We are putting in a special plea for higher education as we face the threat of bearing a disproportionate share of the state's funding problems. The two university presidents noted that Alabama's institutions of higher education provide an excellent return on the state's investment. Their contributions range from aiding industry recruitment and job creation to conducting medical research that saves lives to providing top quality education. UA head football coach Dennis Franchione and AU head football coach Tommy Tuberville joined their presidents in announcing the Alabama-Auburn Alliance at the Montgomery news conference. Thanks to fan support, the athletic programs at both UA and AU are self-sustaining and use no state dollars.
Fans support the athletic programs through ticket sales and private donations.
Noting that he is new to Alabama, Franchione said he has been overwhelmed with the state's support of football, but has been surprised at the lack of support for education. Our faculty want our universities to be the best public universities in the country. Tuberville said that he understands the needs of both K-12 and higher education first hand because his son is a second grader. Under the banner of the Alabama-Auburn Alliance, representatives of the two universities plan to travel around the state in the coming weeks, meeting together with alumni and civic groups to carry the message of equitable and adequate funding.