May 5, 2006

LIVINGSTON, Ala. ----- E.J. Brophy, Assistant Athletic Director of External Affairs at UAB since March, 2005, has been named the new Director of Athletics at the University of West Alabama. Brophy, who will begin his new duties on July 1, will replace Dee Outlaw, who is retiring after 34 years at the university.

Brophy, who has been a part of the Blazers' program as a student-athlete and administrator, joined the UAB athletic department in January, 2003 as the Assistant Director of Athletic Development. He has nearly 14 years of experience as a professional athlete, collegiate coach and Division I-A administrator.

A Montgomery, Ala., native, Brophy was responsible for athletic fundraising, day-to-day operations of the Blazer Club scholarship organization, game-day hospitality for donors at Blazer football and basketball games and various other duties. In March, 2005, Brophy was named the Assistant Athletic Director of External Affairs and continued heading the Blazer Club Scholarship Fund and all basketball and football priority seating.

"UAB has made this opportunity possible," said Brophy, 36. "UAB elevated me as a student, as an athlete and as an administrator. This is just another opportunity that I would not have had without UAB pushing me upward.

"I really appreciate Watson Brown and Brian Mackin taking me under their wins during the last three years and bringing me along in athletic administration," said Brophy. "Their support, help and advice helped me grow in athletic administration and without their leadership, I would not have had this opportunity.

"I am tremendously excited to have an opportunity to work at West Alabama," Brophy said. "West Alabama is a wonderful school and I look forward to being a part of the West Alabama family. I look forward to getting on board and starting. My bread and butter is the ability to fundraise and I hope to bring some of that to West Alabama. I look to make the program grow and there is always room to grow and improve. I would like to make us better."

After an all-conference baseball career at UAB from 1989-1992, Brophy was drafted as a 37th-round selection by the Philadelphia Phillies and spent four seasons in their minor league system, reaching the Triple-A level in 1995. At the conclusion of his playing career, Brophy was named assistant baseball coach at Samford University in 1996 and held the same post at the University of Montevallo in 1998. He was the head baseball coach at Wallace Community College in Selma, Ala., from August 1998 until January 2003. In recognition for gaining his 100th collegiate coaching victory in 2002, he was named to the Alabama and American Baseball Coaches Century Club.

"A review of his references for this position at UWA tells you a great deal about this man beyond the positions he has held and the places he has worked," Dr. Richard D. Holland, UWA President, said in making the announcement. "For example, one reference described him as `a person with significant experience in the athletic administration and especially fundraising; where he has received recognition, praise and rewards.' We welcome E.J., his wife Cindy and their two children to the UWA family. We look forward to many years of success at UWA. We have a great tradition in athletics at this institution and with his guidance and assistance, we will move our program to even greater heights."

Brophy graduated from UAB in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education. He earned his Master of Arts degree in Physical Education in 1998.

Brophy is married to the former Cindy Wooten of Birmingham, Ala. They have two children: son Brooks, 7, and daughter Bailey, 4.