Gymnastics Faces No. 20 Penn State at Home Friday
3/13/2008 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ?? The No. 6 ranked Alabama Gymnastics team renews its long-standing rivalry against Penn State this Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum.
The Crimson Tide has faced the 20th ranked Nittany Lions at least once a year for 24 of the last 25 years, with last season being the first break in the series since 1983. Alabama has met Penn State more than any other non-conference opponent.
“Penn State is a good team and we have enjoyed a long-standing rivalry,” Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. “We recruit quite a bit in that area of the country and we like to go there as much as they like to come down and compete here.”
It will be Academic Achievement night at the coliseum. In addition to honoring the eight Scholastic All-Americans on this year’s team, the Tide will honor local students who excel academically. Members of the A/B Honor Roll from the Tuscaloosa area, including county, city and private grade schools will receive free admission with a voucher. The school that uses the most vouchers at the end of the night will win a desktop computer courtesy of Tuscaloosa Toyota.
Children can also get in free by donating a book on the night of the meet. All books collected will be donated to the Tuscaloosa Library. And in celebrating Dr. Suess’ birthday, characters from his book “The Cat in the Hat” will greet fans on the coliseum concourse before the meet.
“First and foremost our ladies are here to get a great education,” Patterson said. “I am as proud of their accomplishments in the classroom as I am of what we accomplish in the gym. The education they receive at Alabama will hold them in good stead the rest of their lives.”
As a team, Alabama is looking to rebound from a West Coast road trip where Alabama had seven falls over two meets, including four at UCLA last Sunday. Prior to the weekend, the Tide hadn’t counted a fall in its total all season. Penn State is 11-6 coming into Friday’s meet. The Lions split last weekend’s tri-meet with Arizona State and Boise State out in Tempe, Ariz., beating BSU and falling to the Sun Devils.
For tickets go to RollTide.com or the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262), located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum. Fans can also buy tickets for next Friday’s home finale against the Auburn Tigers.
