University of South Alabama The University of South Alabama ( USA ) is a public , national research university in Mobile , Alabama , USA . It was created by the Alabama Legislature in May , 1963 , and replaced existing extension programs operated in Mobile by the University of Alabama . USA is the only major public institution of higher learning on the upper Gulf Coast . With Alabama ' s two older universities more than 200 miles distant , the University is strategically located in the greater Mobile area , which has a population of more than a million within a 100 - mile radius . Currently , USA is divided into ten colleges and schools and includes one of Alabama ' s two state - supported medical schools . The university has an enrollment of about 15 , 000 students . To date , the University has awarded over 75 , 000 degrees . USA has an annual payroll of $ 404 million ( US ) , with over 5 , 500 employees , and is the second largest employer in Mobile , Alabama . It has remained one of Alabama ' s fastest growing universities for the past several years . The university has come under great criticism , as of 2014 the university maintains a 14 % graduation rate . South Alabama also has an annual economic impact of US $ 2 billion . South Alabama owned hospitals treat over 250 , 000 patients annually . Academics . The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees in ten colleges and schools . Several programs offer masters level degrees in addition to undergraduate degrees . Doctoral level degrees are offered in several areas , including Business Administration , Nursing , Medicine , Basic Medical Sciences , Instructional Design , Communication Sciences and Disorders , Audiology , Marine Science , Psychology , Physical Therapy , and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree offered in collaboration with Auburn University . The university will add doctoral programs in Business and Engineering beginning in 2013 , with the business doctorate being the state ' s first doctorate in business administration . The psychology doctoral program was initiated in 2009 and is one of a handful of such programs nationwide that offers a Combined degree , emphasizing both Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology . Significant research is done by faculty members in the above fields . In all , undergraduate students at South Alabama can choose from more than 50 bachelor ’ s degree and certificate programs while there are more than 40 master ’ s degree programs . As of 2011 , USA ranks as the 22nd best public university in the southern United States , and 52nd overall ( in the South ) . It has an acceptance rate of 86 . 5 % . The student - faculty ratio at USA is 22 : 1 , and the school has 41 . 5 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students . USA students are 57 % female and 43 % male . Colleges . The University of South Alabama has ten colleges : Administration . The University is governed by a Board of Trustees appointed by and including the governor of Alabama . The Board appoints a president of the University . Since the founding of the University , there have been two presidents : Frederick Palmer Whiddon ( served 1963 – 1998 ) and V . Gordon Moulton ( served 1998 - 2013 ) . John W . Smith , the current Vice President for Student Affairs , served as an interim president until the arrival of Tony G . Waldrop in 2014 . Criticisms . Federal Discrimination Lawsuit . On April 4 , 2014 , a large group of students belonging to Students for Life USA , a pro - life student organization , has filed a complaint in federal court against numerous University of South Alabama officials , including Dean of Students Michael A . Mitchell alleging discrimination . Research . USA has several research centers and institutes : Center for Design & Performance Improvement , Center for Real Estate and Economic Development , Center for Archaeological Studies , Center for Forensics and Information Technology Security , Center for Lung Biology , South Alabama Research and Inservice Center , and USA Mitchell Cancer Institute ( USAMCI ) . The USAMCI is the first academic cancer research institute in the upper Gulf Coast region . It was initiated in 2000 , and is funded through philanthropic gifts ; support from the state of Alabama ; the city of Mobile , and Mobile county ; federal appropriations ; competitive contracts and grants ; tobacco settlement funds ; and the USA Foundation . The USAMCI is the largest single research endeavor in the history of the University of South Alabama , with a total investment of over $ 125 million . It currently provides over 55 , 000 patient treatment contacts annually . In addition to improving cancer care , the Institute stimulates the growth of a strong regional economy built on biomedicine and biotechnology . Together with the entire USA Health System , USAMCI focuses on discovery and development of new and more effective treatments for cancer . Athletics and traditions . The Jaguars participate in 17 NCAA sanctioned sports ( 8 men 9 women ) , and are founding members of the Sun Belt Conference . Men ' s sports include Football , Basketball , Baseball , Tennis , Cross Country , Golf , Indoor Track and Field , and Outdoor Track and Field . Women ' s sports include Basketball , Softball , Soccer , Tennis , Cross Country , Volleyball , Indoor Track and Field , Outdoor Track and Field , and Golf . All sports participate in the Sun Belt conference , a Division 1 / FBS conference . The school is often referred to as simply " South " , " USA " , or the " Jags " , but the more formal South Alabama is often used as well . The university announced the creation of a NCAA sanctioned football team on December 6 , 2007 , with the goal of fast tracking the program to full FBS status by the 2013 season . The school ' s first ever game was played on September 5 , 2009 in front of 26 , 000 + fans . The Jaguars football team is led by head coach Joey Jones , former Alabama player under Paul " Bear " Bryant . The Jaguars lost at NC State 35 - 13 during the 2011 football season , the program ' s first game against a FBS opponent and its first loss after going a combined 19 - 0 during its first 2 + seasons . The Jaguars have future football contests scheduled with Mississippi St , NC State , Hawaii , Navy , Tennessee , LSU , Oklahoma St , Tulane , South Carolina , Nebraska , Louisiana Tech , and Southern Miss , including home contests with Mississippi State , NC State , Oklahoma State , Louisiana Tech , Tulane , and Navy . The baseball program enjoyed much success under Coach Eddie Stanky ( for whom the baseball stadium and field on campus is now named after ) , and later Coach Steve Kittrell , coming one win away from the College World Series six different times . The Jaguars have produced a litany of Major League Baseball talent . The most notable current players are David Freese , who was both the 2011 National League Championship Series MVP and 2011 World Series MVP for the St . Louis Cardinals , and Juan Pierre , a World Series winner with the Florida Marlins in 2003 . Coach Steve Kittrell retired at the end of the 2011 season and handed over the position to the coach in waiting , Mark Calvi , who had been on staff for that final year . Calvi was the pitching coach at the University of South Carolina when the Gamecocks won the College World Series in 2010 . The basketball program has reached the NCAA tournament eight times , with its only win coming against the University of Alabama in 1989 . The Jaguars have been beaten by the eventual national champion 3 of those 8 times ( Michigan , Arizona , & Florida ) , with the Michigan loss occurring in the second round . School Songs . Jaguar Pride Fight Song < poem > We ' re the mighty Jaguars Stand up and cheer , In our colors we take pride ; On to vic ' try lead us year after year We will stand here side by side . Through the years we ' ve prov ' n Our glory and fame . Honor be to the victor ' s name , U - S - A FIGHT ! FOR THE RED , WHITE & BLUE , GO JAGS ! < / poem > South ! Fight Song < poem > South ! Alabama We ' re the pride of the red , white , blue ! Loyal , strong and faithful To our alma mater true ! South ! Alabama We will cheer you to win the day ! For it ' s J - A - G - U - A - R - S For U - S - A ! < / poem > Alma mater < poem > All hail great university , Our Alma Mater dear , South Alabama , red and blue , proud colors we revere . Nestled among the hills of pine , enduring throughout time , Upward and onward may your fame continue in its climb . It seems that we have just begun ; too soon we must depart In all that life has planned for us , you ' ll share within our hearts . So with thy blessings now send us , pray highest be our aim , South Alabama may we ever glorify your name ! < / poem > Campus life . Housing . USA Housing & Residence Life : The University of South Alabama department of Housing & Residence Life is committed to providing safe , reasonably priced , well maintained residence halls and interacting with students in a courteous and efficient manner . We endeavor to support the academic mission of the University by creating purposeful residential communities that are conducive to the academic and personal success of students . Residence Life staff members are in the building and available to you 24 hours a day , 7 days a week , including Resident Assistants , Community Directors , Desk Assistants , and Area Coordinators . Remember , just one charge a semester covers all of your housing expenses including extended basic cable , wireless Internet , electricity , water , garbage , pest control , campus post office box , free maintenance , and unlimited laundry . The Grove : is a privately owned apartment complex on campus that offers individual leases of 2br / 3br apartments to only USA undergraduate and graduate students . ( Not affiliated with USA Housing & Residence Life . ) Greek life . Organizations . The following are Greek organizations that existed at the University of South Alabama that are no longer active sorted by the date they received their national charter Notable alumni . Notable alumni of the University of South Alabama include :