Alabama Gymnastics Set for Busy Alumni Weekend

More than 80 members of the Alabama gymnastics program are set to return to campus for a number of events centered around the Crimson Tide’s Friday-night meet against No. 9 Kentucky that gets underway at 7:30 p.m. CT in Coleman Coliseum.

Among those returning to the Capstone for Alumni Night are nine members of the 1988 NCAA Championship team, the first women’s program to win a national title at Alabama. The 1988 team, coached by Tide legends Sarah and David Patterson, are celebrating the 30th anniversary of that championship season. In addition to Alabama’s first NCAA title, the 1988 team also won UA’s first Southeastern Conference gymnastics title and first Triple Crown, taking the SEC, NCAA Central Region and NCAA championships.

Alabama will also be hosting its Bama Salute night, with all military and first responders receiving free admission with their ID. The Crimson Tide will also be giving away 1,000 light up wands. In honor of Alabama’s weekend of champions, a limited edition poster featuring the 1988 team as well as all of the Tide’s individual NCAA champions will be given away, with nearly a dozen past NCAA champions on hand from 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. to sign autographs.

While the meet gets underway at 7:30 p.m., the Tide’s alumni ceremony will start just after 7 p.m. and will include a special recognition of the 1988 team.

In addition to the events around the meet, the 1988 team will be honored with a dinner at The University of Alabama President’s Mansion on Thursday, as well as various other gatherings and activities throughout the weekend.

The alumni weekend, and its various events, was planned in part by a trio of UA hospitality management majors from the Tide’s College of Human Environmental Sciences - Cierra Barrios, Kate Bloomquist, and Harley Sabbagh.

Tickets for Friday’s meet against the Wildcats are available through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum and online at RollTide.com.