UAB Officially Eliminates Football Program, Where Does That Leave C-USA?

The University of Alabama at Birmingham will drop its football, rifle, and bowling programs following the 2014-15 academic year, the school announced today.

UAB President Ray Watts met with Blazer players and coaches today, informing them of the decision which appeared to be imminent.

UAB head coach Bill Clark told espn.com last week that he expected the University of get rid of the football program, after a comprehensive review of the athletic department. This led to a brief groundswell of support from students and fans, including a march through campus yesterday.

In an official press release from the University, Watts said the following:

“The fiscal realities we face — both from an operating and a capital investment standpoint — are starker than ever and demand that we take decisive action for the greater good of the Athletic Department and UAB. As we look at the evolving landscape of NCAA football, we see expenses only continuing to increase. When considering a model that best protects the financial future and prominence of the Athletic Department, football is simply not sustainable.”

Watts expressed a desire by the University of remain in Conference USA for other sports, though the likelihood of this is slim.

With the subtraction of UAB football, Conference USA falls to 12 football member schools. However, Charlotte is set to join the conference in 2015, bringing football membership back up to 13.

Will Conference USA want to add another school to increase football to 14 members? Time will tell, but the debate among Ragin' Cajun fans and many others began weeks ago.