UAB Blazers History

UAB Athletics began in 1977 with the hiring of Gene Bartow as athletic director and men's basketball coach. Over the next 22 years, Coach Bartow oversaw the expansion of UAB athletics as it grew to 17 intercollegiate teams competing at the nation's highest level.

Almost instantly, UAB Basketball was a huge success, exploding onto the national scene with a trip to the NCAA Elite Eight in the program's fourth season. The Blazer's became a basketball powerhouse in the 1980's reaching the NCAA Tournament in seven consecutive years.

Coach Bartow's dream of seeing UAB compete in all phases of college athletics, became a reality when the Blazers began a football program in 1989. UAB Football joined Conference USA in 1999, finishing second in the conference in just their first year. The young team won a momentous game in 2000, going on the road to beat SEC power LSU in Baton Rouge.

OUR VISION

The University of Alabama at Birmingham shall be a leading contributor to the intellectual development of humankind and a compassionate provider of health services of the highest quality.

OUR MISSION

As an urban research university and academic health center, the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is committed to the discovery, dissemination, and application of knowledge as a fundamental path to success and to the enhancement of the quality of life of all the people of Alabama, indeed, of people throughout the world. In so doing, the University has an enduring commitment to teaching, research and scholarship, creativity, and service to the community. We embrace an unyielding belief in the virtue of diversity as well as the fair and equitable treatment of students, faculty, staff and those we serve. UAB's success in fulfilling this mission is demonstrated by the accomplishments of the University community.

Blazer Songs

Blazer Victory

All hail alma mater
We sing this song for thee
Raise up the banner for Blazer victory.
(Fight! Fight! Fight!)

All hail alma mater
We pledge to always be
Ever faithful, ever loyal
To dear old UAB!

UAB Fight Song

At UAB in Birmingham
All hail our players bold
They are the mighty Blazers
Who wear the green and gold.

Tonight let's fire their golden blaze
The flame of victory
Go Blazers! Go Blazers!
Win for UAB!