BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
When Alabama gymnastics takes on No. 21 Arizona to open the 2015 season Friday night in Coleman Coliseum, it will mark the first time in 36 years that a new head coach will lead the Crimson Tide out onto the floor.
When legendary coaches Sarah and David Patterson retired in mid-July, Dana Duckworth was named the program's sixth head coach on the same day, making for a seamless transition. Now, after five months and countless details later, the two-time individual NCAA Champion is ready - more than ready - to get the season underway.
"I'm excited more than anything," Duckworth said. "We've worked really hard and we're ready for the opportunity in front of us. We've reached a point in the season where we're not going to take many more steps forward without a competition."
While Friday marks the start of Duckworth's first competitive slate as head coach, it is her 20th season as an active part of the Alabama gymnastics family, including four as an All-America gymnasts, nine as a volunteer coach and the last six as a full-time assistant. She and associate head coach Bryan Raschilla combined for almost 40 years as part of Alabama gymnastics.
Alabama, coming off its eighth Southeastern Conference championship, returns five All-Americans to this year's roster, including seniors Kayla Williams, Kaitlyn Clark and Lora Leigh Frost, junior Lauren Beers and sophomore Katie Bailey.
The festivities get underway at 7 p.m., with a team-led "Roll Tide" before a mini-concert by Moriah Martin gets the Coliseum rocking.
Tickets for the Crimson Tide's home meets are on sale through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum and online at RollTide.com. Fans can keep up with the Tide via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube by following BamaGymnastics
When legendary coaches Sarah and David Patterson retired in mid-July, Dana Duckworth was named the program's sixth head coach on the same day, making for a seamless transition. Now, after five months and countless details later, the two-time individual NCAA Champion is ready - more than ready - to get the season underway.
"I'm excited more than anything," Duckworth said. "We've worked really hard and we're ready for the opportunity in front of us. We've reached a point in the season where we're not going to take many more steps forward without a competition."
While Friday marks the start of Duckworth's first competitive slate as head coach, it is her 20th season as an active part of the Alabama gymnastics family, including four as an All-America gymnasts, nine as a volunteer coach and the last six as a full-time assistant. She and associate head coach Bryan Raschilla combined for almost 40 years as part of Alabama gymnastics.
Alabama, coming off its eighth Southeastern Conference championship, returns five All-Americans to this year's roster, including seniors Kayla Williams, Kaitlyn Clark and Lora Leigh Frost, junior Lauren Beers and sophomore Katie Bailey.
The festivities get underway at 7 p.m., with a team-led "Roll Tide" before a mini-concert by Moriah Martin gets the Coliseum rocking.
Tickets for the Crimson Tide's home meets are on sale through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum and online at RollTide.com. Fans can keep up with the Tide via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube by following BamaGymnastics
