Legendary Gymnast Dee Foster Elected to SEC Women’s Legends Class of 2024 - University of Alabama Athletics
The 17-time All-American, who competed at Alabama from 1990-93 under the guidance of legendary coach Sarah Patterson, is the fifth member of the Crimson Tid...
The 17-time All-American, who competed at Alabama from 1990-93 under the guidance of legendary coach Sarah Patterson, is the fifth member of the Crimson Tide gymnastics program to be honored as a conference legend
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Former Alabama gymnastics standout Dee Foster was selected for the 2024 Southeastern Conference Women's Legends class, presented by T-Mobile, the Southeastern Conference announced.
A 17-time All-American, four-time SEC champion and NCAA all-around champion, Dee Foster was the program's first African American gymnast and the first-ever rookie to win SEC Female Athlete of the Year. She was also the first Alabama gymnast to score a perfect 10 before going on to set an NCAA record in 1993 with a perfect 10 in five consecutive meets.
With the announcement, Foster becomes Alabama's 22nd student-athlete to be honored as a conference legend, joining Penney Hauschild Buxton (2006), Andreè Pickens Houston (2010), Coach Sarah Patterson (2016) and Ashley Miles Greig (2020) as members of the Alabama gymnastics program to earn the honor.
Foster will be honored during the 2024 SEC Women's Basketball Tournament in March and will be recognized during halftime of Alabama's first tournament game, along with a group introduction at halftime of the second semifinal game.
Head Coach Ashley Johnston Said
"We are so excited to see Dee receive this honor. Dee is a trailblazer not only for Alabama, but for gymnastics as a sport. Her competitive spirit allowed her to accomplish great heights while her character laid a foundation in which our program still strives to emulate. Dee is definitely a legendary athlete, and we're excited to cheer alongside her as she receives this well-deserved recognition."Renowned Alabama Coach and 2016 SEC Women's Legends Class Honoree Sarah Patterson, who Coached Foster during her Crimson Tide Career, Said
"Dee was one of the women who helped create the legacy of Alabama gymnastics and helped develop a tradition of champions for our program. When Dee joined our program, she was our first African American athlete and left her legacy for others to follow and cherish."Dee Foster's Career at Alabama (1990-93)
- NCAA all-around champion in 1990
- 17-time All-American
- Set an NCAA record for most first team Championship All-America honors
- Four-time SEC champion
- First rookie to win the SEC Female Athlete of the Year award (1990)
- First Alabama gymnast to score a perfect 10
- Set an NCAA record in 1993 with a perfect 10 in five consecutive meets
- Was named the SEC Freshman of the Year, NCAA Gymnast of the Year and was nominated for NCAA Female Athlete of the Year
- Upon graduation in 1993, she was the only NCAA gymnast to finish in the top three in all-around for four straight years
