April 28, 2008

A three-ton, smoke-breathing statue of Blaze, the UAB mascot was unveiled on Tuesday in the Bartow Area concourse, 6th Avenue at 13th Street South.

The statue was envisioned by the 16-member Commission on UAB Traditions, which researches and studies traditions that could be adopted by the university community, and it was commissioned by the UAB National Alumni Society.

Blaze is the embodiment of UAB school spirit and his new statue is the latest in a growing list of new campus traditions, which in the past three years include the opening of the Campus Recreation Center, the Commons on the Green dining facility, Blazer Hall, a 750-bed freshman residence hall, and the new Heritage Hall classroom building - all adjacent to the new UAB Green, now under construction and slated for completion this fall - and previewing at commencement, 2 p.m. Saturday, UAB's new green & gold commencement robes.

Statue Stats:

• Height: 9 feet

• Length: 16 feet

• Weight: 7,000 pounds

• Colors: Two shades of green and yellow

• Pedestal: 14 feet long, seven feet wide and 18 inches high

• Cost: $30,000

• Artist: T.J. Neil of Homosassa, Fla.