By: Nia Hill
Photo courtesy: UAB Athletics
The University of Alabama at Birmingham Division of Student Affairs Black History Month program was highlighted by an appearance and oral history given by former UAB basketball star Daryl Braden. The joint program, organized by UAB Student Media, Student Multicultural & Diversity Programs (SMDP), Student Involvement & Leadership (SIL) and Veteran Services, was held Wednesday, February 22, 2023, at noon in the Hill Student Center ballrooms.
Braden was a member of UAB’s inaugural basketball team and is one of the first Black UAB basketball players. The creation of the basketball team ushered in the start of the Blazers athletics program. Braden, alongside Larry Spicer and George Jones, were three Black men who helped legendary coach Gene Bartow architect the winning reputation of UAB’s men's basketball program.
In 1978, Braden began his career with the Blazers. Because of Birmingham’s history of racial tensions, it concerned him to play in a state that struggled so profusely with racism. Braden recalled, “My mother was afraid for me to come to Birmingham because of Bull Connor, the dogs and water hoses and the bombing of the church. She was fearful, but we overcame all of that.”
Braden transferred from Texas Christian University (TCU), an NCAA Division I basketball team, to UAB. “We were the ones who sacrificed our careers to make this program become what it is,” said Braden. The UAB men’s basketball program experienced a nearly unparalleled level of success in its first years of existence. The Blazers reached the NCAA and a Sweet 16 berth in just their third season, compiling an overall 56-32 record during that time span.
Photo courtesy: UAB Athletics
There was already an intramural team present on campus, Braden recalled. “That created animosity between the local players and the transfers because they were dispelled from the team. Fortunately, the tension didn’t last long because the winning streak began.
In the first year, UAB men’s basketball had a record of 15-11. The second year it was 18-12, and by the fourth year of the program, the Blazers had advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. “We withstood all of it because we won. Winning cures everything,” said Braden boasting a confident smile.
His mindset and determination never wavered, even when faced with the pressure of competing at a different level. “I had one year to prove myself as far as being a professional,” he said.
For the better part of two decades, the basketball star went on to play professional basketball in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), the European League in France for the Rang Du Fliers. He played his last game in 1988. Fortunately, this was far from the end of Braden’s journey.
Photo courtesy: UAB Athletics
Photo courtesy: Daryl Braden
He explained, “Me being a former athlete, my whole life revolved around basketball, that was my identity. But when my basketball career ended, I felt like I had no identity.”
It wasn’t until life after basketball that he found his identity in God, which led him to serve in sports ministry for twenty years. “My identity now is based on what the word of God says,” said Braden. His goal is to reach athletes through his experiences by letting them know that their sport is just what they do and not who they are. He seeks to help instill a strong foundation for young athletes, so they don’t experience an identity crisis of their own.
Now back at UAB, Braden serves as the director of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) for men's basketball. FCA is a Christian-based ministry dedicated to leading athletes and coaches toward strengthening their relationship with God. He describes being back at UAB as a full-circle moment.
“When I first came here, none of this [Hill Student Center and the Bartow Arena] was here, it was just open fields; we had buildings one, two, and three,” Braden said as he glanced around the Hill Student Center.
It’s easy to be excited about the changes and advancements being made, but Braden urges UAB to know its history. “The fact of the matter is there's always different coaches. Always different athletic directors. So, the history of the program can get lost, but we’re still here, and we were here from the beginning.”
Braden continues to encourage others with his story. In his book “Identity Crisis,” he talks about his journey and the obstacles he overcame leaving the reader with loving words of wisdom. “Detours can determine your destiny. Detours in your life don’t always have to be negative. Sometimes God allows us to go through things to get us to where he wants us to be.”
Photo courtesy: UAB Student Affairs