Alabama Swimming and Diving's Stacy Potter Inman Honored As SEC Women's Legend
3/2/2017 4:09:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Southeastern Conference honored former Alabama swimming and diving All-American Stacy Potter, now Stacy Inman, as a Southeastern Conference Women's Legend this week.
Inman was honored by SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey during the halftime of Alabama's first round win over Vanderbilt during this week's SEC Women's Basketball Tournament being held in Greenville, S.C.
More than 20 years after her last race in for the Crimson Tide, Inman was surprised to get the call about this latest honor.
"I couldn't fathom it," Inman said. "It wasn't something I ever thought of as a possibility."
Each of the 14 SEC schools has a legend in Greenville this week. In addition to being honored during a game, the group will also be honored during a banquet. They will also participate in an autograph session during the tournament.Â
"This is a tremendous honor for our program," UA head coach Dennis Pursley said. "Stacy is one of the all-time greats, helping lead this program to national recognition in the 1990s. The marks she posted during her career still rank among our all-time top 10 all these years later. We're very proud of what she accomplished, and to have her represent us as an SEC Legend."
Originally from Americus, Ga., Inman was Alabama's most valuable performer in 1993, 1994 and 1995, leading Alabama to back-to-back top-10 national finishes in 1993 and 1994 and a top-15 finish in 1995.
"Stacy was always a hard, hard worker," UA Associate Head Coach Jonty Skinner, who coached Inman in the 90s, said. "I remember I'd have to lock the weight room before meets just so she'd get some rest."
Skinner also credits Inman's hard work and toughness for her phenomenal success at the NCAA Championships.
"Every year she'd swim the 100 backstroke and the 100 butterfly on the second day of NCAAs," Skinner said. "I don't care who you are, that's a tough double, and yet she made the big final in both events three years in a row."
It is fitting that Inman is being honored during an SEC championship event.
"My favorite memories came from the SEC Championships," Inman said. "Each year, we'd all come together, the men's and the women's teams, for that meet. It was such a great time for me. We'd come together and compete for each other, and that was especially true with the relays. Even now, when I'm watching the Olympics, that's my favorite part, the relays and the teamwork that goes into it."
Alabama swimming and diving's "Swimmer of the 1990s," Inman finished her UA career as a 22-time All-American. She broke the SEC record in the 100 butterfly, and was the 1995 NCAA Runner-up in the 100 butterfly. Her school record in the 100 backstroke stood for 20 years, from 1994 to 2014.
Inman and her husband Jason and their three children live in Pottsboro, Texas, where she teaches first grade. While her competitive career is behind her, she still works out regularly, a routine that included regular trips to the pool until the last few years when time became a factor.
"I just don't have the time to get to the pool each week," Inman said. "But when I did, I would think about swimming at Alabama, and even now, when I'm thinking about form and technique while I'm working out, it can take me back."
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