It's Game Week: UAB Football Prepares for First Game in Two Years

BIRMINGHAM, AL - For the first time in more than two years, UAB football players and fans can say, "It's game week!" After UAB president Ray Watts announced the termination of the football program in December of 2014, a rally of support for the program - both from fans and from financial donors - prompted Watts to reinstate the program beginning this season. The Blazers host Alabama A&M Saturday at Legion Field, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m.

Watts had announced in 2014 that he was disbanding the football, bowling and rifle programs after a report from CarrSports Consulting found that UAB athletic expenses would grow to $38.5 million by 2019 while revenue would increase by less than $1 million. At the time, the university, which said it subsidizes roughly two-thirds of the athletic department's operating budget, said the difference over the next five years would be an extra $49 million with football, including a projected $22 million needed for football facilities and upgrades.

The Blazers have sold more than 10,000 season tickets for football for the 2017 season, and hired Bruno Event Team to enhance its game day operations to make the games more fan-friendly. Gene Hallman of the Bruno Event Team said they hopes to sell out the parking spaces at Legion Field. For additional parking, UAB will have remote lots on campus with free luxury bus shuttles to take fans to the stadium.

Other game-day enhancements include:

• New and improved concessions with third-party concessionaires;
• A bigger Blazer Village with a kids zone inside;
• Information booths staffed by the Bruno Event Team;
• Student greeters in the parking lot and stadium;
• Student tailgating area; and
• Enhanced cellphone service on game days.

Birmingham mayor William Bell said the return of UAB football will have an estimated $50 million economic impact on the metro area.

(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)