Despite multiple studies determining that terminating UAB’s football program was a mistake by UAB president Ray Watts, it is being reported by Alabama state representative Jack Williams that multiple sources have told him that Watts will not overturn his decision to terminate the football, bowling, and rifle teams.
State Rep. Jack Williams told AL.com Thursday morning he’s received “strong indications” that UAB President Ray Watts has decided not to reinstate the school’s football program and plans to announce that news Friday night.
“This could lead to irreparable damage at UAB in its relationship with the community,” Williams said.
UAB released a statement later Thursday morning saying that no decision has been made yet on the possible return of football, rifle and bowling.
Williams said he believes Watts “is holding fast” to his original decision to eliminate the sports, which was announced Dec. 2 of last year, despite the positive nature of the College Sports Solutions report on bringing back those sports.
Williams said two key meetings are scheduled for this morning to try to convince Watts to reinstate football. Williams said four local business leaders have a meeting scheduled with University of Alabama System trustee Johnny Johns, and local philanthropist Jimmy Filler has a meeting scheduled with Watts.
Williams said he understands that Filler plans to present Watts with a multimillion-dollar guaranteed letter of credit to contribute to upgrading UAB’s football facilities if that sport is reinstated.
If Watts still refuses to reinstate football, despite the money raised by Filler, other boosters, the city of Birmingham and the UAB Undergraduate Student Government Association, Williams said, “I think this would cement his legacy in a very destructive way. His tenure at UAB will be marked by his destructive behavior.”
I have no reason to doubt Williams’ sources on this issue, as he has been on the front lines on this whole deal from the very beginning. When Watts makes his decision public to not overturn is previous decision to terminate the football program, he will have sealed his legacy as the biggest villain to ever hold power at UAB.
This is monumentally disappointing for someone like myself who has put blood, sweat and tears on the line for the university as a student-athlete. I couldn’t be more upset with Ray Watts and decision to deliberately and blatantly ignore multiple studies done that showed that it was viable financially for the terminated programs to be reinstated.
Watts’ decision to not bring back the programs will absolutely destroy any good faith left in the city of Birmingham and essentially destroys any chance he had at building back up his credibility as university president. I don’t see how you can look at the amount of money raised in a short period of time, and say you had discussions with various community stakeholders and conclude that not bringing back the football program is the best decision for UAB.
I’m, upset, frustrated, angry, and deeply saddened that the university that gave me an opportunity to live out a dream and that I once called home is being held by hostage by a tyrant that refuses to take the opinions of so many into consideration when making such a big decision that will be felt throughout the university and the city.
Job well done Ray, I hope you are satisfied with yourself and the fact that you ripped the hearts out of community and student body because you think the “numbers” don’t add up.
#FreeUAB