BREAKING: UAB is bringing football back

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June 1, 2015

UAB Football Team celebrates early in the 2014 season, prior to finding out their program was being disbanded (Photo: Shanna Lockwood)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) will announce Monday it is reinstating the school’s football program, almost six months to the day after UAB President Ray Watts announced the university would become the first Division 1A athletics program since 1995 to abandon the sport.

The story was first reported by AL.com and confirmed by Yellowhammer sources Monday afternoon. Watts will make the official announcement at 4 p.m.

State Rep. Jack Williams (R-Vestavia Hills), who has been one of UAB football’s most vocal proponents, told Yellowhammer News that the expected announcement marks a historic victory for the university and the local community.

“Today is a great day for UAB, the city of Birmingham and Jefferson County,” he said. “We have been faced with a great challenge – and our community has risen to the occasion. Never before have I ever been so proud as I am now to call this community my home.

“I am thrilled with Dr. Watts decision. It took a lot of courage to revisit what was, no doubt his most difficult professional decision. He should be applauded for the courage to revisit this decision.

“Our community and our University has honored the legacies of great leaders like Dick Hill, Jerry Young, Scotty McCallum and Gene Bartow. It’s a great day to be a Blazer. I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

This story will be updated as more details emerge.