Andree Pickens Houston Honored as Southeastern Conference Great
3/4/2010 12:00:00 AM | General
DULUTH, Ga. - Crimson Tide legend Andreé Pickens Houston, a two-time NCAA Champion and captain of Alabama's 2002 NCAA Championship gymnastics team, is being recognized as a Southeastern Conference Great this week.
"I'm very proud to be considered among the all-time greats at Alabama that have been given this prestigious honor," Houston said. "I am thankful that the coaches and administrators thought enough of me to put me forward for such a wonderful honor."
The 14-time All-American is being honored this week in Duluth, Ga. during the SEC Women's Basketball Tournament. The Scholastic All-American was introduced Wednesday night during the Commissioner's Tip-Off and Greats' Reception held at the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse. She was also recognized at halftime of Alabama's first-round game against Georgia Thursday night in the Gwinnet Center.
"Andreé has always been, and continues to be a tremendous ambassador for The University of Alabama and she is certainly very deserving of this latest honor," UA gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson said.
The 2002 SEC Athlete of the Year, Houston earned the NCAA Top VIII Award, The Honda Award for Gymnastics and was an NCAA Woman of the Year honoree for the State of Alabama.
Houston also competed on the UA track and field team as a fifth-year senior, setting the school indoor and outdoor record in the pole vault. She competed at two Olympic Trials during her athletic career, the USA Gymnastics Trials in 1996 and the USA Track and Field Trials in 2008.
After coaching gymnastics and competing at a national level in the pole vault, Houston returned to Alabama in 2008 as a coordinator in the Tide's compliance office.
