How UAB plans to fund its football facilities and the challenges ahead
When Charlotte launched its football program in 2011, it did so with 50 percent of the costs -- both operational and stadium construction -- covered by the student body. Without that student support, Charlotte wouldn't have a football team or be a member of Conference USA today.
"Our students felt strongly enough about the intangibles (of football) that they were willing to support the imposition of the fee," said Charlotte chancellor Philip Dubois. "That's where we came down on it in terms of starting up a new program."
UAB currently ranks 10th out of 14th in student fees in Conference USA -- $5,311,755 per year -- though the school's undergraduate student government association recently passed a resolution to increase fees by $25 per semester. Watts will need to approve that measure, but it should generate more than $850,000 annually for football. Even with that increase, UAB would still be in the lower half of CUSA in student fees
When Charlotte launched its football program in 2011, it did so with 50 percent of the costs -- both operational and stadium construction -- covered by the student body. Without that student support, Charlotte wouldn't have a football team or be a member of Conference USA today.
"Our students felt strongly enough about the intangibles (of football) that they were willing to support the imposition of the fee," said Charlotte chancellor Philip Dubois. "That's where we came down on it in terms of starting up a new program."
UAB currently ranks 10th out of 14th in student fees in Conference USA -- $5,311,755 per year -- though the school's undergraduate student government association recently passed a resolution to increase fees by $25 per semester. Watts will need to approve that measure, but it should generate more than $850,000 annually for football. Even with that increase, UAB would still be in the lower half of CUSA in student fees
