ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME 2000

Bob Drake (kneeling left)
Basketball
(1968-1971)

Jack Powell (standing)
Head Basketball Coach
(1966-1972)

Jack Powell guided the UWA men's basketball team for five seasons, leading the Tigers to a 67-57 record, including a 21-4 mark in 1970-71, a mark that still stands as the most single-season wins in West Alabama history. Powell, known by friend and foe alike as the ultimate gentleman, was named Coach of the Year in the Alabama Collegiate Conference and earned Coach of the Year honors from Alabama Small Colleges and Universities as well as NAIA District 27. He was also chosen Coach of the Year in the Gulf South Conference for 1971-72. The Tigers won the ACC crown in 1971 and 1972, and were beaten in the NAIA District 27 finals both seasons.

Bob Drake was an All-American on the 1970-71 UWA Basketball team coached by Powell. He served two years as the Tiger Team Captain and was an All-ACC selection. He made the All-ACC Tournament Team twice and was chosen for the All-Alabama Small College Team. He averaged 21.1 points per game in his senior campaign and made 166-of-205 free throws that season, which still stands as the second highest total for free throws made in a season at UWA. Drake posted two 40-point games as a senior, and was known for his high-arching, left-handed shot that would have set almost unbreakable scoring records had there been a three-point shot at that time.