The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Dr. Jim Hilyer Named to UAB Hall of Fame Class of 2020
11/2/2020 12:39:00 PM | Football
BIRMINGHAM – Dr. Jim Hilyer, the first head coach in UAB football history, has been named to the UAB Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2020.
Hilyer was at the helm of UAB's launch into college football. He guided the Blazers through their two club years in 1989 and 1990, then led the Blazers into NCAA football as Division III members in 1991 and 1992 and Division I-AA members in 1993 and 1994.
He coached UAB to an overall record of 28-12-1, good for a winning percentage of .695 – the highest in school history.
"Coach Hilyer is one of the most influential faces in UAB Athletics history," said Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. "He was a pioneer in launching our football program and should feel extremely accomplished for all the success, both past and present, that we have experienced. It is an honor to have Coach Hilyer in the UAB Athletics Hall of Fame."
On the offensive side of the ball, Hilyer coached some of the greatest in school history, including Pat Green, who is second all-time in career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, Derrick Ingram, the career leader in receptions and receiving yards, and John Whitcomb, who ranks second all-time in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Defensively, Hilyer coached two of UAB's top 10 all-time leading tacklers in Josh Evans and Wayne White. Evans would become the first Blazer to play in the NFL and enjoyed a 10-year career with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans and New York Jets.
Not only was Coach Hilyer instrumental in starting the UAB football program, but he was also a member of its re-birth as a special assistant to Bill Clark during the return of UAB from 2016-19.
Hilyer was a four-year letterwinner at Stetson University and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Physical Education and Biology. He earned his Master's in Educational Administration/Exercise Physiology from Mississippi State, and a M.P.H. in Health Promotion/Health Behavior from UAB.
Hilyer is the first inductee named to the five-member Class of 2020. The remaining Hall of Famers will be released one-by-one throughout the week.
Class of 2020:
Dr. Jim Hilyer – Football
Class of 2018:
Graeme McDowell – Men's Golf
Jacque Nero – Women's Basketball
Gary Sanders – Announcer
Patti Schroder – Volleyball
Class of 2017:
Daniel Gaitan – Men's Soccer
Deanna Jackson – Women's Basketball
Jerome Mincy – Men's Basketball
Mirela Vladulescu Booker – Women's Tennis
Roddy White – Football
Class of 2013:
Vonetta Flowers – Track and Field
Dr. Charles "Scotty" McCallum – UAB President
Steve Mitchell – Men's Basketball
Harry "The Hat" Walker – UAB Baseball Coach
Class of 2009:
Gene Bartow – Head Men's Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics
Dr. S. Richardson Hill – UAB President
Oliver Robinson – Men's Basketball
Wanda Hightower Jordan – Women's Basketball
Dr. Jerry D. Young – UAB Senior Vice President
Hilyer was at the helm of UAB's launch into college football. He guided the Blazers through their two club years in 1989 and 1990, then led the Blazers into NCAA football as Division III members in 1991 and 1992 and Division I-AA members in 1993 and 1994.
He coached UAB to an overall record of 28-12-1, good for a winning percentage of .695 – the highest in school history.
"Coach Hilyer is one of the most influential faces in UAB Athletics history," said Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. "He was a pioneer in launching our football program and should feel extremely accomplished for all the success, both past and present, that we have experienced. It is an honor to have Coach Hilyer in the UAB Athletics Hall of Fame."
On the offensive side of the ball, Hilyer coached some of the greatest in school history, including Pat Green, who is second all-time in career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, Derrick Ingram, the career leader in receptions and receiving yards, and John Whitcomb, who ranks second all-time in passing yards and passing touchdowns.
Defensively, Hilyer coached two of UAB's top 10 all-time leading tacklers in Josh Evans and Wayne White. Evans would become the first Blazer to play in the NFL and enjoyed a 10-year career with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans and New York Jets.
Not only was Coach Hilyer instrumental in starting the UAB football program, but he was also a member of its re-birth as a special assistant to Bill Clark during the return of UAB from 2016-19.
Hilyer was a four-year letterwinner at Stetson University and graduated in 1957 with a degree in Physical Education and Biology. He earned his Master's in Educational Administration/Exercise Physiology from Mississippi State, and a M.P.H. in Health Promotion/Health Behavior from UAB.
Hilyer is the first inductee named to the five-member Class of 2020. The remaining Hall of Famers will be released one-by-one throughout the week.
Class of 2020:
Dr. Jim Hilyer – Football
Class of 2018:
Graeme McDowell – Men's Golf
Jacque Nero – Women's Basketball
Gary Sanders – Announcer
Patti Schroder – Volleyball
Class of 2017:
Daniel Gaitan – Men's Soccer
Deanna Jackson – Women's Basketball
Jerome Mincy – Men's Basketball
Mirela Vladulescu Booker – Women's Tennis
Roddy White – Football
Class of 2013:
Vonetta Flowers – Track and Field
Dr. Charles "Scotty" McCallum – UAB President
Steve Mitchell – Men's Basketball
Harry "The Hat" Walker – UAB Baseball Coach
Class of 2009:
Gene Bartow – Head Men's Basketball Coach and Director of Athletics
Dr. S. Richardson Hill – UAB President
Oliver Robinson – Men's Basketball
Wanda Hightower Jordan – Women's Basketball
Dr. Jerry D. Young – UAB Senior Vice President
UAB MBB vs Tulane Post Game Press Conference
Sunday, February 15
UAB MBB vs Rice Postgame
Sunday, February 08
UAB MBB vs Memphis Post Game Press Conference
Friday, February 06
UAB vs South Florida Post Game Press Conference
Friday, January 23
