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UA declined Deontay Wilder's request to fight in Coleman Coliseum
Posted on 6/7/15 at 2:26 pm
Posted on 6/7/15 at 2:26 pm
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Coleman Coliseum used to host all sorts of events and was the city's show case forum for concerts and events unrelated to the University. Recently though, apart from coaching camps and an odd religious seminar, UA seems loathe to rent the Coliseum to many non-university events, much less a political rally, rock concert or boxing fight.
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The event itself is called “Sweet Home(Coming) Alabama.” However, the opportunity for the heavyweight champ to have a true homecoming, a fight in his hometown of Tuscaloosa, hasn't been such a sweet proposition between Wilder and the University of Alabama.
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the university's lack of interest in hosting the bout at Coleman Coliseum originated with UA President Judy Bonner, who informed the athletic department in April that she had reservations about allowing Wilder's title defense to be held on UA's campus.
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Wilder (33-0, 32 KOs) will fight Eric Molina (23-1, 17 KOs) at 9,000-seat Bartow Arena, UAB's on-campus facility, in the first-ever world title bout in any weight division to take place in the state of Alabama.
Coleman Coliseum used to host all sorts of events and was the city's show case forum for concerts and events unrelated to the University. Recently though, apart from coaching camps and an odd religious seminar, UA seems loathe to rent the Coliseum to many non-university events, much less a political rally, rock concert or boxing fight.
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“We reached out to UAB and were called back the same day. And basically they said 'Yes, we want it, what do we have to move around? What do we have to reschedule? Anything we need to do, we're going to do. We want this event, this is huge, this is historic, we want it,'”
This post was edited on 6/7/15 at 2:35 pm
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Posted on 6/7/15 at 2:31 pm to Lordofwrath88
it should be noted that the June 13th date of the fight would not coincide with Alabama basketball camps which begin the 14th (though it would be hell on the Coliseum staff). Alabama's Gymnastics camps would be in full swing (10th to 20th) but they operate in a separate gym within the Coliseum.
This post was edited on 6/7/15 at 2:32 pm
Posted on 6/7/15 at 2:38 pm to Lordofwrath88
Seems UA was just scared to do it for some reason. I'm sure there are potential drawbacks but I think it would've been a great thing for the university, city, and local businesses. Now I'm worried Deontay Wilder (who has the potential to be the biggest American heavyweight in decades) feels shunned by the university when he has the potential to be our highest-profile fan and supporter.
This post was edited on 6/7/15 at 2:41 pm
Posted on 6/7/15 at 3:27 pm to Lordofwrath88
Good job! Lets just throw away events that let other cities get all the attractions and money! Never mind the fact that this guy is from Tuscaloosa, who'd love to fight here.
City council has been trying to find something that will make Tuscaloosa known for something else other than football, but this doesn't help at all.
City council has been trying to find something that will make Tuscaloosa known for something else other than football, but this doesn't help at all.
Posted on 6/7/15 at 7:40 pm to Lordofwrath88
Posted on 6/7/15 at 9:17 pm to Lordofwrath88
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Judy Bonner
This post was edited on 6/7/15 at 9:18 pm
Posted on 6/7/15 at 9:22 pm to harmonics
We have a woman for a president. We do not need a woman as president of the university.
Posted on 6/8/15 at 7:18 am to FourThreeForty
This was a stupid decision. What a great marketing tool that no other university in the country could claim.
Posted on 6/8/15 at 8:00 am to bamarep
So glad that Home Ec president is going back to teaching
Posted on 6/8/15 at 8:15 am to biggsc
FWIW, this isn't really groundbreaking news. This was well known once he decided on Birmingham as a landing spot.
However, I do think it sucks that the university doesn't use Coleman for more. There is an opportunity there to bring in concerts for students. I drove over last fall to Starkville to see Jack White at the Hump. It would be great if UA did events like that for students here.
However, I do think it sucks that the university doesn't use Coleman for more. There is an opportunity there to bring in concerts for students. I drove over last fall to Starkville to see Jack White at the Hump. It would be great if UA did events like that for students here.
Posted on 6/8/15 at 8:39 am to Lordofwrath88
This kind of thinking just seems so typical at UA. Just so friggin scared to do anything outside of the box.
Posted on 6/8/15 at 9:44 am to Lordofwrath88
ITT Sound like a bigot and attack your alma mater. 
Posted on 6/8/15 at 9:57 am to yellowhammer2098
Who's attacking the University?
Posted on 6/8/15 at 10:09 am to FairhopeTider
I'd say calling the president of the University a "Home ec president" and saying "We shouldn't have a woman president" would be attacking it.
ETA: You can disagree with me all you want but the trashing of this university by alums and sidewalk fans is disgusting. It isn't limited to just this instance. A lot of y'all need to go back and read the alma mater and take some of those words to heart.
ETA: You can disagree with me all you want but the trashing of this university by alums and sidewalk fans is disgusting. It isn't limited to just this instance. A lot of y'all need to go back and read the alma mater and take some of those words to heart.
This post was edited on 6/8/15 at 10:16 am
Posted on 6/8/15 at 10:16 am to yellowhammer2098
She deserves every bit of it.
Why not call him back? It just looks bad and there's no reason to show that level of disrespect to a champion who is willing to promote both Tuscaloosa and Alabama in a positive way.
It shows a lack of leadership and makes me mad as someone who has followed Deontay since his 2008 Olympic run. The guy has ALWAYS been about Tuscaloosa. No reason to treat him like this.
Why not call him back? It just looks bad and there's no reason to show that level of disrespect to a champion who is willing to promote both Tuscaloosa and Alabama in a positive way.
It shows a lack of leadership and makes me mad as someone who has followed Deontay since his 2008 Olympic run. The guy has ALWAYS been about Tuscaloosa. No reason to treat him like this.
This post was edited on 6/8/15 at 10:19 am
Posted on 6/8/15 at 10:21 am to AHM21
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“Dr. Bonner's concerns about the use of Coleman Coliseum were based on UA's ability to provide the significant logistical support that would be required to host an event of this size — with minimal planning time and the necessity of involving already committed campus resources — during a very busy time on our campus, as well as the potential disruption to the thousands of students, parents and visitors participating in already scheduled orientation sessions, classes, camps and events,” UA spokesperson Deborah Lane said. “She continues to wish Deontay much success in his upcoming bout.”
You've got Bama Bound going on, summer classes, sports camps and who knows what else. You can disagree with the decision that is fine but you hardly know everything that went into the decision making.
ETA: You also have no idea what Deontay may have asked for. Birmingham is notorious for dropping their pants at the chance to host something like this.
This post was edited on 6/8/15 at 10:23 am
Posted on 6/8/15 at 10:22 am to RollDatRoll
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It would be great if UA did events like that for students here.
When was the last concert there? When I was in school in the 90's there were several concerts at Coleman - Allman Bros, Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffet, Brooks & Dunn, Widespread Panic, etc. Sound sucks in there for a concert, but it was great being able to have such a short drive for a good concert.
And this was an astronomically stupid decision. I read it was a pre-emptive no, and that there wasn't a formal request. To not even hear out the request is so mind-numbingly stupid.
Posted on 6/8/15 at 10:23 am to yellowhammer2098
I know she didn't call Wilder or his camp back. That is unacceptable, regardless of what is happening that would have made the event "impossible."
Posted on 6/8/15 at 10:24 am to The Spleen
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When was the last concert there?
The last one I remember was Daughtry in 2006.
Posted on 6/8/15 at 10:28 am to The Spleen
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When was the last concert there?
I'd think the Tuscaloosa Amp is preventing any big concerts from going on at Coleman.
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