The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
The Impact of the UAB Athletics Campaign Committee
8/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The return of UAB Football has made national headlines while the Birmingham and college football communities have been captivated by the impact the business leaders have played in the return of the program.
Last summer, Hatton Smith, CEO emeritus of Royal Cup Coffee, partnered with Blazer Boosters, the fundraising arm of UAB Athletics, to assemble the UAB Athletics Campaign Committee. Smith was appointed the committee chair to raise additional funds, with an emphasis on facilities.
Smith, along with Tommy Brigham, Justin Craft, Mike Goodrich Jr., Miller Gorrie, Craft O’Neal and Robert Simon, rallied behind the premise that a strong UAB Athletics program is important for a vibrant Birmingham.
This executive committee, endearing themselves as the Gang of Seven, utilized their passion and influence to rally the Birmingham community and assemble an all-star lineup known as the UAB Athletics Campaign Committee.
The leadership group gathers bi-weekly at Another Broken Egg in Mountain Brook to review campaign updates and discuss strategies relative to making the fundraising calls necessary to ensure success.
“The UAB Athletics Campaign Committee’s impact on Blazer Football and the entire Department of Athletics has been unprecedented,” Director of Athletics Mark Ingram said. “Their passion and dedication has not only impacted UAB, but it has reenergized the entire city of Birmingham. Blazer Athletics is poised to reach new heights. The Campaign Committee and our countless donors have been very instrumental in this initiative.”
The results have been incredible as the leadership committee has helped raise over $20 million to date for the new Football Operations Center and Legacy Pavilion. This total includes a substantial personal donation pledge from the Gang of Seven to kick start the campaign.
“Blazer Football is vital for the growth of UAB and Birmingham. Our group feels strongly about engaging the Birmingham community and asking other corporate leaders to support the cause,” Craft O’Neal said. “The response has been overwhelming and the success of this effort proves great things happen when community and business leaders pull together.”
Including the $17.2 million raised to reinstate the Blazer Football, Bowling and Rifle programs, the UAB Department of Athletics has raised over $40 million during the last 15 months.
“This campaign is about making the community stronger, together,” said Miller Gorrie. “Football is deeply rooted in the fabric of this city’s cultural life, so our platform is UAB Football, but this story is about creating a stronger Birmingham.”
“This is the most important initiative in our city’s history over the last 50 years,” Brigham added. “Success in athletics has proven to be a key component in the growth of undergraduate and graduate enrollment. For every 1,000 students at UAB, there is an economic impact of $50 million annually, so from our standpoint, we are creating a new economy for Birmingham.”
The UAB Athletics Campaign Committee will see their hard work come to fruition on August 29, with a groundbreaking ceremony for the Football Operations Center and Legacy Pavilion at 9 a.m. Later that evening, Birmingham will get its first look at the football team when the Blazers play a Green and Gold Game at 7 p.m. on campus at BBVA Compass Field.
“We are grateful for the outstanding work of the fundraising team which keeps building our momentum,” head coach Bill Clark said. “Through the tremendous support of so many individuals and corporations, I am confident UAB Football is poised for unprecedented levels of success.”
