University of Mobile

Began: 1985 - Dr. Bill Elder was hired as the University of Mobile's first Athletic Director in 1985 with the goal to begin and develop a strong, well-balanced athletic program. The program has expanded from 14 athletes in just two sports in 1986 to over 340 student-athletes across 21 current sports today.

Competing Sports (21): Men's & Women's Basketball, Men's & Women's Soccer, Men's & Women's Cross Country, Men's & Women's Tennis, Men's & Women's Golf, Men's & Women's Bowling, Indoor Women's Volleyball, Women's Beach Volleyball, Baseball, Softball, Men's & Women's Indoor Track and Field, Men's & Women's Outdoor Track and Field and Co-Ed Competitive Cheerleading.

Affiliations: National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA); Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC).

NAIA National Championships (8): Men's Tennis (1993, 1997), Women's Tennis (1994), Men's Golf (1997), Women's Soccer (1997), Women's Golf (1998), Men's Soccer (2002), Softball (2006)

Individual National Championships: Jonina Brinson (Women's Indoor Track & FIeld, Long Jump: 2016), Jonina Brinson (Women's Outdoor Track & Field, Long Jump: 2016), David Tuyo (Men's Golf: 2000), Ivana Skladana (1500 Meter, 1995), Melissa Metcalfe/Anita Pearson (Women's Tennis, Doubles: 1994), Matias Karlsson/Jacques Theron (Men's Tennis, Doubles: 1993)

Runner-Up At Nationals (17): Men's Basketball (1999), Men's Soccer (1994, 1999, 2012, 2021, 2022), Men's Tennis (1996, 1998), Softball (2003, 2008, 2022), Women's Golf (1997), Women's Soccer (1996, 1998), Women's Tennis (1995, 1996), Men's Golf (1988), 

NAIA All-Americans: 430

Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes: 591

NAIA Scholar-Teams (Since 2013-14): 101

Conference/District Championships: 230

Notable Accomplishments:

• Four UM Softball Alumnae competed for Venezuela in 2008 Olympics.
• Five Soccer Alumni played in Major League Soccer (MLS).
• Two UM Women's Soccer Alumnae were starters in the 2007 World Cup.
• Three UM Baseball Alumni have played in Major League Baseball (MLB).
• 16 UM Baseball athletes have been drafted by Major League Baseball (MLB) Organizations.

Notable Rams:

• Sarah Thomas
  • Former UM Women's Basketball athlete.
  • First full-time female official in National Football League (NFL) history.
  • Member of inaugural University of Mobile Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
• J.C. Romero
  • Former pitcher (LHP) for UM Baseball.
  • World Series Champion in Major League Baseball (MLB) with Philadelphia Philles (2008).
  • Current assistant coach for UM Baseball.
• Joe Espada
  • Former infielder for UM Baseball.
  • Formerly coach of Florida/Miami Marlins and New York Yankees in MLB.
  • Current Houston Astros Manager in MLB.
• Michael Azira
  • Former UM Men's Soccer standout. 
  • Former Major League Soccer (MLS) and Ugandan National Team player.
  • Current Head Coach for UM Men's Soccer.
• Antonio Hester
  • Former UM Men's Basketball athlete.
  • 2017 Miami Summer Pro League MVP.
  • Currently plays basketball internationally.