06-11-2007, 01:07 AM
This week is the 30th anniversary of the beginning of UAB athletics with the hiring of Gene Bartow. Yesterday, we looked back at the first article concerning Gene Bartow. On this date in 1977, the newspaper had a short article updating the situation. Apparently, there was some initial question as to when and whether Bartow was going to be hired.
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Quote:
The Birmingham News, Saturday, June 11, 1977
With UAB-
Bartow fails to ink pact
The Gene Bartow mystery still had Alabama basketball fans flabbergasted Saturday. The popular head coach at UCLA for the last two years appears to be definitely ticketed to head up a program at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, but just when he’ll officially sign, has everyone guessing.
Bartow had reservations on Eastern Flight 277 into Birmingham Friday. However, he didn’t show, and UAB President S. Richardson Hill and Finance Veep Jerry Young were mysteriously “out all day”.
Hot rumors persisted in New York Friday, where Bartow was said to be watching the NBA draft with an eagle eye, and in Los Angeles, that Bartow is Alabama bound.
The Tuscaloosa News in its Friday edition reported that North Carolina head coach Dean Smith would be offered the job as successor to Bartow at UCLA.
Bartow’s Bruins won Pacific-8 basketball titles for the last two years. However, he drew fire in some sectors, because he didn’t win a national title.
John Wooden, whom Bartow succeeded at UCLA guided the Bruins bucket corps to 10 national titles.
Rumors persisted early Saturday that Bartow was in Birmingham talking to UAB officials, in Tuscaloosa, and in Atlanta, but people in the know wouldn’t talk.
Bartow, who was definitely in New York Thursday, said of the rumor he would become UAB coach: “It’s just a rumor. I’ve talked with those people. I know they are interested in setting up a basketball program, but that is all I know.”
UAB, if it starts an inter-collegiate program, will begin from scratch. That means recruiting, arranging a schedule, and finding a place to practice and play.
With UAB-
Bartow fails to ink pact
The Gene Bartow mystery still had Alabama basketball fans flabbergasted Saturday. The popular head coach at UCLA for the last two years appears to be definitely ticketed to head up a program at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, but just when he’ll officially sign, has everyone guessing.
Bartow had reservations on Eastern Flight 277 into Birmingham Friday. However, he didn’t show, and UAB President S. Richardson Hill and Finance Veep Jerry Young were mysteriously “out all day”.
Hot rumors persisted in New York Friday, where Bartow was said to be watching the NBA draft with an eagle eye, and in Los Angeles, that Bartow is Alabama bound.
The Tuscaloosa News in its Friday edition reported that North Carolina head coach Dean Smith would be offered the job as successor to Bartow at UCLA.
Bartow’s Bruins won Pacific-8 basketball titles for the last two years. However, he drew fire in some sectors, because he didn’t win a national title.
John Wooden, whom Bartow succeeded at UCLA guided the Bruins bucket corps to 10 national titles.
Rumors persisted early Saturday that Bartow was in Birmingham talking to UAB officials, in Tuscaloosa, and in Atlanta, but people in the know wouldn’t talk.
Bartow, who was definitely in New York Thursday, said of the rumor he would become UAB coach: “It’s just a rumor. I’ve talked with those people. I know they are interested in setting up a basketball program, but that is all I know.”
UAB, if it starts an inter-collegiate program, will begin from scratch. That means recruiting, arranging a schedule, and finding a place to practice and play.
Tomorrow - UAB aiming for big-time with Bartow
