UAB reveals timeline for football, rifle, bowling return

“We want a program that is here to stay”, the coach said. “We need to take our time to do it right, then we can compete for conference and bowl championships”.

UAB offensive tackle Steve Pickern hugs UAB supporter Justin Craft after UAB President Ray Watts announced the shut down of the UAB football program Tuesday, December 2, 2014 in Birmingham, Ala. This, along with our ability to maintain our FBS Status, compete for conference championships and eligible for bowl participation were extremely important to us. “Please don’t stop. We still have a lot to do and we need all of you”. It is very unfortunate that UAB football had to go down this road at all, after being cut for what seem like tenuous reasons, but we’re glad to see that the Blazers are on their way back, and have a firm date announced.

“The release added “UAB now is working with donors who committed enough financial support earlier in the year to enable the programs’ return without impacting the school’s budget beyond its current subsidy” and that “[p]ledges are being processed and fundraising activities are well underway”.

UAB athletic director Mark Ingram said resuming competition “as soon as possible” has been the intent.

Well, for those of us that would have missed dearly seeing the Blazers step onto the football field, the hurt will not last that long.

Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky said UAB could potentially play a full league schedule in its first season back.

The NCAA has waived UAB’s FBS requirements for three academic years beginning in 2015-16, and when football returns, the Blazers will be counted as FBS competition.