Prepare to take down corporate challengers April 22

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corporate challenge 2In 2016, Team UAB was led by John Jones, vice president for Student Affairs, and Team UAB Medicine was led by Jordan Demoss, senior associate vice president for UAB Hospital.Two teams of green- and gold-clad athletes will represent UAB during the third annual Birmingham Corporate Challenge in Railroad Park April 22.

The fitness competition pits employees from more than 50 Birmingham-area companies against each other in 15 field day events for all skill levels — from dodgeball, cornhole and tug-of-war to low-impact activities such as jump rope and a one-mile fun walk.

“UAB employees — and their families and pets — did an incredible job representing us at Railroad Park last year,” said Employee Wellness Director Anna Threadcraft.

Collat School of Business Dean Eric Jack will captain Team UAB, and Billy Connelley, senior associate vice president of Ambulatory Services, will be at the helm of Team UAB Medicine. Friends and family who want to join the participation events can register onsite the day of the event. There will be a Family Fun Zone for kids, events for family and friends, tailgating in Athletes Village and team T-shirts for registered employees.

UAB did particularly well in participation events with unlimited registration like the 5K, one-mile walk, 10K bike stroll and jump rope contest, Threadcraft said.

“(That’s) where UAB really racked up points to help us secure a place on top,” she said.

In 2016, UAB teams placed in seven events. Team UAB took first place in the one-mile fitness walk, second place in the 5K and cornhole tournament and third place in tug-of-war and the soccer shootout. Team UAB Medicine won first place in the home-run derby and second place in the bowling competition. 

In addition to the daylong competition, two events are scheduled earlier in the week — a golf tournament at Highland Park Golf Course April 20 and a bowling challenge at Vestavia Bowl April 21.