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About
Mission Statement
The Blazer Boosters Office is charged to raise money and secure resources for scholarships, athletic facilities, enhance sports programs and general support for the UAB athletic program. This will be accomplished in a professional and ethical environment with the hallmark of passion for UAB Athletics at its core. Emphasis will be placed on cultivating and maintaining positive relationships with critical stakeholders who support and believe in the vision of UAB Athletics and adhering to the guiding principles of UAB Athletics.
Meet the Staff
Coleman Barnes
Associate Athletics Director for Development
Coleman Barnes joined the UAB Athletics Department in July of 2011 as Associate Athletics Director for Development after serving as the Executive Director of The Bulldog Foundation and Associate Athletics Director for Development for Fresno State Athletics (2008-2011).
He oversees the day-to-day operations of Blazer Boosters, the fundraising unit for UAB Athletics.
As an executive administrator for Fresno State Athletics, Barnes oversaw all components of the development office that raised approximately $6 million annually. Under Barnes' leadership, Fresno State promoted a culture of philanthropy that resulted in record-setting levels of philanthropic support to enhance the student-athlete experience. He also implemented a market driven annual fund by launching a new priority seating and parking program for football and men's basketball.
Prior to Fresno State, Barnes served as the Assistant Director for the UMAA Foundation (2005-2008), the fundraising unit for Ole Miss Athletics. At Ole Miss, Barnes played an integral role in raising nearly $13 million annually for Ole Miss Athletics. Prior to Ole Miss, Barnes was a Development Associate for the Hurricane Club at the University of Miami (2004-2005) and an intern in the Harvard University Athletics Ticket Office (2003-2004).
Barnes graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of Kentucky in 2002 with a major in Kinesiology and a minor in Business. He was also a three-year letterwinner as the long snapper on the football team.
In 2004, Barnes received a Master of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Sport Management from the University of Kentucky. He completed the coursework for a Doctor of Philosophy in Higher Education at the University of Mississippi in July of 2008 and is currently working on his dissertation.
A native of Bardstown, Ky., Barnes resides in Homewood with his wife, the former Mary Beth Justice of Madison, Miss., and their daughter, Caroline (1).
Brad Hardekopf
Assistant Athletics Director for Development
Brad Hardekopf joined UAB Athletics in September of 2008 as Director of Sales.
After one year in this position, he transitioned into a role more focused in development. In addition to directing the sales department, he currently manages the Blazer Club, coordinates the B Club (former UAB student-athletes), and assists in the execution of special events. He also plays a primary role with the Excellence Fund, fulfilling UAB's corporate ticket packages, and the Blazer Rep Program.
He joined the Blazers after spending two seasons with the WNBA Houston Comets. As their Corporate Partnerships Manager, he worked with local and regional businesses to build and ensure fulfillment of integrated sponsorship packages for the team.
In 2006, Hardekopf interned with the Alabama Sports Foundation and helped with the SEC Baseball Tournament and the Association of Volleyball Professionals at Regions Park. During his time at Auburn, he provided support to the Athletic Department by planning and executing promotions for multiple sports.
A native of Birmingham, he graduated from Auburn University with a degree in marketing. He currently resides in Homewood.
Chance Jones
Associate Director of Development
Chance Jones joined UAB Athletics in January 2011 as an Assistant Director of Sales and Development. He prospects new Blazer Club members, serves as the main contact for the Blazer Rep Program, solicits corporate ticket packages and prospects football suite accounts. He is also heavily involved in other development initiatives such as the B Club, Excellence Fund, and Blazer Women's Athletic Society.
Chance became a Blazer after working with the Dallas Cowboys ticket sales and services office. In this role, he developed best practices in ticket sales, managed a diverse set of databases, generated sales leads for the suite sales staff and was part of a history-making team that opened the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in the summer of 2009.
He also has sports industry experience in event management with the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship and experience in football and basketball operations with Ohio University. Chance graduated from Ohio University with a Master in Business Administration and a Master in Sports Administration. He was a previous Birmingham resident in 2006 when he taught mathematics at Spain Park High School.
PERSONAL: Chance is married to the former Amy Little of Ashland, Ala., and they have one son, Sam (2).
Phoebe Pletcher
Associate Director of Development – Donor Relations and Special Events
Phoebe Pletcher joined UAB Athletics in January 2012 as the Associate Director of Development for Donor Relations and Special Events.
In this role, her key responsibilities include processing donations and renewals, overseeing marketing materials for all development initiatives, directing logistics for Blazer Boosters special events, coordinating donor hospitality for football and men’s basketball, and managing the Blazer Women’s Athletic Society.
Prior to arriving at UAB, Phoebe served as a Development Assistant for Tennessee Athletics in Knoxville, Tennessee and worked for The Colonnade Group, Inc. (based out of Birmingham, Alabama) as an intern for Tennessee Athletic Hospitality. While in Knoxville, she also assisted the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Helen Ross McNabb Foundation with special events.
A native of Cartersville, Georgia, Phoebe graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. In 2009, she graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Master of Science in Sports Management.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blazer Boosters?
Blazer Boosters is the fundraising arm and lifeblood for UAB Athletics and serves as the primary source of revenue for the athletic program. Blazer Boosters is responsible for generating revenues for two main purposes. The first is to offset the more than $6 million in annual student-athlete scholarship costs. The second is to procure monetary support for capital projects such as new athletic facilities or renovations to existing athletic facilities as well as other operating needs.
Is my contribution tax deductible?
UAB Athletics recommends that donors check with their tax advisor. Generally speaking, if a donor's gift is related to priority seating, 80% of the contribution is tax deductible less any additional benefits received. Any gift in excess of this would be 100% tax deductible.
What benefits do I receive for supporting UAB Athletics?
The single most important benefit of supporting UAB Athletics is the reward of providing an opportunity to a Blazer student-athlete to get an education while participating in intercollegiate athletics at the highest level. Additionally, there are tangible benefits received based on annual giving level. Click here to download a complete chart of Blazer Club membership benefits.
How can I help?
- First and foremost, please consider being as generous as possible by contributing at the highest level possible.
- Consider making a donation to the Scholarship Excellence Fund.
- Provide leads and prospects of friends, co-workers, family, businesses, etc. that would be a good candidate to support UAB Athletics.
- Serve in a volunteer capacity such as a Blazer Rep or provide resources to help with such projects such as securing live and silent auction items for annual fundraiser.
- At a minimum, please consider purchasing season tickets and attending home games.
- Help create tradition and atmosphere by wearing dark green to all home athletic contests.
- Be an ambassador for the athletic program by sharing and speaking positively about experiences with Blazer Athletics and encourage and challenge participation.
How do I obtain priority seating for football and/or men's basketball?
The most common vehicle to secure priority seating for UAB football and/or men's basketball is by joining the Blazer Club. The opportunity to purchase more tickets in premium locations are based on annual contribution levels. Seating locations are based on availability due to supply and demand.
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