Nov. 30, 2007

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Former UAB women's basketball player Carmen Guzman has been placed on the ballot for Alabama Athlete of the Year, announced the United States Sports Academy Friday. The award is decided by fans who log on and vote by clicking here. Voting begins Friday and will go through Dec. 24.

Guzman, who currently plays professional basketball in Turkey, was the 2007 Conference USA Player of the Year after helping the Blazers to a 19-13 overall record and a second-place 12-4 league mark.

The New York, N.Y. native averaged 21.8 ppg and 5.8 rpg, while also adding 101 assists and 69 steals a year ago. Guzman was honored as a Kodak/WBCA All-America honorable mention at the conclusion of the season.

The Academy Alabama Athlete of the Year ballot is the culmination of the Academy's yearlong Alabama Athlete of the Month program, which recognizes the accomplishments of men and women in any sport in the state of Alabama. The Academy Alabama Athlete of the Month is selected by a voting committee comprised of former Alabama athletes, state-wide media and Alabama sports organization representatives.

The Alabama Athlete of the Year award is given to an athlete beyond the high school level who was either born in, is currently playing in or has previously participated in sports at any level within the state of Alabama.

Guzman is in good company, as the 2007 ballot also includes Auburn kicker Wes Byrum, Auburn swimmer Cesar Cielo, Alabama receiver D.J. Hall, San Diego Padres pitcher and Mobile native Jake Peavy, Alabama gymnast Kassi Price, Houston Texans linebacker and former Alabama player DeMeco Ryans, Auburn decathlete Maurice Smith, Auburn sprinter Kerron Stewart, Auburn high jumper Donald Thomas, Arizona Diamondback and former Mobile Baybears outfielder Justin Upton and reigning Alabama Athlete of the Year Pat White a quarterback at West Virginia University.

Last year, the leading overall vote-getter was West Virginia quarterback and Daphne native Pat White, who beat out Seattle Seahawk running back Shaun Alexander and LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell.

UAB has had one previous winner of the Alabama Athlete of the Year award in Vonetta Flowers.