Page 1

Page 2

IMC Portfolios Work
100% Job Placement
Alabama Seal of Excellence Award
BBEESSTT IINN SSTTAATTEE
The first and only university program recognized by the governor for
work-based learning.
Integrated Marketing CommunicationsIntegrated Marketing Communications
EMAIL US
Dr. Amy Jones
IMC Chair

Page 3

Ihave a confession to make. Until a few weeks ago, I had no background in sports.
Yes, I’ve watched my sisters cheer at football games and play on softball fields,
but I have never done anything athletic—unless you count three-legged races
(if you ever need a partner, I’m your girl). So, when I was offered a leadership role
for a sports magazine, I’m sure you can imagine what I was thinking—“Me? How
can I accurately and confidently lead a team and produce a publication on a topic I
know nothing about?” Quite frankly, I was intimidated. However, the support of my
team and the guidance of IMC faculty encouraged me to accept this challenge and
utilize my existing skills to make this magazine a success.
I live by to-do lists (trust me, peek in my phone’s notes app, and you will know).
The last thing I do before going to bed every night is make my to-do list for the next
day in the order that I need to complete the tasks. Some call it perfectionism. I call
it efficiency. Naturally, I handled the production of this magazine in the same way.
But just when I thought I had everything under control, I was thrown a curveball late
in the game. With less than a month to complete the magazine, we lost an entire
work week when the printing company moved the deadline up five days. We had to
pick up the pace to compensate for the lost time. This meant continuous late nights
spent in the mac lab to work on layouts. And, hundreds of texts exchanged to get
opinions and finalize ads. Plus, constant last-minute changes made to ensure the
magazine was in the best shape possible when we crossed the finish line. Of course,
we encountered numerous hurdles along the way, but we overcame them as a team.
The 2022 ZONE staff consists of talented IMC students who, within seven weeks,
communicated ideas, conducted interviews, wrote stories, sold and designed adver-
tisements, captured photographs and created layouts to guarantee the magazine’s
distribution at the homecoming football game. As you hold this magazine in your
hands (or view it online), you hold (or view) the hard work, dedication and passion
of this team.
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead and work alongside the 2022
ZONE staff as we highlight the UWA athletics program and the amazing people,
talent and opportunities that it encompasses. We hope that we have achieved our
goal of making this magazine as fun to read as it was to produce and that you, the
reader, gain a better understanding of UWA Athletics and the dedicated individuals
who proudly represent our university.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Shelby Ray Gandy
LAYOUT ARTIST
Benjamin Shadden
FACULTY ADVISOR
Greg Jones
STAFF
Anthony Davis
Katie Ryon Gibbs
Mark Everett Gilliam
Alexandria Love
Sophie Vick
Hardija Vidnere
FEATURE WRITERS
Chelse Anderson
Jacquez Deloach
Haina Franco
Jaden Tuck
Joseph Worthy
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Joe Chance
Emily Gethke
Taylor Ramsey
Donovan Williams
IMC CHAIR
Amy Jones
FACULTY EDITORS
Jordan Allison
Amanda Gilliland
Tina JonesA LETTER
Shelby Ray GandyShelby Ray Gandy
Editor-in-Chief, ZONE Magazine
IMC: Graphic Design
from the editor
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 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.

Page 4

Photo: Jordan Allison

Page 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TIGERS TRAVEL TO THE TOP
8BALL BREAKS BARRIERS by Mark Everett Gilliam
REMAIN CALM: IT’S A DRILL by Alexandria Love
SENIORS STEP INTO NEW STAGES by Alexandria Love
MILLER MAKES A MOVE by Katie Ryon Gibbs
RISING THROUGH THE RANKS by Joseph Worthy
MYNARD MAKES NO-HITTER HISTORY by Sophie Vick
UWA WORLDWIDE
THESE SHOES WERE MADE FOR... by Haina Franco & Chelse Anderson
#GOINGPRO by Shelby Ray Gandy
NEMO FINDS HOME by Mark Everett Gilliam
SISTERS SADDLE UP by Katie Ryon Gibbs
NOTHING BUT NETWORK by Hardija Vidnere
GRADUATES GAIN ON GOALS by Anthony Davis
MAKING EVERY STEP COUNT by Jaden Tuck & Jacquez Deloach
WORDS OF WEST
FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITES
5
7
11
13
17
19
21
23
25
29
31
35
39
41
43
44
45
Photo: Donovan Williams

Page 6

TIGERS TRAVELPhoto: Jordan AllisonPhoto: Jordan AllisonPhoto

Page 7

uwazone.com | 5n A l l isonPhoto: U W A A t h l eticsZONE Magazine | 5

Page 8

BALL
BREAKS
Photo: Jordan Allison
Senior running back Deme-
trius Battle was born in the
eighth month, at 8 a.m.,
weighing eight pounds and eight
ounces, which earned him the
nickname “8Ball.”
Battle grew up in Birming-
ham, Alabama. At the age
of eight, he saw a team
practicing football for the
first time. “I had never seen
anything like that before. I told
my mama that’s what I wanted
to do. We drove past that field,
and I begged her,” Battle said. “She
finally said yes and let me go out for
practice.”
Battle went to his first practice with no gear.
The coaches allowed him to practice and, instantly, he was running
people over and making an impact on the team.
Battle started his high school career at Restoration Academy in
the eighth grade. He was on the varsity team as a linebacker. After
Restoration canceled the football program, Battle transferred to John
Carroll Catholic High School in Homewood. “My mom was focused on
education, so she wanted me to go somewhere that would set me up for
success later,” Battle said.
As a JCCHS Cavalier, Battle did not see much team success. However,
he took his classwork more seriously, and made the change from linebacker
to running back.
College recruitment came late for Battle. In his senior season, he was
not hearing much from coaches or recruiters. He earned walk-on oppor-
by Mark Everett Gilliam
B A R R I E R S

Page 9

uwazone.com | 7
FOOTBALL
tunities at The University of Alabama and other schools,
yet he continued to reach out to coaches.
When Battle connected with UWA head football coach
Brett Gilliland at a football camp, he started to send his
highlights from each game to Gilliland.
“Some of the coaches came and visited me at my house
and even came to one of my practices,” Battle said. “I
felt wanted at West Alabama because of how much the
coaches cared for me.”
Gilliland said, “When we can contact recruits, we try and
meet them anyway we can. Battle was at his high school
practice, and we showed up. It was cool because I could tell
how excited he was that we were there.”
Battle eventually signed with UWA and moved to Liv-
ingston.
“I am a city boy, so moving to
the country was an experi-
ence for me,” Battle said.
“But it was easy for
me to connect with
my teammates and
classmates on and
off the field.”
B a t t l e w e n t
from being the
m a i n g u y a t
J o hn C ar r o ll
to being near
the bottom of
the totem pole
at West Alabama.
“It was kind of like
a wakeup c all,”
Battle said. “I had
a big head think-
ing I would start.
I lear ned to be
patient, and that
allowed me to focus
even more on my
education. My pro-
fessors say they saw a
big change in me from
my freshman to sopho-
more year.”
Battle earned his first
carry in the 2019 season
and had an 18-yard run,
the beginning of a dominant
career for the John Carroll
Catholic High School prod-
uct. Coming into his senior
season at UWA, Battle has run for 1,262 total yards and
has a chance to break the all-time UWA rushing yards
record during the 2022 season.
Battle has already earned a bachelor’s degree in Inte-
grated Marketing Communications at UWA and is currently
working on his master’s degree in IMC.
“I was the first one in my family to earn a college degree,”
Battle said. “My mom was crying happy tears when I grad-
uated. We could not even go out to eat because of how
proud she was.”
Battle is a leader on and off the field and represented
UWA Football in the Gulf South Conference Media Days.
Battle is also a member of the GSC Student-Athlete Advi-
sory Committee. Battle and several other student-athletes
from the GSC region participated in an event where they
talked with GSC employees about improvements.
“He has learned how to push himself and learned how
to be pushed,” Gilliland said. “He has quietly become a
leader on the team. He is not someone that we have had to
constantly push. That speaks volumes to his teammates.”
Battle said, “I feel like I have a voice on campus because
I have been chosen to lead things outside of football. I am
also a graduate assistant within the IMC program, and I
help other students with classwork.”
Battle has had many people impact his life. However,
his mother has been his go-to person his entire life. She
leads by example, and Battle tries to follow in her footsteps
every single day.
“My mom asks me, “how can the sky be the limit when
there are footprints on the moon?,” Battle said. “She
preaches that anything I put my mind to, I can do it.”
“My mom asks
me, ‘how can the
sky be the limit
when there are
footprints on the
moon?’”

Page 10

716 N. Washington • Livingston • 205.652.1391
301 N. Broad • York • 205.392.5205
InvestarBank.com
Proud UWA Supporter!
investar_ad.pdf 1 10/1/21 4:10 PM
LUNCH
Thurs - Fri
11:00 - 1:30
DINNER
Wed - Sat
4:30 - 9:00
(205) 652-5750

Page 11

Page 12

Agroup of UWA Athletic Training (AT) students opens the
Math and Science Building doors, finding injured students,
friends and faculty scattered around the lobby.
“I thought it was real. Panic took over me until I understood the
situation. I leveled myself and took charge. It was like an adrenaline
rush, and the rush felt good,” said Junior AT student Laraleigh Roberts.
At the 2022 Athletic Training Summer Camp, UWA AT students
tested their skills during a mass casualty simulation. Athletic trainer and
instructor Taylor Ramsey designed a real-world experience for students
to utilize skills they learned in Emergency Care and AT courses.
“The main goal was to see what they have learned and prove they
know it. Due to recent events around the country, it does not hurt to
be prepared,” said Ramsey. “You never know what will happen. Now
they have a little more experience under their belt for these types of
emergencies.”
There were seven “victims.” Their injuries included cardiac issues,
bullet wounds, shock, severe bleeding, graze wounds, anxiety attacks,
trauma and a subdural hematoma (brain bleed) from a fall down the
stairway. Sometimes, according to the students, the patients that look
and sound the worst are the most stable.
Communication brought the simulation to life. Preparation began
several months in advance, using volunteers from the university com-
munity and campus, including athletic training, athletics, counseling
and campus police.
Ramsey and head athletic trainer and instructor Hudson Byrnes
met several times to discuss the campus police’s involvement. They
met with the university’s counseling services for debriefing. Nearby
paramedics donated supplies. Ramsey and Byrnes also needed ample
ALARMS BLARE! THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM ALERTS
AN ACTIVE SHOOTER EMERGENCY. IS IT A DRILL, OR IS IT REAL?
REMAIN CALM: IT’S A DRILL
UWA ZONE
“A PERSON RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE
DOOR. VICTIMS IN THE HALLWAY
AND COMING DOWN THE STAIRS.
I WA NTED IT TO M A K E SENSE
ACCORDING TO THE TIMELINE OF
A SHOOTING”
AUGUST 3, 2022EST. 2016 by Alexandria Love

Page 13

ZONE Magazine | 11
ATHLETICSATHLETICS
space for the simulation to play out as they had envisioned. UWA’s
Math and Science Building fit the parameters. On the day before
the simulation, Ramsey and Byrnes did a walk-through to plan the
placement of the victims.
“A person right in front of the door. Victims in the hallway and
coming down the stairs. I wanted it to make sense according to the
timeline of a shooting,” said Ramsey.
Ramsey also needed a strategic way to break the students into groups
and have each group experience the simulation without the other groups
noticing. Throughout camp, instructors told students to prepare for
anything and presented PowerPoints on reacting, accessing and handling
mass casualty events. Remaining calm was the first priority.
“Calm is contagious. If we are calm, the victims will calm down.
That makes it easier to assess their injuries,” said Roberts.
Next, they identified the most critical injuries and assigned a leader
who remained calm and provided extra help with severely wounded
victims. Finally, they assessed the available supplies that provided a
temporary solution until the arrival of emergency medical personnel.
The hands-on simulation tested the AT students’ skills and provided
self-realization.
Roberts said, “I learned more about myself and knew more than I
let myself believe. I understood how to take leadership in the situation.
I needed to take charge and help as many people as possible. I assessed
injuries and assigned tasks. I took control.”
This simulation acted as Ramsey’s trial run to see what aspects
could be improved to prepare for a bigger and better simulation in the
future, potentially during the Spring 2023 semester.
Plans for the next simulation include a list of victims’ ages and
injuries. Ramsey prefers to involve students with whom the AT depart- ment does not interact with daily. Using unfamiliar students and staff
assure that the AT students can do their jobs despite not knowing
the people they are treating.
The next event will involve more departments. The participation
of multiple areas allows for every student involved to gain experience
catered to their specific majors of study.
In the future, AT and nursing students will provide medical relief
and aid with campus police, local authorities and EMS reporting to the
scene. Psychology majors and counseling services will provide trauma
and shock debrief therapy on-site. Also, the theater department will
provide actors to play roles of victims.
Integrated Marketing Communications students will report on the
scene, questioning medical personnel and victims. The opportunity will
give AT and IMC students experience in asking the right questions to
get information. In addition, AT students will learn how to withhold
patient information from the public to avoid federal HIPPA violations.
“I want to reach as many people as we can to get everyone
involved,” said Ramsey. “It could be something that we continue
every couple of years.”
Photos: Taylor Ramsey
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE “VICTIMS”:
Jordan Allison, Sarah Cook, Shaelin DeLong, Mark Everett
Gilliam, Candice Keene, Joni Maddox and Colden Peeples

Page 14

“We will fight, fight, fight, for the Red and White, for the glory of UWA!” As West Alabama
Marching Band (WAMB) plays the familiar opening notes of the “UWA Fight Song,” fans sing along as they take
part in this long-standing tradition. WAMB plays a key role at many UWA athletic events, delivering powerful
performances that lift the spirits of athletes, fans, family and faculty. Played numerous times during a single sport-
ing event, the UWA Fight Song is ingrained inside the minds of WAMB members. It’s a song they will cherish and
remember forever as they move into the next phase of their lives when they will sing from the stands as UWA alumni.
STEP INTO NEW STAGESby Alexandria Love
SENIORS

Page 15

ZONE Magazine | 13uwazone.com | 13
BAND
Photos: Jordan Allison
The year 2023 brings about new beginnings in Emily
Newsome’s life. She starts a teaching internship in January,
marries her high school sweetheart in April, graduates with
a dual degree in elementary and early childhood education
in May and plans to teach kindergarten in the Tuscaloosa,
Alabama area following graduation.
EMILY NEWSOME
TIGERETTE
Emily Vineyard has been a part of the West Alabama
Marching Band for five years. She is the current drum major
and plays trumpet and French horn in the side court pep
band. She will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in his-
tory with a minor in anthropology in May 2023. Vineyard’s
plan after graduation is to work as an archaeologist while
pursuing a master’s in prehistoric history.
Color guard captain Taylor Cunningham’s favorite mem-
ory is from the previous season when she watched the
color guard perform her original routine. In May 2023,
Cunningham will graduate with her bachelor’s in second-
ary mathematics education. After graduation, she plans
to pursue her master’s and hopes to teach and coach a
flag team in rural Alabama.
I love when
everyone is playing
their best and we
are fully in sync.
It’s those special
moments that
remind me why
I love being a
musician.”
The community
atmosphere I
found while
visiting brought
me to the decision
to commit to
West Alabama.”
Two-year member of WAMB, Braxton Jones is a transfer
student who plays euphonium and tuba. His favorite mem-
ory is performing with his closest friends. After graduating
in May 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Jones plans
to move to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue a career as a music
artist or music producer.
My favorite part
is being with my
fellow Tigerettes.
I have made some
of my best friends
through this
program.”
TAYLOR CUNNINGHAM
COLOR GUARD
I found
myself in love
with this band
and the energy
they had. It felt
like family.”
EMILY NEWSOME
TIGERETTE
BRAXTON JONES
TUBA
DRUM MAJOR
EMILY VINEYARD
“
“
“
“

Page 16

Half page ads have a 1/8th inch space between them so do not cross the guides when creating your ads
GET MORE IN FOUR Located in Spieth Hall|

Page 17

W E D D I N G C H A P E L & C A B I N R E N TA L S
MMiimmoossaa RRiiddggee
• full service wedding venue
• multiple ceremony locations
• year-round cabin rentals
of additional venue space
coming in 2024!
15,000 SQUARE FEET
2684 McDowell Road • Livingston, AL • 35470
mimosaridge.com ǀ mimosaridgeweddings.com
334-341-1865@mimosaridge

Page 18

MILLER
Photo: Jordan Allison

Page 19

uwazone.com | 17
BAND
ZONE Magazine | 17
ATHLETICS
Since starting her new role in April, Miller
met with all athletic coaches individually
to learn what each team needed mov-
ing forward. Miller works to enhance marketing
campaigns, secure sponsorships for all sports at
UWA and assist with athletic event management.
“We are a real university, and we deserve real
sponsors,” said Miller. She has experience in devel-
oping sponsorships from her time in the UWA Office
of Institutional Advancement, providing Miller with the
knowledge and ability to increase sponsorship reach
for UWA Athletics.
Miller earned her Bachelor of Science in Communica-
tion & Information Sciences in May 2013 from The Uni-
versity of Alabama and her Master of Arts in Integrated
Marketing Communications in May 2020 from UWA.
Another aspect of Miller’s new role is tackling online
ticket sales. Ticketing for game days was moved online at
the start of the 2021 football season. Miller assists Tiger
fans in purchasing tickets and oversees the selling of sea-
son passes, parking passes and seating schedules. This
new online system allows smooth operations on game days.
Miller is working towards adding value to assets. “I would
like to eventually develop a way to promote multiple day
events,” said Miller, “and work with current sponsors to ensure
we deliver what was promised.”
“We are a real university,
and we deserve real
sponsors.”
Former UWA Marketing
Coordinator Jenny Miller is
the university’s first Director
of Athletic Sponsorships
and Marketing.
For the past three years, Miller has overseen the operation of the
UWA Tiger Club, the donor hospitality program for UWA’s biggest
supporters of athletics. She brought Tiger Club with her to the Athletics
Department from the institutional advancement office. Although Tiger
Club is a fundraising function for the university, it supports athletics.
Miller said, “The heart of Tiger Club is people who support athletics.
Its home is over here.”
Jordan Allison, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications, works
alongside Miller. Allison said, “Jenny is one of my personal great friends
on this hall. She is a phenomenal worker and a go-getter. UWA Athletics
needs people like that. Jenny moving to Athletics is a huge steal for us.”
Miller lives by the mindset “the possibilities are endless,” and she hopes
to bring that to UWA Athletics. “I am extremely thankful that Athletic Direc-
tor Kent Partridge and University President Ken Tucker have given me this
opportunity. I really think that we are going places,” said Miller.
by Katie Ryon Gibbs

Page 20

MIDFIELDER
2015-2018
GRADUATE ASSISTANT
2019-2020
ASSISTANT COACH
2021-CURRENT
RISING THROUGH
Photo: Joe Chance
by Joseph Worthy
Photos: UWA Athletics

Page 21

ZONE Magazine | 19
- Checking Accounts
- Credit Lines
- Cashback Rewards
- Credit Cards
- Prepaid Cards
- Savings & more
Stop by at
105 W. Main Street
or call today
to make an
appointment
205-303-2150
Make Regions your home bankSOCCER
The time that college athletes are allowed to
spend within their respective sports programs
is limited by their graduation. However, for
Harrison “Harry” Roberts, a transition of roles allowed
him to continue his contributions to the UWA men’s soccer
program in a different way.
Roberts accumulated a list of accolades for his team and
himself as an athlete. As a freshman midfielder in 2015,
Roberts made the GSC All-Tournament team and was
awarded Most Valuable Player of the GSC Conference
Tournament. He helped the Tigers secure the title of GSC
Regular Season Champions in 2015 and 2017, and the
title of GSC Tournament Champions in 2015, 2016 and
2017. Roberts also holds the record for most assists in
UWA history and was named to the UWA men’s soccer
and GSC All-Decade team.
After graduating in 2019 with a bachelor’s in sport man-
agement, Roberts chose to pursue his master’s in sport
management at UWA. While he took classes as a graduate
student, Roberts took the position of graduate assistant
coach with the team he knew so well, working alongside
the same coaches he sought guidance from as a UWA
midfielder.
“Being given the opportunity to continue to learn under
great role models as I started my coaching journey has
truly been an honor,” said Roberts.
One of those great models includes current head coach
Ross Nelson. Nelson held the position of assistant coach
with the team from 2016 to 2019, coaching Roberts during
his time as a player and offering Roberts the opportunity
to join the coaching staff.
In the summer of 2021, Roberts underwent yet another
transition regarding his role within the program. He was
named assistant coach of the team under Nelson after
graduating with his master’s degree.
The continuous changes to Roberts’s role within the
men’s soccer program challenged Roberts to adapt and
learn rather quickly. Roberts transitioned from athlete to
graduate assistant coach to assistant coach within a span
of two years.
“I’ve been a part of this program and made Livingston my
home for nearly eight years,” said Roberts. Roberts’s time
in Livingston has been constant, productive and rewarding.
His rise through the ranks proves as a testament to his
dedication and support of West Alabama men’s soccer.
From a successful career as an athlete to becoming an
assistant coach, Roberts has not stopped giving back to
the program he loves.
SOCCER
“I’ve been a part of this program and
made Livingston my home for nearly
eight years.”

Page 22

Waking up on April 15, Hannah Mynard knew
she was going to finish strong on the mound
as the UWA Softball team faced GSC rival
Union University in a double-header.
The Tigers lost the first game, but the junior pitcher’s
determination and grit came through and allowed them
to take the win during game two against Union because
of her no-hitter.
Mynard is only the 11th pitcher who has thrown a no-hit-
ter at West Alabama. The last such accomplishment was
in 2009.
“I remember waking up knowing I would pitch either one
of those games or one that I just needed to do my job in
the circle by giving my defense ground balls and attacking
each hitter,” Mynard said.
Mynard’s two previous games had not been up to par.
She wanted to turn that around in the second game against
Union, and that is what she did, throwing a no-hitter against
Union in game two.
“I knew I was throwing a no-hitter throughout the game,
but honestly I felt so loose because the defense was solid
behind me,” Mynard said. “We were hitting the ball really
well, and I just kept the mindset of doing my job and let-
ting the defense handle the rest.” Catcher
Kelsie Gilliam said, “The Union series within
itself was different. We all knew that we had to
take care of business to have a greater chance of going
to the GSC tournament. After the final pitch, everyone’s
excitement was through the roof.”
Athletes must stay focused and not let the excitement
or nerves distract them from playing the game. “When
I threw the last pitch of that game, it was definitely an
overwhelming feeling of joy and excitement,” said Mynard.
“This was my first career no-hitter.”
The Enterprise, Alabama native’s no-hitter is a huge
accomplishment for her and the UWA softball pro-
gram.
Gilliam said, “During the game, a few
players had an idea of the no-hitter that
Hannah had going, but it was not ver-
Photos: Jordan Allison
“This was my first
career no-hitter.”
by Sophie Vick

Page 23

SOFTBALL
uwazone.com | 21
bally mentioned. I personally
did not realize until after the
game. I knew she threw an
excellent game, but it didn’t
click that it was that good.
Therefore, the last pitch of
the game was just another
pitch to me and was just as
important as the first pitch of
the game.”
Mynard is quick to praise
the work of Gilliam. A catcher
observes batters at the plate,
cataloging their weaknesses
and tendencies for every at-bat.
“Kelsie did an amazing job
catching against Union,”
Mynard said. “She got sev-
eral calls low in the zone
and off the plate. She
also did a great job
getting around to
the ball and blocking it when I threw in the dirt. Several
coaches that I have had joke around saying that catchers
make pitchers look good by framing balls and making them
look like strikes if they can,” Mynard said.
Catchers must have the pitcher’s back and work for their
pitch. Calling games, getting on the umpire’s good sides
and throwing runners out as they attempt to steal bases
are just a few key roles that catchers play on the field.
“Our bond on and off the field is pretty strong,” Gil-
liam said. “We are both competitive. We hold each other
accountable and push one another every day at softball
because we know each other’s potential. Having a strong
pitcher/catcher bond is the key to success.”
Mynard, Gilliam and the rest of the team are using the
Union game last April to prepare them for the upcoming
season.
“I am using last year as a place to pick up from for this
next season,” Mynard said. “We ended hot at the confer-
ence tournament with several big wins against Montevallo
and Valdosta State, and I know I can speak for all the
returners that we want to bring that energy and mindset
into every game.”

Page 24

UWA WOUWA WOCANADA
Emily Djagbare, WSOC
Sierra O’Grady, WSOC
Nick Thibodeau, BASE
Dior Wilson, WSOC
Germany
Oneal David, MSOC
Marcel Hornung, MTEN
Yannick Pohland, MSOC
Patrick Sacher, MSOC
ENGLAND
Harry Colville, MSOC
Harry Deveney, MSOC
Laila Hepworth, WSOC
Sadie Jones, WSOC
Paige Laidler, WSOC
Peter Oyetunji, MSOC
Peter Turay, MBB
Ellis Williamson, MSOC
MEXICO
Haina Franco, WTEN, WXC
Miguel Gamborino, MTEN
LATVIA
Hardija Vidnere, WTEN
KENYA
Shadrack Bett, MXC
Faith Jepchirchir, WTRA, WXC
Dancan Kibet, MTRA, MXC
Ireland
Conor Duggon, MSOC
Killian Griffin, MSOC
Shane Pettit, MSOC
EGYPT
Raneem Elbarky, WBB
JAPAN
Emiri Takanishi, WTEN
Yurie Takanishi, WTENW - Women’s | M - Men’s | BASE - Baseball | BB - Basketball | SOC - Soccer | TEN - Tennis | TRA - Track | VB - Volleyball | XC - Cross Country

Page 25

RLDWIDERLDWIDE
ZONE Magazine | 23
ATHLETICS
Scotland
Brodie Clark, WSOC
Amy Denholm, WSOC
Anna Dickov, WSOC
Lucy Horn, WSOC
SPAIN
Maria Mon, WSOC
UKRAINE
Ilia Dehodiuk, MTEN
FRANCE
Antoine Amet, MSOC
Loic Danze, MTEN
Adrian Evrard, MSOC
Heden Ly, WTEN
ITALY
Camilla Bedin, WSOC
NIGERIA
Wilson Igbinovia, MTEN
FINLAND
Nuutti Jokinen, MTEN
Venla Makela, WSOC
Ilari Vesanen, MTEN
BRAZIL
Nathalia Medeiros, VB
Isabela Sarti, VB
TURKEY
Selis Demirci, WSOC
Isle of Man
Callum Sherry, MSOC
TANZANIA
Baronyi Kengeye, MSOC
THAILAND
Irawan “Ming” Deewajee, WTEN

Page 26

THESE SHOES W
Talk to most athletes and they will agree that wearing the proper gear enhances their performance. That
equipment ranges from helmets, to gloves, to pads, to uniforms – but what about shoes? No matter the sport,
well-fitting and sport-specific shoes guarantee strength, support and increased performance. With that in mind,
UWA athletes speak about the unique qualities of their shoes and how these distinctive “tools of the trade” ensure
they perform at the top of their game.
kicking goals
In a sport that depends on kicking and passing the ball
with your feet, soccer cleats are an essential part of every
soccer player’s gear, so they can perform to the best of
their abilities and be comfortable during both competitive
and practice games. The main purpose of soccer cleats
is to allow a player’s feet to create friction with the ground
as the players run without slowing them down.
setting spikeS
Adolf Dassler is unfamiliar to many, but the Germa-
ny-based international sportswear brand Adidas is not.
UWA Athletics partners with Adidas, providing the best
quality shoes and apparel for West Alabama student-ath-
letes. The Adidas shoes that UWA volleyball players wear
have a secure fit and an extra cushion to reduce ankle
injuries. The shoes can last for years with proper care.
Photos: Jordan Allison
"My feet feel more secure and tight
on the court when I'm wearing my
Adidas shoes."
- Johanna Martin, middle blocker
“There is a big difference between an every-
day shoe and my cleats. One I use for comfort,
the other one is for safety, to secure my feet
for the sudden movements I make on the field.”
- Maxime Correia, men’s soccer ALUMNus

Page 27

uwazone.com | 25
RE MADE FOR…
GAINING YARDS
Wearing the right football cleat can increase safety,
stability and body control on the field. The bottom of a
football shoe carries two different types of studs: perma-
nent and removable. Football cleats also have a toe stud
at the tip of the shoe. This provides players with extra grip
when pushing off from a crouched position at the line of
scrimmage.
Shooting Hoops
From the field to the court, Adidas shoes support athletes
on the move. Basketball is a sport of footwork, and basket-
ball shoes are designed specifically for players to smoothly
maneuver across the court. The shoes keep players’ feet
securely locked in place while changing direction quickly.
The outer sole is coated in durable rubber, providing extra
protection against both indoor and outdoor surfaces.
“My cleats help me do the job. They have
ankle and Achilles support. For any change
of direction, the studs at the bottom help me
to always have grip to the ground.”
- Jaden Tuck, linebacker
“My shoes provide stability and
Comfort while running up and down
the BASKETBALL court.”
- ZOE WATTS, CENTER
ATHLETICS

Page 28

COME FIND YOUR HOME AWAY FROM HOME
17 STUDENTS, 6 COUNTRIES, ALL TIGERS
STUDY
ABROAD
OR...TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH
Benjamin Shadden spent the summer of 2022
studying in Rennes, France. His adventures abroad
took him from the north of France to the southern
tip of Italy. With our partner universities located in
10 different countries, this could be you!
Interested? Contact mdavis@uwa.edu

Page 29

,
(205) 652-7770
new Kwik Lube Ad.pdf 1 10/1/21 9:52 AM
106 Grubbs Cir7AM-9PM
COME BY FOR OUR
FRI-SAT SALE!
WITH NEW SPECIALS
EVERY WEEK!

Page 30

#
#
@
#@
# #@
#
@
#
@
# #
@
#@
#
“One week, we were regular college students, and
the next week we were professional cheerleaders,”
said Baker.
Tryouts were held during the last two weekends in March,
with over 100 women vying for the title “USFL Cheerleader.”
Both McMinn and Baker made the cut for the 2022 USFL
Cheerleading Team, comprising an elite group of 25 women
who would cheer for all USFL teams.
The USFL consists of eight teams split into two divisions,
each playing 10 regular season games at Protective Sta-
dium in Birmingham, Alabama. The top two teams in each
division advance to the semifinals, and the two division
winners play in the championship game.
“The very first time we walked out on that field, the sta-
dium was packed,” said McMinn. “People had to stand
up because there were no more seats. Chloe and I were
standing right beside each other, and I just remember
getting the biggest chill bumps and looking at each other,
thinking, ‘This is it. This is actually happening.’”
Baker and McMinn share a close bond and knew they
wanted to experience this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
together. Both said that if only one of them had made the
team, then neither of them would have done it because
they both knew this was something they wouldn’t want to
experience without one another.
The inaugural USFL season kicked off Saturday, April
16, with the New Jersey Generals facing off against the
Birmingham Stallions.
During their first two weeks as USFL Cheerleaders,
Baker and McMinn wrapped up UWA’s spring semester.
“Our schedule was crazy,” said McMinn. “The first two
weeks, we practiced four days a week. We were going
to our classes, leaving Livingston at 2 p.m. to drive to
Birmingham for practices, eating dinner, coming back to
Livingston and staying up until 2 a.m. to study for finals.
Then, we had to redo everything the next day.”
McMinn and Baker both agreed that once the semester
ended, they were able to start genuinely enjoying this
surreal experience. They no longer had the
stress of classes or finals on their minds and
grew more comfortable with the cheer rou-
tines, coaches and the other cheerleaders.
Once the regular season finished in Bir-
mingham, it was time for the two semifinal
games and the championship game in Can-
ton, Ohio.
“Aside from cheering while we were in
Ohio, we also got to watch the unveiling of
the new USFL exhibit at the Pro Football
Hall of Fame,” Baker said.
“Unforgettable, crazy, and life-changing” are three words that former UWA CheerleaderMadison McMinn and current UWA Cheerleader Chloe Baker used to describe their experience
as professional cheerleaders for the inaugural season of the United States Football League
earlier this year.
#GOING
“When we first made it,
I tweeted something like
‘your newest USFL cheer-
leaders’—that tweet just
blew up,” said McMinn
@ by Shelby Ray Gandy

Page 31

ATHLETICS
ZONE Magazine | 29
CHEER
The Birmingham Stallions and the Philadelphia Stars
faced off in the championship game in Ohio’s Tom Ben-
son Hall of Fame Stadium on Sunday, July 3. During this
game, half of the cheerleaders cheered for the Stars, and
the other half, including Baker and McMinn, cheered for
the Stallions.
Baker said, “The Stallions were losing halfway through
the game, but they won the game! We were freaking out!
Confetti was raining down over the whole stadium. I had
goosebumps. Tears were running down my face. I could
see the players hugging their families all around the field—
It was like we had won the Super Bowl.”
Baker added, “It was definitely a bittersweet ending
because we were sad it was over, but it couldn’t have
ended more perfectly.”
After 12 weeks of countless practices, games and trips
to Birmingham, Baker and McMinn’s time as USFL Cheer-
leaders concluded once the Stallions claimed the title 2022
USFL Champions.
Baker said, “The girls we were on the team with—I still
talk to them every day. Many of them dance at UAB, and
Madison and I plan to go to a UAB game to see all of them.
We’re friends with people we would have never met outside
of this experience.”
McMinn said, “We loved it so much. It was just some-
thing that we never got tired of—the experiences,
the cheerleaders we got to meet. We even got close
to people who had nothing to do with cheerleading,
like all the game day operations staff and the football
coaches. It was the experience of a lifetime.”
Before the season ended, Baker and McMinn started
to prepare for next season’s tryouts.
“This entire experience taught me to ‘just go for it.’
So many things could have stopped Chloe and me
from trying out, but it ended up being one of the best
experiences of our lives. I am forever grateful for that
random Tuesday night Chloe and I decided to pursue
this opportunity,” said McMinn.
USFL
Chloe Baker

Page 32

by Mark Everett Gilliam
Photo: Jordan Allison
Baseball has always been a passion of
UWA infielder Jake Nemith, but the
game of life has thrown many curve-
balls at the Pace, Florida native.
Nemith’s parents Chris and Gina wanted him
to get involved in sports at an early age. At age
three, Nemith fell in love with the game of baseball.
Nemith earned the nickname “Lil Nemo” when he was
younger and, as he grew older, his teammates adapted
it to “Nemo.”
In high school, Nemith traveled from city to city with
the All-Area team, showcasing his talent and get-
ting offers from NAIA and smaller NCAA Division
II schools. However, none of the offers included
scholarships.
Following his high school graduation,
Nemith visited Pensacola State Community
College to meet the head baseball coach.
Nemith heard the news he wanted to
hear: he was offered a scholarship
to play the game he loved just 10
miles from his hometown.
During his first season at
Pensacola State, Nemith
was covering first base
when a runner slammed
HOME

Page 33

SPORTuwazone.com | 31
BASEBALL
into his side. He felt pain but kept playing. Later in
the game, Nemith said, “I hit a triple and slid into third
base. I couldn’t feel much of anything in my shoulder
and was not able to raise it.”
He went to the doctor and was told he could finish the
season. However, he eventually needed surgery at the end
of the season. He took the year off and moved to Montgomery,
Alabama for shoulder rehabilitation with a former coach, where
he learned he might not be able to throw again. After countless
days of rehab and pushing through the pain, Nemith was able to
accomplish what was once a simple feat—throwing a baseball.
A fully-recovered Nemith moved to Iola, Kansas where he
had a connection to Allen Community College. Soon after his
move, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and Nemith was sent back
home. During the day, he worked as a Domino’s Pizza delivery
driver, and, at night, Nemith worked out with his buddies to stay
in shape. During this unusual time brought by the pandemic,
Nemith began thinking about his future. He considered hanging
up his cleats for good and finishing school back in his home state at The
University of West Florida.
years later, Nemith has developed into a leader
on and off the field. Nemith currently serves as the
Vice President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes on
the UWA campus.
“When Jake walks on the field, he is going to play and
let it all out. He will let the other team know that he is the
best player between those lines,” said teammate Michael
Rich. “When he walks off the field, he is honest about his
shortcomings. That is hard to find in people that have a
comfort in being vulnerable, especially as a teammate but
also as a friend.”
Nemith knew to put his trust in God and follow the path
that He paved for him.
“When I was on my own, it helped me grow in my faith,”
Nemith said. “I love to read books, and I started to really
read my Bible and other biblical based books. I started
to understand that faith was not just going to church on
Sunday.”
Nemith found his home at The University of West Ala-
bama and is excited to see where the Lord will lead him
next.
“When I was on my visit, I asked Coach Rundles
to just give me a jersey and an opportunity. That
was all I wanted, just a chance.”
Nemith’s Father, Chris, knew Ken Jones, who was a
coach in Livingston and a friend of UWA head baseball
coach Gary Rundles. On behalf of Nemith’s father, Jones
called Coach Rundles and asked if they had a spot avail-
able. Rundles invited Nemith to tour UWA.
“When I was on my visit, I asked Coach Rundles to just
give me a jersey and an opportunity,” Nemith said. “That
was all I wanted, just a chance.”
Now with a spot on the roster, Nemith knew he had to
earn his keep. Throughout the following season, Nemith
gave it his all at every practice and workout.
Coach Rundles noticed the work that Nemith
had invested, and he eventually offered Nemith a
scholarship.
“When I was presented with the walk-on opportunity
I was thrilled, and when Coach Rundles offered me the
scholarship I was thrilled,” Nemith said. “It was a great
feeling to know that someone noticed the work I had put
in. It was really exciting.”
Within six months, Nemith went from being a walk-on to
being one of the best players on the team. And now, two

Page 34

LAS FUENTES: FEEDING THE CHAMPIONS AND THE FUTURE FOR THIS COUNTRY
Great service & even better Margaritas
      

For more information on the
UWA Baptist Campus Ministries, contact
Logan McCoy at lmccoy@alsbom.org
@UWA_BCM

Page 35

Page 36

Photo: Emily Gethke

Page 37

It is often said that rodeo creates family forever; however, UWA
Rodeo is taking that statement to the next level by having a
family duo on the women’s team. Sisters Jaylie and Taycie Mat-
thews transferred from East Mississippi Community College to pursue
degrees at UWA while continuing their love for rodeo.
“We have been watching the Matthews sisters on their journey and
are excited to see what they have to bring to the UWA team,” said
Daniel Poole, UWA Rodeo coach.
The UWA Women’s Rodeo team started building on its barrel
racing program last year. Barrel racing is a competitive sport and
holding world records is a difficult task.
Jaylie is the 2019 International Professional Rodeo Association
World Barrel Racer and the 2020 and 2022 Ozark Barrel Racer
Champion. Taycie is the 2021 Ozark Barrel Racer Champion,
and currently holds the title of 18th Barrel Racer in the world.
“A lot of people think rodeo is a bunch of crazy people
chasing cows around in the dirt,” said Poole. “The majority
of the athletes have been working towards this level since
they could walk. It’s all they have done their whole lives.
It’s what they have focused on since they were kids. Most
of them have never known anything but rodeo.”
The Matthews sisters began riding when they began
learning to walk. As they grew older, they began attending
amateur barrel racing events to get their feet wet in the
rodeo world and advance their skills by watching others
their age.
Taycie started barrel racing professionally in 2017 with
her horse, Bud. They grew up together and learned the
sport together and have been an amazing team since the
start. Jaylie started barrel racing professionally in 2018.
Both sisters have made their names known in the rodeo
world by achieving awards year after year.
“I always have a friend looking out for me at practices
and races,” said Jaylie about having Taycie on the same
team.
Rodeo athletes take pride in caring for their animals
and making sure they are well taken care of before them-
selves. The phrase, “my horse eats before I do,” has become
part of the team’s mantra. They travel across state lines for
their competitions, pulling their trailers full of horses and gear. The
athletes own their equipment and horses.
Jaylie’s horse, Tilly, was injured in the last college rodeo, so this season, she will be riding one of Taycie’s horses, Pop Rocks. Although
Jaylie and her horse have a specific bond, she knows how Pop Rocks
operates. The transition of being on a different horse this season won’t
be as hard as jumping on a stranger’s horse.
“Coach Poole is a great coach and his expectations for the team are
high,” said Jaylie. “I am looking forward to being at UWA because
he wants the team to excel just as much as the rest of us.”
Jaylie and Taycie are both excited to see where this next journey
of their careers will lead them. They hope to bring great things to
the team and form a tight bond of friendships.
“If it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing,” said Taycie.
ZONE Magazine | 35
RODEO
Photo: Jordan Allison

Page 38

Livingston
1303 N WASHINGTON ST7AM-9PM
THE PRICE YOU SEE
IS THE PRICE YOU PAY!
SHOP WITH US
FOR YOUR BEST DEALS!
Dine-In or Carryout
THE
Family
Friendly
Fun!
TUES.&WED.
11AM-11PM
THURS.&FRI.
11AM-2AM
SAT.
5PM-2AM
Call (205) 575-4181
110 Franklin St, Livingston, AL
Now serving daily
lunch specials
111 WASHINGTON STREET - LIVINGSTON, AL

Page 39

BURN THE
SHIPS
SchDarren Archie #0
TJ Newell #1
Michael Anderson #4
De Mays #5
Demetrius Battle #8
Owen Harper #16
Bishop Breaux #17
LaTrell Hatten #25
Trevonte Carter #40
Hunter Veal #42
Davonchae Bryant #44
Gabriel Dunkle #60
Delvin Salter #66
Kordell Watts #71
Jalen Gardner #74
Terrance Monroe #99
UWA FOOTBALL 2022 SENIORS

Page 40

n unrecoverable injury is an athlete’s worst nightmare. Players practice day to day, week to week, year
to year—but one millisecond can change an athlete’s future. An unfortunate and frequent occurrence is
that many student-athletes do not realize when they have been injured.
“I’ve been in this game for 40-plus years, and the biggest change I’ve seen is that a lot of athletes don’t even know
they have injuries, especially with incoming freshmen or transfer students. Unfortunately, a lot of times, you don’t get
true answers in the recruitment process,” said UWA women’s basketball head coach Rusty Cram.
According to NCAA, athletes who get injured during the first half of the season qualify for an extra year of eligibility.
However, if an injury happens in the second half of the season, the player does not get another year of eligibility,
regardless of the injury. This was the case for UWA women’s basketball point guard Jala Williams.
NET WORK
Photos: Joe Chance

Page 41

uwazone.com | 39
BASKETBALL
“The worst injury I’ve had was tearing my ACL my freshman year.
The NCAA has strict rules for injuries, and I knew there was a pos-
sibility of getting a year back, but I missed my chance by one game,”
Williams said.
An unfortunate parallel occurred as Williams ended her fourth season
with another injury.
“When I got hurt last year, we thought it was my hamstring, but in reality,
I had torn the meniscus in my left knee,” said Williams.
Before Williams’s accident, the team had a 10-3 record.
“We were in great shape. It changed the whole year. It hurt us. We had to find
a replacement for her with the same experience as Jala. We had to shift other
people to different positions to make up for her absence. It’s like football losing
their quarterback. It’s awful to lose a point guard,” said Cram.
According to Cram, time is one of the most important things during the recovery
process. It is crucial not to push too hard too fast. The body must be allowed time
to heal correctly. Fortunately, UWA Athletics offers strength coaches and physical
trainers that care for student athletes’ bodies.
“We have a great trainer, Taylor Ramsey, who was with me throughout my recovery,
even on the mentally tough days,” said Williams.
Mental toughness, especially for someone who’s been injured several times, can
be challenging. UWA offers counseling for all students, which helps numerous
student-athletes overcome difficult moments like Williams’s.
“Mental rehabilitation plays a big part in physical rehabilitation. You start get-
ting a little scared of it happening again because of what you’ve been through.
That is the hardest thing to overcome the majority of the time,” said Cram.
Along with mental strength comes unity. Teammates, coaches and athletic
trainers are all there for every single step of recovery. Each athlete is different.
Some may require more psychological help, and some may want to jump
straight into it and get back as fast as possible.
“The worst you can do is exclude someone that’s been injured. If they
can’t be on the court, there are other ways to contribute. Team chemistry is
everything. So yes, Jala was still in every single step of the game,” said Cram.
“I’m a teammate first, and I’ll always be there to support my team. Sitting
on the sideline was also another way to look at my sport. While on the
bench, I could watch the game and understand it completely differently,”
said Williams.
Injured players support their teammates from the sidelines. And, teammates
support fellow players.
“My team is very supportive. Bria and Tazsa made sure I was doing good.
They always uplifted me during rehab, always giving me positive reinforce-
ments,” said Williams.
Many UWA athletes get injured, some with minor and some with significant injuries.
Regardless, they are not alone.
“I have the right people in my corner. I don’t know how to explain how thankful I am
to have these girls behind my back,” Williams said.
Williams will be back on the court this fall for her senior season fighting for the Tigers.

Page 42

Page 43

ZONE Magazine | 41
ATHLETICS
It is often forgotten that athletic graduate assistants
(GAs) are students. Managing equipment, attending
every practice, assisting at workouts and handling
coaching responsibilities disguise GAs as ordinary staff
members to athletes and coaches alike. Similar to most
college students, GAs hold jobs while furthering their edu-
cation, and with that, the balance of work, school and life
generates everyday challenges that must be managed.
GAIN ON GOALS
by Anthony Davis
As a graduate assistant coach for the football team, Tucker Brown starts his day by
putting together practice scripts and handling responsibilities given to him by other
coaching staff. “Whatever the coaches need, I handle, whether it’s checking the transfer
portal, breaking down film or running errands for coaches. It really varies from day to
day,” said Brown. As an undergraduate student at Samford University, Brown majored
in business administration. As a current graduate student at UWA, Brown is pursuing
a Sport Management MBA.
Photos: UWA Athletics
“Everyone has their own way of coaching, so being
around different coaches gives me an idea of how I
want to coach in the future.”
Robert Davis, a former UWA men’s basketball player, couldn’t stay away from his love
of basketball. After two years of playing for the Tigers, Davis decided to join the UWA
men’s basketball staff as a graduate assistant coach. Davis’s day starts with morning
workouts with the team. “Making sure my job is done with my athletes is the first part
of my day. When things unwind at the end of the day, I can handle my schoolwork,”
said Davis. Davis is currently in pursuit of his master’s in sport management.
“I take care of details that people don’t see. The things that
go unnoticed are my responsibility.”
Mekhi Mayfield, a former Samford University softball player, is a graduate assis-
tant coach with the West Alabama softball program. Mayfield has a full load of GA
responsibilities, such as on-field coaching, recruiting, fundraising and monitoring
the academic progress of student-athletes. “Being a GA is fun. We go to practice,
and then we work in the office on recruiting and scouting opponents,” Mayfield said.
Mayfield is currently pursuing a master’s degree in physical education and is on
track to graduate in May 2023.
“I love the impact that I am able to make on our athletes.
It is so cool to see them learn and grow as students.”

Page 44

UWA athletes push their bodies to unbelievable limits to perform at the highest level possible. The amount
of conditioning, specifically running, that UWA athletes complete can be measured in miles… many miles.
When calculating the total distance of miles that athletes cover throughout practices and games, many players
discover that if they hit the interstate, they’ll end up in a new city.
Always on the move!
York
Livingston
10 miles
x5x5
Ready, Set, HUT!
Football requires a combination of physical and conditioning training. Football
players can run up to a mile or more in a single game, totaling close to 12 miles in
a single season. That is equivalent to traveling from Livingston to York. However,
that excludes practices.
Running back Demetrius Battle runs 10-12 miles weekly. In a single month,
Battle can rack up to 48 miles from practice, the same as making a trip to York
and back nearly five times!
“It doesn’t feel like I run that much during the week, but it helps me on game
day because I am in shape and conditioned. I can run as many yards as I want,
and not lose my breath,” said Battle.
Just keep kicking!
There is no standing around when it comes to soccer. It requires high
amounts of endurance and conditioning. While football players have breaks
between downs, soccer players play two 45-minute halves without stopping
except for injuries or fouls.
By practicing twice a day, for four days, UWA soccer players can run
at least 56 miles per week. That’s the distance from the UWA campus to
Tuscaloosa. With a weekly rate of nearly 60 miles, UWA soccer players
can reach Huntsville, Alabama in four weeks.
Men’s soccer midfielder Oneal David confirmed that the team’s running
drills and warmups are over in a span of 19 minutes to condition their
bodies for a considerable amount of running in a short amount of time.
LivingstonLivingston
HuntsvilleHuntsville
211 miles
MAKING EVERY
STEP COUNT By Jaden Tuck &
Jacquez Deloach

Page 45

uwazone.com | 43
ATHLETICS
Livingston, ALLivingston, AL
257 miles
Atlanta, GAAtlanta, GA
RUNNING, RUNNING & MORE RUNNING!
Considering that the main focus of track and cross country is running long distances, it should be no surprise that
UWA track and cross country athletes produce the highest traveled distances among UWA athletes.
In one week, they run up to 60 miles. That is an average of over six miles a day. Within four weeks, runners could
enter a different time zone when heading east, to the outskirts of Atlanta, Georgia.
“It’s mile after mile of running. You check your watch periodically and realize that you just ran 15 miles. It makes me
ask myself, ‘how have I been running 15 miles?,’” said Seth Lord, a junior on the men’s track and cross country teams.

Page 46

WORDS OF WEST
ACROSS
4. Hines-Spree Rodeo _________
6. ________ and Field
7. Baseball’s playing field
9. bump, set, spike
DOWN
1. Football game opener
2. ________ band
3. Racquets, balls, and 2 or 4 people play
5. Home of basketball (2 words)
6. ________ Stadium
8. ___ something that matters
SCAN HERE TO
CHECK YOUR
ANSWERS
SCAN HERE TO
CHECK YOUR
ANSWERS
FOOTBALL
CHEER
SOFTBALL
BASS CLUB
SOCCER
VOLLEYBALL
BASEBALL
BASKETBALL
RODEO
TRACK
BAND
UILE __ __ __ __ NGTSILVONI __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
GESRTI __ __ __ __ __ __ ABALMAA __ __ __ __ __ __ __
SCAN HERE TO CHECK YOUR ANSWERS

Page 47

uwazone.com | 45
@UWA Bands
@uwabands / @uwa_tigerettes / @uwa_colorguard
@uwa_band
@UWA Women’s Basketball
@uwawbb
@uwa_wbb
@UWA Baseball
@uwa_baseball
@UWA Rodeo Team
@uwarodeo
@UWA Cheerleading
@uwa_cheer
@uwa_track
@uwa_tfcc
@UWA Athletic Training
@uwa_athletic_training
ZONE Magazine | 45
@UWA Athletics
@uwaathletics
@uwaathletics
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
@UWA Tiger Bass
@uwabass
TIGER BASS CLUB
RODEO
CHEER
@West Alabama Football
@uwa_football
@uwa_football
FOOTBALL
BAND
@uwa_womenssoccer
@uwawomenssoccer
WOMEN’S SOCCER
@UWA Softball
@uwasoftball
@uwa_softball
@UWA Women’s Volleyball
@uwavolleyball
@uwa_volleyball
VOLLEYBALL SOFTBALL
BASEBALL
TRACK & FIELD / CROSS COUNTRY
@uwa_tennis
TENNIS
ATHLETIC TRAINING
@uwamenssoccer
MEN’S SOCCER
@uwambb
@uwa_basketball
MEN’S BASKETBALL

Page 48