It’s been nothing but UAB posts over the last few weeks…
ABC 33/40 does a great sports show called The Zone on Sunday nights. It is hosted by Mike Raita and it features Ray Melick and Doug Segrest of the Birmingham News. They spent a good 4 mins or so talking about the Athletic Department at UAB. Give it a listen: 4.1 MB MP3 Audio. 
I had the opportunity to converse back and forth with a huge sports fan with an inside contact in the UAB Athletic Department. I can say that everything that we debated back and forth about was touched on by the reporters on The Zone. From the horrible morale issues within the department, to the importance of a football program at UAB; excellent, entertaining reporting from these 3 fellows.
Also, more from the rumor mill:
A local blazer supporter from Attalla had the opportunity to eat lunch with Clean Gene Bartow (yes in Birmingham at Full Moon BBQ) here’s what he was able to share from their conversation:
1. I can confirm … Coach Bartow wanting to return.
2. I won’t repeat what was said about (Lee) Moon (Asst. AD at UAB) but let’s just say he would be in line with a majority of this board (http://blazertalk.com) on the subject.
3. When I told him about all the people pulling for him to return as AD along with the letters to (UAB President Carol) Garrison etc, it seemed to make his day. He was somewhat giddy about it and he wanted me to tell everyone thank you. He REALLY appreciates it.
4. He said I Doubt if “they” would let it happen but holds out hope. (They being the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees)
5. I really believe he could solidify this fractured fan base and do some good. You can tell a fire still burns inside him for UAB.
6. I now have to attend a Grizzlies game. I (Attalla) will have nice seats though.
I’m pumped, let’s bring back Bartow!!!
December 6th, 2005 at 11:05 am
I support Gene back as AD, but only in the interim. The athletic department needs some fresh blood. Not young blood, just fresh. We need to get an AD that can hold on to Mike Anderson while straightening out the football program. I think with Gene aboard as AD, he can recruit a quality, permenant AD.
Hey, did he recruit the previous AD before Watson?
December 6th, 2005 at 11:07 am
I’m not sure who exactly recruited Herman Frazier, but other than bringing Mike Anderson to UAB, he did nothing for the program.
December 7th, 2005 at 12:27 pm
Herman Frazier…That’s the name. For the life of me I could not remember it yesterday and I am WAAAYYYY to lazy to go look it up. He was useless. We should have sued him for the pay he took while completely ignoring the program.
I won’t even give him too much credit for bringing in Anderson. Anderson likely would have taken the job no matter what AD offered it. He was ready for a head coaching job. UAB just happened to need a coach at the right time.