Ben Howland is in the process of finalizing an agreement to become Mississippi State's head coach, multiple sources told ESPN. From ESPN.com - College Basketball - Sources: Howland, Miss. State finalizing deal
Monday, March 23, 2015
Documents show UAB planned to shut down football last September
When the University of Alabama-Birmingham announced in December that it was folding its football program, it became the first Football Bowl Subdivision/Division I-A school to do so since 1995. However, according to documents obtained by AL.com, the decision to end the program was actually made when the football season began.
Public relations firm Sard Verbinnen & Co., initially advised the university to shut down football, women’s bowling and women’s rifle in September 2014. A memo obtained by AL.com noted that staff members, including football coach Bill Clark and athletic director Brian Mackin, would be notified on Sept. 17 and a public announcement would be made on Sept. 30. However, the public relations firm adjusted its thinking and advised the university to push the announcement back for fear of blowback from the football team.
That memo offers "our basis for opposing a mid-season announcement." It suggests the potential for "a critical mass of immediate transfer requests ... where students refuse to finish out the season" or "a full team boycott."
"If not effectively managed," the memo says, "it is conceivable that UAB would not be able to field a competitive team - or any team."
The memo also suggests the possibility that UAB football players "may react very badly if an announcement is made during the season."
"Although we initially believed that an early- or mid-season announcement was best for students, upon consideration of the potential for immediate withdrawals and the impact on team morale, we have adjusted our view," the memo says.
The memos uncovered by AL.com show that UAB president Ray Watts was not being truthful when he said on multiple occasions that the decision to shut down the programs was not made until November.
The Carr report, a document UAB made public on Dec. 2, detailed the reasons for the disbanding of the programs. The document was dated Nov. 18, which would go along with Watts’ timeline. However, AL.com said it found a nearly identical document from CarrSports Consulting that was dated Sept. 3.
Watts’ announcement that the university was disbanding the three programs sparked protests and debates that continue to rage. Several people have offered money to help save the football program while others have called for Watts to be removed from the university. Several UAB players already have found new places to play while others simply will finish out their education.
While many attempts have been made to get the football program reinstated, the chances of it actually happening appear bleak.
For more UAB news, visit BlazerSportsReport.com.
Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
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From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Documents show UAB planned to shut down football last September
FSU trustees approve $79.5 million in stadium upgrades
Repairs and maintenance to the tune of $6 million began on the stadium after the 2014 stadium, but something bigger is coming down the line. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Florida State’s Board of Trustees approved “issuing up to $85 million in bonds to pay for an anticipated $79.5 million project” on Doak Campbell.
The project includes adding a new “premium outdoor seating section” while also making various structural repairs, painting the stadium and updating the sky box.
The new club area seats 6,000 and will be located in the south end zone. Construction is scheduled for July 2016 in order to complete the project prior to the 2016 season.
This exclusive indoor-outdoor section will cover four levels and allows fans to experience game day from different vantage points without losing sight of the field. It will also provide amenities that fans want. The first phase of construction in July will include a pair of elevator and stair towers in the south end zone across from the Unconquered Statue. They will provide fans improved access in and out of the stadium on game days and designers believe will become "iconic elements" of Doak Campbell Stadium.
FSU athletic director Stan Wilcox said the school is hoping to modernize the stadium and make the experience better for fans.
"Football, obviously being our No. 1 financial driver, that's one of the sports that obviously is the biggest investment," Wilcox said. "But the return is the largest return as well, so we have to be sure that our football facilities are the best they can possibly be so we can continue to attract top student-athletes around the country, as well as keeping our fan base happy when they come and watch a game at Doak Campbell Stadium."
Other improvements that have been discussed include seat width, improving bathrooms and concourses and updating the video board in the north end zone.
For more Florida State news, visit Warchant.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - FSU trustees approve $79.5 million in stadium upgrades
Idaho skipping UF, will get $1.3M from Mizzou
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Former Frat Bro Will Ferrell Thinks We Should Get Rid Of Greek Life
Will Ferrell just went down a few notches in my book. From Gossip, Fast Fashion, Female Lifestyle, Sex & Love: CollegeCandy - Former Frat Bro Will Ferrell Thinks We Should Get Rid Of Greek Life
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