Julie Mummert is a UAB veteran. After all, she went to school here, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1999. And she’s worked in the Undergraduate Admissions Office, where she is associate director, for six years.

But lining up at quarterback for the football team? Well, now she can add that to her list of accomplishments. Mummert was among six UAB employees selected to be a part of UAB’s “It’s Your Team” campaign, giving her the chance to bark out instructions along the offensive line during a photo shoot this summer.

“The players gave me a lot of advice on how to stand and what to do to look like a real Blazer football player,” Mummert says.

“They even tried to teach me how to call some of the plays so it would be more like a real game situation during the shoot, even though this ‘quarterback’ was wearing a skirt and high-heeled shoes.”

The UAB Reporter talked to Mummert to find out how she supports the team, and which team she really wants to see the Blazers beat on the field this fall.

Q. Why do you like going to UAB football games?
A. I like going to the games to support the team and UAB. I’m a huge UAB fan, and I love football. The games are fun, and it is always so exciting to hear the fireworks when we score a touchdown. I just enjoy the entire atmosphere of the games, from tailgating to the action of the game to the celebration at the end of the game.

Q. What is your favorite part of  tailgating before the game?  
A. I like the anticipation of watching a great football game. Everyone is talking about the team and their predictions for the game, and it is a great time to relax, have fun and catch up with old friends who have come back for the game. I just enjoy the excitement in the air.

Q. Are you superstitious? Do you have a pre-game ritual?
A. I might be a little superstitious. I always try to wear the same UAB shirt to the games. I like to be in the stands well before the game starts to watch the warm-ups and the pre-game show. I love seeing the team run out of the tunnel. It is so exciting with the smoke and fireworks. It really gets me pumped up for the game.

Q. What is the one team on UAB’s schedule you would like to see the Blazers beat?
A. I really want to see us beat Southern Miss. We have been so close to beating them for so many years. A win would be even better this season since we are playing the game at Southern Miss.

Q. What do you like about your job?
A. I like being able to help the university grow and become a first-choice school for students in Alabama and around the country. I enjoy being able to get high-school students and transfer students excited about going to school at my alma mater and telling them about all of the wonderful opportunities they have waiting for them at UAB.