The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

It appears that UAB sand vball coach Hal Messersmith is going through some major health issues according to various Blazer players Twitter accounts. Hal I believe has cancer. His wife is also the regular vball coach. For those who pray lift him up, he and his wife are great Blazers.

Thoughts are with him

(07-15-2013 10:37 AM)Southside Blazer 82 Wrote:  Thoughts are with him

Same here...#HalNoFear...

Picture update

http://instagram.com/p/bNKoFzs-0U/

Godspeed, Coach.

(07-15-2013 11:46 AM)stc Wrote:  Picture update

http://instagram.com/p/bNKoFzs-0U/

WOW. Seems like having that many babes at your bedside has gotta help.

Great pic. Thanks for re-posting.

Sadly, Hal passed away this evening, a little after 6 PM.

I'm told his family, his team, and many of his UAB family were at his side.

May God bless Hal and his family.

(07-15-2013 07:04 PM)backyardblazer Wrote:  Sadly, Hal passed away this evening, a little after 6 PM.

I'm told his family, his team, and many of his UAB family were at his side.

May God bless Hal and his family.

Very sorry to hear that. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family – and his extended family.

I just saw a Tweet from Coach McGee conveying the news. My humble condolences...

Sad day for UAB......

:(

So sad.

Hate to hear this news. Best wishes to his wife, loved ones, and team.

Thoughts and prayers for the family.

Coach, RIP.

RIP

I'm keeping the family in my prayers!

As I am prepping for the first anniversary on 8/20 of my own oldest daughter's death 3 weeks before her 50th birthday from that same "Grim Reaper" disease, I find out that someone else has lost a child, a son and a son-in-law, just as I did a year ago. There is no way to avoid the great feeling of loss that comes with the death of your child, even one who is himself a grandfather. The Blazer family is keeping his family in our prayers and hoping they can find peace in this time of great loss. July 15th will never be again be for them "just another summer's day".