By Dr. Claude Bennett

In 1996 Gene Bartow and I made a pivotal decision to move UAB football to Division I-A because it was clearly the appropriate move for those times. Nearly two decades later, the climate of collegiate athletics has changed dramatically and last week's announcement reflects that current reality. Momentous decisions must always be weighed within the context of their times, and so I fully support the recent decision as a sound and well-reasoned one, and one that was absolutely necessary to ensure the continued growth and success of UAB Athletics and the institution as a whole.

I also want to point out that it was a painstaking decision-making process led by a man of impeccable integrity, vision and humanity. Many people know of Ray Watts' success in building a globally-recognized neurology department at UAB and leading the School of Medicine to even greater prestige. What is perhaps lesser known is the Ray Watts who has tirelessly partnered with our community in programs to give first-generation students state-wide a better shot at higher education, or an outreach program in Woodlawn that uses the arts to inspire grade-school kids to greatness. So this is a man who has committed his life to treating and comforting the sick as a physician and researcher, and as UAB president, giving young people the opportunities they deserve, including our talented scholar-athletes.

At the same time, Ray Watts is also, like myself, a man of science. As such, he well understands the value--indeed the necessity--of drawing conclusions based on objective, thorough analysis of data and evidence. In this case, a very thorough inquiry into the future needs of a top-notch athletics program showed that our football experiment was clearly not sustainable and would require far more resources than the university or the community was able to reasonably commit.

Again, that was an incredibly difficulty decision, but it was the one that had to made, and it could be made only by a leader possessed of extraordinary courage and vision. UAB, like any successful organization, must invest its resources wisely in areas of excellence--within Athletics and all departments campus-wide--and that is the aim of the university's current and most comprehensive-ever strategic planning process. The impact of that deliberate planning is already evident--in innovative undergraduate programs, major breakthroughs in science and medicine, better quality of life and robust economic development--and will ultimately bring an even brighter future for UAB, Birmingham and the state of Alabama.

Dr. Claude Bennett is Distinguished Professor Emeritus and former President of the University of Alabama at Birmingham.