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COLLEGE FOOTBALL UAB announces it's shutting down program Comment By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 3, 2014 at 2:00 AM By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 3, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Social News BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — UAB is shutting down the football program after one of the Blazers’ stronger seasons, the first school to make that cost-cutting move in nearly two decades. The university announced the decision Tuesday minutes after President Ray Watts met with the Blazers players and coaches, while several hundred UAB students and fans gathered outside for the third straight day in efforts to support the program. UAB made the decision after a campus-wide study conducted by a consulting firm over the past year. “The fiscal realities we face — both from an operating and a capital investment standpoint — are starker than ever and demand that we take decisive action for the greater good of the Athletic Department and UAB,” Watts said in a statement released by the university. “As we look at the evolving landscape of NCAA football, we see expenses only continuing to increase. When considering a model that best protects the financial future and prominence of the Athletic Department, football is simply not sustainable.” UAB said in the release that it subsidizes $20 million of the athletic department’s operating budget of some $30 million annually, and said both those numbers rank fifth in Conference USA. The university said the difference over the next five years would be an extra $49 million with football, including a projected $22 million needed for football facilities and upgrades. Despite the numbers outlined by UAB, Watts insisted at an afternoon news conference that the decision “is not about financial woes. This is about planning for excellence in the future in everything we do.” UAB is the first major college program since Pacific in 1995 to shut down. Players cried and hugged after leaving the meeting. An emotional coach Bill Clark, who just completed his first season with a 6-6 record, briefly addressed supporters, saying players, families and coaches were all hurting. UAB is eligible for only its second bowl appearance and first since 2004. “This is one of the most difficult days that I have had to endure in my personal as well as my coaching career,” Clark said in a statement. “I am absolutely heartbroken for my players and my assistant coaches.” He has two years left on a contract worth $500,000 annually. Watts wouldn’t give the specific cost of shutting down football. UAB’s deal for the opener with Tennessee alone called for either school to pay $925,000 to get out of the game. Conference USA’s current bylaws require members to sponsor football. Commissioner Britton Banowsky said the league’s board of directors will decide UAB’s status. By The Associated Press MailTribune.com By The Associated Press Posted Dec. 3, 2014 at 2:00 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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