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http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/...out_sports

Conference USA released its yearly softball awards, and UAB head coach Marla Townsend was named Coach of the Year while shortstop Caitlin Attfield was named Freshman of the Year.

2013 Conference USA All-Conference Teams

Freshman of the Year: Caitlin Attfield, UAB

Coach of the Year: Marla Townsend, UAB

First Team All-Conference
IF Caitlin Attfield, UAB
OF Whitney Fletcher, UAB
P Lannah Campbell, UAB

Second Team All-Conference
C Anna Kimbrell, UAB
IF Kate Armstrong, UAB
UT Kristen McGrath, UAB

All-Freshman Team
Caitlin Attfield, UAB

I hope we do not have to worry about Auburn coming after Marla

Well deserved.

Marla does not strike me as someone looking to leave simply for more money or to just be at an SEC school. She has deep roots at UAB. She can win a National Championship right here. She does not have to leave to do that.

Deep roots at UAB as well as deep roots in the school & community where her children go.

Exactly!

(05-09-2013 08:36 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Well deserved.

Marla does not strike me as someone looking to leave simply for more money or to just be at an SEC school. She has deep roots at UAB. She can win a National Championship right here. She does not have to leave to do that.

This! She and the team have evolved so well since being given the resources in which a softball team can flourish.

(05-09-2013 08:38 AM)the_blazerman Wrote:  Deep roots at UAB as well as deep roots in the school & community where her children go.

Her foster daughter's a real sweetheart, went out of her way one time at a UAB home game to play with my kid & befriend her. I hope Coach Townsend stays, but if given the opportunity to make much more $$$ & provide an even greater future for herself and her kid(s) by going elsewhere, it'd be very hard for me to begrudge her. Whoever's in charge of giving out raises and contract extensions should give Coach Townsend whatever the hell she wants/needs. She could very well be the first coach in UAB history to take a Blazers team to a national championship game in a "high profile" collegiate sport...Or has that ship sailed already? (shrugging shoulders) ;-)

Marla's parents still live here, and she loves UAB. That said, it's a career, and if someone comes around offering big money she'd have to think. She's already turned down one BC$ offer I know of. I hope she does choose to stay and keep building here.

Grats to the team for a great season, let's keep playing a while longer!