Report: UAB to reinstate football program
The University of Alabama-Birmingham is set to restore its football program, according to a local Fox affiliate in Birmingham.
BREAKING source says Watts prepared to file notice with NCAA football coming back.
— Alan Collins (@fox6alancollins) June 1, 2015
BREAKING new UAB AD Mark Ingram will form committee to raise $13-14 million to upgrade athletic facilities includes practice field
— Alan Collins (@fox6alancollins) June 1, 2015
The upgrade in faculties doesn't not include on campus stadium
— Alan Collins (@fox6alancollins) June 1, 2015
A press conference is scheduled for 4 p.m. local time where UAB will officially announce the fate of the program.
The university announced in November that the football program would be disbanded due to monetary concerns. However, an independent economic analysis firm released a study in April refuting these claims, reporting that the sport was making the university money, and would continue to do so.
Since the program was disbanded, there has been a steady push by supporters to return football to the program. The university's student government association approved a resolution that would increase fees in an effort to raise money for the program. The UAB Athletics Assessment Task Force also announced in early May that its fundraising efforts had yielded nearly $6 million in pledges to restore football.
The Blazers hold a 118-153-2 all-time record on the football field, losing their only bowl appearance in 2004.
Coach Bill Clark previously said he wouldn't take another coaching job during the 2015 season, partly to wait and see if his beloved Blazers program comes back.
"My heart is still at UAB," Clark said in January. "I love those people."