Started By
Message
Question about your relationship with UAB and UAH
Posted on 7/10/19 at 12:58 pm
Posted on 7/10/19 at 12:58 pm
So I know Alabama-Birmingham, Alabama-Huntsville, and Alabama are the 3 schools that make up the University of Alabama system. In Mississippi all public schools are under one system, while we have different Mississippi State campuses(like Meridian) and they become alumni of Mississippi State just like us but they aren't full fledged Universities like Alabama's system.
So do people that go to UAH and UAB also become alumni of Alabama? Or are those folks sidewalk Alabama fans as well?
The reason I ask I guess is I'm contemplating an opportunity at Alabama-Huntsville and I'm wondering if this is like a campus full of Alabama Crimson Tide Fans, all sorts of fans, or if they somehow have their own UAH fanbase.
Guess I'm curious as to the whole Alabama system and with it being the off-season I figured it would be interesting to discuss
So do people that go to UAH and UAB also become alumni of Alabama? Or are those folks sidewalk Alabama fans as well?
The reason I ask I guess is I'm contemplating an opportunity at Alabama-Huntsville and I'm wondering if this is like a campus full of Alabama Crimson Tide Fans, all sorts of fans, or if they somehow have their own UAH fanbase.
Guess I'm curious as to the whole Alabama system and with it being the off-season I figured it would be interesting to discuss
8
Posted on 7/10/19 at 1:14 pm to The Winner
UAB alums will fight you if you suggest they are alumni of The Capstone. It’s been my experience that the relationship with UAH is much less adversarial but they still consider themselves their own entity.
Make no mistake there is no love lost between UAB and Alabama. It is still Alabama’s medical school but UAB people don’t see it that way even though it is under the same system. I guess you would consider UAH the system’s engineering school but the relationship is much less strained and more cooperative.
Make no mistake there is no love lost between UAB and Alabama. It is still Alabama’s medical school but UAB people don’t see it that way even though it is under the same system. I guess you would consider UAH the system’s engineering school but the relationship is much less strained and more cooperative.
Posted on 7/10/19 at 1:35 pm to phil4bama
Gotcha makes sense. I've seen the whole Free UAB thing. Idk why UAB hates Alabama so much tho. I would be proud to be part of that system rather than on their own if I were them.
Good to hear on UAH. My father is an alum of Alabama. If I do end up at Alabama-Huntsville and stuff I will probably end up an Alabama fan fully.
Fun fact about me for you guys: I was actually at the 2003 Mike Price Spring Game. And have been at numerous Alabama events over the years including the 2005 Music City Bowl against Minnesota.... The thing I've enjoyed at Alabama over the years that MSU doesn't have is Gymnastics and Softball that are both fun to watch.
Good to hear on UAH. My father is an alum of Alabama. If I do end up at Alabama-Huntsville and stuff I will probably end up an Alabama fan fully.
Fun fact about me for you guys: I was actually at the 2003 Mike Price Spring Game. And have been at numerous Alabama events over the years including the 2005 Music City Bowl against Minnesota.... The thing I've enjoyed at Alabama over the years that MSU doesn't have is Gymnastics and Softball that are both fun to watch.
Posted on 7/10/19 at 1:56 pm to The Winner
I went to UAB. I don’t consider myself a UA alumni. I guess we are all technically alums of the UA system, but I’ve never heard people say that.
So I’m a sidewalker, and I don’t even care what people say about it.
So I’m a sidewalker, and I don’t even care what people say about it.
This post was edited on 7/10/19 at 1:58 pm
Posted on 7/10/19 at 2:03 pm to The Winner
Lots of resentment (at least there used to be ) of UAH and UAB folks on the faculty and staff. They feel they get the short end of the stick when it comes to budgets etc. Your more likely to run into opposing fans or generally people who don't care about sports. The worst of these sort of people are Auburn fans who attend UAB. They are constantly complaining about UAt.
Posted on 7/10/19 at 2:06 pm to The Winner
quote:
Idk why UAB hates Alabama so much tho
They think the Board of Trustees makes decisions that disproportionately favor the UA campus and programs. I think they do have a legitimate gripe at times, especially as it pertains to the UAB athletic programs. UAB tried to hire Jimbo Fisher as its head coach years ago, but the BOT did not approve it. They also voted down a proposal to build an on-campus football stadium. I forget the specifics of it.
I hold a degree from both UA and UAB, and I've never really gotten into any of the animosity between the two. They're both an asset to the state.
I don't know much about UAH, but to my knowledge there's no bad blood between the two campuses. UAH doesn't have much of an athletic program though, so that's probably why.
Posted on 7/10/19 at 2:39 pm to The Winner
UAB grad here. I consider myself a graduate of UAB. I've never once ever thought about being a graduate of any "system" - seems like a waste of time thinking about such.
I also don't have any animosity toward any particular UA person, with the exception of anyone who helped tank the football program a few years back. But let's be honest, the university (UAB) never acted like it cared much about the football team, at least not when I attended, and so I don't get why they'd get super mad when nobody else cared either.
Regarding my sports fandom, I'm a fan of UAB athletics, but really only football and basketball. However, my Crimson Tide fandom predates my UAB fandom by 15 years, and so I'm MUCH more of an Alabama fan than a UAB fan, despite what my diploma says.
And I've never really understood or gave a rat's arse about the notion of "sidewalk fan," as I think that's just some ridiculous imaginary gate invented by petty UA alums interested in gate-keeping. I personally see my Alabama fandom as a cultural heritage based on the state where I was born, which is why I view auburn fandom as a legitimate psychological disorder and major character flaw.
I'm an Alabama fan because of the universe I was born into, and if others need to analyze and/or criticize the origin, legitimacy, or veracity of said fandom, they certainly are welcome to. I will continue not giving a continental damn.
I also don't have any animosity toward any particular UA person, with the exception of anyone who helped tank the football program a few years back. But let's be honest, the university (UAB) never acted like it cared much about the football team, at least not when I attended, and so I don't get why they'd get super mad when nobody else cared either.
Regarding my sports fandom, I'm a fan of UAB athletics, but really only football and basketball. However, my Crimson Tide fandom predates my UAB fandom by 15 years, and so I'm MUCH more of an Alabama fan than a UAB fan, despite what my diploma says.
And I've never really understood or gave a rat's arse about the notion of "sidewalk fan," as I think that's just some ridiculous imaginary gate invented by petty UA alums interested in gate-keeping. I personally see my Alabama fandom as a cultural heritage based on the state where I was born, which is why I view auburn fandom as a legitimate psychological disorder and major character flaw.
I'm an Alabama fan because of the universe I was born into, and if others need to analyze and/or criticize the origin, legitimacy, or veracity of said fandom, they certainly are welcome to. I will continue not giving a continental damn.
Posted on 7/10/19 at 3:02 pm to The Spleen
quote:
UAB tried to hire Jimbo Fisher as its head coach years ago, but the BOT did not approve it.
In fairness to the BOT, this came at a time when the UAB football program had just been given a mandate to stop losing money, and the offer to Fisher was double the salary budgeted for the position. I would have told them no as well.
Also, the guy who said they get the short end of the budget is incorrect. Budget decisions might have favored UA in the past, but UAB receives BY FAR the largest share of UA system resources. And the campus has undergone a construction boom (not as many buildings as UA, but similar based on enrollment). Hell, they removed two blocks of a city street just to create a large open quad. The campus is barely recognizable from 20 years ago, and most of the remaining buildings from that era are slated for demolition and reconstruction too.
quote:
I've never really gotten into any of the animosity between the two.
Me either, but I understand where it originated. Through the 90's and even later, students were almost all UA or AU fans, split about evenly. The AU fans really resented the facts that their diplomas would reflect any connection to the UA system (seriously). They were vocal about it. They were never UAB fans, but they hated UA.
There was no real UAB identity. It had always been a commuter school and few felt any real connection to it the way many people do about their universities.
Attitude on campus is different now. There are a LOT of actual UAB fans. It really has an identity now.
ETA - I say this as someone who attended both UA and UAB in the early 90's, and who has sent children to school recently at both schools (and one to Auburn, too).
This post was edited on 7/10/19 at 3:17 pm
Posted on 7/10/19 at 3:59 pm to Evolved Simian
quote:
Also, the guy who said they get the short end of the budget is incorrect. Budget decisions might have favored UA in the past, but UAB receives BY FAR the largest share of UA system resources. And the campus has undergone a construction boom (not as many buildings as UA, but similar based on enrollment). Hell, they removed two blocks of a city street just to create a large open quad. The campus is barely recognizable from 20 years ago, and most of the remaining buildings from that era are slated for demolition and reconstruction too.
If you were talking to me, I would be happy to be incorrect about that and yes my frame of reference is probably 20 years out of date. UAB should be supported beyond just the graduate programs and medical school.
Posted on 7/10/19 at 4:15 pm to Evolved Simian
quote:
In fairness to the BOT, this came at a time when the UAB football program had just been given a mandate to stop losing money, and the offer to Fisher was double the salary budgeted for the position. I would have told them no as well.
Yeah, there was a legitimate reason for rejecting it, but I also see how it fed the perception from UAB fans that the BOT didn't want their football program to succeed.
quote:
And the campus has undergone a construction boom
It actually feels like a college campus now.
Posted on 7/10/19 at 4:35 pm to The Winner
As an UAH grad it's mostly a Bama fan base, but at the same time there's a shite ton of people who come from all over the place and dgaf about sports or UA football. Which is why is will always be a D2 school and not have a real identity in sports.
No we don't look at ourselves as students or grads of UA...because we don't go there and UAH not a satellite campus. It's its own entity.
And you going to UAH is a shitty excuse to become a "full" Bama fan.
No we don't look at ourselves as students or grads of UA...because we don't go there and UAH not a satellite campus. It's its own entity.
And you going to UAH is a shitty excuse to become a "full" Bama fan.
This post was edited on 7/10/19 at 4:48 pm
Posted on 7/10/19 at 5:46 pm to JordonfortheJ
I still say it's a mistake for UAB to have a D-1 football program. Should've put some of that saved money into bball and soccer. Easier to build a brand that way.
Posted on 7/10/19 at 6:25 pm to JordonfortheJ
Not really. Grew up in Tuscaloosa and had family that went to Alabama. Just ended up at Mississippi State instead. IDC if you would call me a sidewalk fan. I was just curious if that would be the case. Wasn't quite familiar with the relationship of the UA System.
And I'm not going to UAH to become a Bama fan. I just said I probably would if I end up at that opportunity. If I really wanted a degree from UA I'd go but that doesn't concern me. I care about the best scenario. Not a branded name.
And I'm not going to UAH to become a Bama fan. I just said I probably would if I end up at that opportunity. If I really wanted a degree from UA I'd go but that doesn't concern me. I care about the best scenario. Not a branded name.
This post was edited on 7/10/19 at 6:29 pm
Posted on 7/10/19 at 6:25 pm to prevatt33
I respect that and understand
Posted on 7/11/19 at 12:58 am to The Winner
quote:
If I do end up at Alabama-Huntsville and stuff I will probably end up an Alabama fan fully.
You root and become a fan of a team or school program, is because you watched them as far as you can remember, attend events/games, rooted through family history, and know family/community members/friends who played on said teams.
Not by going to a D2 school who is a different university but shares a system...but if you're from Tuscaloosa and already ais Bama fan who just went to MSU then that's a different story.
But if you're affiliation lies with MSU..gong to little old UAH shouldn't change that.
Posted on 7/11/19 at 7:34 am to JordonfortheJ
Graduated from UAB and never felt like there was any hatred between the two campuses. The only time I ever really see it is on messageboards or Al.com comments.
UAB is quickly becoming a beast in non medical areas. You see them making news more and more each year in academics and it seems like there is a major building coming up on campus every year. The state should be fortunate to have so many great universities.
UAB is quickly becoming a beast in non medical areas. You see them making news more and more each year in academics and it seems like there is a major building coming up on campus every year. The state should be fortunate to have so many great universities.
Posted on 7/11/19 at 11:35 am to The Winner
Have degrees from both UAB and then from UA (online) much later. I don’t think of them as the same, but if you go to UAB’s campus you’ll see a lot of Bama and AU gear. While UAB has done a good job of bringing in younger people on campus, there is still a ton who commute - and they are not strictly UAB fans. Not sure about UAH.
This post was edited on 7/11/19 at 11:37 am
Posted on 7/12/19 at 10:10 am to Ssubba
quote:
Graduated from UAB and never felt like there was any hatred between the two campuses. The only time I ever really see it is on messageboards or Al.com comments
The animosity comes from several sources: politicians, BOT, administrators, coaches and--as someone else already mentioned--East Alabama Male College fans who attend UAB. Except for the latter, it all boils down to allocation of resources.
quote:
UAB is quickly becoming a beast in non medical areas
What UAB has accomplished over the last 30 years is amazing. UABs growth and progress saved Birmingham from the slow death spiral that started with the Civil Rights Movements and white flight and was stoked by the local decline of the coal and steel industries.
And it all started with the hospital's hiring of Dr. John Kirklin. He recruited (or poached, depending on who you talk to) titans of surgery, medicine, and research to UAB, leading to tremendous growth in UAB Hospital, which spilled over into growth of the UAB and Birmingham in general.
The medical school/UAB relationship is interesting. My diploma reads "University of Alabama School of Medicine", but my med-school white coat had the UAB emblem. All of our lectures were at the "UASOM"--located in a building owned by UAB, leased to UASOM, with admin and staff paid by UA. The vast majority of our clinical rotations were at UAB Hospital (also the VA and Childrens Hosp).
The medical school started in Mobile (called Medical College of Alabama originally), then moved to the main campus in Tuscaloosa as UASOM, a graduate program similar to the law school. Later, the med school was moved to Birmingham as UAB medical center became superior to DCH.
At that time, the med school and the hospital remained 2 distinct entities within the system, the med school under the UAT umbrella, hospital under UAB. At that time, the university of alabama had more academic clout and nation wide name recognition, a significant factor in the name remaining UASOM. That changed as UABs medical center continued to grow, and now in medicine at least, the UAB name is much more recognized than UA.
The official name for the medical school, UASOM vs UABSOM, has been a point of contention for 20 years or more, and only added to the overall animus between institutions. Honestly, I'm not even sure what the current status is.
Anyhoo
Posted on 7/12/19 at 12:34 pm to Roll Tide Ravens
quote:
I went to UAB. I don’t consider myself a UA alumni. I guess we are all technically alums of the UA system, but I’ve never heard people say that.
So I’m a sidewalker, and I don’t even care what people say about it.
Trash.
Posted on 7/12/19 at 12:39 pm to CrimsonTideMD
When did all this happen? My granddaddy, in the 40's, went to, I think, two years of UA medical school and then had to finish up at St. Louis, as we did not have a full program. I may have misunderstood a thing or two. I'll let you speak before I start trying to fill in blanks.
Page 1 of 2
Latest Alabama News
Popular
Back to top
Follow SECRant for SEC Football News