The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Photo by: UAB University Relations
UAB Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Class of 2024
9/20/2024 12:02:00β―PM | General, Blazer Boosters
BIRMINGHAM β The UAB Department of Athletics has announced that five Blazer legends will be inducted into the UAB Athletics Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024.
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The five inductees are follows:
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Marla Townsend β Softball (Head Coach)
Izell Reese β Football
Sam Serley β Volleyball
Frank Schaffner β Men's Tennis
Drew Ferguson β Athletic Trainer & Sports Medicine
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All five of these Blazers had a tremendous impact on UAB Athletics and their accomplishments have earned them an enshrined spot in UAB history forever.
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Marla Townsend β Softball (2000-18)
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First softball coach in program history and coached from 2000-2018β¦Led UAB to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2010-14), including a NCAA Super Regionals in 2013β¦Three-time Conference USA Coach of the Year.
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Izell Reese β Football (1994-97)
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Second UAB player ever drafted in the NFLβ¦6th Round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1998β¦Seven-year NFL career with three different teams (Dallas, Denver, Buffalo) which included 226 career tackles, eight interceptions and 19 passes defendedβ¦At UAB as a safety, ranks eighth in career tackles (276), third in solo tackles (180) and tied for ninth in interceptions (7).
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Sam Serley β Volleyball (2009-12)
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Lowes Senior Class All-Americaβ¦Three-time AVCA All-Americaβ¦Three-time All-Midwest Regionβ¦Three-time All-Conference USAβ¦Conference USA All-Freshman Teamβ¦UAB career leader in blocks (564)β¦1,245 career kills while hitting .340, which is the second highest percentage in school history.
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Frank Schaffner β Men's Tennis (1991-94)
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First UAB All-America honoree in school historyβ¦ITA Singles All-Americaβ¦Great Midwest Conference Player of the Yearβ¦Ranked as high as No. 7 nationally in singles.
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Drew Ferguson β Athletic Trainer & Sports Medicine (1979-82, 1982-Present)
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First ever head athletic trainer for UAB Athletics under Coach Gene Bartow and Director of Sports Medicine (1979-82)β¦Distinguished career in sports medicine at UAB and Children's of Alabama. Blazer Alum and season ticket holder since 1982.
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The UAB Department of Athletics will honor these five individuals at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at The Florentine on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets to the event can be purchased by clicking here.
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Β
The five inductees are follows:
Β
Marla Townsend β Softball (Head Coach)
Izell Reese β Football
Sam Serley β Volleyball
Frank Schaffner β Men's Tennis
Drew Ferguson β Athletic Trainer & Sports Medicine
Β
All five of these Blazers had a tremendous impact on UAB Athletics and their accomplishments have earned them an enshrined spot in UAB history forever.
Β
Marla Townsend β Softball (2000-18)
Β
First softball coach in program history and coached from 2000-2018β¦Led UAB to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances (2010-14), including a NCAA Super Regionals in 2013β¦Three-time Conference USA Coach of the Year.
Β
Izell Reese β Football (1994-97)
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Second UAB player ever drafted in the NFLβ¦6th Round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in 1998β¦Seven-year NFL career with three different teams (Dallas, Denver, Buffalo) which included 226 career tackles, eight interceptions and 19 passes defendedβ¦At UAB as a safety, ranks eighth in career tackles (276), third in solo tackles (180) and tied for ninth in interceptions (7).
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Sam Serley β Volleyball (2009-12)
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Lowes Senior Class All-Americaβ¦Three-time AVCA All-Americaβ¦Three-time All-Midwest Regionβ¦Three-time All-Conference USAβ¦Conference USA All-Freshman Teamβ¦UAB career leader in blocks (564)β¦1,245 career kills while hitting .340, which is the second highest percentage in school history.
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Frank Schaffner β Men's Tennis (1991-94)
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First UAB All-America honoree in school historyβ¦ITA Singles All-Americaβ¦Great Midwest Conference Player of the Yearβ¦Ranked as high as No. 7 nationally in singles.
Β
Drew Ferguson β Athletic Trainer & Sports Medicine (1979-82, 1982-Present)
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First ever head athletic trainer for UAB Athletics under Coach Gene Bartow and Director of Sports Medicine (1979-82)β¦Distinguished career in sports medicine at UAB and Children's of Alabama. Blazer Alum and season ticket holder since 1982.
Β
The UAB Department of Athletics will honor these five individuals at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at The Florentine on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets to the event can be purchased by clicking here.
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