UAB fans rally in support of football program

Hundreds of UAB football fans rallied on the campus in Birmingham on Sunday night following the report that the football program could be shut down soon, despite the team becoming bowl eligible over the weekend for the first time in a decade with a win over Southern Miss.

Hundreds of UAB football fans rallied on the campus in Birmingham on Sunday night following the report that the football program could be shut down soon, AL.com's Kelsey Stein reports.

Sports Illustrated's Thayer Evans reported over the weekend that UAB will fire athletic director Brian Mackin and end the football program.

The rally on Sunday in support of the program featured a wide range of supporters, including current students and alumni, who chanted for about an hour, voicing their displeasure. The Blazers became bowl eligible on Saturday for the first time since 2004 with a win over Southern Miss.

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After the team's victory on Saturday, first-year head coach Bill Clark admitted to ESPN that he believes that the end of the road for the Blazers is near. 

"I think it's going to happen," said Clark, who led UAB to a 6-6 record in his first season at the school. "Unless something changes before the weekend ends, I think it's over. I think the odds are very high it ends this week. To shut the doors? That's sad."

Despite it looking as if the program might be closing its doors for good, senior kicker Ty Long said that the team is remaining about as positive as it can for now. 

"We're staying positive because we know what this program's about," Long said.

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- Jack Jorgensen