The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers In The Pros Present Gift To UAB Athletics
3/8/2003 12:00:00β―AM | Football
March 8, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- Seven former UAB football players are teaming up in their support of Blazer Athletics.
After outstanding careers with the Blazers, all seven have experienced success at the professional level in the National Football League. Jake Arians (PK, Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1996-99 at UAB, former team was Buffalo Bills), Josh Evans (DL, Lanett, Ala., 1991-94 at UAB, New York Jets), Eddie Freeman (DL, Mobile, Ala., 1998-01 at UAB, Kansas City Chiefs), Otis Leverette (DE, Americus, Ga., 1999-00 at UAB, San Diego Chargers), Izell Reese (DB, Dothan, Ala., 1994-97 at UAB, Denver Broncos), Dainon Sidney (DB, Atlanta, Ga., 1996-97 at UAB, Tennessee Titans) and Bryan Thomas (DE, Birmingham, Ala., 1998-01 at UAB, New York Jets) have made a generous joint contribution in support of the UAB program.
The former UAB football standouts were here Saturday to present their gift of $265,000 to UAB President Carol Garrison and Director of Athletics Watson Brown at halftime of the Blazers' men's basketball game vs. Memphis.
Brown expressed his appreciation for his former players stepping forward to assist the program. "We are very proud of these seven guys, as I am of all our former players," said Brown, who has been head coach at UAB since 1995. "We are extremely grateful to these seven players who want to come back to help our program so soon after they finished their careers with us."
