parade7 1 The first UAB Blazers Football Day was a blazin' success — University of Alabama at Birmingham dancers and Mayor Woodfin pumping up the crowd of UAB fans on UAB Blazers Football Day. Photo by Hilary Meares of Bham Now

Last Friday, January 18, Mayor Randall Woodfin and the city of Birmingham honored the UAB Football team on the first ever UAB Blazers Football Day.

Many Reasons to Celebrate

The parade was held to celebrate UAB’s monumental season, which included 11 wins, a conference championship and the school’s first bowl game win. Everyone from Head Coach Bill Clark, the 2018 UAB football team and Miss UAB herself paraded through the town to be celebrated for their accomplishments.

image3 The first UAB Blazers Football Day was a blazin' success — The Champion’s Parade started with the UAB Marching Band. Photo by Hilary Meares

parade6 The first UAB Blazers Football Day was a blazin' success — The man with the (winning) plan–UAB Head Coach Bill Clark. Photo by Hilary Meares of Bham
Now

Go Blazers, Go!

Coach Bill Clark has his own reason to celebrate. Coach Clark won the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award earlier this month.

parade8 The first UAB Blazers Football Day was a blazin' success — The boys that made it happen, the 2018 UAB football team! Photo by Hilary Meares of Bham Now

Local high school bands also had the unique opportunity to march through the streets of downtown Birmingham to celebrate the local college’s accomplishments. Schools such as Ramsey, Parker, Woodlawn and Wenonah High School showed up to impress parader-goers with their talented marching bands.

parade4 The first UAB Blazers Football Day was a blazin' success — Local high school bands got the opportunity to march in the parade. Photo by Hilary Meares of Bham Now

At the end of the parade, fans gathered for a pep rally congratulated the team on their hard work. Mayor Randall Woodfin, UAB President Ray Watts and Coach Bill Clark spoke to remind the city about this year’s accomplishments, and pump them up for what the future holds. All three trophies earned by the team sat proudly on the stage near the speakers.