LIVINGSTON – The University of West Alabama Athletic Department will hold its annual Kickoff Dinner on Monday, Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. at the Bell Conference Center on the UWA campus.

This year’s featured speaker will be UWA alumnus Wright Waters, the current executive director of the Football Bowl Association and former commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference. There will also be a silent auction held in conjunction with the dinner.

The UWA Kickoff Dinner allows supporters, friends, fans and alumni the opportunity to meet UWA head football and two-time Gulf South Conference coach of the year Will Hall, as well as head coaches from all Tiger sports. Senior student-athletes from every sport will also be present at the event.

Waters spent 14 years as commissioner of the Sun Belt Conference and has over 40 years of experience in college athletics overall. He is the Football Bowl Association’s first-ever executive director. In his role as executive director Waters is responsible for the overall management of the FBA in areas including finances, administration, government relations, marketing, licensing, and legal.

Tickets are $40 and may be purchased in advance by calling the UWA Athletic Office at (205) 652-3784 or at the door.

UWA, the defending GSC Football Champions, open the 2013 season on Saturday, Sept. 7 by hosting Clark Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.

UWA women’s soccer kicks off Sept. 5 at home against Judson College, while Tiger volleyball and men’s soccer open their seasons Sept. 6. Men’s soccer is host to Mississippi College and volleyball opens play at the West Georgia Tournament. Kickoff for both soccer matches is 7 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.