UAB would like your football money sooner rather than later

As UAB works hard to bring back to life the football program it hastily killed off last November, the university is requesting those who committed to donate funds to get those checks in the mail as soon as possible. A letter to UAB alumni and more requested for payments to be made between September 1 and 7 so that the university can put together a budget for the coming year.

The letter in full -- signed by embattled UAB president Ray Watts, Athletics Director Mark Ingram and UAB Athletics Campaign Committee chair Hatton Smith -- was shared by Kevin Scarbinsky of Al.com and can be read here. One portion of the letter details the need for receiving donations ahead of a normal schedule.

We now must get pledge payments in hand. We are already working with many of our donors and supporters so we can cover the expenses associated with the restoration of the three sports on schedule. As indicated at the news conference in June, the necessary funding for these programs is critical to support multi-year commitments to our student athletes and coaches. We’d like to get ahead of the curve and stay there. Specifically, we request that donors make initial payments on their pledges by September 1, 2015. In addition, we will be seeking advance pledge payments on January 15, 2016, and July 1, 2016, for those who are able to help us stay ahead of the curve.

As you might imagine, the reaction from some in the UAB community to this has been a bit mixed. On one side you will have the understanding and devoted fans that will bend over backward to help the university provide a stable budget for the rebirth of UAB football (and rifle and bowling). On the other you have those already speculating this could give UAB an excuse if the financial situation is not improved to bring football back.

UAB is planning to return to the football field in 2017.

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