LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The 10th annual Charley Glenn Award for Heroic Service will be presented during pregame ceremonies prior to West Alabama's matchup against North Greenville University at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.
The award will be presented to a current Tiger football player for extraordinary service to the UWA Football Program in memory of Staff Sgt. Charles Lee Glenn.
Contravious Blanks was voted by his teammates and coaches as the 2025 Charley Glenn Award recipient and in 2026, West Alabama is proud to announce Ben Newton and Lake Gurley as this year's recipients.
Both Newton and Gurley have been a vital part of UWA football's success throughout the last five years. Newton has served as a starter on the Offensive Line and a team captain for the last three seasons, earning multiple accolades, including a D2CCA Second Team All-Region selection in 2025. Gurley has emerged as a leader on the team, earning the status of team captain for the 2026 season. The Linebacker was named to the Preseason All-GSC team and continues to lead the Tigers on and off the field.
A UWA graduate and former Tiger football player, Glenn was also a military veteran and Bronze Star recipient. He played football at UWA from 1994-97, earning numerous academic honors as a player before enlisting in the United States Army on June 17, 2003.
An Army Special Forces Soldier, Glenn lost his life in the service of our nation on May 17, 2007 after losing consciousness during a training event at the Special Forces Underwater Operations School.
Glenn attended basic combat training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia before reporting to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course in 2003. Glenn was selected for Special Forces training, and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course in 2005.
He reported to fifth Special Forces Group (Airborne) in December 2005, where he was assigned to a Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha. He completed a tour in Iraq before beginning the Combat Dive Qualification Course.
Kickoff for the today's game between the Tigers and Trailblazers is set for 6:00 p.m.
