Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

乐播传媒 engineering technology major turns lessons from the field into a future in construction

For Owen Vander Wal, the past year has blurred the line between football and the job site. Being coachable on the field, he鈥檚 found, translates directly to the workplace鈥攁 lesson he鈥檒l put to the test this summer.

Building on the experience he gained during last summer鈥檚 internship at Smurfit Westrock folding carton plant in Eutaw, Vander Wal decided to pursue a new challenge in civil construction engineering. He鈥檒l get that opportunity in June through a postgraduate internship with Brasfield & Gorrie, based in Birmingham.

His internship with Brasfield & Gorrie is guaranteed for at least six months and is designed to help determine where he fits best within the company, particularly as he continues building his construction experience.

Engineering Technology students do plenty of hands-on work, but for Vander Wal, seeing projects move from paper to reality was eye-opening.

鈥淲e do a lot of AutoCAD work at 乐播传媒,鈥� he said, 鈥渂ut when I saw how that was used at Westrock鈥擨 saw the real-world connection for the first time.鈥�

That opportunity is a long way from where he started just a few years ago. Although football brought him from Fairhope to Livingston, Vander Wal said he nearly transferred after his freshman year. Looking back, he鈥檚 glad he stayed.

鈥淚 know everyone says, 鈥楾here鈥檚 something about this place,鈥欌�� he said, 鈥渁nd it really has been true for me.鈥�

That sense of connection has carried over into the classroom.

For his senior capstone project, Vander Wal and fellow seniors Sabino Galvan, Alexis Davis, and Kasey Coleman found another way to apply their skills: converting a mountain bike into an e-bike.

鈥淲e started talking about how far the Engineering Technology building is from the rest of campus, especially the Math & Science building,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd we wanted to find a better way for students to get back and forth. We thought an e-bike would be a cool solution.鈥�

The group laid the foundation for future teams to build on. Once they mapped out the process, they purchased key components, including a wheel hub and battery, then began testing the bike鈥檚 viability. The project drew on skills from across the program, including mechanical and electrical work as well as project management.

鈥淲e were able to get from the ET building to the Math and Science building in three minutes,鈥� Vander Wal said. 鈥淚f a student walked, it would take the full 15 minutes between classes, and they鈥檇 be late. I think it would be great if the Division could start converting bikes for students, maybe for a small fee. It鈥檚 something that could be explored in the future.鈥�

That same drive to apply what he鈥檚 learned has also led to recognition in the classroom. At the Division鈥檚 recent Honors Day, Vander Wal received three honors, including Pro-Certified Scholar, 2026 University Scholar for Engineering Technology, and induction into the Epsilon Beta Chapter of Epsilon Pi Tau International Honor Society for Professions in Technology.

As his time at 乐播传媒 winds down and he prepares to receive his diploma on May 8, Vander Wal is focused on carrying those lessons into the next phase of his career.

鈥淏eing coachable and trainable are two sides of the same coin,鈥� he said. 鈥淏rasfield & Gorrie is taking a chance on me, even without a deep construction background, because I鈥檓 willing to listen, learn, and put in the work. I鈥檓 hoping that mindset helps turn this internship into a full-time job by next fall.鈥�

The post From playbook to blueprint appeared first on 乐播传媒.

Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

The 乐播传媒 celebrated the completion of a 7,000 square foot renovation and expansion of its football locker room at Homer Field House with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 2.

The $4.7 million renovation and expansion project enhances the daily experience of 乐播传媒 student-athletes while reinforcing the university鈥檚 commitment to excellence both on and off the field. Dedicated supporters of 乐播传媒 Athletics contributed $1.3 million to help bring this project to life.

乐播传媒 President Dr. Todd G. Fritch said at the ribbon cutting ceremony that the project is a reflection of the University’s commitment to student success and strengthening the student experience.

“This celebration is a clear statement about who we are and who we are committed to becoming,” Fritch said. “Students are our purpose, and that guides every investment we make. Our student-athletes dedicate themselves to excellence in competition, in the classroom, and in leadership across our campus, and we want our facilities to match that dedication.”

Athletic Director Brett Gilliland, who previously served as head football coach for 11 years, told the crowd gathered that this renovation and expansion is a game-changer for 乐播传媒, built on a vision centered on students’ needs.

“It is rare for a facility construction project to turn out exactly like the vision,” Gilliland said. “So many times when a project is completed you may notice things you wish you had done differently, but not this one. This is exactly what we envisioned, especially for our student athletes.”

The new locker room features 116 lockers and a spacious meeting area designed to accommodate the entire roster. Fifty-three of the lockers have been sponsored by former Tigers and supporters and are recognized with commemorative plaques. Each state-of-the-art locker features integrated charging ports, built-in bench seating with storage, and secure lock boxes for personal valuables.

Named the 鈥淭iny鈥� Campora Locker Room, in memory of Don 鈥淭iny鈥� Campora through the generous support of Steve and Gayle Campora, the locker room marks the family’s commitment to and investment in 乐播传媒 student-athletes and the Livingston community for more than a decade.

Head Football Coach Scott Cochran said that he looks forward to the program’s growth and development through his team’s use of the new amenities. The project was underway when Cochran joined 乐播传媒 Athletics in February 2025.

“The vision for this place is incredible,” Cochran said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e been under construction since I walked in the door here. Just like the football team, we are always building, always trying to get better. Knowing that you have a facility like this鈥攚hen it comes to recruiting, when it comes to a standard of excellence鈥攊t lines right up with everyone鈥檚 vision for this place, and I get to see it every day and am grateful to be a part of it.鈥�

The renovation also includes a modernized cold plunge room, new restroom and shower facilities, and a separate entrance and exit to the field, eliminating the need to share space with the visiting team.

Upstairs, the facility features an updated reception area and the King-Ferris Football Team Room, honoring Coach Jim King, his wife, Sandy King, and their grandson, the late Patrick Ferris. The designation recognizes the family鈥檚 enduring legacy and profound impact on both the Livingston community and 乐播传媒 football.

Adjacent to the King-Ferris Football Team Room is a dedicated student-athlete career development office designed to support professional growth beyond the playing field. The space will serve as a resource for virtual interviews, career preparation, and collaborative opportunities, including engagement with partners like Podium X who provide career preparation guidance for students. The room will be available to student-athletes across all programs as they prepare for life after graduation.

The Champions Deck, a new viewing terrace overlooking the south endzone, honors Livingston University alumni Ronnie and Kathy Gilliland and the 1971 NAIA National Championship football team. Made possible through the generosity of Steve and Gayle Campora, Champions Deck provides a premier vantage point while commemorating a milestone moment in 乐播传媒 Athletics history.

鈥淭his space brings together the spirit of 乐播传媒 Athletics and reflects the sense of community that is so strong at our University,鈥� Fritch said. 鈥淭his can be seen throughout the facility, whether in the gathering spaces that support team and fan fellowship, through the amenities offered to our student-athletes in the locker room, or the equipment that will support health and safety for the entire team. We can anticipate many exciting times ahead in this space.鈥�

The post 乐播传媒 cuts the ribbon at Homer field house’s new football locker room appeared first on 乐播传媒.

Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

乐播传媒 business student balances the classroom and the gridiron

Whether he鈥檚 flying around a motocross track or drilling field goals for the 乐播传媒, Elijah Guyton approaches every challenge with the same mindset: make a plan, then make it happen.

A management major at 乐播传媒, Guyton didn鈥檛 begin his football journey as a kicker. He started playing the sport in seventh grade, but it wasn鈥檛 until his junior year of high school that a coach mentioned the team needed someone to handle the kicking duties. Guyton volunteered, figuring 鈥淲hy not me?鈥�

What started as a spontaneous decision quickly became a serious path. After performing well for someone who had never kicked before, he began attending camps and one-on-one training sessions the following year. Scholarship offers followed, and he chose 乐播传媒 for its close-knit campus community and the chance to be 鈥渕ore than just a number.鈥�

A high honor student, Guyton arrived ahead of the game. Because he took dual enrollment classes and then a full load each semester, he shaved off a full semester and is set to walk in commencement exercises on Friday, Dec. 12.

Although football brought him to 乐播传媒, Guyton knew a business degree could take him in countless directions. Still eligible to play next season after redshirting his freshman year, he plans to begin work on an this spring while continuing to contribute on the field in the fall.

That decision, he said, is part of a larger plan he set in motion long before college.

鈥淚 had a goal when I came to college to not have any student loan debt to pay off,鈥� Guyton said. By using his scholarship funds to cover graduate coursework, living in the dorms, and walking to class, he is well on his way to achieving that target鈥攁nother example of the deliberate approach that shapes both his academic and athletic life.

A diligent student, he noted that if he happens to miss a class, at least one professor typically checks on him.

鈥淚 like that my professors know me and notice if I鈥檓 not there for some reason. It鈥檚 not like me to miss, so they don鈥檛 hesitate to reach out,鈥� Guyton said. 鈥淭hat personal connection,鈥� he added is a big part of why 乐播传媒 feels like home.鈥�

Named an AFCA All-American last year, he recently hit a career-long 51-yard field goal against Northeastern State. He hopes to attend some kicking camps next year that can get him in front of NFL scouts and pro evaluators.

鈥淎 lot of kids dream about making it to the college level to play football, and I鈥檝e made it鈥攕o why not push the limit and go the next step while I鈥檓 at 乐播传媒? If it doesn鈥檛 work out, I鈥檒l have two degrees to fall back on.鈥� He figures the odds are in his favor either way.

The post Kicking his goals one at a time appeared first on 乐播传媒.