The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
25 Years Of UAB Athletics
In recognition of UAB's 25th Anniversary of Athletics, a list of the 25 Greatest Moments in UAB Athletics history has been compiled by a committee that included former Blazer student-athletes, members of the media, as well as current and former UAB staff members.
There were many moments of Blazer glory to consider, some of which did not make the list. However, there is no doubt the 25 moments included will bring back fond memories for UAB fans and supporters. The moments listed are in chronological order and in no way, reflect a ranking of achievement.
Great Moments in UAB Athletics History
1. 1977 - Gene Bartow is hired as UAB's first athletics director and men's basketball coach. Preparations begin for the hiring of coaches and support staff, recruitment of student-athletes, establishment of the Golden 100 scholarship foundation, scheduling, etc.
2. November 24, 1978 - The UAB men's basketball team plays its first-ever game; a 66-54 loss to Nebraska before a crowd of 14,800 at the BJCC.
3. January 22, 1980 - Before a sellout crowd of 17,309 at the BJCC, UAB takes on Mark Aguirre and the No. 1 rated DePaul Blue Demons. The Blazers come up short by three in this classic game in the second year of the program.
4. March 15, 1981 - Glenn Marcus hits 12 free throws, many of them in the tense closing minutes, as UAB defeats national power Kentucky 69-62 to advance to the Sweet 16 of the 1981 NCAA Tournament.
5. March 17, 1982 - Oliver Robinson scores 23 points as UAB upsets Virginia and Ralph Sampson, 68-66. The victory propels the Blazers to the Elite Eight of the 1982 NCAA Tournament in just the program's fourth year of existence. UAB had defeated Indiana, 80-70, in its opening round NCAA contest.
6. December 2, 1983 - Before a crowd of 16,803 at the BJCC, the Blazers, led by Jerome Mincy's 27 points, defeat Auburn in overtime 69-62.
7. November 23-24, 1984 - Opening its 1984-85 season, UAB defeats Tennessee, Illinois and Kansas en route to winning the Great Alaska Shootout.
8. February 26-28, 1987 - Tracy Foster leads UAB to its fourth Sun Belt Conference Tournament Championship with a 72-60 victory over Western Kentucky at Bowling Green and a seventh straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Blazers defeated South Alabama and Jacksonville to reach the tournament finals.
9. December 3, 1988 - UAB opens UAB Arena with a 76-69 win over Vanderbilt. The name of the Arena will later be changed in honor of Gene Bartow to Bartow Arena.
10. March, 1989 - UAB reaches the NIT Final Four in New York for the first time with successive victories over Georgia Southern, Richmond and UConn. Andy Kennedy scores 22 points in the victory over UConn to help send the Blazers to Madison Square Garden.
11. May, 1991 - The Blazer baseball team wins its first Sun Belt Conference championship and advances to postseason play in Austin, Texas. It's the first time a UAB team, other than men's basketball, has participated in the NCAA Tournament.
12. March 18, 1993 - Robert Shannon hits a clutch three-pointer and Stanley Jackson scores 17 points to lead UAB to a 58-56 victory over Alabama in the first round of the National Invitation Tournament. UAB would later score victories over Clemson and Southwest Missouri State to advance to the NIT Final Four in New York.
13. 1992-93 - Led by All-American Frank Schaffner, the UAB men's tennis team is nationally ranked and reaches the NCAA Tournament for the first time.
14. January 9, 1994 - UAB ends Cincinnati's 25-game home winning streak with a 67-65 victory at Shoemaker Center, one of the Blazers' most impressive road wins in program history.
15. 1993-94 - Led by Player of the Year Shyronda Mifflin, the Lady Blazers post a 12-0 conference mark, a school record 14 game winning streak, a Great Midwest Conference Championship, and the program's first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
16. August 31, 1996 - UAB makes its Division 1-A debut before 80,000 at Jordan-Hare Stadium as the Blazers take on No. 16 Auburn.
17. 1997-98 - UAB freshman Mirela Vladulescu becomes the first UAB tennis player to win a collegiate grand slam event and is ranked No. 1 player in women's tennis match of the season.
18. 1999 - The UAB men's soccer team wins the 1999 Conference USA Championship and reaches the Elite Eight of the 1999 NCAA men's soccer tournament.
19. November 6, 1999 - UAB upsets No. 17 East Carolina at Legion Field; it is the Blazers' first victory over a nationally-ranked opponent.
20. 1999-2000 - Led by All-American Deanna Jackson, the women's basketball team reaches the Sweet 16 of the 2000 NCAA Tournament.
21. September 23, 2000 - UAB posts one of its greatest victories as it upsets LSU 13-10 in Baton Rouge as Rhett Gallego kicks the winning field goal in the final seconds.
22. February, 2002 - Seven-time NCAA Track All-American Vonetta Flowers wins gold in the women's bobsled event at the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City.
23. April, 2002 - Defensive end Bryan Thomas becomes the first player in UAB Football history to be taken in the first round of the NFL draft as he is chosen as the No. 22 selection by the New York Jets.
24. 2001-02 - Led by All-American Graeme McDowell who was the No. 1 ranked collegiate golfer and winner of the Fred Haskins award, leads the UAB men's golf team to its third consecutive appearance to the NCAA Tournament.
25. March 13, 2003 - The Blazers force a Conference USA record 30 turnovers against No. 8 and Final Four participant Marquette onto an 83-76 victory in the quarterfinal round of the 2003 C- USA Tournament. The Blazers would also score victories over Charlotte and Saint Louis as Eric Bush and Mo Finley grab all-tournament Team honors.
