The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazer Boosters Donor Spotlight: Bill & Pauline Vogel
4/1/2020 8:14:00 AM | General, Blazer Boosters
Bill Vogel Bio:
Pauline and I are Blazer football parents. Our son Nick, was the kicker for the team through "The Return" and just finished his career at UAB with a fantastic set of degrees in Industrial Distribution and Masters in Business.
We live in Jacksonville, Florida. We are both retired now - Pauline from a career in the insurance field as a contract negotiator for a large insurance company, and me as a partner in an insurance firm.
I understand the challenges of a student-athlete as I went to school on a soccer scholarship 40+ years (and 40+ pounds!) ago. I earned a Bachelors from Berry College and a MBA from Mercer University. Pauline graduated from University of Georgia.
Both Pauline and I are so impressed with the quality of the academics and the quality of the athletics at UAB.
We are Blazers for life.
What is your favorite memory of UAB Athletics?
Being part of the "The Return" in football – even as a fan on the sideline. Having witnessed the process through our son, Nick, from disbanding and the terrible emotional toll on the players, the University and the City of Birmingham, to the tremendous outpouring of support and the City pulling together to meet the financial goals to restore the team. To two years of waiting to play a game, being picked to finish 130 out of 130 Division I football teams, to winning the Conference Championship and going undefeated at home. What a ride!
UAB truly felt like a family. The player parents we got know, the wonderful fans- including the group of UAB faculty and staff that so kindly welcomed Pauline and me to their tailgating parties, the coaches and the folks at the UAB Development office and the friendliness of the students we met who went above and beyond to make us comfortable during our times at UAB.
Although we had no prior contact with UAB before Nick began playing football there, we are now "Ever Faithful, Ever Loyal."
Why do you support UAB Athletics and its student-athletes?
We obviously became involved as our son played on the football team - seemingly forever. We are so impressed with the quality of the education afforded to the student-athletes at UAB. Athletics teaches young men and women character, discipline and persistence. Combined with the emphasis on a quality education and the meaningful degrees that UAB offers, it is a winning combination.
We are so impressed with the student-athletes that we have met. Such wonderful ambassadors for the school.
What makes you the most proud of UAB Athletics?
The quality of the education the students are receiving. It is proven that a minute percentage of student-athletes will ever continue to play their sport professionally and it is refreshing to see such an emphasis on quality, meaningful academics that will prepare these young folks so well for life after their time as athletes comes to and end.
Pauline and I are Blazer football parents. Our son Nick, was the kicker for the team through "The Return" and just finished his career at UAB with a fantastic set of degrees in Industrial Distribution and Masters in Business.
We live in Jacksonville, Florida. We are both retired now - Pauline from a career in the insurance field as a contract negotiator for a large insurance company, and me as a partner in an insurance firm.
I understand the challenges of a student-athlete as I went to school on a soccer scholarship 40+ years (and 40+ pounds!) ago. I earned a Bachelors from Berry College and a MBA from Mercer University. Pauline graduated from University of Georgia.
Both Pauline and I are so impressed with the quality of the academics and the quality of the athletics at UAB.
We are Blazers for life.
What is your favorite memory of UAB Athletics?
Being part of the "The Return" in football – even as a fan on the sideline. Having witnessed the process through our son, Nick, from disbanding and the terrible emotional toll on the players, the University and the City of Birmingham, to the tremendous outpouring of support and the City pulling together to meet the financial goals to restore the team. To two years of waiting to play a game, being picked to finish 130 out of 130 Division I football teams, to winning the Conference Championship and going undefeated at home. What a ride!
UAB truly felt like a family. The player parents we got know, the wonderful fans- including the group of UAB faculty and staff that so kindly welcomed Pauline and me to their tailgating parties, the coaches and the folks at the UAB Development office and the friendliness of the students we met who went above and beyond to make us comfortable during our times at UAB.
Although we had no prior contact with UAB before Nick began playing football there, we are now "Ever Faithful, Ever Loyal."
Why do you support UAB Athletics and its student-athletes?
We obviously became involved as our son played on the football team - seemingly forever. We are so impressed with the quality of the education afforded to the student-athletes at UAB. Athletics teaches young men and women character, discipline and persistence. Combined with the emphasis on a quality education and the meaningful degrees that UAB offers, it is a winning combination.
We are so impressed with the student-athletes that we have met. Such wonderful ambassadors for the school.
What makes you the most proud of UAB Athletics?
The quality of the education the students are receiving. It is proven that a minute percentage of student-athletes will ever continue to play their sport professionally and it is refreshing to see such an emphasis on quality, meaningful academics that will prepare these young folks so well for life after their time as athletes comes to and end.
Monday Morning with Mort | Week 14
Monday, November 24
UAB Football Postgame Press Conference | South Florida
Sunday, November 23
UAB MBB vs South Alabama | Post Game Press Conference
Saturday, November 22
BLOCK + BREAKAWAY 🚫😤 #uabathletics #winasone #ncaabasketball #basketball
Friday, November 21
