UAB Blazers men's soccer

The UAB Blazers men's soccer team is an intercollegiate varsity sports program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The college soccer program competes in Conference USA of the NCAA Division I.

UAB Blazers men's soccer
Founded1979
UniversityUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Head coachJefferson Kinney (1st season)
ConferenceC-USA
LocationBirmingham, AL
StadiumBBVA Compass Field
(Capacity: 5,000)
NicknameBlazers
ColorsForest Green and Old Gold[1]
         
Home
Away
NCAA Tournament appearances
1994, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
Conference Tournament championships
GMC
1994
Conference USA
1999
Conference Regular Season championships
GMC
1994
Conference USA
1995, 1999, 2011

History

UAB began a men's soccer program back in 1979. Throughout its history, UAB has enjoyed great success in the men's soccer program. The men's team has been in the NCAA Tournament a total of 7 times including 2 Sweet Sixteen appearances and 1 Elite Eight appearance in 1999. The men's team has been ranked nationally numerous times throughout its history, including top 25 rankings in 16 of the last 18 seasons. One of UAB's biggest wins in the men's team history came when UAB upset the #1-ranked UCLA Bruins in 1997 by a score of 2-0. UAB would upset another #1-ranked team in 2006 when they beat the SMU Mustangs by a score of 2-1.

Stadium

The men's team began to play to play their home games at UAB's BBVA Compass Field in 2015. Prior to this, the Blazers played at their old venue, West Campus Field.[2]

Since 1993, the men's team has won nearly 80% of its games played at West Campus Field. UAB has frequently been among the national leaders in soccer attendance, finishing as high as 16th nationally in average attendance. The highest attended home soccer game in UAB history came in 2011 when 3,141 fans saw the Blazers defeat Clemson 2-1.

Fans

Although many traditions, cheers, and chants take place at each home game, there is one that "stands above the rest," according to former head coach Mike Getman. Led by alumni super-fan Andrew Robillard, who has not missed a UAB men's home soccer match in 22 seasons, the whole student section sings "God Bless America" in unity. The Hillsborough Times has reported this tradition as one of its "12 College Sports Traditions you Don't Want to Miss."

Notable alumni

References
  1. "UAB - Toolkit - Colors". Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  2. http://www.uab.edu/news/facilities/item/5520-1-5-million-bbva-compass-gift-supports-on-campus-soccer-facility-at-uab


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