THE UNIVERSIT Y OF WEST ALABAMA ATHLETICS

FALL 2016
Behind the Scenes From the Editor
Editor-In-Chief

I’ll
try to keep this brief, don’t worry. I’d just like to take a
Weldon Fultz moment to express my gratitude for being able to work on
ZONE, including leading a great team of seven students
from the Integrated Marketing Communications program
Photo Editing here at the University of West Alabama. Our charge was challenging; we strove
to portray our athletes in a genuine way, offering insight into what it really
Paige Ip means to be a student-athlete, juggling long study hours with countless prac-
tice hours, often while dealing with personal obstacles. This magazine serves as
a testmant to our enduring school spirit.
Feature Editing I’d like to thank my team that met every task that was put in front of
them. I couldn’t have selected a better group to launch this inaugural is-
John McClung sue. I’d also like to thank our advisor, Greg Jones, as well as our IMC direc-
tor, Dr. Amy Jones. Without their help, guidance, and even some necessary
pushes when needed, we wouldn’t have been able to complete such a stressful, yet
Page Design fulfilling, project. We have gained valuable and humbling publishing experi-
ence that will stick with us forever.
The concept of ZONE is to shed light on UWA athletes, both past and current,
Allie Tittle
in a way that shows the fans exactly who they’re rooting for. Attending a school
with renowned athletic programs rich with history and tradition, we wanted to
capture every aspect our our athletes, giving them the recognition they deserve. We
Promotion also wanted to bridge the gap between alumni and current students by highlight-
ing former Tiger athletes who have already taken their places in our hearts, while
Callie Murphy showing current students who they sit with in class and cheer for at every event.
We hope that you find every page of ZONE more interesting than the last,
whether you’re a UWA alumni, student, staff, faculty, or part of our extended
Story Writing family.

Cameron Eggers

Photography

Kelly Koontz
Weldon Fultz
Editor-in-Chief
Advisor
Greg Jones

IMC
Director

Dr. Amy Jones

Photographer ZONE is published annually by students in the University of West Alabama Integrated
Marketing Communications program. Stories and photographs that appear in ZONE
are produced by these students. Views expressed in the magazine do not necessarily
Joe Chance express the views of the University of West Alabama. The University of West Alabama is
an Equal Opportunity Institution and welcomes application for employment regardless
of race, color, age, sex, disability or ethnic origin.
2
Don’t
be that one fan who awkwardly
says “watermelon” while every-
one else sings along to the fight
song. Take a minute to learn the lyrics, and shout them
proudly at the next Tiger event.

We will fight, fight, fight for the

Red and White

For the glory of UWA

We will lend our might for the

Red and White

For a cause we know is true

We will fight for victory

We will fight on endlessly

We will ever stand, every heart,

every hand

For the glory of UWA

3
 Thousands of
Miles from Hom
Story by Magdalena Galvan
Photo by Joe Chance

4
 It’s
game day. The bleach-
ers are filled with
fans. The faint chat-
ter can be heard in the distance. She
sees the smirk on her opponent’s face.
Breathe in and breathe out, she thinks to her-
self. She looks down at the way her hand grips the
tennis racket. She looks up waiting for the right
moment to strike the ball as it heads her way.
Racket gripped tightly in hand, with one single
hit, she wins the match.
Sandra Paola Florez Parra is a senior from Bo-
gota, Colombia, majoring in biology with a minor
in chemistry. Florez has played tennis for the Uni-
versity of West Alabama for about two years now,
since spring 2013.
“I was always interested in studying in a dif-
ferent country because my field of study in Co-
lombia is not the best,” said Florez. “So I started
to look up universities in the U.S., even before I
found out that I could get a scholarship to play
tennis. When I found out that I had received a
scholarship to play tennis and to be able to get a
good education, I felt blessed to get this oppor-
tunity of a lifetime. I was very lucky to be able to
come and play for such a great university.”
Florez started playing tennis at the age of fifteen.
Her family was quite involved with the sport.
Growing up, Florez struggled with her weight.
Due to the mental anguish and stress this caused,
she decided to do something about it and used
tennis as a way to become physically active.
“I was extremely overweight as a kid. I was not
happy about myself when I started to get older,”
said Florez. “So when I turned fifteen, I decided
that I needed to change my life, and the best way
to do it was to start practicing a sport. I wanted to
find a way to lose weight but also have fun while
doing it. My best option was tennis because my
siblings already played tennis, plus there was a
country club called Val Maria with a few tennis
me
courts that was just a few minutes down from my
house.”
Coming to the United States has always been a
big dream of Florez’s. She said, “I felt blessed to
get this opportunity of a lifetime. I am very lucky
to be able to come and play for such a great uni-
versity.”
“I was blown away by the scenery shown in the
movie ‘Forrest Gump,’” said Florez. “Alabama
had the country style that I grew up with and
love. So I applied to mainly universities in Ala-
bama. UWA was the one that offered me the best
scholarship. Plus also seeing that there were other
Colombian players on the team helped me make
my decision.”
Life in the United States for Florez has been all
about getting used to living in a different coun-
try. Being hundreds and hundreds of miles away
from home has had its ups and downs. From try-
ing to get used to not being able to have a home
cooked meal every day to her busy schedule, Flo-
rez manages to stay positive and count her many
blessings.
“I have met amazing people and also some not
so amazing people. Since I have been in the states,
I have realized just how much I have matured as a
person,” said Florez. “I have had so much support
from my friends and family. This experience has
helped me to become a more secure woman who
knows what she wants to do with her life. Being
so far away from home has not gotten any easier. I
don’t believe it will ever get easy. But it has made
me realize one thing about just how lucky and
blessed I am to be here.”
On a day Florez has a match, she has to mentally
and physically prepare herself in order to get all
the jitters out before she steps onto the court. She
believes it is not all about the score as long as she
performs the very best she can. “Before a game, I
always try to keep a positive attitude and prepare
myself to step onto the court as a winner. It is
hard to stay calm on the court, especially when
I play universities that are even with UWA, so I
always make sure that I visualize myself playing
the best match of my life, just fighting every ball
until the end to match.”
After graduation, Florez would like to stay in
the United States to attend graduate school, and
she’s already started looking. A few in particular
have caught her eye. Her short list includes Mich-
igan State, Iowa State, or Purdue.
“I would really like to stay in the United States
in order to further my education. With my de-
gree, I wouldn’t have as many job opportunities
in Colombia as I would here. Plus, the pay and ex-
perience would be better here as well. I would like
to work at a laboratory, while working on plant
genetics.”
5
Golf
is the perfect example of an
under-rated sport. Countless
hours of tedious practice and hard-
work on the course go unnoticed by many sport fans.
According to UWA Athlet-
ics, Savannah Payne recently
recorded her second All-Tour-
nament honors in two events
after placing second overall in
the Lee Ann Noble Memori-
al tournament at the Achasta
Golf Club in October of this
year.
“Savannah has proven that
she is a great athlete in her re-
gion and country, placing sec-
ond in a playoff,” said former
head golf coach, Adam Buie.
Payne started her journey
as a golfer at the age 13, in the
seventh grade, at Leeds High
School in Leeds, Ala. Her fa-
ther, Greg Payne, has most in-
spired the golfer’s career.
“He has played the game for
many years and is still in an
incredible player,” Payne said.
“My dad encourages me to
keep striving to be my best on
and off the course.”
“I had to play a lot against the
guys in matches and in tourna-
ments,” Payne said. “It made
me a little nervous being one
of the only girls out there, but
in the end, it made me a better
player having to play against
people that hit it farther and
were better players in general.”
One of Payne’s favorite pro
golfers, Lexi Thompson, re-
cently told TMZ that she did
not want to play with guys any-
more because “the LPGA was
hard enough to compete in.”
“Lydia Ko and Lexi Thomp-
son both started on the LPGA
Tour at a very young age, and
they are two of the top golf-
6
ers in the world,” Payne said.
“They are both extremely
hard-working and humble
about their success, and that’s
something that I look up to.”
“Hitting a ball during compe-
tition can be very nerve-rack-
ing and difficult. There are so
many things that you have to
think about and concentrate
on before, during, and even
after you have hit. Most of the
time, I get butterflies on the
first tee, but it’s mainly out of
excitement,” Payne said.
That excitement at tee off led
her to want to continue her
golfing career in college. Payne
says she knew wherever she
played it needed to be in Ala-
bama.
“UWA sort of stuck out to me
because it was similar to where
I grew up and where I went to
high school—small town and
school. I reached out to the
coach here about playing, and
once I found out more about
the school, it immediately
clicked with me,” Payne said.
“I really liked the student/
teacher ratio because you are
able to establish one-on-one
relationships with the teach-
ers and advisors, and everyone
knows you by name.”
UWA’s Golf Team completed
its first year in the 2013 to 2014
season.
“That can be a little scary at
first not knowing what you
are getting yourself into, but
I knew that being on an inau-
gural team would be really cool
knowing that I can set the bar
high and will always be a part
of UWA history,” Payne said.
It did not take long for Payne
to start setting school records.
In her freshman season, Payne
led the Tiger women’s golf
team in three tournaments.
She averaged 83 through 21
rounds and recorded UWA
golf’s first ever hole-in-one in
the practice round leading up
to The Buccaneer.
Payne’s biggest accomplish-
Coming in second
motivated me to work
even harder.
ment was getting offered a
scholarship to a university to
play golf. As a college golfer,
she took most pride in her first
win as an individual.
The five-foot junior has
grown a lot in her career since
her freshman year on the golf
course.
“In my first year as a college
golfer, I always got very ner-
vous, but now I feel pretty con-
fident during my swing, and I
am calm on the golf course,”
Payne said. “Being calm is one
of the best things you can do
because golf requires patience.
Some rounds can take up to 6
hours and even more depend-
ing on the amount of holes you
have to play. You are on the
course for a long time and have
to stay collected and focused.”
Although she has earned All-
Gulf South Conference hon-
ors and the WGCA All-Amer-
ican Scholar award this season,
Payne will not forget her finish
in the Conference tournament
this year.
“I never really knew where I
stood during the final round,
and I played some of my best
golf of the year that day. Fin-
ishing high against the best
players in our conference was
really good,” Payne said.
Although Payne has had
many successes since arriving
at UWA, she says it take a lot
of balance to maintain being a
“student athlete.”
Payne describes being a col-
lege athlete as one of the hard-
est but best things she has ever
done. Student athletes struggle
with an overwhelmingly busy
schedule throughout every day
of their collegiate career.
Her typical day during sea-
son play starts with workouts
at 6:30 am, breakfast, class for
a few hours, lunch, sometimes
another class, straight to prac-
tice (which is at least 30-min-
utes away from campus) until
dark, dinner on campus, and
then usually studying for the
rest of the night.
“Time management is the
hardest part about it all,” Payne
said.
However, just like on the golf
course when having to pre-
pare to hit the ball, golfers like
Payne have to remain focused
whether playing in college or
professionally.
“There’s no perfect way to
swing a golf club. There are
basic elements, but everyone’s
swing is unique, and that’s
what makes golf special.”
Story by Tierra Robinson
Photos by Joe Chance

7
 Story by Allie Tittle
Photos by Joe Chance

Bethany Harris and Libby Hankins cheering their last football season
8
 The whole squad The UWA Cheerleaders cheering on the Tigers

Loss
bacame all too familiar to the 2015-
2016 cheerleading squad during
their spring competition season.
The passing of teammate Bethany Harris and progressive
illness of captain Libby Hankins left the team in pieces.
Bethany Harris, freshman cheerleader at UWA, was in a fatal car ac- “Libby always knew how to motivate her teammates, even if she
cident on December 28, 2015. Police stated that she was not wearing a couldn’t do something or had to sit out that day for whatever reason,
seatbelt and was ejected from the vehicle. she was pushing them to be better. They not only look to her on the
“Bethany not being with us anymore was kind of surreal at first. It mat, they look to her off the mat as well. She was like a mama to most
didn’t seem real, so coming back to that first practice after was totally people on the team.”
a blow for everyone. We just decided that from that point on every- Hankins currently resides near Duke University Hospital, where
thing was going to be dedicated to her for the rest of the season, all of she successfully received a double lung transplant in April.
our performances, practices, games, everything like that,” said Libba According to UWA cheer teammate Elizabeth Waddell, the two
McClendon, UWA’s head cheerleading coach. tragedies significantly bonded the team together. They became even
The passing of Harris came as a complete shock to the squad. They closer as a family and performed stronger than ever in Harris’ and
were devastated about the loss of their “baby.” Hankin’s honor.
“Bethany came in every day with the biggest smile on her face. She “I felt like people were naturally drawn to Bethany’s and Libby’s
was so excited to be there; she wanted to fight and get better, and she personalities. I felt really lucky to have both of them as leaders on the
knew how to be a natural leader, even though she was a freshman. team. They were absolutely amazing,” said McClendon.
I felt like she honestly was one of the leaders on the team. People The team doubled their amount of practices to prepare for compe-
relied on her for motivation,” said McClendon. tition in honor of their most special Tigers.
According to McClendon, the squad dedicated their 2016 compe- Teammate BreAnna Johnson created the motto “Perform like Beth-
tition routine to Harris and her memory. She brightened everyone’s any, Fight like Libby” to encourage the team.
day, and that was a memory they never wanted to fade. Their chore-
ographer reworked the entire routine and music.
A few weeks after the team received the devastating news of the
passing of freshman teammate, captain Libby Hankins broke the
news of her departure from the squad. They worked tirelessly to
McClendon explained that Hankins has cystic fibrosis, which
means she has mucus that builds up in her lungs. This makes it diffi-
cult to breathe and function on a day-to-day basis. Her lung function
ensure the perfect routine
has significantly decreased during her time at UWA.
Hankins quit the squad because she was unable to perform like she
honoring two of their most
wanted. She began working to strengthen her body in hopes of be-
ing considered a viable candidate for a lung transplant.
special teammates.
9
 Tailgating:
An Honored Trad
10
 Tailgating

dition
Story by Cameron Eggers
Photos by Paige Ip

11
 To Live Like You Were Dying:
Brock Ward fights for his life: the discovery, the aftermath, and the battle won
The
room is
cold. The
smell of
isopropyl alcohol fills the
air. The doctor walks in, and
everyone sits straight up to hear
what he has to say. Then the
doctor says the three words no
one ever wants to hear.
“You have cancer.”
He couldn’t believe it. He was
only 23 years old. He had just
graduated college and helped
his college baseball team win
the Gulf South Conference
Championship. He couldn’t
hold back the tears filling his
eyes.
“I guess you could say it felt
like my world had been turned
upside down,” said Brock
Ward, a recent graduate of the
University of West Alabama
with a Sports Management
degree.
Only four days after his
May 9 graduation and in the
middle of the Division II South
Regional Tournament, Ward’s
life changed forever. His plans
to become a college-level
pitching coach were set aside to
undergo surgeries and
chemotherapy treatments.
Ward said he first started
noticing his symptoms, which
included sharp pains in his left
side and back, along with night
sweats, in March 2015.
“Since I was a college
baseball pitcher, my athletic
12
trainers treated me for a pulled
muscle, which helped
ease the pain, but it did
not take the pain away
completely,” Ward said.
Joel Murphy, a junior
physical education major from
Madisonville, La., and
Ward’s former teammate
and roommate, said he never
noticed anything unusual about
his roommate. Murphy recalled
Ward being sick a few times,
but there was never anything
my world had been turned
upside down
significant about those
occasions. Ward was still
playing baseball, so nothing
seemed odd.”
“He just said [the pain] felt like
he had maybe a collapsed lung or
something,” Murphy said.
It was the night sweats, a cough
and the persuasion from his
mother that made Ward decide
to get himself checked out by
his family doctor who ordered
an X-ray of Ward’s chest. The
X-rays showed a mass in his chest
Story by Brianna Champion
Photos by Joe Chance
wall, so the doctor sent Ward to
get a CAT scan the same day.
The diagnosis came back as
cancer, and the family was
referred to an oncologist in
Jackson, Miss., where the doctor
ordered a biopsy of the mass.
Ward received a call the day
after the initial biopsy
requesting a second biopsy.
“We were scared about these
tests, but soon learned they
were nothing compared to the
future tests and procedures
Brock would have to endure,”
said Ward’s mother, Tabby
Dempsey.
Once results came from the
second biopsy, they were
given the official diagnosis: a
childhood cancer known as
Ewing sarcoma.
“As soon as they found it, you
could tell he was losing weight
already,” Murphy said. “You
could just tell. Which I’m not
sure why that was. Maybe I was
just in a large amount of shock.”
Ewing sarcoma is a rare type
of childhood bone cancer.
According to the St. Jude
website, there are only about 200
cases of Ewing sarcoma each year
in the United States.
The family was originally
referred to the Children’s
Hospital in Jackson, Miss.,
but they received a phone call
informing them that their
original oncologist had referred
them to St. Jude Children’s
Research Hospital in Memphis,
Tenn. The family packed up and
checked in to St. Jude on May 21,
where Ward was accepted into
a research protocol for Ewing’s
sarcoma.
The protocol Ward had been
accepted into allowed him to
not only be treated at St. Jude,
but it also meant that Ward
would have experimental drugs
used on him for a portion of his
chemotherapy treatments. He
agreed and started treatment.
Ward, Dempsey, and the UWA
baseball team have all received
support following Ward’s
diagnosis in May. A friend of
Ward’s hosted a benefit baseball
tournament, and all proceeds
went to Ward’s family. The fam-
ily has received phone calls, mail,
texts, Facebook messages, mon-
ey, and so much more to support
them during this time. As for the
baseball team, there have been
multiple friends, families, and
others offering up prayers for

the team as well as the men supporting each
other.
“Going through a life changing circum-
stance such as cancer reminds you that
there are still good and caring people in this
world,” Ward said. “I received support from
my family, friends, church, community and
hometown but also from people that have
never met me.”
Ward and his mother give all credit to God
for their strength and motivation.
“I believe God has a plan for Brock’s life,
and he has carried us this far,” Dempsey
said. “Giving up is not an option. Brock has
Brock Ward pitches his last game during the Spring 2015.
been stronger than I ever thought possible
through this journey, and I want to see his
dreams become a reality for him.”
Ward’s chemotherapy treatments will take
about a year to complete if his body responds
to it the way the doctors are expecting him
to. At this time, doctors have not given Ward
or his family a prognosis. Ward continues to
take it one day at a time.
“Nothing about this journey has been easy,”
Dempsey said. “We have had many obsta-
cles, and our faith continues to grow daily as
we see God at work.”
Now it is a little under one year later, and
the cancer treatments still have not brought
Ward down. His spirit is still high, and his
eyes are still gleaming with hope.
On Feb. 19, Ward was told the most fan-
tastic news his family could expect: He was
cancer free.
Ward kept his treatments for a few weeks
after his diagnosis but later completely eased
off of them, and he is able to live a fairly nor-
mal lifestyle. Due to medical expenses, the
UWA baseball team has offered “Tosses for
Brock” in order to raise money to help with
the extensive bills.
13
14
There
is no
t raf f i c
on the
extra
mile:
The emotional basketball journey of
Matt Hancock
Story by Callie Murphy
Photos by Joe Chance

15
 L to R: Simeon Dennis, senior; Jahmal Lane, junior; Marcel Morrer, junior; Jake Jobling, freshman; Matt Hanvovk, Senior.
Hancock and fellow UWA basketball teammates celebrate a victorious play during Senior night againist the U of West Georgia on Feb. 20.
There
are 9,448 miles between
Livingston and Melbourne,
Australia. That’s 9,448
miles between UWA’s
basketball senior Matt Hancock and his hometown, his friends, and
his family. However, there is one thing that Hancock did not have to
leave back home: his passion for basketball.
“Basketball has always been an outlet for me,” Hancock said. “It was
something that I looked forward to all the time, especially through-
out high school.”
Hancock has played basketball since the day he could walk, but it
didn’t really become his “life” until he was a teen.
“When I was about 13 years old, I started to get on some pretty good
teams, and I started to progress in my skill,” said Hancock. “That was
really the moment when my motivation grew, but it only grew into
something more when I got to high school.”
Once Hancock was in high school, he realized that there was more.
“I knew there was one thing that I really wanted to do with basket-
ball, which was to make the Australian National team,” Hancock
said, “but I knew it wasn’t going to be easy.”
It surely wasn’t an easy time for Hancock as he started to spend
countless hours in the gym working on his skills, his mindset, and
overall knowledge of the game.
“Matt always spent any time he had in the gym,” said his father,
Craig Hancock. “Once he had his mind set to something like the Na-
tional team, there was no going back.”
When the time came to tryout for the National team, M. Hancock
felt he was ready.
“I thought that this was my time to shine. I worked hard to get better
16
and better each day, so when tryouts came for the state level, a build
up team to the national team, I would be ready.”
But the coaches for the state team seemed to look the other way
from M. Hancock. He progressed to the final round of the tryout and
was extremely proud of himself, but when the final team was chosen,
he did not make the cut.
“Of course I was sad when I heard the results of my tryout. It really
hit me hard,” said M. Hancock. “I was almost to the point like why,
why would I even keep playing.”
M. Hancock spent the next few days talking to his high school
coaches and family about what the next step in his basketball career
should be since he wasn’t ready to give it up.
“My high school coaches started talking to me about playing college
ball in America,” said Hancock. “I remember telling them that I used
to watch it on TV all the time, and that I would love to play at a divi-
sion one school. ‘Let’s do it,’” he said.
Yet again, his dreams seemed to be at a halt. Multiple coaches and
recruiting directors told him he was shooting too high trying to play
division one in America. He said coaches would tell him, “You aren’t
good enough,” “you are never going to make it overseas in D-1,” “you
can’t do this.” Luckily for M. Hancock, this was only fueling his mo-
tivation to prove them all wrong.
“The day I got my scholarship to play at Lamar University, which is
a Division One school, had to have been one of the best days of my
life,” said Hancock happily. “It was finally the moment that I could
prove myself right. No matter what anyone said, I could do this.”
M. Hancock spent the next three years of his collegiate career play-
ing basketball for Lamar University, living out his dream and playing
the sport he loves until another bump in the road occurred for him.
 L to R: Matt’s mother, Susan Hancock; coach; ;Matt Hancock, father; Craig Hancock, and his grandparents stand in recognition on Feb. 25 for senior night againist West Georgia.

“Well, it was the spring of my junior year at Lamar, and I decided it his fellow Tigers in Pruitt Hall. Those men became his family away
was time to make a change. I wanted another challenge and a fresh from home.
start,” said M. Hancock. “That is when I first heard from UWA.” “Coach walked into the locker room and said ‘seniors are done and
UWA’s basketball program knew it was going to be a tough grab to the rest of you need to be focused on next year,’ and I think that was
get him to come from Australia to the little town of Livingston, but the moment I realized I was done,” said M. Hancock saddened. “I
they believed it was worth a shot. was never going to play colliegate basketball again. I realized I would
“I decided to transfer to UWA because the small town vibe caught never get to suit up again—it was a different feeling to say the least.”
my attention, especially when I am in the gym on a game night,” said Most athletes in college believe that senior night is their final mo-
M. Hancock. “It may not be exactly what I am used to, but the warm ment to play the sport they love. M. Hancock, on the other had, has
and cozy feeling of a packed house is just an unreal and amazing en- a goal that he believes he will accomplish within the next few years.
vironment.” “Ultimately, I would love to end up in the NBA,” Hancock ex-
After he relocated to Livingston, he no- plained. “Realistically, I hope to end up
ticed one thing different about this little playing for the professional team, Real
town: the people. Madrid.” M. Hancock’s parents believe
“The people,” said M. Hancock. “All the When the final buzzer sounded, that he can and will do anything he sets
hospitality and how everyone knows ev- his mind too.
eryone. It’s just like home to me.” and the shot was missed, my team- “We don’t believe this is the end of his
Now it is Feb. 25th. The crowd is cheer- mates and I realized it was all over. basketball career by any means,” said C.
ing M. Hancock as he sprints up and down Hancock. “I know we will get to watch
the court against the University of West him play again whether that be in a Euro-
Georgia in his final game as a UWA Tiger. pean League or the NBA.”
Sweat is dripping down his face as he remained determined to keep M. Hancock is continuing his future by going to college while
this season alive with a victory over UWG. seeking professional basketball teams. He will work with scouts and
“When the final buzzer sounded, and the shot was missed, my team- agents once the NCAA Division one basketball tournament is over
mates and I realized it was all over.”said Hancock. “We walked into and legalities can begin.
the locker room and it was a sense of silence. Really just a moment There are 4,541 miles between Livingston and his possible future
of being overwhelmed from the seniors. None of us really knew how home in Madrid, Spain.
to react.” Only 4,541 miles for M. Hancock to find another place he can call
M. Hancock spent time in the locker room with his fellow seniors home.
after the game wishing he could have one more moment playing with “I’m ready.”

17
18
From the Backyard
to the Big Time
Story by Callie Murphy
Photos by Joe Chance

19
 Trying to make the echoing of the screaming crowd dissolve in the
background, he lets go of the game winning pitch that pops against
the catcher’s glove for the last strike out at the plate. Tanner Rain-
ey has pitched the game of a lifetime and has made his professional
league debut.
Folsom, La., is where Rainey fell in love with the game that changed
his life. Rainey started playing T-ball when he was three years old
and then realized that’s all he ever wanted to do: play the game of
baseball. Even at a young age, Rainey was always the first one on the
field and the last one off. Dedicated to the sport was an understate-
ment for Rainey.
Rainey started his high school career playing baseball at St. Pat-
rick’s School, located in Covington, La. During his senior year, he
received a Division One full-ride scholarship from the Southeast-
ern Louisiana University Baseball Team. Two years later, Rainey re-
ceived a full-ride scholarship to The University of West Alabama as
a closing pitcher and a first baseman.
During his time at UWA, Rainey lead the Tigers batting average
of .386. He also contributed 19 home runs and batted in 65 runners
during his senior year.
“His leadership was tremendous,” said UWA Baseball teammate
20
Parker Madden. “He was always an inspiration on and off the field.”
Rainey’s hardwork and skill did not just impress the West Alabama
community, but the Major League Baseball scouts as well. With a
98 mph fast ball coming across the plate, MLB scouts from all over
the nation were visiting Tartt Field just to catch a glimpse of Tanner
Rainey. The scouts looked as if they worked in unison, holding the
speedometer and writing on a notebook.
“He was an All-American and probably one the top five
players in the country,” said Clay Cox, graduate assistant for the
University of West Alabama baseball team. “You don’t get to coach
very many Tanner Rainey’s in your career.”
Cox concluded that Rainey was an all around team player. He
never came to the ballpark with a bad attitude. He always wanted to
be there. He constantly would come to the field by himself just to
work on things that would make him a better player.
“I was drafted at the end of my senior year of college,” Rainey said.
“I was 22-years-old.”
Rainey was the 71st draft pick during the spring of 2015 to the
Cincinnati Reds organization. He was put in their minor league
affiliate team, the Billings Mustangs, in Billings, Montana. Rainey was
drafted as a closing pitcher.
 “The first day of practice
in pro-ball was different just
because I went in like most
people do, not knowing
anyone or no one knowing
who I was,” Rainey said. “You
just have to go in and make a
name for yourself.”
Rainey had a successful
season with the Mustangs and
felt he was ready to move up to
the next level. Going up against
every pitcher drafted into the
Cincinnati Reds organization
in 2015, Rainey was named the
third best leading pitcher. He
hoped that this title could earn
him a gateway to a higher up
team in the organization.
When he moves up to the
National League, as in AAA
or AA, like most pitchers he
hopes to hit for himself. “I can-
not wait to be able to pick up
a bat again and swing for the
fences,” said Rainey. “Being a
well-rounded player will help
me move up in the League
quicker than if I do not hit.”
Rainey is eager to make the
move out of rookie ball to
either a high or low A-ball for
the 2016 season. He continues
to push himself each day to
continue building his skill set
and knowledge of the overall
game.
As of April 2016, Rain-
ey will serve as a starting
pitcher for the Dayton Drag-
ons after being selected in the
second round of the 2015 draft.
He is rated as the #17 overall
prospect in the Cinncinati
Reds organization by Baseball
America.
“All I have ever wanted
to do was play baseball for
a MLB team on TV,” said
Rainey. “Getting drafted got
me one step closer to making
my dream a reality.”
21
 Face of victory
On campus at the University of West Alabama is volleyball player
Callie Rochelle Murphy.
A 20-year-old senior from Linden, Michigan, Murphy is the cur-
rent starting setter for the UWA Volleyball team. In her freshman
season, Murphy made 24 match appearances, tallied the second
most assists with 409 (5.31 per set), eighth most in the Gulf South
Conference. In her sophomore year, she played in 112 sets with 30
match appearances, was seventh in the Gulf South Conference
with 5.95 assists per set, 10th in the league, averaging 0.32 service
aces per set, and led the team with 666 total assists and 36 total
service aces.
Former head coach Jordan Lay said, “Callie is a gamer. When she
hits the court, she becomes the competitor who will accept nothing
less than her very best.”
At 5’8”, Murphy is a few inches taller than your average female. She
is, however, the shortest member of her family with her mother,
father, sister and cousin all standing around or over six-feet tall.
Because of their height, one can understand how this family would
gravitate towards sports like basketball and volleyball.
“In the beginning, I started playing volleyball because of my fami-
ly. My father played basketball, my mother was a dancer, my cousin
played volleyball for the University of Illinois, and my sister played
volleyball for Concordia University in Ann Arbor,” Murphy said.
“Whenever there was a family gathering, a sport of some sort was
being played. And that is where I fell in love with volleyball.”
Murphy started playing on various volleyball teams when she
was only 11 years old. She remembers her time playing on multiple
national club teams growing up, and those eventually led her to a
scholarship opportunity with UWA.
“Getting to sign my letter of intent with UWA was one of the best
days of my life,” Murphy said. “It was one of those moments where
22
you can honestly say I made it.”
Murphy is currently heading into her final season as a UWA Tiger,
and she seems to have multiple emotions running through her
head.
“Volleyball has been my life since I was a little girl,” said Murphy.
“Thinking that this is my last season of collegiate volleyball is
upsetting because I know that there will always be that hole in my
heart waiting to be filled by something else. It’s basically a lifestyle.”
When asked how she plans to fill her hole in her heart, she had an
interesting answer that many do not know.
“After volleyball, I plan to finish my degree in Integrated Mar-
keting Communications with a sports track,” Murphy said. “With
this major, I would love to eventually be a sideline reporter for Fox
Sports Detroit and report on my dream team, the Detroit Tigers.”
Baseball has also been a large interest in Murphy’s life as she spent
most of her childhood attending Detroit Tigers games with her
family or watching them on the television with her grandparents.
Murphy, incidently, is currently the President of the UWA Baseball
Diamond Dolls.
When asked about how sports have affected her lifestyle and skills,
Murphy believes she has learned multiple lessons.
“It has taught me a lot about time management. I have learned to
respect people. Looking up to people is as important in sports as
it is in life. I’ve also learned team-building skills, such as working
together and multitasking. Really, overall just putting my mind
to something, and accomplishing my goal. Without volleyball, or
sports in general, I wouldn’t have the mind-set to accomplish the
goals I have and plan to do.”
Some of Murphy’s other future goals include winning a GSC ring,
graduating in May of 2017, and becoming a head volleyball coach at
Michigan State University.
 Not your Typical
College Student
Story by Kelly Koontz
Photos by Joe Chance

23
24
 Superheros Among Us
Story by Kelly Koontz
Photos by Kelly Koontz/Betsy Ames

Brooke
Ames is a 20-year-old University of West Brooke comes from a sports-oriented family. Her mother
Alabama junior studying Integrated Mar- played volleyball when she was in high school, and her old-
keting Communications with a focus in er sister Abby is a current member of the volleyball team.
Sports Journalism. She hails from London, Ohio. Like most kids from the Brooke is the former team manager for the UWA Volley-
Midwest, she grew up enjoying activities like riding horses, cheerleading, play- ball team, and she has hopes and expectations of eventually
ing basketball, and volleyball. However, unlike most other kids, she was born making the team. In the mean time, her positive and bubbly
with only one leg. demeanor, accompanied by her warm attitude and infec-
During her mother’s pregnancy, Brooke’s mother and father were expecting tious smile, can be seen bouncing around campus, as well
twins. Due to complications, the twin fetus did not survive and got wrapped as at most sporting events.
around her leg, causing Brooke to be born with only one leg. Brooke’s family For Brooke, the sky is the limit. Superhero Stuff indeed.
never treated her as “handicapped” or as a child with special needs. Instead,
they treated her the same as they did her other siblings, encouraging indepen-
dence, courage and strength. As you can imagine, she was picked on and bul- Posing by the new UWA Tigers Logo
lied for being different from the other kids. When asked about that, she said,
“I didn’t really let it get to me. I had really great friends and support. ‘You do
you Brooke,’” they would say. I think most of the time people were just jealous
that I could do things better than they could.”
Brooke got her first prosthetic leg when she was 10 months old, and she was
walking by 11 months (Superhero Stuff, no doubt). Inasmuch as children grow
at a rapid rate, she would need a prosthetic every six months or so, at a cost of
between $60,000 and $70,000 each. Eventually, her family’s insurance would
be depleted, but luckily, Ohio Willow Wood offered to use her as a test subject
for experimental leg designs. To this day, she gets a new leg at no charge every
year and a half to 2 years in exchange for her feedback.
Brooke has been playing basketball, volleyball and cheerleading since she was
four.

2015-16 Volleyball Team and Staff

25
 RE
26
 Linebackers Quentin Harton ( 34 ) and Brandon Keel ( 33 )
celebrate with cornerback Izauea Lanier ( 1 ) after forcing a
turnover en route to a 52-27 victory against Shorter University
in Homecoming 2015.

ELOADED
27
 Trailing by 38 points to Gulf
South Conference-archrival
North Alabama, UWA picked
up just four yards after a
holding penalty and two in-
complete passes forced the
Tigers into a fourth-and-
forever situation.
On a play that would have
been enough in any other situ-
ation, Thompson hit running
back Davonta Parker-Johnson
for 11 yards – five yards shy of
the first down marker.
After blasting off to its first
4-0 start since 1982, UWA
scattered wins and losses over
the next eight weeks, finishing
out the season with a 7-4 over-
all record (3-4 GSC).
Nose Tackle Jherron Jones (94) celebrates a forced
turnover against Shorter
28
The Tigers rang in the
new year ranked fourth
in GSC standings, com-
ing in on the heels of three
American Football Coaches
Association top-ranked teams
in No. 3 West Georgia (12-2,
6-1), No. 15 North Alabama
(9-3, 6-1) and No. 14 Valdosta
State (9-3, 5-2).
UWA went undefeated
against non-conference oppo-
nents in 2015 with wins over
Stillman College, Cumber-
land University, Miles College
and Texas A&M Kingsville.
The Tigers picked up their
three GSC victories with wins
over Shorter and Mississippi
College, along with an emo-
tional, fourth-quarter come-
back at Delta State.
Despite finishing just under
.500 in GSC action, the Tigers
boasted top honors in several
statistical categories across the
board.
West Alabama’s defense led
the conference in opponent
third down conversions, hold-
ing offenses to just 48 conver-
sions in 154 attempts (31.2%).
The Tigers’ defense also
ranked second in the GSC in
the opponent first-down cate-
gory, giving up just 195 on the
season. UWA’s front seven
ranked third in league play,
picking up 24 sacks for 158
yards.
Offensive Linemen take a break from the action during
the 2016 spring game
UWA’s veteran-led offen-
sive line unit led the league
in the sacks against col-
umn, surrendering only 11
sacks – six sacks less than
second-ranked Delta State (17)
– for a total of 67 yards.
The Tigers ranked second in
the GSC in rushing defense,
allowing just 144.2 yards per
game. West Alabama’s special
teams unit placed second in
punt return yards as well, av-
eraging 12.2 yards per return
in 2015.
Although four coaches part-
ed ways with Tiger football at
the end of the 2015 season, the
off-season coaching carousel
has slowed down, and three of
 FILLING IN THE BLANKS
the four empty slots have been
filled.
After working with the defen-
sive backs the last two seasons,
current defensive coordinator
Nathan Burton will take over
the vacancies left by former
linebacker coaches Thurmond
and Walker.
As for the program’s two new
hires, here’s what Gilliland
had to say about his new of-
fensive and special teams co-
ordinators:
“They bring an immense
wealth of knowledge. They
fit in really well with the staff,
and the players have respond-
ed to them well,” Gilliland
said. “That can make you re-
ally nervous at first, especially
with three new guys. You can
handle one or two, but with
three new coaches, you’re al-
ways wondering about the
staff dynamic and chemistry,
as well as how the players are
going to react to them. We’ve
picked up right where we left
off, and we’re taking leaps for-
ward.”
“Don Bailey is a well respect-
ed name in college football
and brings a wealth of offen-
sive knowledge to UWA,”
Gilliland said. “The offensive
production under his tute-
lage speaks for itself, but I am
equally excited about the pos-
itive attitude he brings with
him and the way he cares for
the players he coaches.”
Before coming to Livingston,
Bailey spent the 2014 season
at the Division I (FBS) level
as a part of the University of
Hawaii coaching staff, serving
as the Rainbow Warriors’ of-
fensive coordinator, quarter-
back coach, and running back
coach.
Prior to Hawaii, Bailey served
as the associate head coach
and offensive coordinator at
Idaho State from 2011-14. In
three seasons, he resurrected
ISU’s offense, taking them
from 114th (of 117) to placing
second in total offense (562
yards per game) and sixth in
points per game (40.3).
Don Bailey is a well
A dedicated student of offen-
sive production, Bailey brings respected name in
college football and brings
an invaluable skill-set devel-
oped over a 24-year career in
coaching. He has served as the
passing game coordinator at
South Dakota State, assistant
a wealth of
wide receiver coach at Weber
State and assistant offensive knowledge to UWA
coordinator at Montana State,
Cal-Poly, and Cheyney (Pa.).
Other coaching stops include Special teams coordinator and Chad Williams offers
quarterbacks and wide receiv- a piece of advice to a young defensive back
ers coach at Shepherd Col-
lege (W.V.) and wide receiv- Staying around the GSC, Wil- the 2014 season as a coaching
ers coach at Boise State and liams spent the 2014 season at intern with the Atlanta Fal-
alma-mater Portland State. West Georgia as the special cons of the NFL.
Bailey played quarterback for teams coordinator and line- Williams has also coached
Portland State from 1989-90. backer coach. There, his spe- at Jacksonville State where
Bailey’s résumé comes com- cial teams unit ranked first he managed defensive quality
plete with the numerous con- in kickoff returns, averaging control, Morehouse College
ference championship titles 25.1 yards per return and two as a defensive assistant and
he has been a part of through- TDs. The Wolves topped the Middle Tennessee State as a
out his extensive career. He punting column with an aver- graduate assistant. Williams
has trained three NFL draft age of 42.9 yards per punt and earned his Bachelor of Sci-
picks, 11 free agents, A Cana- fell just behind UWA in punt ence from Southern Missis-
dian Football League MVP, return yards, scoring one TD sippi in 2009, where he earned
16 all-conference and eight and averaging 12.2 yards per All-Conference USA honors
All-American players. return. He also spent part of as a defensive back.
“Chad brings with him a great
knowledge of GSC football on
the defensive side of the ball,
as well as in special teams. His
work ethic and demeanor are
going to be a great fit on our
staff and with our players,”
Gilliland said. “We are fortu-
nate to bring him back to his
home state and are excited to
see his impact on our football
team.”
Prior to coaching at West
Alabama, Williams served as
the defensive coordinator at
Valdosta State in 2015 where
his Blazer defense led the
league in turnover margin
(+10) and opponent fourth
down conversions, allowing
just six first downs on 20 at- Offensive coordinator Don Bailey huddles up with
tempts (30%). his lineman during the 2016 Spring Game
29
 2016 SPRING GAME RECAP
Despite t h e
game
clock constantly running for
the final two quarters, the
White team, comprised of the
first-string offense, recorded
476 yards of total offense in a
45-10 route of the Red team on
April 16 at Tiger Stadium.
“The White team offensive
came out and got on a pretty
good roll, scoring six touch-
downs in a row and then a field
goal on the seventh drive,” Gil-
liland said. “Rashad Lee, Lak-
endric Thomas and DaVonta
Parker-Johnson ran the ball
30
hard. I thought Austin [Gram-
mer] handled everything really
well and had a heck of day. He
played like a poised quarterback
who was comfortable with the
system.”
Grammer, a transfer student
and former Middle Tennessee
State University quarterback,
stole the show at West Alabama
Football’s 2016 Spring Game,
completing 20-of-21 passes for
307 yards and connected for
three scoring passes.
“We had several big plays out
of our wide receivers. Tray
Fletcher looks like a good ad-
dition to our wide receiver
group,” Gilliland said.
Wide receiver transfer Tray
Fletcher caught four passes for
137 yards and three TDs. Gram-
mer and Fletcher hooked up on
an 89-yard scoring pass with
1:46 left in the second quarter
to culminate Fletcher’s perfor-
mance on the gridiron.
Rashaad Lee was the game’s
leading rusher with 108 yards
on nine carries, including a
66-yard dash for six. His other
TD came on a bruising 2-yard
crawl at the goal line. Lakendric
Thomas carried the ball eight
times for a total of 56 yards.
The lone touchdown for the
Red Team came on a 25-yard
pass from Gabe Tiller to Hay-
wood Spencer. Tiller complet-
ed the day 8-of-17 passing while
picking up 97 yards through the
air.
Davonta Parker-Johnson was
the leading rusher for the Red
team, picking up 58 yards on
eight carries, and senior run-
ning back Robert Myers ran
12 times for 44 yards. Taderion
Myhand picked off a Harry Sat-
terwhite pass off a tipped ball.

AUSTIN GRAMMER
Quarterback (SR)
Grammer’s performance at
the annual Red-White Spring
Game should all but cement
the senior quarterback’s po-
sition at the top of the depth
chart for the Sept. 1 season
opener. Returning quarter-
backs Trent Thompson, Gabe
Tiller and Harry Satterwhite
will have a real challenge on
their hands at the start of fall
practice.
“I was talking to some guys be-
fore hand, and with this being
my fourth spring game, I kind
of feel like the old guy out
here,” Grammer said. “How-
ever, it was good to get out
here and finish up the spring
this way. I thought the offense
did well all day. Obviously,
Rashad and LT had some big
runs. Fletch had a good day. I
thought everyone up front did
excellent. It was probably the
best performance we’ve had all
spring.”
Born and raised in Tuscaloosa,
Ala., and a graduate of Ameri-
can Christian Academy (Ala.),
Grammer started all 12 games
of the 2014 season for MTSU.
Through the air, Grammer
completed 221 of 338 passes and
LOCKED & LOADED
HARRY SATTERWHITE
EARLY STANDOUTS
connected for 17 touchdowns,
ranking him 17th nationally in
completion percentage at 65.4.
On the ground, he rushed for
442 yards and picked up an ad-
ditional six TDs
Grammer played in 10 games
for the Blue Raiders in 2013,
completing 21 of 46 passes for
190 yards and one touchdown.
The redshirt-freshman rushed
for 169 yards and two scores.
This season, he played both
receiver and quarterback,
completing 6 of 9 passes for
45 yards and a touchdown,
rushing for 70 yards and a TD
while catching nine passes
for 111 yards. He had a 15-yard
touchdown pass against Ala-
bama on Sept. 12, 2015.
TRAY FLETCHER
Wide Receiver (JR)
Fletcher tallied four recep-
tions for 137 yards and three
scoring catches in a dominant
performance by the White
team in the 2016 Spring Game.
“I had a pretty efficient and
consistent day,” Fletcher said.
“My spring started slow be-
cause I had to fight through
some injuries, but I am back
now.”
Hailing from Hiram, Ga.,
TRENT THOMPSON
Fletcher came to UWA after
transferring from Dean Junior
College in Franklin, Mass.
The 5-foot-9, 190-pound wide
receiver led the Bulldogs with
19 receptions for 295 yards and
four touchdowns in eight ap-
pearances. He totaled 98 yards
and two TDs on 38 carries
and returned eight punts for
a 22.5-yard average and anoth-
er score. His 573 all-purpose
yards and 42 points scored was
also tops for Dean.
Fletcher ended his McEachern
(Ga.) High School career as
the 19th best prospect in the
state of Georgia. He began his
collegiate career at Arkansas
State, making the move to the
junior college level after his
freshman season.
RASHAAD LEE
Running Back (JR)
Lee led the West Alabama
rushing attack in 2015, picking
up 455 yards rushing on 109
carries. The Tiger’s powerful
back, out of Pensacola, Fla.,
led the team in touchdowns
with seven.
If Lee is eyeing the No. 1 spot
on the depth-chart, he certain-
ly made a powerful case for
himself in the 2016 Red-White
GABE TILLER
Game, picking up 108 yards
and two TDs on just nine
rushing attempts.
TADERION MYHAND
Free Safety (JR)
Myhand played in 11 games for
the Tigers in 2015, recording
35 tackles (15 solo tackles), 2.0
TFLs and 0ne interception
with a 46-yard return. A junior
out of Troy, Ala., Myhand had
the only interception in the
2016 Red-White Game, pick-
ing off a pass from Harry Sat-
terwhite in the fourth quarter.
“My defensive line gave me a
good rush, and the pass got de-
flected by one of the lineback-
ers, so all I had to do was play
the tipped ball,” Myhand said
after making the interception.
“We had some guys out today
that really affected the Red
team’s performance on de-
fense,” Gilliland said. “We laid
out some big hits and brought
the same physicality they’ve
shown all spring. Seeing that
excites us more than anything.
We’re out here and we’re hit-
ting hard; we’re not just going
through the motions. Our
guys are here to practice and
get something out of it.”
AUSTIN GRAMMER
31
FINAL THOUGHTS ON SPRING
BRETT GILLILAND
What are some of your final thoughts on
the team at the end of spring practice?

“We’re excited to get into the off-season work out pro-

gram and continue to let the guys work with Coach Boyd
to get stronger and faster. We have several months before
the season gets here, but today offered just a little taste of
what’s to come. I’m ready to watch these guys put in the
work to get there.”

AUSTIN GRAMMER
What is it like to be a transfer student,
and how have you adapted?

“Coming in as a transfer, you never really know how the

guys are going to react to you. It was really humbling to
me to see them accept me like they did. They talk about
brotherhood all the time here, and that’s what it feels like:
a brotherhood. I think we have a lot of great players out
here who are capable of making big plays. The offensive
line is outstanding, we have a lot of running backs who are
really good, and our receiving corps is deep as well. I think
this team has a lot of ability.”

TRAY FLETCHER
What has it been like transitioning to
a new offensive system?

“We have put in a lot of work and study time so far this
offseason. Everything is new, including the coaching staff.
That means we have new routes, new route combinations
and new blocking schemes to master. We have a good
quarterback and good offensive line that gives him a lot of
time in the pocket.”

32
 2016 SEASON SCHEDULE
at NORTH GREENVILLE
Thursday, Sept. 1
6 p.m.
vs DELTA STATE at WEST GEORGIA
Saturday, Oct. 8 Saturday, Oct. 15
4 p.m.
AT NORTH GREENVILLE
West Alabama opens up
the 2016 season on the road
against GSC newcomer,
North Greenville University.
NGU enters the conference
as a football-only member,
increasing the number of pro-
grams competing for the GSC
Football Championship to 10
(West Florida Football kicks
off its inaugural season in 2016
as well). The Crusaders will
not have full schedule access
of championship eligibility
until 2018.
Fielding their first team in
1994, NGU started as a mem-
ber of the NAIA, but has
spent the past 14 seasons as a
Division II independent. The
Crusaders have made four Na-
tional Christian College Ath-
letic Association Victory Bowl
appearances, claiming three
titles in 2006, 2010 and 2014.
NGU has a 1-3 all-time record
against GSC opponents and
lost its only Division II playoff
appearance to Delta State in
2011.
AT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN
The schedule doesn’t get any
easier with a week two trip
to Division I FCS Southland
Conference member Stephen
F. Austin. The Lumberjacks,
who face FCS powerhous-
es McNeese State and Sam
Houston State on a yearly
basis, sit in a three-way tie for
fifth in conference standings.
at STEPHEN F. AUSTIN at MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE
Saturday, Sept. 10 Saturday, Sept. 17
6 p.m. 7 p.m.
vs FLORIDA TECH
Saturday, Oct. 22
1 p.m. 6 p.m.
Coming off of a 4-7 rebuild-
ing year, Stephen F. Austin is
loaded with young talent that
could spell trouble for the Ti-
gers in Nacogdoches.
VS NORTH ALABAMA
The Tigers look to avenge
their season-ending, 52-14 loss
at Braly Stadium in West Ala-
bama’s first home game of the
2016 season.
The Lions’ shared a GSC ti-
tle with West Georgia in 2015;
however, they have had a
tough time finding a replace-
ment for veteran-quarterback
Luke Wingo during the off-
season. UNA head coach Bob-
by Wallace said that he plans
on using a tandem-QB system,
splitting playing time between
redshirt-freshman Blake Haw-
kins and fifth-year senior Ty-
ler Grigsby, with Jacob Tucker
working his way into the rota-
tion.
VS DELTA STATE
UWA narrowly escaped
Cleveland, Miss., with a 41-38
victory in 2015, capping off a
fourth-quarter comeback with
a 23-yard field goal by senior
kicker Mark Grant with just
19 seconds left. Expect the
Statesmen to come ready to
play all 60 minutes at Tiger
Stadium in the fall.
Returning to DSU’s roster in
2016 are fifth-year senior quar-
terback Tyler Sullivan and se-
nior running back D’Juan Bel-
laire. Combined with a young
vs NORTH ALABAMA vs SHORTER
Saturday, Sept. 24 Thursday, September 29
6 p.m. 6 p.m.
at WEST FLORIDA vs VALDOSTA STATE vs MALONE
Saturday, Oct. 29 Saturday, Nov. 5 Saturday, Nov. 12
Noon 2 p.m. 2 p.m.
but speedy receiving corps, for 17 TDs and averaged 6.1
the Statesmen’s offense could yards per carry. The Blazers
pose a threat. Look for junior will also have to find a stand-
safety Nick Houston and se- in for quarterback EJ Hilliard.
nior defensive lineman Sifa The dual-threat field marshall
Finau to create a disruption on passed for 2,425 total yards and
the defensive side of the ball. 22 TDs while rushing for 569
yards on the season and an ex-
AT WEST GEORGIA
tra three scores.
The Wolves are coming off of
Defensively, however, the
their third consecutive season
Blazers are sitting pretty as
in which they claimed some
sophomore linebacker Mal-
portion of the GSC regular
colm McClenton returns after
season title. West Georgia lost
leading the team in TFLs (7.0)
just twice in 2015, dropping
and tying for first in intercep-
one regular season matchup to
tions (3).
conference-opponent Florida
Be sure to keep up with Ti-
Tech 28-26 before seeing their
ger Football on the official
season end at the hands of
website for The University of
Northwest Missouri State in
West Alabama Athletics at
the NCAA Division II Semi-
uwaathletics.com. Scheduling
finals.
information, real-time statis-
VS VALDOSTA STATE tics and live audio and video
Valdosta State will have to
coverage are also available on
replace 1,000-yard rusher Ce- the site.
dric O’Neal who accounted
Linebacker Jahmal Jones (51) and offensive tackle
Dresden Williams (79) await West Gerogia’s call.
33

Story by Paige Ip
Photos by Joe Chance
Ashley Philips going in for a one-on-one against West Florida
It’s 8:30
a.m. and the alarm is blaring.
Half awake, Ashley Phillips,
senior captain of the Men’s
Soccer team, rolls out of bed
to prepare for his day. Stum-
bling into the kitchen, he
prepares his morning por-
ridge and changes just be-
fore heading out the door.
The first two hours of his day
are spent training to improve
his work on the pitch. After
a one-on-one session with his
assistant coach doing differ-
ent training drills on the field,
Ashley heads to the gym for
an hour long workout pro-
gram he does five days a week.
“As a graduate student,
my classes are held at night
which gives me all day to fo-
cus on being a better football
player and completing all my
assignments,” said Phillips.
“I’m playing football over
the summer in Pennsylvania,
so I am focusing on getting
ready for that at the moment.”
The life of any graduate level
34
student usually consists of
a very demanding sched-
ule filled with lengthy
papers, tedious assign-
ments, and challenging
tests. Add the obligations
tied with being a college lev-
el athlete into the mix, and
the workload nearly triples.
“It is very difficult trying to
balance both my schoolwork
and my responsibilities as an
athlete. The fact that I am en-
rolled in three graduate classes
when most students usually
only take one makes things a
bit busier for me.” said Ashley.
Ashley is a senior gradu-
ate student studying sports
management here at the Uni-
versity of West Alabama. He
completed his undergraduate
Interdisciplinary studies de-
gree here at the university in
December.
Ashley is originally from
Milton Keynes, England. He
has been in America for three
years, during which he has
played for the UWA Men’s
Soccer team. Ashley has been
playing soccer since he was
four years old.
After his sessions at the gym
and training, Ashley says he
A Day
in the
Life
usually comes back to shower
and start on his schoolwork.
“I usually spend four hours
a day doing assignments. It’s
because I am taking so many
hours that I have to do so
much work. I knew that taking
so many classes would be dif-
ficult, but I wanted to get my
masters degree as soon as pos-
sible,” said Ashley.
My main focus while in
America is obviously my
education, that is what
is most important.
After a strenuous day of com-
pleting his assignments, Ash-
ley heads to class. “I have class
three days a week. I know it
doesn’t seem like much, but
these classes are so hard it’s a
joke. My main focus while in
America is obviously my ed-
ucation, that is what is most
important,” stated Phillips.
Once he sits through a two
and a half hour class, Ashley
heads straight for practice.
He typically finishes training
around 9:30 p.m. Sometimes
,he even has to finish his as-
signments after his long,
strenuous practices.
“It’s difficult to find time to
do the things that I want to
do with all of my responsibil-
ities. Every now and then I’ll
get to Skype home to speak
to my family and mates, but I
am usually always busy with
school.” said Phillips.
Once he finishes his long day
of school and practice, and
spends a bit of the occasion-
al free time to do the things
he likes, Ashley goes to bed,
sets his alarm for 8:30 the next
morning, and prepares to do it
all again the next day.
 35
Ashley Phillips handling the ball at Tiger Stadium 23
UWA baseball celebrating their GSC Championship win

SmallTown, B
Story by Callie Murphy
Photos by Joe Chance

Sports fanatics of all ages will gather at Webb Hall on the Univer- While browsing the 850-square-foot exhibit, visitors can hear
sity of West Alabama’s campus for the ribbon cutting ceremony stories from influential athletes from the community through the
for the traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibit, “Hometown “Black Box,” part of the exhibit.
Teams: How Sports Shape America, A Museum on Main Street” “The black box is a video and photo booth that is placed at each
on Wednesday, Sept. 14. Hometown Teams exhibit two weeks prior to opening,” said Chris-
The exhibit is presented by the Center for the Study of the Black tiansen. “Each hometown takes prominent past athletes, current
Belt Museum, with help from the Smithsonian and pays tribute to athletes, and lovers of sports, to tell past sports stories.”
the last 100 years of American athletics. Sumter County and UWA For many visitors, this exhibit will bring back memories and their
sports will be a feature in the exhibit. passion for specific sports. One individual who plans to make an
“This is our county’s chance to show our sports success and histo-
ry,” said Amy Christiansen, Director of the exhibit and Black Belt
Archivist.
The history of the community, along with the impacts that both
Livingston and Sumer County have made in sports, is what the
“Hometown Teams” exhibit is all about.
“Think of all the people in Sumter County that have influenced
sports in America,” said Tina Jones, member of the exhibit commit-
tee. “Tonya Butler was the first female to ever score a field goal in a
NCAA relegated football game.”
According to maxpreps.com, Butler accomplished this feat on
Sept. 13, 2003, while playing for the University of West Alabama.
This accomplishment opened a gateway for females to achieve
equality in athletics all over the nation.
Tanner Rainey making a catch
36
Big Impact
I love this town and all
the ways that Livingston
has shaped me...
appearance is former UWA Baseball team member and current Mi-
nor League pitcher Tanner Rainey.
“I think the exhibit is a great idea,” said Rainey. “I love this town
and all of the ways that Livingston has shaped me and prepared me
for my future in sports. The memories I made here, like winning the
GSC Championship, will be something I tell the kids someday.”
Athletes who have made a name for themselves and put Sumter
County on the map like Rainey and Butler have, could be some of
the athletes who are featured in the Black Box exhibit when it makes
its journey to Livingston on Sept. 14.

UWA football making a tackle

37
 West Alabama
and Beyond:
Evan Beutler’s journey from Tiger Stadium to the professional league
Story by Paige Ip
Photos by Joe Chance
Evan Beutler, the starting at-
tacking midfielder and captain
for the UWA Men’s soccer
team, recently said farewell to
his southern roots in order to
accomplish something every
college athlete hopes for.
Only a few months after he
graduated, Beutler was offered
the chance to play professional
indoor soccer in Detroit, Mich.
“I am completely honored to
have been given this opportuni-
ty to carry on my love for soccer
beyond my college career. My
time on the men’s team at UWA
was one that I will always re-
member because it helped shape
me into the player I am today,”
said Beutler.
Beutler played a total of 52
games for the UWA Tigers. He
scored a total of 13 goals with
eight assists to complement. He
was recognized for his amazing
skill and team-oriented mindset
on the field.
“Evan was one of the transfers
we brought in. He had experi-
ence, but it wasn’t just his talent
on the field it was his attitude
and effort. He was always giv-
ing 100 percent. That is how
he became captain of the team.
He was always so profession-
al. He did everything perfect
38
on the field, off the field and in
the classroom,” said Matthew
Thorne, head coach for the
UWA Men’s Soccer Team.
Beutler was known by his
teammates as the dedicated
player who picked up everyone’s
spirits.
“It was a pleasure to play with
Evan because he was always a
team player and worked hard for
We had a quality team,
quality traning sessions,
and a quality program.
the team regardless of the situ-
ation and will always give you a
100 percent,” said Alex Brown,
central defender for the men’s
soccer team.
Beutler’s college career began
long before his time here at
UWA. He began playing when
he was just three years old and
played for a university that he
attended prior to his transfer to
West Alabama.
“I was looking to transfer from
Lipscomb University where
I played college soccer first,”
Beutler said. “I was looking for
a better fit with a more positive
environment and coach. The
University of West Alabama
had everything I was looking for
in a soccer program. I also knew
UWA was going to be a first-year
program, and I thought it would
be exciting to start a soccer pro-
gram from scratch and set a high
standard from the start.”
Beutler always dreamed of go-
ing on to play professional soc-
cer after college and says that
his time at UWA helped take
him to the next level.
“I think the level of prepara-
tion at UWA and the intense
training that we always had was
on such a high level, even for
a division two school. People
look down upon division two
sometimes, and I think that the
constant encouragement from
Coach Thorne to be better real-
ly helped us to prove ourselves.
We had a quality team, quality
training sessions and a quali-
ty program that, I think, really
helped prepare me for the next
level,” stated Evan.
Beutler is playing soccer for a
team out of Detroit, Michigan.
WAZA Flo is a pro indoor soc-
cer team in the Major Arena
Soccer League.
“Evan is a class act, so I wasn’t
surprised when he went on to
play professional after UWA,”
said Thorne. “I’m delighted for
him. Like I said, he always had
the talent, character and work
ethic. He is the perfect profes-
sional and I was very proud to
see him continue.”
Beutler said he has no plan to
end his soccer career anytime
soon. His ultimate goal is to
go on to play for Real Madrid.
Beutler is one of the many Tigers
who went on to play on a profes-
sional level after their time at
UWA. His journey is proof that
anything can be accomplished
with hard work, talent and ded-
ication.
I am
completely honored
to have been given
this opportunity to
carry on my love for soccer beyond my col-
lege career. My time on the men’s team at
UWA I will always remember because it
helped shape me into the player I am today.

39
 The
Sky’s
the
Limit
Libby Davis going in for a catch
From humble beginnings to the wild blue yonder, West Alabama soft-
ball’s Libby Davis will hang up her cleats for good at the end of the
2016 season for a career in the U.S. Air Force Reserves.
“I am excited to move on to my next adventure,” Davis said, “It has
been a great experience for me, but it is sad that my career at UWA is
coming to a close.”
Davis officially swore in to the Air Force Reserves on Jan. 9, 2016.
Although the Military Enlistment Program caused her to miss several
games during the season, she posted UWA’s second best batting aver-
age of .348 in addition to a .580 slugging percentage.
Throughout her sophomore season, Davis posted the second most
home runs (6), second most hits (39), second most runs (23) and third
most RBI’s (25). Davis has garnered a 1.000 field percentage, including
42 putouts and three assists while playing leftfield, centerfield and a
four-inning stent as the Tiger’s catcher.
A 14-year veteran of the game, Davis’ athletic prowess is not merely
contained to the softball diamond. Since age five, the Tigers’ slugger
has also performed in volleyball, soccer, dance and majorettes.
“I got into softball because my older sister played and I wanted to be
just like her. Turns out, I was pretty good at it,” Davis said.
40
Story by John McClung
Photos by Joe Chance
Showing a cool confidence at the plate, the path to West Alabama and
the Air Force Reserves has not been easy for Davis. Growing up in
Dothan, Ala., Davis and her family moved over to neighboring Florida
and the town of Niceville.
“My biggest challenge has always been just starting off at the bottom,
especially in high school,” Davis said. “Nobody knew my name when
I transferred and we did not come from money, so I had to work really
hard to become somebody. It paid off because I ended up getting a col-
lege scholarship for softball.”
To make matters worse, Davis’ parents separated when she was 10
years old, and the financial burden of raising not one but two daugh-
ters fell on Davis’ mother, Alicia Davis. However, the struggle her
mother endured was not forgotten.
“She raised my sister and me by herself,” Davis said. “She worked her
butt off to take care of us, and she still somehow found a way to go
back to college and pay for me to play travel softball and travel soccer.
“I always call her Super Momma because of everything she was able
to accomplish and still managed to raise my sister and me, and I know
we were a handful.”
Graduating from Niceville High
School in 2014, Davis packed her
bags and left the Sunshine State
for the wide-open landscape of
Sumter County, Ala., where she
began to flourish.
“I think my breakthrough came
when I graduated high school
and came up here to UWA,” Da-
vis said. “When I came up here
I knew I could start with a clean
slate and make a name for myself
how I wanted it.”
It didn’t take long for Davis to
get her name out as she opened
her first home collegiate game
with two homeruns and a dou-
ble in game one of a double-
header against Miles College,
accounting for three runs and
six runs-batted-in in a 23-3 rout
My breakthrough came
when I graduated from
named Gulf South Conference
Softball Freshman of the Week
in February 2015, becoming the
first Tiger to earn the honor in
program history.
“I work hard on and off the
field. I work out and practice on
my own and I work very hard on
my schoolwork. To me, grades
are just as important as being
successful on the field,” Davis
said.
Davis’ work in the field speaks
for itself, but her academic ac-
colades may speak even louder.
During her freshman season
in 2015, Davis earned NFCA
All-American Scholar Athlete
honors, along with being named
to the GSC Academic Honor
Roll.
hard and make myself better in
order to achieve it. My career in
the Air Force will help that goal
tremendously.”
Davis enlisted in the Air Force
Reserve as a Fusion Analyst in
the Intelligence Unit stationed
at Hurlburt Field Air Force Base
in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Fusion analysts determine the
value and implications of intel-
ligence gathered through target
network communications. Ana-
lytics specialists then gauge the
possible impact of the informa-
tion where their findings are
then distributed to high-level
decision-makers so that the Air
Force can protect not only it
Airmen, but also American ci-
vilians.
“I wasn’t ever interested in the
military until this past summer,”
Davis said. “I hated being away
from home and not being able
to help my family out when
Davis’ dream job in the Federal
Bureau of Investigations isn’t all
too different from her future ca-
reer in the Air Force Reserve as
a Fusion Analyst.
“My mom used to always tell
me to follow my dreams. I have
always had big dreams for my-
self ever since I was a kid. It
began with me wanting to be a
singer, then a lawyer, and now a
behavior analyst in the FBI.
Davis will begin Basic Training
over the summer before enter-
ing into a specialized, six-month
training program in fusion ana-
lytics.
“My high school coach was a
retired airman and he was very
hard on us and very strict,” Da-
vis said. “Softball has given me
discipline. More importantly, it
has taught me it’s okay to fail,
but I can’t give up.”
Ever the dedicated student, Da-
vis will continue her education
at the University of West Flori-

high school and came to they needed it. I also missed my

UWA
of the Golden Bears.
Posting a .750 batting average
at the plate in game one and hit-
ting .571 in game two, Davis was
“I set goals that challenge me,”
Davis said. “I don’t want to set
a goal that I can accomplish in
an hour I want to have to work
friends a lot.”
We have neighbors that are in
the AF Reserves and they con-
vinced me to try it because it
allows for me to come home and
still have my school paid for and
I also get to work in a field that
is very similar to my dream job.”
da, although she has stated that
she will not join the Argonauts
softball club.
Davis said that she is consid-
ering becoming an officer in the
Air Force reserve and plans on
serving the full 20-year term of
service.

I am excited
to move on
to my next
adventure,
but it is sad
that my ca-
reer at UWA
is coming to
a close.

41
 Coming
Full
Circle
Story by Weldon Fultz
Photos by Weldon Fultz
Speigal, Billy Fultz and Randy Smith at the award ceremony

The
Marengo County Sports Hall
of Fame inducted Billy Fultz
into its ranks on Feb. 8, 2016, as
tribute to all of his accomplishments in the
amateur and professional realms of sports.

The organization has inducted many significant athletes and
coaches from the past decades and eras of Marengo County,
recognizing their tremendous athletic feats and experiences. Being
selected and inducted is considered a highly prestigious award.
“It was an overwhelming experience to be in the same room and
being mentioned in the same breath as many of my heroes and role
models growing up and playing sports,” Fultz said.
Fultz was introduced and presented with the award by his close
friend and former competitor, Barry Lyons, who also went on to
play professional baseball as a teammate alongside Fultz.
“I remember going up against ole’ Fultz when he played for Hoss
Bowlin and the first pitch he threw was a 90 mph fastball right
under my chin,” Lyons said.
Fultz was a standout athlete from Marengo Academy,
graduating in 1975 as a Letterman in three sports. While in high
school, he was the quarterback of the football team, the leading
scorer on the basketball team and one of the Longhorns’ most
devastating pitchers.
According to Fultz, his passion for sports grew from his father
always pushing him to be the best, instilling work ethics that would
continue to drive him through his athletic career.
“I can still remember spending countless hours working with my
dad, whether it was hitting baseballs and throwing hundreds of
pitches off the mound, running through every play in the playbook
or learning to how to perform a jump shot from anywhere on the
court. I wanted to be the best,” Fultz recalled.
After high school, he signed to the University of Montevallo’s
baseball team as a third baseman and was given the first ever
awarded full-ride scholarship by the university.
After a year of playing for Montevallo, Fultz decided to transfer

42

to Livingston University to
be closer to his hometown of
Linden. He played first
and second base but
primarily showed his skills as
an overwhelming pitcher and
designated hitter during his
career at the university. He
became known for pitching,
reaching speeds as high as 94
mph with his fastball.
While playing for Livingston,
which is now known as the
University of West Alabama,
Fultz showed how much of
an outstanding pitcher he
was by setting records for the
school. He held most strike-
outs in a single season with
72 strikeouts in 1979 and 51
strikeouts in 1980. He also held
the most consecutive strike-
outs in a single game with six
consecutive strikeouts in 1980.
In addition to his pitch-
ing skills, Fultz also held the
highest batting average on the
team in 1979 with a batting
average of .384. He was also
Fultz’s team photo with the Mets
named to the All-Gulf South
Conference team in his junior
year as a designated hitter.
After his college career,
Fultz signed with the New
York Mets as a free agent.
He began his Minor League
career at Class A Lynchburg
Sports will always be my
true passion, no matter
what I’m doing
in 1982 and ended in 1986 with
AAA Tidewater. During this
time, he also played for the
Jackson Mets.
Fultz also played a full
season of Winter League
Baseball in the Dominican
Republic, which he says was
one of the most humbling and
exciting experiences of his
life. While in the Dominican
Republic, Fultz married his
then-fiancé, Paula McClinton.
While playing during his
last year with AAA Tidewa-
ter, Fultz threw out his back
and was required to have sur-
gery. He missed the remaining
season and had to spend
months in rehab to recovery
from his injury.
After his minor league ca-
reer, Fultz was contacted by
the Detroit Tigers to attend
spring training, but elected to
come back home to Marengo
County to be a husband to his
wife, Paula, and a father.
In 1994, while working in
his professional career, Fultz
received a call from the
Cincinnati Reds during
the infamous Major
League Baseball Strike of ’94.
He was asked to try out as a
replacement pitcher for the
Reds. Fultz made the team
and moved up to the number
two pitcher as the opening
day neared, but with less than
24 hours before the season
opener, the strike ended,
officially ending his baseball
career.
“Sports will always be my
true passion, no matter what
I’m doing, and it’s been a
blessing to pass my knowledge
onto my children,” Fultz said.
Even though his athletic
career ended, Fultz remained
involved with sports by
coaching his three sons,
Thomas, Weldon and
Colston, teaching them the
games in the same way his
father taught him.
43
 Rodeo
Recoveri
Across
the street from the Julia
Tutwiler Library, Dandy
Don’s restaurant is a place
for both college kids and
elderly locals to grab a
burger or chicken fingers and fries, and a large sugary sweet tea. The
walls of Dandy Don’s are covered in pictures from all ages, includ-
ing Christmas cards of families and various sports pictures from the
University of West Alabama. Among one of the pictures on the wall,
is a signed picture of a boy named Zach Wilson in a rodeo uniform.
Wilson, who was recruited by rodeo coach Alex Caudle in 2013, is
a wrangler and member of the University of West Alabama’s rodeo
team. The University of West Alabama’s Rodeo Showdown is the
only collegiate rodeo showdown in the state of Alabama. UWA is
the only college in Alabama, Georgia or Florida that includes a rodeo
program as a part of its athletic department.
In the first week of June, and Wilson had just finished up the third
year of his college rodeo career. As the 2013 National College Calf
Roping Champion, the 2013 Ozark Region Tie Down Roping Cham-
pion, and had just finished sixth in the 2014 Ozark Region Tie Down
Roping competition, Wilson began the first week of June at his home
in Clanton with his horse Magic preparing and practicing for the
next rodeo that came his way.
June 5, began just like any other ordinary sunny summer day for
Wilson, with a fringed rope in hand and his old dusty boots with
spurs, he walked from his parent’s house to the horse’s pen and turn
out for a daily routine practice. Suddenly though, Wilson’s every day
routine practice halted to a stop when the horse he was practicing
with fell onto him, crushing his foot.
“Well I was warming a horse up at home when the horse fell on me.
44
My foot wouldn’t come out of the stirrup. The horse basically broke
every bone in my foot,” Wilson said.
After being referred to three different doctors, Wilson finally had
surgery five days later.
“I have 13 screws, two pins and a plate. I kept getting referred to
other doctors because they all said it was out of their league,” Wilson
said.
With a blue and black bruised broken foot in five different places,
Wilson had to take the year off from the University of West Ala-
bama’s rodeo team and competing in rodeos.
“I got red shirted, basically like a football player,” Wilson said. “But
I’ll be back next year to compete. I have to graduate anyways.”
Like college football, a member of the rodeo team can only partici-
pate for four years. Since Wilson would technically be a senior this
year for the team, and this year would be his last year to participate,
he was red shirted so he can compete in the rodeos next year. Ac-
cording to Wilson, he is taking most of his harder classes this year so
he can focus more on rodeo skills next year.
“I’ve missed four collegiate rodeos before I was cleared. So it didn’t
make sense to try and play catch up when I have to come back a fifth
year to graduate,” Wilson said.
According to Daniel Poole, the assistant coach of the rodeo team,
Wilson has been working extremely hard to get his foot back to
where it was before the injury, and he spends a great amount of time
in the athletic training room. Poole will even receive Snapchats of
Wilson from Wilson and other rodeo members when Wilson is in
the training room, showing Poole what new exercise the trainers
have him doing that day.
“Some guys will tell you they are doing whatever it takes to get
healthy again. Zach doesn’t just say it, he means it,” Poole said.
Wilson stayed in a cast through August 3, and then started therapy
 Story by Emily Edwards
ies
Photo by Joe R Chance
Zach Wilson wrestling down a bull in a rodeo meet.
the next week.
“I’m practicing twice a day now to get back stronger than I was,”
Wilson said.
According to Poole, Wilson was released earlier than expected to
practice, and the day that Wilson found out that he could practice
with “light activity,” head rodeo coach Alex Caudle stayed late after
practice because Wilson wanted to keep practicing. “Light activity”
for Wilson, according to Poole, is tying down calves over and over
again in 100 degree weather until Wilson completely exhausts him-
self.
“I tie and stuff with the guys still,” Wilson said.
Although Wilson cannot compete this year, he still spends hours
at the Don C. Hines rodeo arena on campus, tending to the stock
and making sure his horse Magic stays fit and ready for competitions.
Tie-down roping, or calf roping, is one of the most competitive
events in a rodeo. Just like most other events, tie-down roping comes
from the classic cowboy skills on a ranch. A cowboy must know how
to rope and tie-down a calf on the ranch in order to brand the calf or
give the calf medicine or to help a sick or injured calf.
In the arena, a tie-down roper must tie the calf up within seconds
in the quickest time possible. The cowboy is mounted on his horse
while attempting to rope the calf. Once the calf is roped around its
neck, the cowboy jumps of his horse, runs to the calf, and ties three
of the calf’s legs together with a six foot pigging string making sure
to turn, flip, and tie-down the calf the correct way without hurting
the calf or getting disqualified.
The cowboy’s horse must also be pulling the rope tight that is
around the calf’s neck while during that time, so the cowboy’s horse
must know when and what to do and must be highly trained for the
event. The cowboy throws his hands in the air to show that he has
completed the run, and then runs back to his horse and mounts it.
He then will move his horse forward to give the rope that is tied
around the calf’s neck some slack. The cowboy must wait six sec-
onds to see if the calf will remain tied-down. If the calf gets loose, the
cowboy is disqualified. If the calf stays tied-down, the cowboy will
receive his time, and the times event will be complete. The quickest
cowboy to complete this event wins. This is why Wilson must keep
his horse Magic in top shape and must continue to practice with her.
“I keep my horse Magic right outside of town at a guy’s house named
Mike Gould,” Wilson said. “He helps me with my roping. He helped
me get to where I was the year I won the finals.”
A broken foot for Wilson does not mean he will be any less of a
competition in the rodeo arena next year.
“I have been rodeoing with Zach since I was in the 10th grade, both
in non-collegiate and collegiate competitions,” said Andy Phillips,
former UWA rodeo member. “And as long as I’ve known Zach, he
has always pushed himself for excellence. If I know Zach like I think
I do, this injury is just a bump in the road to the National Finals Ro-
deo,” Phillips said.
So when next year rolls around, Wilson will be ready and set to ride
and rodeo.
As the 2013 National College Calf Roping Champion, Wilson won
in 9.9 seconds.All it took for him to tie-down a calf is 9.9 seconds,
but it takes years and hours to make those 9.9 seconds count. Once
you’ve made it to a national title, how much further up can one go?
Wilson has already made it to the top. But there are many, many
more shiny buckles, leather saddles, and national titles to win. In
the end, it’s not all about the boots, buckles, saddles, or titles, it’s all
about the rodeo.
“I would be willing to bet that he will go this whole year without
missing a practice and will be feared when he pulls up to that first
rodeo in the fall of 2016,” Poole said.
45

Many
would not even consider being
able to play two sports in col-
lege. One girl who is breaking
the mold as a dual-sport athlete is
freshman Blair Bullock, a mem-
ber of both the rodeo and basket-
ball teams.
Some consider these sports
polar opposites, and even Bull-
ock admitted, “They’re a little
different, but I couldn’t decide
between the two.”
Bullock is a small town girl
from McAlpin, Fla. “Livingston
is so much bigger than I’m used
to. My hometown only had one
caution light,” she said.
Bullock started playing youth
basketball when she “started to
admire basketball after watching
Michael Jordan and the Chicago
Bulls of the 90s.
She started for her high school
team as a point guard and played
that position all four years.
She recalled that her highest
scoring total was 37 points in her
sophomore year. She also said, “I
remember in the fourth quarter I
tried to make a three-pointer to
get to 40.”
Bullock said, “I’ve always been
a shooter in basketball, I try to
focus my attention on that when
I’m training.”
46
Freshman
Shoots Hoops,
Ropes Cows
She finished her high school ca-
reer averaging over 15 points and
5 rebounds per game. She made
top five in the State of Florida
in her division, scoring 17 points
per game and hooting at over
40 percent from the field as well
as 40 percent behind the three
point line.
Bullock is known as a deadeye
three point shooter and has al-
ready shown her talents in her
first few games at UWA.
The UWA Tigers women’s bas-
ketball has gotten off to a 3-0 start
with the help of Bullock coming
in at backup shooting guard.
Bullock is an outgoing girl who
wants to help her teammates in
every game. She also said, “I al-
ways wanna be supporting my
teammates in everything that I
do, whether it’s cheering while
on the sideline or in the game
when I make a big shot.”
Bullock said, “My teammates
are always coming to my events
and games, and it’s awesome to
get the different crowds to mix
together.”
Rodeo is considered to be one of
the most physical and demand-
ing sports that are sponsored by
college universities.
The women’s rodeo team of
Story by Cameron Eggers
Photo by Joe Chance
UWA is currently in first place in
their region.
Bullock was raised around hors-
es and this is what got her inter-
ested into rodeo. She competed
in breakaway competitions, rop-
ing, and team roping. She won a
world championship in 2014 at a
youth rodeo for breakaway calf
roping.
The requirements of rodeo have
challenged Bullock since her be-
ginnings at UWA. Bullock wakes
up at 5:00 a.m., hours before reg-
ular people begin their morning
routines.
She has to be up before dawn
to feed and care for her animals
that she competes with every day
of the year. These animals are her
responsibility, and she has to do
everything for them, including
cleaning out their barn stalls.
In preparation for her events she
trains for hours on end to make
sure she has the best skills to
compete.
Some may wonder what hap-
pens if there is a rodeo event and
a basketball game at the same
time. Bullock said, “It’s not easy
to pick between the two, but bas-
ketball comes first as it is more of
a team sport. I always want to be
there to help my teammates in
everything I do.”
Recently, Bullock had a rodeo
event in Arkansas and a basket-
ball game at Troy against South-
ern Miss.
Bullock went to the rodeo event
on Friday night, competed in her
event, and then went on to drive
for six hours to be at the basket-
ball game with her team.
Bullock chose UWA because it
was the only college or university
that would allow her to compete
in both sports, even offering her a
scholarship to do so.
This was all it took as she had
already toured and loved the
campus.
Some may wonder how train-
ing differs. Bullock said, “Roping
requires a lot of hand eye coor-
dination, just like basketball.”
Consequently, Bullock is simul-
taneously trains for both sports
whether on the court or in the
arena.
UWA has given her the oppor-
tunity to compete and continue
her dream of competing in the
national rodeo circuit after col-
lege, and she hopes to younger
athletes who excel in two sports.
 Blair Bullock cheers on her teamates as the score is made

“It’s not easy to pick between the two,

but basketball comes first as it is more of
a team sport. I always want to be there to
help my teammates in everything I do.”

47