UAB’s Bill Clark to speak at April Trussville Area Chamber luncheon

UAB head football coach Bill Clark will return to Trussville April 20 to be the featured speaker at the Trussville Area Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon. The luncheon, sponsored by Prestige Alarm and Specialty Products, is at 11:30 a.m. at the Trussville Civic Center. 

‘With all the excitement about the return of UAB football this fall, I know many of our chamber members will be excited to hear from coach Clark,” said Diane Poole, Chamber director. “He spoke to our members about three years ago, and he’s a very interesting speaker. We have some Hewitt seniors who will be playing for him this fall, too, so that will add some local interest to his talk.”

In May 2014, Clark stood in front of Trussville community and business leaders as the excited new head football coach of the Blazers. What he didn’t know is that a few months later, he would be told he was the last head football coach. UAB President Ray Watts announced the cancellation of the football program in December 2014, despite Clark’s efforts to turn a 2-10 program into a bowl-eligible 6-6 team in one season. The community, UAB alumni and others rallied around Clark and the Blazers team to have the program reinstated. 

Prior to UAB, Clark compiled a 107-11 (90.7 percent) overall record as head coach at Prattville High School, leading the Lions to two AHSAA 6A state titles and a No. 2 national ranking. He began his college career as defensive coordinator at South Alabama in 2008 before being named head coach at his alma mater, Jacksonville State University, in 2013. He led JSU to an 11-4 record in his only season before taking the UAB job. He and his wife, Jennifer, have a daughter, Katie, and son, Jacob.

“The Return” to competition for UAB is this fall, beginning Sept. 2 against Alabama A&M at Legion Field. The Blazers’ spring game is scheduled for 1 p.m. April 1 at Legion Field. 

Three former Hewitt-Trussville Huskies are expected to be part of “The Return,” including 2017 signees David Acfalle and Grayson Cash who helped HTHS to an 11-1 record this past fall. Former Clay-Chalkville lineman Greg Fecanin and kicker TJ McGettigan, a 2015 HTHS grad, are on the UAB spring roster. 

The April luncheon will begin with a 30-minute network development time during which members and guests can network and exchange business cards with the estimated 80-100 individuals expected to attend. Prior to the lunch, the Chamber will honor its monthly Custom Service Award winners. Door prizes will also be given away.  

To register, go to trussvillechamber.com or contact June Mathews at 665-7535 or june.mathews@trussvillechamber.com. 

Cost is $17 (cash or check) or $17.34 if paying by credit or debit card (2 percent processing fee). Online registration is closed at midnight April 17, but the Chamber office will accept registration by phone until noon April 18. All nonmembers must pay in advance. 

The Trussville Civic Center is located at 5381 Trussville-Clay Road.