August 1981

Central Hockey League President Bud Poile says they would like to have Birmingham back, probably as early as the 1982-83 season. "I'd say it looks pretty good for next year, but there's a bad taste in lots of mouths around the league. The way Birmingham left the league wasn't handled very well. We had egg all over our faces. But time heals all wounds. Everything being right, all cleaned up from the other franchise, I'd say we'll be back in Birmingham. I think the people running the operation made some serious mistakes, but I believe they were honest mistakes. Apparently, they misjudged the market badly. They figured to do $1.5 million the first year and actually did $700,000. I could see they were in trouble the second year and tried to head it off. However, they assured me they would make it. It made the league look bad when they folded they way they did. But that's history now, and by this time next year maybe Birmingham will be back in business. I know there's a group interested in putting the franchise back. Mike McClure attended our league meeting and made a good presentation. If the group is as well-backed financially as it claims, then I think we'll be able to work something out, " Poile said.

The group Poile spoke of doesn't have anyone who had a financial interest in the Birmingham Bulls and reportedly includes former Bulls players Brent Hughes and Phil Roberto as well as Dr. Tommy Tucker.

April 1982

South Stars owner Larry Schmittou has made it very clear that he is unhappy with the part the North Stars have played in his CHL franchise and has indicated some changes must be made if Nashville has a team next season. Among the problems are improvements at the Municipal Auditorium where the South Stars play, a new working agreement and the ability of the CHL to stabilize itself in regard to finances and travel. Schmittou wants to change to a working agreement with the Calgary Flames, which would then free Minnesota to move their working agreement to Birmingham.

Mike McClure, a spokesman for the investment group trying to bring a team to Birmingham, said, "We've been working since Birmingham lost it's (Central Hockey League) team. We're very encouraged. We feel good about it and although there are still a lot of things to be worked out, we're much closer than we have been. We talked with the people in the CHL and assured them we won't talk to a team in the league now, and I talked to Schmittou and told him we will not talk to Minnesota. That's not to say we wouldn't talk to them if the franchise becomes available, but as of now it belongs to Nashville. This is an above-board operation all the way. We're working through (CHL President) Bud Poile and his office, and making them aware of everything we're doing. I would hope things would be resolved very soon There's a lot to be done, and we need time to sell season tickets and everything else."

According to McClure, one portion of the financing is still undecided. The investment group will propose a plan to the City Council where they would take over the concessions at Boutwell Auditorium. If approved, any profits made would go directly into the team.

May 1982

"Craig said we made the best presentation of anybody he has talked to. We toured the Civic Center and, of course, the facility sells itself. Nobody can compete with us there. The Rangers are not looking to go back to Springfield. They want a long-term situation where the players not only develop on the ice, but get involved in the community. He said the Rangers will promote their farm team during the (cable) telecasts and perhaps do a special for between periods. The Chamber of Commerce can't purchase that kind of promotion. It's not for sale. We don't know anything for sure yet, but we're encouraged," McClure said.

June 1982

Lou Nanne, Minnesota North Stars General Manager, said the North Stars would conduct "serious talks with the Birmingham group when we get to the CHL meetings. That's when everything will be finalized. Birmingham isn't the only city we're looking at, but because it has been in the CHL before, and because the city has such a great facility, we hope something can be worked out. There are also close ties between Coach Sonmor and Birmingham, which doesn't hurt things. Glen is already sold on the city." Sonmor was the head coach of the Birmingham Bulls in 1977-78.

"Barring any major differences, which we don't foresee, the North Stars will be in Birmingham next year. There are still some things that have to be put in writing, but that shouldn't be anything more than a formality. We're in agreement on most points. What we're doing, basically, is moving our Nashville farm club operation to Birmingham," Minnesota North Stars General Manager Lou Nanne said. The South Stars played only one year in Nashville after moving from Oklahoma City.

McClure went on to say, "We haven't got a name just yet. We're probably going to let the public help us select a name."

July 1982

However, Nashville head coach Gene Ubriaco said the team would more than likely be named the South Stars. "That's not official, but it is a nice name, really," Ubriaco said.

Also, it was announced that the South Stars would be retaining Gene Ubriaco as head coach. "This will be my sixth team in a new city. Every city always wants a winner, so Birmingham will be no different. From what I've seen, I think Birmingham will be the best franchise I've ever been involved with," Ubriaco said. 

After playing for eight years in the American  Hockey League, Ubriaco was called up to the NHL, playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Oakland Seals and the Chicago Black Hawks. Upon his retirement from the NHL in 1970, Ubriaco's coaching career began as a college assistant. His first professional coaching duties came with the Chicago Warriors of the United States Hockey League. In 1977, he moved to the Milwaukee Admirals of the International Hockey League. Ubriaco has also been the head coach of the American Hockey League's Baltimore Skipjacks and the Eastern Hockey League's Baltimore Clippers.

The most impressive statistic about Ubriaco's coaching career is that none of his teams have ever failed to make the playoffs.

September 1982

October 1982

February 1983

McClure is hoping the team can receive an extension on the deadline from the State of Alabama. "Basically, what we're looking at is getting an extension for a couple of weeks. I don't see any problems with it," McClure said. 

According to McClure, refinancing could keep the team in Birmingham for at least three more years. The total amount to refinance is around $400,000 with the team projecting losses of around $70,000 this year. "We know what the numbers are. I'd like to be a part of the thing in Birmingham," Bonnett said.

April 1983

"This is a good hockey team, and I'm proud of it. I hope the fans support us during the playoffs. The players deserve some support," Ubriaco said.

South Stars Captain and Player Representative Frank Beaton read a statement that said: "At this time we, the Birmingham South Stars, have unanimously voted not to travel to Indianapolis tomorrow to start the final round of the playoffs. We intend to maintain this position until we feel better arrangements are made with the league and other responsible parties."

Their demands were finally met after an evening conference telephone call that included CHL Commissioner Bud Poile. "It's a problem between the players, the Birmingham owners and the Minnesota North Stars. It has nothing to do with the league. There is no quarrel with the league. The quarrel is with the owners and Minnesota. The games have been scheduled, and the players know when they're supposed to be played. If they don't show up, the season's over I guess. It's as simple as that. I appreciate the problems they've had there this year. I was under tremendous pressure from everybody else in the league not to schedule another playoff game in Birmingham. But I stuck my neck out and scheduled four in there if the series goes the distance," Poile said.

Beaton later explained the player's demands by saying, "We wanted three things guaranteed us, and they were: First, we wanted it guaranteed we will get equal playoffs games in Birmingham. They had talked about pulling them out of here if we didn't draw well for the first two. If it goes the distance, we'll have four. Next, we wanted it guaranteed our meal money will be ready when we leave for Indianapolis. And we wanted it guaranteed we will fly to Indy next Saturday and not be put on a bus right after the Friday night game. Right now, everybody is fairly happy. We wanted to get better treatment now that we're in the finals. We just want what is due us. We want to bring a championship to Birmingham."

Dr. Tommy Tucker, Chairman of the Board, said, "They think they deserve better travel arrangements, and we agree. But under the financial situation, we just can't do it. We don't have the money."

"Very simply, we only have money to bus and the players want to fly. We don't have air fare by any stretch of the imagination," McClure said.

June 1983

The South Stars aren't the only CHL team facing an uncertain future. The Salt Lake City Golden Eagles' parent club, the NHL's St. Louis Blues, are in the midst of an ownership dispute due to finances. Depending on the outcome, that dispute could have an impact on the Golden Eagles. With two of the six teams having such difficulty, the CHL had considered folding the league and allowing the teams to go to other leagues. League officials subsequently decided to stay in business and even allow the South Stars to remain in the league.

"We're not dead yet. The league is concerned enough that they don't want to make any rash decisions, so we've got some time to reevaluate things," said McClure.

July 1983

Epilogue