UAB community mourning loss of pioneer in sports medicine Drew Ferguson

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The UAB community is mourning the loss of Drew Ferguson.

The award winning, longtime athletic trainer and pioneer in the field of sports medicine had a career at UAB and Children’s of Alabama that spanned over 40 years.

“Drew embodied the very heart and mission of sports medicine,” said Dr. Heath Hale, the Head Team Physician and Medical Director at UAB Athletics.

Dr. Hale said he worked alongside Drew Ferguson for 10 years. He said Ferguson’s contributions in sports medicine, particularly in the study of concussions, inspired him.

“The policy changes that he was able to fight for and get enacted down in the Montgomery, the effects of that have been widespread even now and will continue to be,” said Dr. Hale.

Ferguson’s passing earlier this week brings grief to those who not only knew him, but share the same mission in providing care and research of concussions among student athletes in Alabama.

Ferguson advocated for AED devices in Birmingham and Jefferson County High Schools and pushed for the Alabama Concussion Law to pass in 2011.

“He recognized that this was a severe injury that a lot of our athletes, not just collegiate and professional, but what our youth athletes were dealing with as well,” said Ashley Williamson, the Administrative Manager for UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine.

Throughout Ferguson’s 40 year career, Williamson said he helped change the face of high school athletic training.

A change Megan Haynes, the Operations Manager at the UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine Clinic, said is what leaves behind a memorable legacy.

“He realized that children are not just small versions of adults, they actually have to be treated a little differently and that was actually something Drew said himself that stood out to me,” said Haynes.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association also released a statement saying they are saddened by Ferguson’s death. Ferguson was a member of the AHSAA Medical Advisory Board since 2010.

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