LIVINGSTON, Ala. - With its first ever home opener just days away, the Birmingham, Ala., based professional soccer team, Birmingham Hammers, will have a representative from the University of West Alabama in senior Alex Brown. 
 

Brown, a native of Essex, England, is one of 30 players donning the Birmingham Hammers jersey for the first time in its exhibition season.  No stranger to young programs, Brown helped the 2014 West Alabama Tigers to its first Gulf South Conference Tournament Title in its third season as an intercollegiate program. 

Brown brings to Birmingham an impressive resume, having been named to both the NCSAA and Daktronics All-Region teams as well as a two-time All-GSC team honoree. In three seasons at UWA, the defender has started in 52 of 54 matches with over 3,000 minutes of action. Despite operating primarily from the back line, he has compiled eight goals in his career. 
 

The Birmingham Hammers were founded in 2013 with the goal of bringing professional soccer to the Magic City. The idea was hatched in the minds of founders Morgan Copes and John Killian upon reconnecting in Birmingham a few years after college. Three others joined the effort later in 2013: Evon Noyes, Eric Lopez and Wade Honeycutt. Since then they have developed a brand intrinsically linked to the city.
 
The Hammers first home match is slated for May 29th at Sicard Hollow in Brimingham. Game time is set for 7 p.m.