Raising the Game

Athletics Auction Surpasses Goal

It’s not unusual for a record to be broken in the UAB Athletics Department, but for the second year in a row, the Athletics Auction has done just that, topping itself by raising $185,000 at the sixth annual event. The funds added up to $55,000 more than last year’s total.

Held on August 23, 2009, at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, the event helps support Blazer athletic programs and provide scholarships for student-athletes. Ken Jackson, president of Dudley C. Jackson Inc., led the live auction that included a week’s stay at Abaco Island, Bahamas; tickets to NCAA Basketball Final Four games in Indianapolis; Kentucky Derby tickets; Frank Fleming sculptures; an original painting of Coach Gene Bartow by local artist Joey Longoria; and custom green-gold Blazer cuff links from Wallace Burke. The big-ticket item was the “Wise Rabbit” sculpture by Alabama artist Frank Fleming that went for $16,500.

“We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to our supporters and fans for making this auction the most successful yet,” says Shannon Ealy, senior associate athletic director. “Our donors have continuously shown how committed they are to supporting UAB Athletics. They allow us to provide the best resources for our student-athletes and all of our athletics programs. We are extremely appreciative of this level of support.”

Maintaining the Momentum / Winter/Spring 2010