Robert Andrew Ferguson

Robert Andrew "Drew" Ferguson, a long-time member of the Alabama Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, passed away to be with the Lord on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. The Birmingham, Alabama native was 73.

Drew was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Donald Ferguson and Mary Ann Ingram Ferguson; his brother, Donald Ferguson; and a half-sister, Carol Skinner. He is survived by his wife, Diane, whom he married on November 19, 1977; one sister, Dianne Currans (Bill); aunt, Helen Maginnis; nephew, Eddie Grace; and nieces, Mary Grace and Lee Anne. He also leaves behind his cherished dog, Kojac, and cat, Tiger.

Drew's family will greet friends Tuesday, October 8, 2024 from 1-4 p.m. at Ridout's Southern Heritage, 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124. Also, visitation will be Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama from 10-11 a.m., followed by A Service of Remembrance for Drew at 11 a.m. at the church, 2017 Columbiana Road, Birmingham, AL 35216. The gravesite committal service will be Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 3 p.m. at Pine View Memorial Gardens, 2325 Holtville Road, Wetumpka, AL 36092.

Drew received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Education and Exercise Physiology in 1974 from the University of Georgia, Athens (UGA). He said a major stepping stone to all of his work in sports and athletic training was his achievement of a full scholarship to be an athletic trainer for legendary coach Vince Dooley at UGA.

Drew's deep interests in sports medicine and athletic training were heavily influenced by his own health challenges also. At age 6, he wound up with a strep infection when he, "like any kid," played too long outdoors in the snow. That was the beginning of a lifetime of kidney issues.

By the sixth grade in school, his health problems were limiting his ability to excel in sports. "I was trying to play basketball, but my father ultimately explained to me that I would be better off pursuing a career related to sports, but not as an athlete," he recalled. His declining health led to him undergoing successful kidney transplants at the University of Alabama Hospital, Birmingham (UAB) in 1990 and 2003.

Soon after his graduation from UGA, Drew launched his professional career in sports medicine that spanned over half of a century. He came to Birmingham to take a position as athletic trainer for the World Football League, working with the Birmingham Americans and Birmingham Vulcans. In 1975, he and Kurt Niemann, M.D., founded the Sports Medicine Institute of Alabama, which today is Children’s of Alabama Sports Medicine.

While the Institute's director of administration and athletic training, Drew actively served in leadership with various programs in the Birmingham community. He was head athletic trainer for the UAB Blazers basketball team under Coach Gene Bartow and UAB Athletics, and later was U.S. Olympic Basketball athletic trainer at the U.S. Olympic Training Center.

Drew, who earned his Master of Science Degree from UAB in 1975, remained the director of the Children’s of Alabama Sports Medicine Clinic for over 30 years. He took great pride in advocating for athletes of all ages, skill levels, and statuses, and was instrumental in the passage of the “Alabama Athletic Trainers Licensure Act” in 1993, establishing the Alabama Board of Athletic Trainers and ensuring professional, competent athletic training services in the State of Alabama through state licensure.

One of Drew's UAB colleagues, Dr. Heath Hale, described him as a pioneer in the fields of sports medicine and athletic training. Dr. Hale said he was inspired by Drew's many contributions in sports medicine, particularly in the study of concussions. Drew advocated for AED devices in Birmingham and Jefferson County high schools, and pushed for the Alabama Concussion Law's passage in 2011.

Drew was a member of the Medical Advisory Board for the Alabama High School Athletic Association (2020-2024) and Chair of the Public Policy Committee of the Alabama Concussion Task Force (2020-2024). He also held the positions of secretary and treasurer for the Alabama State Board of Athletic Trainers (1994-95) and Chair of Alabama State Board of Athletic Trainers (1995-2008). He served in notable roles for many events in Birmingham and beyond, such as head athletic trainer for UAB Athletics, USOC Track and Field Athletic Trainer for the 1996 Olympic Games. He was also medical director for the 2017 U.S. Senior Games, the 2017 Maccabi Games, and the 2022 World Games.

Drew's final professional roles were director of business development for UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine and CEO of the CoachSafely® Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to limit youth sports-related injuries through research, advocacy, and education of coaches, parents, and physical education instructors.

Through gracious donations by advocates for youth sports safety, Drew was also able to create the Robert A. Ferguson Endowed Lecture Series, where sports medicine professionals are able to share knowledge with both healthcare providers and the community on safe sports participation at all ages.

In his leisure, Drew enjoyed collecting cars and art; watching UAB, UGA, and Alabama Crimson Tide sports; reading; and music. He was an active member of Shades Mountain Baptist Church since 1977.

He will be remembered by family and friends as a kind, loving, and giving spirit who thought of others first. He had a true servant's heart.

Drew asked that memorial contributions be made to organizations and charities he often supported:

* The CoachSafely® Foundation - https://coachsafely.org/donate/

* The Drew Ferguson Support Fund in UAB Orthopedic Surgery - Give at https://go.uab.edu/drewfergusonfund or mail gifts to UAB Gift Records, AB 1230, 1720 2nd Ave. South, Birmingham, AL 35294-0112. Gifts to this fund will support a Sports & Exercise Medicine Lecture series in Drew's name.

* The Milton and Anne Chamberlain Endowed Scholarship Fund, Beeson Divinity School, 800 Lakeshore Drive, Homewood, AL 35229

* The Greater Birmingham Humane Society - www.gbhs.org

* The Humane Society of Elmore County - www.elmorehumane.org

* Or a charity of your choice.