The University of Alabama at Birmingham has decided to shut down its football program despite protests on campus.
Reports have said that the school had expected to end the program that has struggled financially, and that it has been especially difficult to gain a fan base with neighboring schools like Alabama and Auburn.
According to ESPN, players will meet later today to decide if they would play in a bowl game if they are invited to play.
Getting rid of the football team would potentially jeopordize other programs such as the school’s marching band and cheerleading squad. Members of the band and cheerleading team had a protest yesterday but despite the protests, the program will still get shut down.
Rick Karle, Sports Director at WBRC Fox6 in Birmingham, has confirmed that the program will be shut down and will discuss it during news programming.