in the university's young athletic

programs which began an era of growth for UCF."

Schools moving to or recently moved to FBS

Old Dominion, Georgia St., Lamar University, South Alabama, UNC Charlotte, several other

FCS teams with plan to move up in future.