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End of REC?
Posted on 8/4/24 at 12:32 pm
Posted on 8/4/24 at 12:32 pm
Not sure if already posted but REC members received a letter from Greg Byrne on Wednesday. Sounds like the University is looking to move in another direction… I assume Yea Alabama!
REC dues had already been paid and they decided to cancel the Fall scrimmage and offer a zoom meeting after the fact. Terrible look.
quote:
Dear Red Elephant Club Members, We hope this letter finds you well and first, want to express our sincere appreciation for the loyalty and support you all have shown over the years. Secondly, we wanted to provide an update following recent conversations with each of your respective chapter presidents. As many of you are aware, the landscape of college athletics is undergoing significant change. In light of these developments, we have challenged all departments within our athletics program to thoroughly evaluate operations and budgets. This includes a comprehensive review of the Red Elephant Clubs and the associated expenses in order to identify areas where we can improve and ensure the effectiveness of our athletics department. After careful consideration and thoughtful discussion, we have made the decision to forgo the Red Elephant Club fall football scrimmage viewing. In place of an in-person viewing and Q & A session, we will be scheduling a group zoom with Coach DeBoer for all Red Elephant Club members, with information on that event being shared soon. In addition, we are looking to address our bylaws to ensure the sustainabitity and effectiveness of our clubs. Specifically, clubs with membership numbers below 225 for in-state and 150 for out-of-state will need to increase membership to meet these thresholds. If a club does not meet the minimum requirements, we regret that we will not be able to send an assistant coach to speak at its This moment of transition is critical for us to navigate effectively, and we are counting on your understanding and cooperation. We remain committed to supporting the Red Elephant Clubs in every possible way, and we hope to continue receiving your steadfast support in return.
REC dues had already been paid and they decided to cancel the Fall scrimmage and offer a zoom meeting after the fact. Terrible look.
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Posted on 8/4/24 at 12:58 pm to Hoyt
Happened to the hoops group I was in a couple years ago. Paid our dues, then told us Oats would only zoom and that was the last time he’d speak to our group due to lack of membership size. We were all given membership refunds though.
Posted on 8/4/24 at 1:14 pm to Hoyt
quote:
In place of an in-person viewing and Q & A session, we will be scheduling a group zoom with Coach DeBoer for all Red Elephant Club members
In place of the ribeye you ordered, here is a poptart that we threw on the grill
This post was edited on 8/4/24 at 1:16 pm
Posted on 8/4/24 at 1:27 pm to Glorious
quote:
poptart
Smores pop tart? I'm listening
Posted on 8/4/24 at 2:14 pm to Hoyt
quote:
In place of an in-person viewing and Q & A session, we will be scheduling a group zoom with Coach DeBoer for all Red Elephant Club members,
Boy oh boy! Sign me up, Greg.
Posted on 8/4/24 at 3:36 pm to GooseSix
I'm guessing that REC membership seen to be small potatoes in the modern NIL landscape, therefore not worth their time for what the REC members provide in local recruiting connections and such.
Posted on 8/4/24 at 5:32 pm to Hoyt
quote:
Terrible look.
Should have waited until after DeBoer's first season before making major changes. I'm sure it wasn't his call, but a new coach kinda needs the goodwill of the donor class and everyone rowing the boat in the same direction to begin a new era.
Posted on 8/4/24 at 8:56 pm to Chad4Bama
I guess that was kinda my point, maybe REC membership isn't as important to operations in the NIL era.
Posted on 8/4/24 at 9:28 pm to Hoyt
They didn’t want to mess with the foundation folks. That is on as planned. I’m wondering if we will get our 2nd scrimmage like usual. Time will tell.
Posted on 8/5/24 at 8:39 am to Hoyt
The entire SEC is convinced the red elephant club is so powerful it’s been running the conference for decades meanwhile the school itself has so little respect for it they cancel it after collecting their dues.
Won’t stop them from sending out emails begging for NIL donations I bet.
I’m about half convinced the people running college football at the school and NCAA level are actively trying to run the fans off. No business would treat its customers like this.
Won’t stop them from sending out emails begging for NIL donations I bet.
I’m about half convinced the people running college football at the school and NCAA level are actively trying to run the fans off. No business would treat its customers like this.
Posted on 8/5/24 at 8:49 am to Hoyt
REC not doin’ work. 
Posted on 8/5/24 at 1:46 pm to Roll Tide Ravens
I believe the university has been subsidizing the local chapters, and with membership levels down, the juice is simply not worth the squeeze. The net gain is not enough to be viable. They would rather us just commit a certain monthly amount to Yea Alabama instead. I hate the current state of college athletics.
Posted on 8/5/24 at 2:02 pm to Hoyt
quote:
They would rather us just commit a certain monthly amount to Yea Alabama instead.
Well, that would make a lot more sense than them subsidizing chapters. I don't see why people would object to this.
Posted on 8/5/24 at 2:17 pm to Evolved Simian
Financially it absolutely does and I know that’s all that matters …. Just sucks that we are losing a sense of camaraderie and support. Was always pretty inspiring to see 1500-2000 people show up to a football practice and give the coaches standing ovations, talk about the upcoming season, etc. Part of what helped make the culture and fandom special imo
This post was edited on 8/5/24 at 2:18 pm
Posted on 8/5/24 at 2:18 pm to Hoyt
That could exist within YeaAlabama
Posted on 8/5/24 at 2:39 pm to Sandkhan
Hopefully it will … but from what I’ve seen so far it’s essentially rattling a tin cup on the sidewalk.
Posted on 8/5/24 at 3:17 pm to Hoyt
quote:
I believe the university has been subsidizing the local chapters
As the Treasurer of our chapter, I can promise UA wasn't subsidizing. Checks only went one way and it was always us sending them money.
The scrimmages and signing day party...we had to pay a per member fee regardless of how many showed up.
The website that was rarely updated...had to send in a per member fee for it.
The only thing that could be remotely subsidizing was the coaches/administrators that spoke twice a year. We paid them but UA handled their transportation (usually UA jet).
I think Byrne is a great AD but this was extremely short sighted. A lot of members who also give money to UA in other ways are pretty pissed.
Posted on 8/5/24 at 3:17 pm to Hoyt
It’s still in its infancy. I received an email that they are revamping the website soon. They also anticipate a forum and some point and try to integrate events for members. I think things like the REC were doing would probably be at a higher tier that the $18 a month base level and that makes sense.
It’s all still very new so still kinks to work out but I’m happy to be a part of it and support.
It’s all still very new so still kinks to work out but I’m happy to be a part of it and support.
Posted on 8/5/24 at 5:25 pm to BamaAlum02
quote:
I can promise UA wasn't subsidizing. Checks only went one way and it was always us sending them money.
quote:
We paid them but UA handled their transportation (usually UA jet)
This is exactly what I don't understand. We aren't being subsidized, we pay directly for scholarships in full (for players that I will not name here, but if you know...I mean damn), some of us require little if any transportation assistance for those aforementioned coaches, and there have been speakers who have donated back their own fees.
How in the world could we possibly be anything but a substantial net gain for the University?
I just want someone to cut the "changing landscape" doublespeak and explain in clear terms what is happening and why.
Because the timing of this and the way it was handled makes me seriously reconsider some things going forward, and on the surface it all appears to be comically unnecessary on their part.
Posted on 8/5/24 at 7:29 pm to Hoyt
Well who the frick is going to control the NCAA now?
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