UAB Students Compete in Annual Gurney Derby

The homecoming tradition features teams racing across the Birmingham campus while pushing passengers on hospital gurneys.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in College Life

UAB Students Compete in Annual Gurney Derby

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Students at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) participated in the university's annual gurney derby race on October 15, 2026. The spirited competition is a long-standing homecoming tradition held on the Birmingham campus.

Why it matters

The event serves as a central fixture of UAB homecoming celebrations, encouraging student involvement and school spirit. It highlights the unique traditions that define the university's social culture.

The tradition originated in 1994 and requires teams of 4 participants to push a passenger on a hospital gurney. Winners are selected based on racing speed, gurney aesthetics, and passenger creativity.

The players

University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

This public research university in Birmingham is the site of the homecoming gurney derby tradition.

The details

Teams race across the campus grounds to determine who can navigate the course most effectively while managing a passenger on a standard hospital gurney. Organizers award prizes to the fastest finishers, the best-dressed gurney, the most creative passenger, and the last-place team.

The gurney derby began as a homecoming tradition in 1994.
The 2026 race occurred on campus on October 15, 2026.

Culture Shift

University homecoming traditions often rely on long-standing, eccentric events to build community and distinguish campus culture. By maintaining the 1994 inception of the UAB gurney derby, the university reinforces a legacy of student-led engagement that defies modern digital-only interaction trends.

Students and faculty can anticipate road or path closures on the UAB campus during the hours of the event to ensure participant safety. Local residents interested in university culture can witness the race, which remains a visible part of the Birmingham homecoming schedule.

The takeaway

Maintaining unique physical traditions is a core way for students to build lasting memories during their time at university. Participants should prioritize safety while focusing on the creative aspects of their team design.