Notable Alumni of the University of West Alabama

The University of West Alabama (UWA), located in Livingston, Alabama, has a rich history dating back to its establishment as Livingston Female Academy in 1835. Over the years, UWA has evolved into a comprehensive university, producing numerous accomplished individuals in various fields. This article highlights some of the university's most notable alumni, showcasing their diverse achievements and contributions.

Introduction to the University of West Alabama

The University of West Alabama is a public university located in Livingston, Alabama. It began as Livingston Female Academy in 1835 and admitted its first students in 1839. The school was established by Scots-Irish Presbyterians, who controlled the majority of seats on the first board of trustees selected in 1836. The original purpose of the school was to educate future teachers, while also offering course work in art, music, languages, and home economics. Over time, it transitioned into a co-educational institution and expanded its academic offerings. Today, UWA offers over 60 undergraduate programs and 10 graduate programs through its academic colleges and divisions at the bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, and educational doctorate levels. The university is situated on a 600-acre campus in west-central Alabama and is known for its small-town atmosphere and Southern hospitality.

Notable Alumni in Athletics

Jey Uso

Joshua Samuel Fatu, known professionally as Jey Uso, is an American professional wrestler signed to WWE, where he performs on the Raw brand. He studied at the University of West Alabama from 2003 to 2005. As a member of the Anoaʻi family of Samoan professional wrestlers, Jey Uso has achieved significant success in the wrestling world.

Jimmy Uso

Jonathan Solofa Fatu, better known as Jimmy Uso, is also an American professional wrestler signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand. He attended the University of West Alabama in 2003. Jimmy is one half of the tag team The Usos with his twin brother Jey. Like his brother, he is a member of the Anoaʻi family, with notable relatives including his father Rikishi, cousin Roman Reigns, and great uncles the Wild Samoans.

Malcolm Butler

Malcolm Terel Butler is an American former professional football cornerback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons. He was signed by the New England Patriots as an undrafted free agent in 2014 and played his first four seasons with the team. He later played for the Tennessee Titans for three seasons.

Jeremy Pruitt

Jeremy Pruitt is an American football coach who most recently served as a senior defensive assistant for the New York Giants of the NFL. He has also served as the head coach at the University of Tennessee from 2018 to 2020 and as a defensive coordinator at the University of Alabama, University of Georgia, and Florida State University.

Thomas Hatch

John Thomas Hatch is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Kansas City Royals organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp.

Lawrence Samuels

Lawrence 'Law Dogg' Samuels is an arena football coach and former wide receiver/linebacker. He played college football at Livingston University and was an AFL wide receiver/linebacker from 1994 to 2010. Samuels received both his Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology and Master of Science degree in education from The University of West Alabama. He was head coach of the Tampa Bay Storm of the Arena Football League (AFL) from 2014 to 2016.

Jeff Branson

Jeffery Glenn Branson is an American former Major League Baseball infielder and current Major League Baseball coach. He was the assistant hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2013 and the hitting coach from 2014 until 2018. He is currently the hitting coach for the Toledo Mud Hens.

Otha Foster

Otha Foster III is an American former professional football defensive back. He played college football at West Alabama. He was a member of the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens of the NFL, and the Toronto Argonauts, Edmonton Eskimos, Saskatchewan Roughriders, and BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL).

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Brett Gilliland

Brett Gilliland is an American college football coach and college administrator who is currently the athletic director at the University of West Alabama. He previously served as the head coach of the West Alabama football program for 10 seasons, stepping down to become the university's permanent AD after being named to the role on an interim basis in 2024 after the retirement of Kent Partridge.

Charles "Too Mean" Martin

The late Charles “Too Mean” Martin played defensive tackle for UWA (then known as Livingston University) from 1980-82. He was drafted in the 15th round of the 1983 United States Football League's (USFL) draft by the Birmingham Stallions. Martin also played for the Green Bay Packers, Houston Oilers, Atlanta Falcons, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Buddy Nix

Buddy Nix played fullback and linebacker for West Alabama from 1957-1961, where he twice earned All-Conference honors. He later transitioned into NFL scouting and served as the General Manager for the Buffalo Bills.

Jack Jones

Jack Jones was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball, and baseball) for West Alabama from 1947-1951. He received many athletic honors, including being named Captain and Most Valuable Player his senior year in football as well as being selected Little All-America. Jones was drafted by the Cleveland Browns but a severe ankle injury ended his career. He later coached at various high schools and at West Alabama.

Reverend Ken Hutcherson

Reverend Ken “The Hutch” Hutcherson played linebacker for the University of West Alabama from 1970-73. He was a starting outside linebacker for the Tiger’s 1971 NAIA National Championship team and was an All-American. Hutcherson was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1974 and played five years in the NFL.

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Stanley King

Stanley King played football for West Alabama from 1976-1978. He was named Gulf South Conference “Defensive Player of the Year” in 1975 and was a three-time All-GSC selection. King signed with the Oakland Raiders and later began a long coaching career.

Kenneth Watson

Kenneth Watson played football for Livingston University (UWA) in the mid-1980s. He was a four-time All-Gulf South Conference selection and is tied for most career interceptions in school history (15). Watson played in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampede, Montreal Alouettes, and Edmonton Eskimos.

Kendrick Office

Kendrick Office played football at West Alabama, where he totaled 166 tackles, 23 tackles for losses, and 14.5 sacks. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills and later played for the Cleveland Browns. Office also played in the AFL for the San Jose SaberCats.

Tony Oglesby

Tony Oglesby was a four-time letterman and three-year starter at linebacker for the Tigers from 1983-1986. He returned to the team as a student assistant and later coached at North Greenville Junior College and West Georgia.

Notable Alumni in Arts and Culture

Lois Wilson

Lois Wilson was an American actress who worked during the silent film era. She also directed two short films and was a scenario writer.

Ruby Pickens Tartt

Ruby Pickens Tartt was an American folklorist, writer, and painter known for her work preserving Southern black culture. She collected life histories, stories, lore, and songs of former slaves for the Works Progress Administration and the Library of Congress. In 1980, she was inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame.

Geneva Mercer

Geneva Mercer was an American artist from Alabama. Best known as a sculptor, she was also an accomplished painter. Her best-known individual works include Joyous Boy, Pied Piper, the Flimp Fountain, and several Julia Tutwiler sculptures. She was posthumously inducted into the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame in 1989.

Kirsten Reilly

Kirsten Jane Reilly is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Hibernian in the Scottish Women's Premier League.

University of West Alabama Football

West Alabama's football team was first fielded in 1931 when the school was known as Livingston State Teachers College. However, intercollegiate competition for all the university’s athletics was not scheduled until seven years later. In 1938, they competed in four games against Marion Institute, Jacksonville State, Demopolis A.S, and Troy State, all of whom were local teams. LSTC finished the season 2-2. That year also marked the start of World War II which led to a decline in college enrollment across the United States. Therefore, LSTC fielded no athletic teams from 1942 to 1945. In 1944, Dr. William Wilson Hill became president of the university and instantly started recruiting students to enroll. The return of males to campus reestablished an interest in sports. After a three-year hiatus, the football team returned to action under the guidance of new head coach E.G McCollum. They opened their season with the first of many future match-ups against Mississippi College, which resulted in a 24-14 loss. Also, that season, LSTC renewed its rivalry with, eventual Gulf South Conference foes, Troy State and Delta State. The team concluded the season with a 6-3 record. Due to success of the season, McCollum resigned to pursue a bigger opportunity elsewhere.

University of West Alabama Athletics

The University of West Alabama has 12 sports teams (13 beginning in 2011-2012 with the addition of women's soccer). Both the male and female athletic teams are called the West Alabama Tigers. Ten of the twelve teams participate in the NCAA's Division II as a member of the Gulf South Conference East Division. Men's and women's rodeo compete in the Ozark Region of the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association. As an NAIA member in 1971, the football team won the school's first of two national championships. The other came in 2023 when the school won the women's rodeo national championship.

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