UAB HEAD C OACHES
WATSON BROWN MIKE DAVIS MERT ERTUNGA MIKE GETMAN FOOTBALL MEN’S BASKETBALL WOMEN’S TENNIS MEN’S SOCCER
LORI GOODWIN PAUL HARBIN ALAN KAUFMAN KERRY MESSERSMTIH RIFLE WOMEN’S SOCCER MEN’S GOLF VOLLEYBALL
LISA RIDDELL BRIAN SHOOP AUDRA SMITH RAY STANFIELD SYNCHRONIZED BASEBALL WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CROSS COUNTRY/ SWIMMING TRACK & FIELD
DEREK TARR MARLA TOWNSEND KIM WILCOX MEN’S TENNIS SOFTBALL WOMEN’S GOLF
145 A CADEMIC S UPPORT S ERVICES
AB Associate Athletic Director for Academic Support Services Judy Sackfield and her staff are responsi- Uble for overseeing the educational development and progress towards graduation for all student-athletes. The staff acts as the liaison between the student-athlete and the academic communities and insures that student-ath- letes comply with academic rules established by the univer- sity, the NCAA, and Conference USA. The staff also coordi- nates academic programs designed to assist the student-ath- letes in acquiring a quality education as well as programs to promote personal and career development. The Academic Center for Athletes (AC4A) program wants to ensure that student-athletes succeed to their high- est academic ability and that any possible educational disad- vantages resulting from their participation in intercollegiate sports are offset. Inherent in the program is the philosophy A special orientation program helps student-athletes in that student-athletes take responsibility for their own growth their transition from high school to college. They learn what and development while receiving maximum support. The is expected of them, what the university’s responsibility to academic unit’s goals are to prepare student-athletes for them is and what adjustments they will need to make in order viable careers, to assist them in securing degrees and to pro- to succeed. The orientation provides an introduction to UAB duce responsible citizens. during which student-athletes’ questions are answered by The AC4A is located in the newly-renovated Bell Building coaches, faculty, administrators and other students. across from Bartow Arena and is within walking distance from all campus dormitories. The AC4A has a computer lab, which ACADEMIC SUPPORT STAFF has the latest technology to meet all the student-athletes’ needs, private and group study rooms, study halls, meeting rooms, a writing lab and math lab. The computer lab is available to all student-athletes and is staffed by a qualified computer support assistant. The computer lab offers wireless, high-speed connection to the Internet as well as access to all programs available from other academic units on campus. The AC4A advisors, in conjunction with specific major advisors, work with student-athletes on necessary require- Judy Sackfield Tony Dollison ments for their chosen degree. The AC4A advisors also help Associate Athletic Director for Assistant Athletic Director for plan class schedules, keeping in mind academic standing, Academics Academics practice, travel and competition schedules. In cooperation with faculty members, the AC4A advisors periodically review the academic performance and class attendance of all student-athletes. The staff monitors the progress of each student-athlete toward graduation. All aca- demic progress information is shared with the athletes, coach, and director of athletics.
Sidney Ball Ian Potter Academic Advisor Academic Advisor
Josh Watson Academic Advisor/Tutor Coord.
146 A THLETIC T RAINERS
Athletic Trainers are health care providers who specialize in the coverage of all in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of intercollegiate athletic injuries and illnesses that occur to athletes and the physical- teams at UAB. ly active. Unfortunately, athletic injuries are a fact of life in The Certified college athletics. Over the years tremendous strides have Athletic Trainers at been made in the evaluation, treatment and the rehabilitation UAB work under the of athletic injuries; and with it the realm of sports medicine direction of team has developed into a full-fledged medical specialty. physicians Dr. Bill At UAB, the student-athlete is sure to be just minutes Garth and Thomas away from the best medical care possible. This is achieved Hunt,renowned ortho- with the combined resources of a world-class medical center, pedic surgeons, and medical school, and a highly qualified sports medicine team Dr. Brenda Baumann, of orthopedic surgeons, general practitioners, and certified UAB’s general practi- athletic trainers. tioner. Additionally, The first line of defense is the athletic training staff led by Dr. Baumann is board Assistant Athletic Director for Athletic Training Mike Jones, certified in both emer- MAE, ATC/L, NREMT-I. Jones is assisted by three assistant gency medicine and athletic trainers. Bryan Koch oversees men’s sports and is family practice medicine. the primary trainer for the men’s basketball program; Pat “We feel that our Sports Medicine program represents a Sawyer is the assistant athletic trainer for the football pro- marriage between great medical centers, a great sports med- gram; while Mandy Miller is in charge of women’s sports and icine clinic, and a great athletics program,” said Dr. Garth. is the primary athletic trainer for the women’s basketball pro- “Through injury prevention and recognition, we try to allow gram. The assistant athletic trainers assist in the day-to-day each student-athlete to participate and reach their full poten- operation of the athletic training rooms and care of the entire tial on the playing field. At the same time, the student-athlete student athlete population. The athletic training department and their parents can be assured that the best medical care also employs eight graduate assistant athletic trainers to aid is just seconds away.”
Mike Jones Bryan Koch Liz Landrum Mandy Miller Pat Sawyer Assistant AD/Athletic Training Assistant Athletic Trainer Assistant Athletic Trainer Assistant Athletic Trainer Assistant Athletic Trainer Football Men’s Basketball Football/Women’s Soccer Women’s Basketball Football
Amanda Bonner Julio Hernandez Tracy Johnson Graduate Assistant Graduate Assistant Graduate Assistant Women’s Soccer Football/Baseball Cross Country/Track & Field
Sean Mohatt Colin Myers Stephanie Nitsch Graduate Assistant Graduate Assistant Graduate Assistant Men’s Soccer Football Softball
147 S TRENGTH A ND C ONDITIONING
UAB STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
The phrase “off-season” no longer applies to the world of intercollegiate athletics; today’s student-athletes must stay fit throughout the year. Whether it is to become more capable for the upcoming season, maintain strength, flexibility and cardiovascular conditioning during active competition, or to rehabilitate an injury, the competitive student-athlete needs a comprehensive strength and condi- tioning program. At UAB, the strength and conditioning pro- gram for basketball is extremely rigorous and challenging. Director of Strength and Conditioning Stacey Torman and strength coach Marcus Bush combine the latest tech- The Bartow Arena weight rooms and fitness center are the focal niques and scientific research with a lot of point of the strength and conditioning effort with the Blazer ath- good old-fashioned hard work in the weight letic program. room, running track and the basketball court. In addition, Torman and head basketball trainer Bryan Koch closely supervise daily stretching and other preventative measures, as well as rehabilitation efforts for injured Strength and players. Conditioning Coach Marcus Bush is a for- At the heart of the program is a trio of refur- mer college football bished weight rooms inside Bartow Arena, as player and knows well as the dedication and creativity of the what it takes to be coaching staff. competitive on the The high priority placed upon the strength football field; and conditioning program by UAB head coach Director of Strength Mike Davis and his staff is expected to pay big and Conditioning dividends this season and in the years to Stacey Torman come. (below) is a former competitive body builder and volley- ball coach.
148 ¥ The eighth overall pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft, selected by Cleveland. She now plays with the Indiana Fever. ¥ Ranks second all-time in school history in career scoring with 2,144 points ¥ Was a two-time All-American and two-time C-USA Player of the Year during her illustrious career with the Blazers
¥ Named the Conference USA Men's Golf Athlete of the Decade in April, 2005. ¥ Winner of the 2002 Fred Haskins Award ¥ Finished tied for fourth at the 2002 NCAA Men's Golf Championships ¥ Current member of the PGA & European Tours DEANNA JACKSON
GRAEME MCDOWELL
¥ First Blazer in history to be chosen in the first round of the NFL Draft, taken 22nd overall by the New York Jets in 2002. ¥ Anchored the Blazers’ “Steel Shield” defense which led the nation in rushing defense in 2001 and ranked fifth in overall defense
RODDYRODDY WHITEWHITE VONETTAVONETTA FLOWERSFLOWERS
¥ Taken 27th overall in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons BRYANBRYAN ¥ Teamed with Jill Bakken to win the ¥ Named to the All-C-USA first THOMASTHOMAS gold medal in the women's bobsled team and honored as an All- event in the 2002 Winter Olympics American by the Associated ¥ Named to the C-USA All-Decade Team Press in 2004 in track in 2005 ¥ Led the nation with 1,472 yards ¥ Was a seven-time NCAA All-American receiving as a senior and six-time conference MVP ¥ Had 253 yards against Tulane, ¥ Won conference titles in the 100 the most in a single game in the meters, 200 meters, long jump, and nation in 2004 triple jump Summer, 1977: Coach its first season of varsity play at the Division III level. Gene Bartow is hired as Blazer volleyball and baseball win the first Great UAB’s first intercollegiate Midwest Championship. UAB places its first men’s athletics director and head tennis players, Frank Schaffner and Karl Steffen, in basketball coach. NCAA Tournament play. Preparations begin for the 1992-93: Men’s basketball reaches the NIT Final hiring of coaches and sup- Four, defeating Alabama, Clemson, Southwest port staff, recruitment of stu- Missouri State and Providence. The nationally-ranked dent-athletes, establishment UAB men’s tennis team participates in the NCAA of the Golden 100 scholar- Tournament for the first time. Blazer volleyball, cross ship foundation, scheduling, country and tennis teams etc. President S. Richardson all win Great Midwest Hill proudly waves a Fall, 1978: UAB athletic Conference championships. bumper sticker to com- teams begin intercollegiate January, 1993: UAB memorate UAB’s hiring of competition for the first time; announces that its football Gene Bartow from UCLA. the university begins an 11- program will compete at the year association with the Sun Belt Conference. NCAA I-AA level, beginning Nov. 24, 1978: The UAB men’s basketball team plays with the 1993 season. its first game, a 66-54 loss to Nebraska before a 1993-94: Blazer teams win crowd of 14,800 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Civic six league championships, Center; UAB will go on to win 20 or more games 15 and UAB wins the Great times, appear in 11 NCAA Tournaments and eight Midwest Conference NITs. Commissioner’s Cup, March, 1981: The Blazer men’s basketball team awarded to the university defeats Kentucky in the NCAA Mideast Regional, and with the most successful reaches the NCAA “Sweet 16.” This appearance overall athletics program. marks the beginning of a streak of seven consecutive The Lady Blazer basketball NCAA Tournaments for UAB (1981-87). team goes 14-0 vs. GMW Players such as All- opponents and makes its American Steve Mitchell March, 1982: UAB adds to its amazing basketball have helped UAB basket- first appearance in the success story, defeating Indiana and Virginia in the ball make 19 post-season NCAA Tournament. Men’s Southeast Regional, and reaching the NCAA “Elite appearances. basketball is nationally- Eight.” The Southeast Regional in Birmingham is the ranked and participates in the NCAA Tournament. first of five NCAA Tournament events to be hosted by UAB (’82, ’84, ’85, ’87, ’88). August, 1994: UAB announces that its football pro- gram will compete at the NCAA I-A level and that the March, 1989: Blazer basketball reaches the NIT Final school will field a women’s soccer team beginning with Four, defeating Michigan State for third place at the 1996 season. Madison Square Garden. 1994-95: UAB soccer wins the Great Midwest Con- Fall, 1989: The UAB Club Football team is organized; ference Championship and participates in the NCAA the team goes 0-6 in its first season. Tournament. UAB wins GMW championship in men’s 1990-91: The Blazer baseball team wins its first Sun and women’s tennis, women’s indoor track & field, Belt Conference Championship and becomes the first women’s outdoor track & field and men’s golf. UAB team other than men’s basketball to participate in April 24, 1995: UAB becomes a charter member of the NCAA Tournament. Men’s tennis wins the first of Conference USA. five consecutive conference championships in the Sun Belt and Great Midwest Conferences. Volleyball wins March 26, 1996: One era ends and another begins the first of three consecutive championships in the as coach Gene Bartow steps down as head men’s Sun Belt and Great Midwest conferences and makes basketball coach. His son and assistant, Murry, is its first of four consecutive post-season appearances. named head coach; Gene Bartow remains as athletic director of athletics 1991-92: UAB begins competition in the Great Midwest Conference. The UAB football team begins November 14, 1996: Conference USA announces game-winning field goal by Rhett Gallego in the wain- that UAB has been admitted as a football-playing ing seconds. member; the Blazers will begin C-USA play in 1999. 2000-01: Led by sophomore All-American Graeme 1997-98: UAB freshman Mirela Vladulescu takes the McDowell, the men’s golf team finished ninth in the women’s collegiate tennis world by storm, winning NCAA Tournament and advanced to its first NCAA both the ITA Clay Court National Championship and Championship at Duke University, where it garnered a Riviera Women’s All-America Championship; she is tie for 12th place. Senior women’s tennis player the first UAB tennis player to win a collegiate grand Mirela Vladulescu finished off a four-year career as slam event. Vladulescu will later be the top-ranked one of the most suc- player in the NCAA rankings for much of the 1997-98 cessful athletes in season. The men’s golf team receives a bid to the UAB history. The NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history. men’s soccer team made it to the NCAA 1998-99: The Blazer men’s basketball team makes its Tournament for the 10th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Mirela second straight year. Vladulescu returns to In what is regarded as the greatest The football team fin- the NCAA win in UAB football history to date, ished 7-4 overall, Tournament for the the Blazers went to Baton Rouge, becoming the first second consecutive La., and stunned LSU, 13-10. “bowl-eligible” Blazer year, despite an squad since UAB moved to the NCAA I-A level in injury-plagued sea- 1996. The women’s basketball team, led by junior All- son. American Deanna Jackson, finished the season 20-11 1999-00: UAB athlet- and advanced to the WNIT. In just its second season, ics has arguably its the synchronized swimming team placed fourth at the best season to date. U.S. Collegiate Championships and eighth at the U.S. The UAB football Nationals. team becomes an 2001-02: Led by All-American Graeme McDowell, official member of who was the No. 1-ranked golfer in the nation, the Conference USA and UAB men made their third consecutive appearance Mirela Vladulescu was the No. 1- goes 4-2 in confer- ranked singles player in the NCAA (fourth overall) in the NCAA Tournament. The Blazer ence play during its for much of the 1997-98 season. football squad again boasted another "bowl eligible" inaugural season. season, as the team went 6-5 in 2001. The men's The UAB men’s soccer team wins the Conference soccer team made its third consecutive trip (fourth USA Championship and reaches the NCAA Elite overall) to the NCAA Tournament, advancing to the Eight. Synchronized swimming finishes fourth in the "Sweet 16." The UAB softball team had its best sea- country at the U.S. Collegiate Championships in its son to date, advancing to the C-USA Championship inaugural season. Women’s basketball reaches the game and boasting a 39-22 overall record. Denise “Sweet 16,” the men’s tennis team makes its fifth Peters and Lisa Nowoslawski of the women's soccer NCAA Tournament appearance and men’s golf makes team were both named Verizon its second NCAA Tournament appear- Academic All-Americans. In addition, ance in three years. Peters was named the C-USA July 10, 2000: Gene Bartow Women's Soccer Scholar Athlete of the announces his retirement as athletics Year. Synchronized Swimming earned director after 23 years of service to the its highest finish to date at the U.S. university. Collegiate Championships, taking third. Four swimmers received Academic All- August 22, 2000: Herman Frazier is America honors and three swimmers named UAB’s second athletics director. The UAB men’s soccer team cele- were named All-Americans by the U.S. Sept. 23, 2000: In what was arguably brates its 1999 Conference USA Synchronized Swimming Coaches the greatest win in UAB football history, Tournament Championship. The team Committee. the Blazers go to Baton Rouge, La. went on to advance to the Elite Eight and upset SEC foe LSU, 13-10, on a round of the NCAA Tournament. April 4, 2002: Athletics Director Herman Frazier and Anderson was also UAB President Ann Reynolds announce the hiring of named the 2004 Mike Anderson as UAB's third men's basketball coach. Conference USA Coach of the Year. November 21, 2002: Watson Brown is named UAB‘s third athletics director. Spring, 2004: The synchronized swim- 2002-03: In his first season at the helm of the men’s ming team posted is basketball program, Mike Anderson guided the third straight third- Blazers to a 21-win season and a quarterfinal finish in place finish at the A record crowd of 44,669 Blazer the National Invitation Tournament. Lisa Nowoslawski fans were on hand at Legion Field U.S. Collegiate capped off her career for the women’s soccer program to watch UAB play Southern Miss in Championships and by earning several prestigious academic awards, 2003. The number was the most to recorded a fifth-place including an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship, the C- attend a UAB football game, as well finish at the U.S. as a game between two Con- USA Postseason Scholarship Award and First-Team National ference USA teams at the time. Verizon / CoSIDA Academic All-America honors for the Championships. second straight year. The synchronized swimming team posted its second straight third-place finish at Fall, 2004: The UAB women’s soccer team claimed the U.S. Collegiate Championships and recorded a the C-USA tournament title with a thrilling 2-1 victory fourth place finish, its highest to date, at the U.S. over host and regular-season champion Saint Louis in National Championships. Six swimmers received Aca- St. Louis, Mo., to earn their first NCAA Tournament demic All-America berth in school history. The UAB football team made honors and three its first bowl game appear- swimmers were ance in school history as the named All-Americans Blazers faced Hawai’i in the by the U.S. Syn- 2004 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl. chronized Swimming The Blazers fell to the Coaches Committee. Warriors, 59-40, on Christmas Eve in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Sept. 4, 2003: The Mike Davis was named the fourth UAB football team Spring, 2006: The UAB head coach in UAB men's basket- plays host to men’s basketball team earned ball history on April 7, 2006. Southern Miss in its third consecutive trip to the front of the biggest NCAA Tournament after fin- crown in UAB history, and the most people ever to ishing as Conference USA watch a Conference USA football game when 44,669 regular season and tourna- people flocked to Legion Field. The Blazers dropped ment runner-up. The synchro- The 2004 UAB women’s the game, 17-12. nized swimming team took soccer squad captured its second straight C-USA fourth place at the U.S. October 31, 2003: With a dominating 2-0 win on the title and advanced to the Collegiate Nationals. The road against USF, the UAB women's soccer team second round of the Blazer softball team turned in earned its first Conference USA Championship and NCAA Tournament. one of its finest seasons in set the school record for shutouts in a season with program history as the team won 31 games during the nine. The Blazers' Tara Kidwell and Jill Knottek each season to scored second-half goals to lead UAB to its momen- finish at the C-USA runner-up. Head coach Marla tous victory. Townsend was named the conference coach-of-the- March, 2004: The UAB men's basketball team shocks year. the college basketball world with its 76-75 upset over April 7, 2006: Mike Davis, a native Alabamian and top-seeded Kentucky to advance to the Sweet 16 of former head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, was the NCAA Tournament. The Blazers would finish the named as the fourth head basketball coach in the pro- season with a 22-10 overall record and ranked No. 23 gram's 28-year history. in the country. Also, the Blazers' 12-4 record in Conference USA earned them a share of the first C- USA regular season championship. Head coach Mike Men’s Basketball Volleyball # 13 NCAA Tournament and eight NIT appear- # Three conference championships (1990, ances 1991, 1992) # Seven conference championships # Four post-season appearances (WIVC -1989, # 24 winning seasons in 28 years 1990, 1991, 1992) # Three Sweet 16 appearances # Two Academic All-Americans # Three All-Americans Men’s Golf Football # 2001 and 2002 NCAA Championship # First bowl game appearance in 2004 (7-5 Participant record) # NCAA Regional Participants 1998, 2000, # First “bowl-eligible” season with 7-4 overall 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006 record in 2000 # 1995 Great Midwest Conference Champions # # Played first season at Division I-A level in No. 1-ranked golfer (Graeme McDowell) 1996; now competes as a member of nationally (2001) Conference USA Track & Field # Roddy White selected in first round of 2005 # 2002 Cross Country NCAA All-Academic NFL draft (No. 27 overall) Team # Bryan Thomas selected in first round of 2002 # 1995 Great Midwest Conference Women’s NFL draft (No. 22 overall) Indoor & Outdoor Champions # Eight All-Americans # Two All-Americans # Men’s Soccer 1992 Women’s Great Midwest Conference Cross Country Champions # NCAA Tournament participant (1994, 1999, # Two Olympic Trials Qualifiers 2000, 2001) # 1999 NCAA Tournament Elite Eight and 2001 Synchronized Swimming NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 # Six-time U.S. Collegiate Championships par- # Three conference championships (1994, ticipant 1995, 1999) # Five U.S. National Team Qualifiers # Eight All-Americans # Eight All-Americans # 15 Academic All-Americans Women’s Basketball # 2000 NCAA Sweet 16 participant Softball # Four conference championships (1990, 1991, # 25 All-Conference USA selections 1992, 1994) # 12 C-USA All-Freshman team selections # NCAA Tournament participant (1994) # Seven Academic All-Americans # Three-time NWIT participant (1990, 1991, 2001) # Three National Strength and Conditioning All- Americans Baseball # 15 NFCA All-American Scholar Athletes # Three conference championships (1991, 1992, 1994) Rifle # # 1991 NCAA Tournament participant One C-USA Shootout third place finisher # 1997-98 Individual fifth place finisher at C- Men’s Tennis USA Championship # Six All-Americans # Three Academic All-Americans Women’s Golf # # Five NCAA Tournament appearances (1993, Seven All-Conference USA Selections # 1995, 1996, 1997, 2000) C-USA Freshman of the Year # Top-30 ranking from 1993-2000 Women’s Soccer # Five conference championships # UAB Academic Award (1997, 1998, (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995) 2000) # 51 All-Conference USA Women’s Tennis Selections # Four conference championships # Eight Academic All-America (1993, 1994, 1995, 1996) Selections # Six national rankings (1994, 1996, # Eight All-Americans 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001) # 2003 C-USA Regular-Season # Top-ranked singles player in nation Champion (1997-98) # 2004 C-USA Tournament # One All-American Champion # 2004 NCAA Participant (Second Round) Men's Basketball Jerome Mincy ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICANS Steve Mitchell Baseball Oliver Robinson Brent Laircey Football Men's Basketball Rodregis Brooks Carter Long Cedrick Buchannon Josh Evans Football Kerry Frazier Johnny Rea Robert Leslie Volleyball Derrick Ingram Suzie Johnson John Whitcomb Patti Schroder Roddy White Men's Tennis Graeme Women's Basketball Wanda Hightower Frank Schaffner McDowell Deanna Jackson Martin Woisetschläger Sebastian Falk Baseball Men's Soccer Shayne Carnes Derrick Jay Cole Lane Knight Mitch Jones Loucas Papaconstantinou Ingram Men's Soccer Women’s Soccer Clint Baumstark Briana McCarty Peter Byaruhanga Lisa Nowoslawski Leandro de Oliveira Denise Peters Tony McManus Vanessa Woodward Flavio Monteiro Laura Skridulis Rumbani Munthali Pam Cooney Marin Pusek Women’s Cross Houston Smith Country Team Women’s Soccer 1999/2000 Oliver Tara Kidwell Synchronized Robinson Men's Tennis Swimming Gerd Albiez Kelli Dickerson Mike Kirsten Amanda Haeuser Paul Rosner Stacey Jackson Frank Schaffner Stephanie Jackson Vaughn Snyman Kristen Kramer Martin Woisetschläger Stacy Leiker Sarah Pikal Women's Tennis Moraine Ruddick Mirela Vladulescu Vanessa Dash Frank Schaffner Track Andrea Dash Vonetta Flowers Rebecca Johnson Angela King Karen Meyer Sara Petrov Men's Golf Hallie Todd Paul Dickinson Frances Halloran Graeme McDowell Garrett Osborn Softball Amanda Byrne Synchronized Swimming Amanda Ellis Deanna Amanda Haeuser Jackson Stacy Leiker Allison Davis Bogdana Zareva Candice Hithe Roddy White Sara Petrov Kris Lara Emily Scarbrough Bogdana Morgan Clarke Stephanie Jackson Megan Stephenson Zareva Stacey Jackson Hallie Todd T ABLEBLAZER OF C ONTENTS CLUB
ltimately, the academic and athletic success All contributions to the Blazer Club are considered of Blazer sports greatly depends on the uni- gifts to UAB and are credited at full value for pur- Uversity’s strongest resource Ð the collective poses of the donor’s gift record at the university. A loyalty and generosity of UAB alumni and friends. contribution that entitles the donor to purchase season tickets is 80 percent tax deductible as a The Blazer Club was established to enhance charitable contribution for income tax purposes, UAB’s athletic programs by providing opportunities according to IRS Code, Section 170 (I). In addition, to more than 300 student athletes in 17 intercolle- the IRS has ruled that this 80 percent portion of giate sports. Contributions to the Blazer Club are your gift is only tax-deductible to the extent that it used to fund the scholarship needs of UAB’s stu- exceeds the value of any additional benefits that dent athletes, and to provide them with the highest you receive. Please consult your tax advisor for standard of training facilities and learning opportu- more information. nities. Your investment in UAB athletics is as important as Blazer Club members enjoy many benefits and the effort put forth by every UAB athlete because privileges, but they are far outweighed by the sat- your support helps every Blazer athletic program isfaction of supporting the educational efforts of grow and succeed. UAB’s student athletes.
LOYALTY CLUB COACHES CLUB CHAMPIONS CLUB VARSITY CLUB DIRECTORS CLUB ALL-AMERICAN CLUB HALL OF FAME CLUB MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION GRID
$100-$249 $300-$599 $600-$1,499 $1,500-$2,999 $3,000-$5,999 $6,000-$9,999 $10,000 or More
Tax Deduction
Program Recognition Invitation to Special
Athletic Department Events Priority Consideration for All Postseason Events 2224 8 12 Option to Purchase Upper Level Upper Level - Mid Court Lower Level Basketball Lower Level Basketball Lower Level Basketball Lower Level Basketball Preferred Season Tickets # or or or or
BASKETBALL BASKETBALL Club Suite Football Club Suite Football Club Suite Football Club Suite Football
Olympic Sport Gold Card Priority Football and Basketball Parking
Pass with Season Ticket Purchase Football and
Basketball Media Guides Green and Gold Room Access with Purchase of Blazer Club Basketball Tickets
# Football or basketball season tickets may be purchased in any number combination. * All benefits based on availability.
155 UAB ATTHLETICABLE OFMCEDIAONTENTSR ELATIONS
Sports. Visiting schools or stations wishing to originate broadcasts from Bartow Arena must secure written permission from the UAB Athletic Department (contact Tony Grillo 205/996-5812). One courtside radio broadcast courtesy line with a minimum of three seats will automatically be reserved for opponents (requests for additional seating should be direct- ed to the Media Relations office). Requests for Norm Reilly Aaron Jordan Michelle Cunningham Mark Vellek courtesy phone lines for non-conference oppo- Associate AD Associate Media Assistant Media Assistant Media nents should be directed to the UAB Media Relations Director Relations Director Relations Director Relations office. Conference USA opponents will Mailing: Bartow Arena - West Tower • 1530 3rd Avenue South • Birmingham, AL 35294-1160 automatically be provided with a minimum of Shipping: Bartow Arena - West Tower • 617 13th Street South • Birmingham, AL 35294-1160 three courtesy lines. Requests for ISDN service Office Phone: (205) 934-0722 • Fax: (205) 934-7505 should be directed to Jon Gentile at least two weeks in advance. MEDIA CREDENTIALS MEDIA SERVICES Requests for working media credentials to Blazer basketball The athletic media relations office will provide game programs, games should be made in writing (or by fax) on company let- notes and statistics prior to each home game. An NCAA box score terhead to the UAB Athletic Media Relations Office at least 48 and typed play-by-play will be provided at halftime and a full hours prior to the game you wish to cover. Passes and press statistics book will be issued following each game. The working row seats will be issued to working media only (see accompa- media area is just inside the 13th Street lower-level entrance. nying policy statement). Credentials are non-transferable, and Work space and telephone access will be provided as well as a should be worn in clear view at all times. meal approximately one hour prior to tipoff. Credentials may be picked up at the Media Relations office up to POSTGAME PROCEDURES two hours prior to game time, after which they can be picked up at the media will call gate (13th Street South entrance to Bartow UAB head coach Mike Davis will be available for his postgame Arena). All working media should enter Bartow Arena through the press conference (in the media workroom) following the standard ground level entrance on 13th Street South. 10-minute cooling-off period. Only requested players will be brought to the postgame press conference. The UAB locker room Because of limited courtside seating for working media at will be closed to media following the game. Postgame interview Bartow Arena, seats on the main press row will be assigned policy for UAB opponents will be announced by each visiting SID. according to the following policy (as space allows). INTERVIEW POLICY 1a: Representatives of accredited daily newspapers for both UAB & its opponent and wire service outlets. For interviews with UAB players, please contact Aaron Jordan in 1b: Television and radio outlets originating live game broad- the Athletic Media Relations office at least 24 hours in advance. casts approved by UAB and its opponents. On game days, no player interviews will be permitted prior to 2: UAB campus & athletic department outlets (print and the conclusion of the game. All interview requests for Coach internet). Davis will be handled by The UAB Athletic Media Relations Staff 3. Representatives of Conference USA (205-934-0722). Home phone numbers of UAB players and coaches will not be provided. On the road, UAB players and All other media (representatives of other approved print or elec- coaches will be available just prior to and just after practice ses- tronic media not included above), pro scouts, etc. will be given sions, with the exception of game day. assigned seating in the end zone press area. PRACTICE PHOTOGRAPHY The men’s basketball team generally practices between 3-6 p.m. Photographers are limited to marked areas along the baselines, CT on weekdays (TBA on weekends). The pre-practice (2-2:45 pm in accordance with NCAA guidelines. Availability of photo passes CT) and post-practice periods (5:30-6 pm CT) are open to all to anyone other than representatives of accredited media agen- media wishing to conduct interviews. Coach Davis is generally cies or those specifically authorized by the UAB Athletic available to media from 2:30 until the start of practice. Please Department will be strictly regulated. Freelance photographers make any interview requests known to Aaron Jordan, will be accommodated subject to availability of space and Associate Director of Media Relations, 24 hours in advance. approval by the Media Relations office. Use of strobe lighting must be approved in advance by the athletic media relations CONFERENCE USA MEDIA SERVICES office, and will be supervised in accordance with NCAA media Media relations for Conference USA are handled by Assistant guidelines. Commissioner of Media Relations, Courtney Morrison-Archer. RADIO/TV BROADCASTS The conference office can be reached by calling 214-774-1300. All questions regarding Conference USA events, policies, inter- Radio and TV broadcast rights to UAB basketball games are views with conference staff, etc., should be directed to the C- owned by the UAB Athletic Department in conjunction with ISP USA office.
156 UABT ABLE MEDIA OF CDONTENTSIRECTORY
WIRE SERVICES TELEVISION RADIO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ABC 33/40 CITADEL BROADCASTING 201 Monroe Street, Suite 1940 800 Concourse Pkwy 244 Goodwin Crest Drive Montgomery, AL 36104 Birmingham, AL 35244-1874 Suite 216 800/821-3737 (In-state only) 205/982-3988 • (FAX) 982-3942 Birmingham, Ala. 35209 334/262-5947 Mike Raita (Sports Director) 945-6781 • (FAX) 945-6748 (FAX) 334/265-7177 [email protected] John Zenor ([email protected]) [email protected] WERC-AM 960 (News/Talk) Sports Desk ([email protected]) [email protected] 530 Beacon Parkway West (Jeff Speegle, Melissa Lee, Kyle Craig) Birmingham, Ala. 35209-3198 THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 439-9600 • (FAX) 942-2536 2000 4th Avenue North FOX 6 Paul Finebaum (Host) Birmingham, AL 35203-3840 1720 Valley View Pat Smith (Producer) 205/251-4221 • (FAX) 205/325-2410 Birmingham, Ala. 35209-1251 [email protected] Jay Reeves (Bureau Chief) 583-4345 • (FAX) 583-4356 Rick Karle (Sports Director) WJOX-AM 690 (All Sports) sports@wbrc.com 244 Goodwin Crest Drive, Suite 300 PRINT MEDIA [email protected] Birmingham, Ala. 35209-3700 [email protected] 942-6690 • (FAX) 945-3999 THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS [email protected] Ryan Haney (Program Director) 2000 4th Ave. N. [email protected] [email protected] Birmingham, AL 35203-3840 (Sheldon Haygood, Mike Dubberly, [email protected] 205/325-2431 • (FAX) 205/325-2425 Brian Pope) [email protected] Tom Arenberg (Sports Editor) [email protected] NBC 13 Steve Irvine (Beat Writer) (Ryan Brown, Jacob Allison, Blake Ells) 1732 Valley View [email protected] Birmingham, Ala. 35209-1251 [email protected] BLAZERADIO (UAB Student) 558-7354 • (FAX) 323-3314 [email protected] HUC 151 [email protected] Birmingham, Ala. 35294-1150 (Don Hawes, Rob Jones, Sharrie KALEIDOSCOPE (Student) 975-9259 • (FAX) 975 • 9250 Williams) HUC 135 e-mail: [email protected] Birmingham, Ala. 35294-1150 CBS 42 205/934-3354 • (FAX) 205/934-8050 2075 Golden Crest Drive [email protected] Birmingham, Ala. 35209 322-4200 • (FAX) 320-2722 UAB REPORTER (Campus) Brad Radice (Sports Director) Birmingham, Ala. 35294-0113 bradice@wiat.com 205/934-2040 • (FAX) 205/934-7911
UAB BROADCASTING ISP Sports Cory Provus Steve Mitchell Tony Grillo (Radio Play-By-Play) (Radio Color Analyst) Assistant Vice President Director of Broadcasting 617 13th Street South General Manager UAB Blazers Room 134 ISP Sports Birmingham, AL 35294 Birmingham, AL 35294 1530 3rd Ave. South 205/975-8579 205/934-7296 • (FAX) 205/975-8015 Birmingham, AL 35294 Fax: 205/996-5830 email: [email protected] 205/996-5812 email: [email protected] Fax: 205/996-5830 Jon Gentile [email protected] (Broadcast Operations Manager) email: [email protected]
157 ISP SPORTS/BROADCAST I NFORMATION
ISP Sports, the national leader in Conference USA, one of the pre- in the collegiate sports marketing mier conferences in America. We industry, is in its second year as are excited about continuing to the exclusive worldwide multi- develop a true corporate partner media and advertising rightsholder program in the Birmingham mar- for UAB Athletics. ket and nationally as well on With this partnership, the behalf of UAB Athletics.” Blazers join an elite fraternity of In addition to the live network major college athletic programs broadcasts, ISP produces Blazers who are part of the ISP family. All Access, a live weekly 60- Headquartered in Winston- minute show call-in show featuring Salem, N.C., ISP Sports is also the UAB head coach Watson Brown. sports marketing partner for near- ISP’s television coverage of ly 40 collegiate athletic proper- UAB Athletics is centered around ties, including UAB’s fellow- Blazers All Access, a weekly maga- C-USA members East Carolina, zine show airing on Birmingham’s Houston, Marshall, SMU, Southern ABC 33/40. The 30-minute show Miss, Tulane, UCF and UTEP. features in-depth coverage of UAB Other schools who have part- Athletics, and nered with ISP include Alabama, airs from mid-August until mid- Auburn, Baylor, Georgia Tech, March. The 2006-07 ISP Blazer Radio Network (L to R): Pittsburgh, Syracuse, UCLA, As part of its versatile array of John Gentile, Cory Provus, Steve Mitchell. Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech and Wake services, ISP produces and markets Forest. sports marketing opportunities ISP Sports - UAB Staff “We are delighted to be asso- surrounding UAB, including the ciated with a program that is rap- Blazers ISP Sports Network, print • Tony Grillo serves as the Assistant Vice President & General Manager for the UAB idly earning a position of promi- advertising in various athletic branch of the ISP Sports' network. He has been a part of the ISP team the past three nence not just in the Southeast department publications, and all years as a member of the Crimson Tide Sports Marketing staff. Tony has built an but across the country,” ISP Sports signage in university athletic facil- extensive background in sales and marketing in the Birmingham area through his president and CEO Ben Sutton ities. work at CTSM and with previous positions with Citadel Broadcasting and The says. For an updated list of radio Birmingham News. He attended Troy State University. “Our company has very solid affiliates, log on to www.uab- and productive relationships with- sports.com. • Cory Provus is in his first year as the “Voice of the Blazers.” A native of Highland Park, Ill., Provus graduated from Syracuse University in 2000. Provus spent three years with the ISP Sports broadcast team at Virginia Tech before moving to the cor- porate headquarters. The past three years he has handled basketball play-by-play Contact ISP Sports for a number of ISP schools, including Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, UCF, and Tony Grillo - Assistant Vice President & General Manager Pittsburgh. Provus will serve as the play-by-play voice of the (205) 996-5812 • E-mail: [email protected] Blazers as well as hosting and assisting with production for the ISP Sports is football and men’s basketball coaches shows. presently the Cory Provus - Director of Broadcasting (Play-By-Play) exclusive (205) 975-8579 • E-mail: [email protected] • Steve Mitchell enters his first year working on UAB 's radio rightsholder for: Cindy Wincek- Associate General Manager broadcasts. Mitchell, who earned his masters degree in athlet- (205) 996-5813 • E-mail: [email protected] ic administration in 1994 from UAB, has worked at UAB for UAB over 20 years and is currently the director of Bartow Arena Akron Jana Golson - Account Executive and Bell Wallace facilities. Mitchell became one of the most Auburn (205) 996-5811 • E-mail: [email protected] prolific players in UAB basketball history under legendary head Baylor coach Gene Bartow. Mitchell, who played at UAB from 1982- Boston College 86, led the Blazers to four consecutive NCAA berths, as well as BYU a combined record of 92-43 (.681) during his four-year career. California His name still appears throughout the UAB record book, UCLA including the school's all-time leader in total points, (1,886) Central Florida field goals (761), field goal attempts (1,661), assists (597) and Clemson minutes played (4,353). Mitchell is one of three numbers to Cincinnati have been retired in the program's history (Mitchell's No. 14, East Carolina Oliver Robinson's No. 20 and Jerome Mincy's No. 40). Georgia Georgia State • Brad Law is in his second year as studio host for UAB foot- Georgia Tech ball & men’s basketball radio broadcasts. In addition, the Tony Grillo Cindy Wincek Jana Colson Houston Piedmont, Alabama native serves as a lead announcer for the Kent State General Manager Associate General Sales Associate Alabama high school football, basketball, and baseball state Marshall (205) 996-5812 Manager (205) 996-5811 championships. He has also served on the Auburn softball and Miami (205) 996-5813 women’s basketball broadcast crews. Mid-American Conference • Cindy Wincek, a salesperson with a strong Alabama back- Ohio ground and experience in the Birmingham market, joined the Pittsburgh ISP Sports staff at UAB in July 2005. Cindy worked previously South Carolina as an account executive for a Birmingham area television sta- SMU tion (WB21). Cindy grew up in Tuscaloosa and stayed "home" to Southern Miss attend the University of Alabama where she received her Syracuse degree in Telecommunications and Film in 2003. UTEP TCU • Jana Golson became part of the ISP Sports family at UAB in Troy June, 2005 as a Marketing Assistant for the Blazers. She was Tulane promoted to Account Executive in February 2006. A graduate Vanderbilt of Mississippi State with a degree in Sport Communication and Villanova Marketing, she assists in all aspects of the company's relation- Virginia Tech ship with UAB. Wake Forest Washington
158 B IRMINGHAMT ABLE OF:TCHEONTENTSM AGIC C ITY
There is never a lack of cultural entertainment in "The Magic BIRMINGHAM: THE MAGIC CITY City". Dozens of neighborhood and city-wide festivals, museums, Birmingham is an extraordinary city transformed. The dramatic parks, sports competitions and much more provide unlimited transitions which this Southern metropolis has experienced in the activity and amusement. economic, political and social arenas make Birmingham one of Residents and visitors to Birmingham enjoy the city's recreation- the most viable cities in the country. And beyond that, the al and historical attractions such as the Birmingham Zoo, unprecedented quality of life its residents enjoy and the area's Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Vulcan Park, Sloss Furnaces, beauty reflect an easy-going, yet progressive lifestyle which dis- Southern Museum of Flight and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. tinguishes Birmingham as one of this nation's best-kept secrets. Sports enthusiasts will never be at a loss for activity at the heart With a population of more than 250,000 (850,000 in the metro- of the "Football Capital of the South." UAB plays all of its home politan area), Birmingham has a strong, diverse, service-oriented football games at historic Legion Field, which also was the site of economy and is recognized as a Southeast leader. preliminary round soccer matches at the 1996 Summer Olympic Founded shortly after the Civil War, Birmingham rapidly became Games. Professional athletic teams in the area include the Class- known as "The Magic City" because of AA Birmingham Barons (baseball) and Arena its phenomenal rate of industrial Football’s Birmingham Steeldogs. growth in its beginning. Its mountain- Several annual fests are held in Birmingham. ous strata and forest surrounding the The biggest is City Stages, held each spring in city are rich with ore deposits, and it the downtown City Center. City Stages attracts was that natural wealth that quickly nearly a quarter of a million people for a three- transformed young Birmingham into a day weekend of unlimited music. bustling steel metropolis. All of this and more makes Birmingham "The Today, Birmingham continues to earn Magic City" to residents and visitors year-round. the distinction, "The Magic City," but this tribute is due to the city's econom- ic competitiveness, technological advancements and quality of life - offerings which are sought after by professionals with an eye toward the future. Birmingham has been recognized as one of America's "Most Livable Cities" by the U.S. Conference of Mayors - as recently as 1993. Birmingham's strate- gic location and diverse economy posi- tion the city as one of tremendous opportunity and growth. Centrally located and the largest The statue of Vulcan -- Roman God municipality in Alabama, the city is of Fire and Iron -- is the symbol of home to a number of renowned individ- the city of Birmingham. uals who have made an impression on The Birmingham Civil Rights Museum the nation and the world in music and stands as a reminder of the past and a entertainment, education, medicine and sports, to name a few. beacon of hope for the future.
159 Writing an injured teammate’s number on your shoes. A quick huddle before a free throw. Wristbands.
Running suicides together for every missed free throw. Setting a pick you’ll feel for a week. Acknowledging a great pass.
The stale smell of bad road food. Pre-game chants in the locker room. Nicknames that your fans don’t even know.
Senior night. Early morning practice. Calling an ally-oop with the nod of your head.
Summer league. Cards on the bus. Backside help on defense.
An encouraging word during a timeout. A taunt from the bench. A victory dance.
JUST DO IT.