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Hi, guys. As you've probably heard, our jack [deleted] of a university president pulled the plug on our football program. We're fighting to get it back, everywhere from the streets to the legislature. One of the things we do to publicize that this is happening is that we chant "Fire Ray Watts!" when the other team goes to the free throw line. That's a time that the arena goes quiet, no band or DJ, and we get that chant going nice and loud instead of yelling "Miss it!" or something. It goes out over the TV and radio very nicely.

Given that this is the NCAA tournament, if we get that going loud enough it will cause comment, people will talk about it on the air - which is the point. Also, Ray Watts, our butthead president, has not dared to show his face at a home game since he did it. He was not there when we won the C-USA Final *in Birmingham*. In fact, he also hid out during our last graduation - he was tucked into a corner onstage but did not dare shake hands or hand out diplomas. Can you imagine that? A president that could not do one of the fundamental duties and pleasures of his job?

Anyhow - if any of you who are in Louisville are at our game getting your money's worth out of your tickets, we'd very much appreciate it if you would pitch in and chant too. Watts is going to the game. He'll probably be up in a skybox watching on TV, but he's going to be there, and I hope they get him on camera with the chant ringing in his ears.

Appreciate it, y'all. I know it's a kinda odd request, but we're doing everything we can think of to get our program back. I know you guys know about that one.


BTW, if the word is not out here, tickets for tomorrow are like $7 on stubhub if you can wangle your way over. I figure if you could you already are there, but still.

Thank you much,

Michael aka UAB Band Dad

Wouldn't firing Ray Watts be a case of firing the dummy and keeping the ventriloquist? Think you all should go after Paul Bryant.

Haha I told a Bammer go UAB and got a dumbfounded look

We are. Thing is that is like saying "Go after Red McCombs". He's one of the most powerful, wealthy, and influential men in the state. We're down in Montgomery trying to get changes made in the Board of Trustees, but 3/4 of the lege graduated from Alabama Law.

Watts is his toady and lickspittle, yes, but his remaining at the levers of power within the university means he can cause all sorts of mischief. He's already taken votes of no confidence from the undergrad SGA, the grad SGA, and the Faculty Senate. All that happened was that the BoT released a statement supporting him.

It's a mess. Killing football means that unless the conference decides to be kind we'll be booted from C-USA, because the bylaws say you have to play football to be eligible. We don't know if they'll give us a year to try to fix it or kick us out. If they do, we have no idea where we're going to land, Sun Belt? A-Sun? That might kill our athletic program. Coaches and players will leave for more appropriate schools en masse.

It bites. But trust me, we're doing everything we can. We're on the news a lot, on tv, in the paper. Thing is that the deed is done and PBJ just does not care what folks say about him as long as he gets his way. Closing down our football was his parting gift to himself as he retired from the board. He'll still run things, I know of four people on the board who are either Bryant Bank employees or their sons are.

Anything you guys are willing to do we'd appreciate. I know it's kinda weird and flaky, but we're finally gonna catch the SOB out in public. We'll do our best to be loud enough for you to hear us during the game.

If I were there I would chant it. Unfortunately I will be missing this game (which kills me).

Free UAB

Most of the fans of schools in the dance will. I got lucky and get to make this one.

If you call getting on a bus at 3:30 am lucky. Grin. No, I'm stoked to go, but ISU is a really good team and will probably mash us. Still, funny things happen in a one and done...

Good work UAB Banddad.

Free UAB!

Thanks, guys. Sincerely.

UAB voted for SMU into CUSA when we had no home after the WAC 16 blew up

Well, I personally go further back than that. I lived in Houston during the '80's, went to Cougar High. I remember Jon Koncak real well. Some good hoops in the old SWC back in the day.

UAB Banddad wrote: I lived in Houston during the '80's

Man, you've had a tough life. First that, then you lost your football program. Hold strong!

UAB Banddad wrote:Well, I personally go further back than that. I lived in Houston during the '80's, went to Cougar High. I remember Jon Koncak real well. Some good hoops in the old SWC back in the day.

You just got every SMU vote by calling them Coug High!!!!

Mustangs35SMU wrote:

UAB Banddad wrote: I lived in Houston during the '80's

Man, you've had a tough life. First that, then you lost your football program. Hold strong!

Well, I was around for Phi Slamma Jamma and the Run 'n Shoot too, but yeah, I don't seem to be able to pull for UT or Bama or something and bask in the easy sunshine. That's ok, the good times mean more when you have to fight for them.

You guys will get a lot of attention now.

Yeah, win one more and they'll be trying to hire away our coach.

BTW, regarding Watts, he was indeed present today, although up in the luxury boxes. We did all we could to be sure he heard us, and I hope that at least some of the time TV picked us up. I was at the game and have not see the footage yet. Anyhow, after the game a few of us were hanging around out front, waiting for our bus to pick us up. President Watts, a couple of security guards, and his fixer lawyer came out and headed to his SUV, walking maybe 40' away.

This happened:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJ6U43R0TKo

I'm the guy with the eyepatch briefly visible just as this starts. It's about the only way I can think of that my day could have gotten any better.

Thanks, guys.