re: NSIAP - UAB cutting football program may end up costing the school more

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It's so poorly conceived and yet it works so well. It's ridiculous to deny. I would almost chalk up an AD football budget as a marketing expense in the current environment. It's great at bringing in students. It's part of the college atmosphere that schools are selling. And it works.

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That's actually debatable. Having read some of the studies on it over the years, my personal opinion is that it probably helps branding and enrollment a bit for universities already known as football schools when they have a big year but that it really doesn't make much financial sense at smaller schools that have been cracking into the top division the last 10 years or so.

Then again, you might add that it is worth the university paying out of pocket because it provides value to the student experience. However, my anecdotal experience after doing a BS and MA at schools that had recently gone to 1A (or whatever it is called today) is that I just don't see it. I know it is a massive temptation for administrations trying to turn the corner from a commuter campus to more of a traditional student body, but I still feel like it is a huge risk.

This is a general opinion and doesn't necessarily apply to UAB. I think there is a big difference questioning moving up to D1A and completely dismantling a program altogether.