Aug. 13, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Former UAB golfer Kyle Sapp has been named a volunteer assistant coach, head coach Alan Kaufman announced on Wednesday. Sapp is coming off a senior season in 2008 in which he was the captain of the team and helped lead UAB to a NCAA Championship appearance.

"I am very excited to have Kyle join the staff," Kaufman said. "He displayed great leadership skills and I think he is going to do great work with the guys. I couldn't be happier having him come on board and help us out."

Like Kaufman, Sapp is excited to start his coaching career at UAB, and looks forward to what is in store for the UAB men's golf program.

"I can't say enough how excited I am about the opportunity to work with the guys," Sapp said. "I feel we have the chance to do big things this year and I am really looking forward to the challenge."

Sapp was one of two seniors in 2007-08 and helped lead the Blazers to their seventh NCAA Regional and third NCAA Championship appearance in program history. Sapp had a career-low average of 74.22 per 18 holes a year ago, which included a 73.25 per round during the fall season.

However, Sapp's most impressive work came late in his senior season. His final round of 70 at the 2008 Conference USA Championships helped UAB capture the program's first-ever C-USA crown. Additionally, his final rounds of 72 and 71 at the NCAA East Regional help clinched a bid to the NCAA Nationals.

Sapp earned his first and only Conference USA Men's Golfer of the Week on Oct. 10, when he helped lead the Blazers to a second-place finish at the 2007 Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate. Sapp, a native of Gardendale, Ala., shot a career-low mark of eight-under par 205 for the 54-hole event. He also set career marks for 18 holes (65), 36 holes (135), 54 holes and tournament finish.

The Blazers will begin the 2008 fall season on Sept. 8-9 at the USF Invitational in San Francisco, Calif.