The UAB Blazers football program will return for the 2017 season, the school announced today.
UAB will remain a member of Conference USA and will have full FBS status in 2017. In addition, the Blazers will be eligible in 2017 to compete for the conference championship and a postseason bowl game.
“I am so excited that UAB Football will return to FBS competition in 2017,” head football coach Bill Clark said. “Like our fans, I wanted to light the scoreboard much sooner, but doing it right is more important than doing it fast, and this was our best option. We want a program that is here to stay. We have to start by building a new, stronger foundation. We need to take our time to do it right, then we can compete for conference and bowl championships.”
UAB’s football program was shut down in December. Conference USA was not severely affected in 2015 as new member Charlotte slotted into UAB’s position. However, UAB did have to cancel eight future non-conference games.
Last month, UAB President Ray L. Watts announced that football would be reinstated, but an exact season was not known until today.
UAB also announced today they plan to resume rifle competition in 2015-16 and bowling in 2016.