The UAB Department of Athletics announced on Friday that five Blazer legends will be inducted into the UAB Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
They are as follows:
Marla Townsend – Softball Head Coach (2000-18)
Townsend was the first softball coach in program history. She led UAB to five straight NCAA Tournament appearances from 2010-14 – including the NCAA Super Regionals in 2013 – and was a three-time Conference USA Coach of the Year.
Izell Reese – Football (1994-97)
In 1998, Reese became the second UAB player to be drafted in the National Football League (NFL) when the Dallas Cowboys selected him as their sixth round pick. He had a seven-year NFL career with three different teams (Dallas, Denver, and Buffalo) and logged 226 career tackles, eight interceptions, and 19 passes defended. Reese played safety for the Blazers and ranks eighth in program history in career tackles (276), third in solo tackles (180) and is tied for ninth in interceptions (7).
Sam Serley – Volleyball (2009-12)
During her Blazer career, Serley was named Lowes Senior Class All-America, was a three-time AVCA All-America, three-time All-Midwest Region, and three-time All-Conference USA player. She was also named to Conference USA’s All-Freshman Team and is the UAB career leader in blocks (564). She had 1,245 career kills while hitting .340, which is the second highest percentage in school history.
Frank Schaffner – Men’s Tennis (1991-94)
Frank Schaffner is the first UAB All-America honoree in school history and was an ITA Singles All-America. He ranked as high as No. 7 nationally in singles and was named the Great Midwest Conference Player of the Year.
Drew Ferguson – Athletic Trainer & Sports Medicine (1979-82, 1982-Present)
The first ever head athletic trainer for UAB Athletics under Coach Gene Bartow and Director of Sports Medicine (1979-82), Ferguson had a distinguished career in sports medicine at UAB and at Children’s of Alabama. He is a Blazer Alum and has been a season ticket holder since 1982.
The UAB Department of Athletics will honor these five individuals at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony at The Florentine on Friday, Nov. 1 at 7 p.m. TG
