Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

UWA engineering technology major turns lessons from the field into a future in construction

For Owen Vander Wal, the past year has blurred the line between football and the job site. Being coachable on the field, he’s found, translates directly to the workplace—a lesson he’ll put to the test this summer.

Building on the experience he gained during last summer’s internship at Smurfit Westrock folding carton plant in Eutaw, Vander Wal decided to pursue a new challenge in civil construction engineering. He’ll get that opportunity in June through a postgraduate internship with Brasfield & Gorrie, based in Birmingham.

His internship with Brasfield & Gorrie is guaranteed for at least six months and is designed to help determine where he fits best within the company, particularly as he continues building his construction experience.

Engineering Technology students do plenty of hands-on work, but for Vander Wal, seeing projects move from paper to reality was eye-opening.

“We do a lot of AutoCAD work at UWA,” he said, “but when I saw how that was used at Westrock—I saw the real-world connection for the first time.”

That opportunity is a long way from where he started just a few years ago. Although football brought him from Fairhope to Livingston, Vander Wal said he nearly transferred after his freshman year. Looking back, he’s glad he stayed.

“I know everyone says, ‘There’s something about this place,’” he said, “and it really has been true for me.”

That sense of connection has carried over into the classroom.

For his senior capstone project, Vander Wal and fellow seniors Sabino Galvan, Alexis Davis, and Kasey Coleman found another way to apply their skills: converting a mountain bike into an e-bike.

“We started talking about how far the Engineering Technology building is from the rest of campus, especially the Math & Science building,” he said, “and we wanted to find a better way for students to get back and forth. We thought an e-bike would be a cool solution.”

The group laid the foundation for future teams to build on. Once they mapped out the process, they purchased key components, including a wheel hub and battery, then began testing the bike’s viability. The project drew on skills from across the program, including mechanical and electrical work as well as project management.

“We were able to get from the ET building to the Math and Science building in three minutes,” Vander Wal said. “If a student walked, it would take the full 15 minutes between classes, and they’d be late. I think it would be great if the Division could start converting bikes for students, maybe for a small fee. It’s something that could be explored in the future.”

That same drive to apply what he’s learned has also led to recognition in the classroom. At the Division’s recent Honors Day, Vander Wal received three honors, including Pro-Certified Scholar, 2026 University Scholar for Engineering Technology, and induction into the Epsilon Beta Chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau International Honor Society for Professions in Technology.

As his time at UWA winds down and he prepares to receive his diploma on May 8, Vander Wal is focused on carrying those lessons into the next phase of his career.

“Being coachable and trainable are two sides of the same coin,” he said. “Brasfield & Gorrie is taking a chance on me, even without a deep construction background, because I’m willing to listen, learn, and put in the work. I’m hoping that mindset helps turn this internship into a full-time job by next fall.”

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

The University of West Alabama celebrated the completion of a 7,000 square foot renovation and expansion of its football locker room at Homer Field House with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 2.

The $4.7 million renovation and expansion project enhances the daily experience of UWA student-athletes while reinforcing the university’s commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Dedicated supporters of UWA Athletics contributed $1.3 million to help bring this project to life.

UWA President Dr. Todd G. Fritch said at the ribbon cutting ceremony that the project is a reflection of the University’s commitment to student success and strengthening the student experience.

“This celebration is a clear statement about who we are and who we are committed to becoming,” Fritch said. “Students are our purpose, and that guides every investment we make. Our student-athletes dedicate themselves to excellence in competition, in the classroom, and in leadership across our campus, and we want our facilities to match that dedication.”

Athletic Director Brett Gilliland, who previously served as head football coach for 11 years, told the crowd gathered that this renovation and expansion is a game-changer for UWA, built on a vision centered on students’ needs.

“It is rare for a facility construction project to turn out exactly like the vision,” Gilliland said. “So many times when a project is completed you may notice things you wish you had done differently, but not this one. This is exactly what we envisioned, especially for our student athletes.”

The new locker room features 116 lockers and a spacious meeting area designed to accommodate the entire roster. Fifty-three of the lockers have been sponsored by former Tigers and supporters and are recognized with commemorative plaques. Each state-of-the-art locker features integrated charging ports, built-in bench seating with storage, and secure lock boxes for personal valuables.

Named the “Tiny” Campora Locker Room, in memory of Don “Tiny” Campora through the generous support of Steve and Gayle Campora, the locker room marks the family’s commitment to and investment in UWA student-athletes and the Livingston community for more than a decade.

Head Football Coach Scott Cochran said that he looks forward to the program’s growth and development through his team’s use of the new amenities. The project was underway when Cochran joined UWA Athletics in February 2025.

“The vision for this place is incredible,” Cochran said. “We’ve been under construction since I walked in the door here. Just like the football team, we are always building, always trying to get better. Knowing that you have a facility like this—when it comes to recruiting, when it comes to a standard of excellence—it lines right up with everyone’s vision for this place, and I get to see it every day and am grateful to be a part of it.”

The renovation also includes a modernized cold plunge room, new restroom and shower facilities, and a separate entrance and exit to the field, eliminating the need to share space with the visiting team.

Upstairs, the facility features an updated reception area and the King-Ferris Football Team Room, honoring Coach Jim King, his wife, Sandy King, and their grandson, the late Patrick Ferris. The designation recognizes the family’s enduring legacy and profound impact on both the Livingston community and UWA football.

Adjacent to the King-Ferris Football Team Room is a dedicated student-athlete career development office designed to support professional growth beyond the playing field. The space will serve as a resource for virtual interviews, career preparation, and collaborative opportunities, including engagement with partners like Podium X who provide career preparation guidance for students. The room will be available to student-athletes across all programs as they prepare for life after graduation.

The Champions Deck, a new viewing terrace overlooking the south endzone, honors Livingston University alumni Ronnie and Kathy Gilliland and the 1971 NAIA National Championship football team. Made possible through the generosity of Steve and Gayle Campora, Champions Deck provides a premier vantage point while commemorating a milestone moment in UWA Athletics history.

“This space brings together the spirit of UWA Athletics and reflects the sense of community that is so strong at our University,” Fritch said. “This can be seen throughout the facility, whether in the gathering spaces that support team and fan fellowship, through the amenities offered to our student-athletes in the locker room, or the equipment that will support health and safety for the entire team. We can anticipate many exciting times ahead in this space.”

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

UWA business student balances the classroom and the gridiron

Whether he’s flying around a motocross track or drilling field goals for the University of West Alabama, Elijah Guyton approaches every challenge with the same mindset: make a plan, then make it happen.

A management major at UWA, Guyton didn’t begin his football journey as a kicker. He started playing the sport in seventh grade, but it wasn’t until his junior year of high school that a coach mentioned the team needed someone to handle the kicking duties. Guyton volunteered, figuring “Why not me?”

What started as a spontaneous decision quickly became a serious path. After performing well for someone who had never kicked before, he began attending camps and one-on-one training sessions the following year. Scholarship offers followed, and he chose UWA for its close-knit campus community and the chance to be “more than just a number.”

A high honor student, Guyton arrived ahead of the game. Because he took dual enrollment classes and then a full load each semester, he shaved off a full semester and is set to walk in commencement exercises on Friday, Dec. 12.

Although football brought him to UWA, Guyton knew a business degree could take him in countless directions. Still eligible to play next season after redshirting his freshman year, he plans to begin work on an this spring while continuing to contribute on the field in the fall.

That decision, he said, is part of a larger plan he set in motion long before college.

“I had a goal when I came to college to not have any student loan debt to pay off,” Guyton said. By using his scholarship funds to cover graduate coursework, living in the dorms, and walking to class, he is well on his way to achieving that target—another example of the deliberate approach that shapes both his academic and athletic life.

A diligent student, he noted that if he happens to miss a class, at least one professor typically checks on him.

“I like that my professors know me and notice if I’m not there for some reason. It’s not like me to miss, so they don’t hesitate to reach out,” Guyton said. “That personal connection,” he added is a big part of why UWA feels like home.”

Named an AFCA All-American last year, he recently hit a career-long 51-yard field goal against Northeastern State. He hopes to attend some kicking camps next year that can get him in front of NFL scouts and pro evaluators.

“A lot of kids dream about making it to the college level to play football, and I’ve made it—so why not push the limit and go the next step while I’m at UWA? If it doesn’t work out, I’ll have two degrees to fall back on.” He figures the odds are in his favor either way.

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