“Like our fans, I wanted to light the scoreboard much sooner, but doing it right is more important than doing it fast, and this was our best option”.
Advertisement
UAB has signed its first football player since announcing plans to restart the program.
Past year many college football fans were left scratching their heads when it was announced that the UAB Blazers football program would be shutting down at the end of the season. “We need to take our time to do it right, then we can compete for conference and bowl championships”.
UAB football can take the field again in 2017 and remain an FBS program.More >>. They’ve also announced a timetable for the reinstatement of the bowling and rifle teams, which were cut along with football. In the initial stages of the resurrection of the football program it was thought that the sport would return for the 2016 season, although that expedited timeline proved to be too daunting.
Bill Clark led UAB to a 6-6 finish in his first and only year on the job.
UAB supporters pledged enough money to cover the projected $17 million cost to operate football over the next five years. They will also be immediately eligible for a bowl game as well as the Conference US championship game. The school administration chalked it up to budget concerns and what not, but we all knew in our heart of hearts that it was a built-in, lame excuse. “We particularly appreciate the role the NCAA has played in helping ensure that UAB will be able to maintain its status as an FBS institution”, Banowsky said.
Advertisement
UAB athletic director Mark Ingram said resuming competition “as soon as possible” has been the intent.
