McKinley Hubbard, ‘27, was crowned Miss UAB 2026 this past November. The junior is a member of the softball team and a full-time student majoring in Kinesiology.
Miss UAB is Hubbard’s first real pageant, and she was encouraged to run for it by members of her team who thought she would be a good candidate. She decided that she wanted to try something that would give her the opportunity to serve her campus in a new way.
“This is my first serious pageant that I’ve ever done. I did Distinguished Young Woman. I’m from Tuscaloosa, so I was Tuscaloosa County’s DYW and competed there and at the state level, but this is my first Miss America Organization pageant.”
Being Miss UAB is more than just a crown to Hubbard, it’s a chance to serve.
“I did not want to have this role just to have the crown, that was never my intention. I want to serve this campus with a new perspective and I want to be able to serve my community with a new perspective. That should be the basis of my life as a believer is just to serve others, and Miss UAB has just allowed me to do that in a new way.”
As a student-athlete, Hubbard already had a different college experience than the rest of the student population. She aims to use her role as Miss UAB to bring both populations together.
“I think there is a gap here at UAB of the athletes and the regular student population. I would love to be able to allow students to have an insight into what it’s like being an athlete, and I would like for athletes to get plugged in outside of just being an athlete.”
While being so heavily involved at her school, Hubbard says she is only able to succeed in all she does because of the people around her. Her friends, family, teammates, coaches, trainers, and coordinators are what make all of these things possible.
“I get through everything because of the village around me at UAB.”
In her free time, Hubbard loves spending quality time with her loved ones and going on “sweet treat runs” with friends.
Beyond making an impact on campus, Hubbard wants to use her title to make an impact in her community. Her Community Service Initiative, the Miracle League, is a volunteer organization that she feels passionate about.
“That is an organization that gives special needs children and adults the opportunity to experience teamwork and the joy of athletics through baseball specifically.”
When asked for advice to other women interested in or considering participating in a Miss America pageant, she said they should get out of their comfort zone and just do it.
“Don’t base your performance on the result or how the end of the competition goes. If you can put your mind to it, and if you think in your mind ‘I can do this’, you can. Trust your preparation and go out there and do it.”
When asked if she plans to compete for the Miss Alabama and Miss America titles, Hubbard says she would love to continue competing.
“I’ve been blessed with this opportunity and I was blessed with the opportunity to even go to Miss Alabama. I think I will compete after my role as Miss UAB is over.”
