The 2008 Alabama Gymnastics Guide Section III
The Coaching Staff 48-55 2008 Guide to the Crimson Tide 58-59 2008 Crimson Tide Bios 61-75 Roster Breakdown 56-57 Crimson Tide at a Glance 60 Support Staff 76-81 Coaches
Sarah & David PATTERSON
Significant anniversaries are meant to be celebrated, and this year Sarah and David Patterson have two reasons to look back over their past accomplishments and celebrate. This season is their 30th coaching the University of Alabama Gymnastics team and it is also the 20th anniversary of the Crimson Tide’s first NCAA Championship. “I think it’s very rare that someone discovers what they were meant to do, their life’s work, at the age of 22,” Sarah Patterson said. “I think I was very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. In my adult life, I’ve only received a paycheck from one place and I think that’s pretty neat.” While Sarah Patterson started with the Crimson Tide seemingly the day after graduating from Slippery Rock University in 1978, David Patterson started coaching Alabama even before he gradu- ated. “To be able to find something that you really love to do, and to be able to make a living doing something that can make a differ- ence in people’s lives, and to find it at such a young age was really a blessing for me,” David Patterson said. “And I think we’re very lucky to be able to do what we love in a place that is truly special. It just doesn’t get any better.” Even though the calendar tells them that this will be their 30th season at Alabama, it doesn’t seem possible that much time has
Did You 48 Know? Sarah Patterson has been named National Coach of the Year four times. flown by since the Pattersons coached their most and you could treat your student-athletes And while those numbers just scratch the Alabama’s all-time roster is filled with first practice at the Capstone. as maturing individuals who you want to see surface of the Pattersons’ accomplishments, it highly successful doctors and lawyers, moth- “Day-to-day it doesn’t seem like 30 years,” become better citizens who will continue to does outline a pattern success that is extraor- ers and executives, teachers and engineers Sarah Patterson said. “But then, when I find grow after graduation.“ dinary even among the nation’s elite collegiate and they all share the common thread that time to look back at all we’ve accomplished Alabama followed the 1988 NCAA programs. they learned at Alabama, the habit of winning. over the years it does. For me, each team is so crown with national championships in 1991, But the success that Sarah and David And that fact is probably the greatest single different and each season brings its own chal- 1996 and 2002. The Tide has collected five Patterson are most proud of is that enjoyed measure of Sarah and David Patterson’s three lenges and joys, and that keeps the excitement Southeastern Conference crowns under the by their charges after they leave Alabama. decades of success at Alabama. level very high. It’s why I love what I do.” Pattersons in 1988, 1990, 1995, 2000 and 2003. After spending their collegiate careers at the One of the reasons that the Pattersons have One job, one school, for 30 years is a Success on all levels has been a Patterson Capstone, Tide gymnasts invariably go on to been so successful over the years is that the feat that is exceedingly rare and to have tenants of excellence upon which they maintained such a high level of success have built the Alabama program have over that span of time makes it even been a constant from day one. more impressive. The seeds for that suc- “The core of what we are today cess were planted with the Crimson hasn’t changed from 20, 30 years ago,” Tide’s very first recruiting class. The Sarah Patterson said. “Now we’ve gotten a duo promised that class Alabama would little older and a little wiser, but when you make it to the national championships get right down to we still have the same during their careers. As seniors, that first philosophy, the same goals and the same recruiting class marched into the 1983 drive to succeed on all levels that we did at NCAA Championships where the Tide the start.” finished an amazing fourth at their first national championship appearance. The The Starting Point Crimson Tide has not missed an NCAA That start came at a point in time Championship appearance since, mak- when Alabama Gymnastics was a strug- ing it 25 in a row last season, the second gling program. The Tide hadn’t enjoyed longest streak in the history of collegiate a winning season or even the same coach gymnastics. in its four years prior to Sarah taking the During that 25 year span, Alabama has helm as head coach. In fact, Sarah had won four NCAA Championships and fin- been hired as an assistant coach for the ished in the top six 23 times. The Tide has program’s fifth year, but received a letter also finished in the ‘final four’ an NCAA- during the summer before she arrived best 21 times. on campus that changed her life and The first of those championships came Alabama’s fortunes. in 1988 and it cemented the Tide’s place “I was going to be the assistant among the nation’s elite program and gave trademark throughout their careers. In addi- lead lives of distinction, both professionally coach,” Sarah remembers. “But I got a letter credence to the coaching philosophy that tion to the Tide’s success as a team, indi- and personally. during the summer saying the previous coach Sarah and David Patterson had utilized since vidually, Alabama gymnasts have earned “Winning championships never grows had left and did I want to be the head coach. day one of their coaching career. 223 All-American honors and 21 NCAA old,” Sarah Patterson said. “And I have thor- I asked my coach at Slippery Rock, Cheryl “For David and I, that championship Championships. Six times a Patterson-coached oughly enjoyed watching our ladies take home Levick about it and she told me that it would validated our coaching philosophy of being athlete has earned the Honda Award, given conference and national awards and champi- be a great place to build a program.” a balanced program, striving for success ath- annually to the nation’s top gymnast. onships, but there is nothing like the sense of Upon her arrival, Sarah found a program letically, academically and socially,” Sarah Patterson-coached athletes have earned 18 satisfaction I get watching our ladies go out on its last leg. The 22-year-old New York Patterson said. “It proved you could have that NCAA and Southeastern Conference post- into the world and use what they learned at native was the Tide’s fifth coach in as many philosophy, those priorities. It proved you graduate scholarships another figure that is Alabama, both in the classroom and in the years. After four losing seasons, no one expect- could coach for a championship, you could best in the nation as well as 115 Scholastic All- gym, to make themselves successful. It is sim- ed success, except Sarah. instill that academic success was first and fore- American and 171 Academic All-SEC honors. ply the best feeling in the world.” After getting the Alabama job, she put in
Tide Timeline March 20, 1995 - Ground is broken on Alabama’s state-of-the-art gymnastics practice facility. Alabama will move into the facility in August 1996. 49 the sense of accomplishment that working in Sarah Patterson Career Capsule the community gives, then when they gradu- Education: Slippery Rock State College (Penn.), 1978 ate and go out into the world, they will have Major: Physical education gained so much from that experience that they will always be giving people. That’s something HONORS: that’s very important.” — Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (inducted March 2003) Supporting the Crimson Tide — National Coach of the Year One offshoot of Alabama’s success in the - 2002, 1991, 1988 & 1986 gym and the classroom, as well as its commit- — SEC Coach of the Year ment to community service is an ever-growing fan base. - 1985, 1995 & 2000 “Our fans come in the years that we finish — 1997 U.S. World University Games second, third or fifth at the national champi- coach (silver medal) onships as much as they do the years that we — 1983 U.S. World University Games coach win it all,” Sarah Patterson said. “I think that’s — Honorary member of The University of Alabama because of what the program stands for. It’s National Alumni Association not just winning. It’s the type of people who — Alabama State Gymnastics Association Coach of a call to David Patterson, an Alabama diver program, he’s much more comfortable in the are involved in the program, the emphasis on the Year 1978-79 whom she had worked with the summer before background, providing the plan and structure.” being involved in the community and academ- at a gym in Huntsville, Ala. With the lure of a With Sarah and David in place, the differ- ics; it’s the total package. That’s why people ADMINISTRATION: leftover women’s basketball scholarship, David ence was immediately discernible. Excellence support us” — Associate Athletic Director, 1985-present joined the gymnastics program. wasn’t a quality to hope for, it was expected. And they support the Crimson Tide in — DCH Foundation Board member, “After my freshman year, Sarah called and Results were swift and a snowball effect was force. Alabama has averaged over 10,000 fans 2004-present said she was going to be here and asked if I underway. But while things were shaping up in a meet each of the last four years including a would help out with the team. It was a tough a hurry for the Crimson Tide, there were still — Senior Women’s Administrator, 1985-96 school and SEC record 12,578 fans per meet — SEC Executive Committee decision, but I decided to go with coaching. plenty of bumps in the road. during the 2006 season. — NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Committee, 1985-90 I just assumed it would be something to help “I was naïve,” Sarah Patterson said. “I didn’t Last season Alabama Gymnastics sold out me pay for a little bit of school for a couple of realize there were obstacles in my way. I guess Coleman Coliseum for the third time and for — NCAA Recruiting Committee, 1991-96 years. Somewhere along the way, I fell in love in that way we were lucky. If I had known the second year in a row, drawing 15,075 for with it.” everything that would stand in my way, we the Auburn meet. In 2006, the Tide set a school David Patterson Career Capsule With the coaches in place, Sarah making might not have made it this far.” and Southeastern Conference record when a Education: University of Alabama, 1982 about $5000 a year in what amounted to a beyond capacity crowd of 15,162 made their Major: Coaching and public relations graduate assistant’s salary and David receiv- A Helping Hand way to the Alabama beat Florida. ing a $500-a-year scholarship for his efforts, In the area of community service, Sarah CLUB COACHING ACHIEVEMENTS: Alabama started on its fifth season. and David Patterson give countless hours A Family Affair — Bama Bounder Age Group Club It was a partnership that immediately and encourage their athletes to do the same. Sarah and David aren’t the only Pattersons • 2 60 state champions clicked. The two balanced each other in such a Alabama gymnasts are active in the community who have made success a habit. Daughters • 2 10 regional champions way that their combined talents are more than from working with handicapped children to Jessie, 22, and Jordan, 15, have a balance of • 2 2 national champions the sum of their parts. spending time at a local retirement community their own, participating in a wide variety of — Named assistant coach for the 1989 and “David is such a great technical coach, while to helping raise money for Project AngelTree. extracurricular activities while making excel- 1991 World University Games. I tend to enjoy the artistic side of the sport,” “I think as David and I have matured we’ve lent grades. Jessie is a senior at Alabama while Sarah said. “I think both of us are good moti- placed a greater emphasis in our own lives on Jordan is a high school sophomore at American HONORS: vators, though we have different styles in that community service and how we can help,” Christian Academy. — 1982-83 Alabama State Gymnastics respect. David also helps me keep focused on Sarah Patterson said. “I feel that if we can instill After a standout high school volleyball Association Coach of the Year what’s best for us and the program. And while that quality, that characteristic of giving in our career, Jessie spent much of her college career — 1992 & 1993 NCAA Central Region I love to be out speaking and promoting the athletes when they are 18 to 22, and they have on the journalistic side of sports, serving first as Assistant Coach of the Year
Did You 50 Know? David Patterson has helped raised over $350,000 for Camp Smile-A-Mile, a camp for children with cancer as part of the annual “Ride of Love” charity bike ride. Alabama Under The Pattersons Year at Alabama: 30th Overall Record: 366-79-4/29 years — 2002, 1996, 1991 & 1988 — 50 athletes with 223 All-American — 4 SEC Athletes of the Year NCAA Team Champions honors — 3 SEC Scholar Athletes of the Year — 2003, 2000, 1995, 1990 & 1988 — 44 athletes with 115 Scholastic — 5 SEC Gymnast of the Year Honors SEC Team Champions All-American honors (since 1991) — 3 SEC Freshmen of the Year — 1983-85, 1987-96, 1998-03, 2005-07 — 49 All-SEC honors — SEC Single meet attendance record NCAA Regional Team Champions — 171 Academic All-SEC honors (15,162 vs Florida 1/20/06) — 21 individual NCAA Championships — 40 individual SEC Championships — SEC Single season attendance record — 10 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships — 3 NCAA Top VIII Honors (12,578 per meet, 2006) — 8 SEC Postgraduate Scholarships — 6 NCAA Region Gymnast of the Year Honors
of conquering all 50. As a cyclist he has helped spearhead the “Ride of Love”, a one-day, 150-mile ride through Alabama to raise money for Camp Smile-a-Mile, which caters to children with cancer. And as if all that weren’t enough, he has taken up woodworking over the last few years, creating ever larger and more intricate pieces. And while it may seem that Sarah THE PATTERSON RECORD Patterson’s favorite hobby is speaking to groups SEC Regional NCAA about Alabama gymnastics, she has become an Year Record Finish Finish Finish 2007 8-2-0 3rd 1st 9th enthusiastic scrapbooker over the past few years 2006 14-1-0 2nd 1st 3rd and a big country music fan, filling her iPod with 2005 11-3-0 3rd 1st 2nd Gretchen Wilson, Kenney Chesney and others. 2004 12-1-0 2nd 2nd 3rd 2003 10-7-0 1st 1st 2nd In addition to her coaching duties, she is 2002 12-3-0 2nd 1st 1st the driving force behind the “Power of Pink” 2001 15-2-1 2nd 1st 4th initiative that raises awareness in the fight against 2000 14-3-0 1st 1st 5th breast cancer and has raised over $500,000 for the 1999 8-3-0 2nd 1st 3rd 1998 10-3-0 4th 1st 3rd The Pattersons - Jordan, Sarah, David and Jessie DCH Breast Cancer fund established by Alabama 1997 13-2-0 4th 2nd 9th Gymnastics in 2004 to help women in need pre- 1996 12-1-0 2nd 1st 1st vent, detect and treat breast cancer. In 2005 she 1995 15-1-0 1st 1st 2nd 1994 7-3-1 2nd 1st 2nd a reporter, and then the sports editor for The Crimson White, was also named to the DCH Foundation Board. 1993 9-2-0 2nd 1st 2nd Alabama’s student paper. She also spent three years covering She has served in Alabama’s athletic administration as 1992 9-4-0 2nd 1st 3rd Associate Athletics Director since 1985 and was on the SEC 1991 16-0-0 2nd 1st 1st high school football along with Alabama football’s spring and 1990 14-1-0 1st 1st 2nd preseason football camps for The Tuscaloosa News. This year Executive Committee, the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics 1989 13-3-0 2nd 1st 3rd she is the Crimson White’s managing editor. Committee and the NCAA Recruiting Committee. 1988 14-3-2 1st 1st 1st With lives full to the brim, it’s easy to see how 30 years 1987 12-5-0 3rd 1st 4th Jordan has enjoyed a very successful athletic career in her 1986 18-2-0 3rd 2nd 3rd own right, playing volleyball and softball at ACA as well as have come and gone so quickly for Sarah and David Patterson. 1985 16-4-0 2nd 1st 4th competing on a travel softball team. The entire family is active Their time is filled with family and work and the wide variety of 1984 15-5-0 — 1st 6th details that intertwine everything together. It is an intricate act 1983 15-1-0 — 1st 4th members of the Church at Tuscaloosa. 1982 17-2-0 — — — David, in his scant spare time, is an avid fly fisherman and of balance to keep everything going at such a high level for such 1981 14-1-0 — — — cyclist. He has caught fish in 45 states, with an ultimate goal a long time, but it is a balancing act at which the Patterson fam- 1980 16-4-0 — — — ily excels at and thrives upon. 1979 7-7-0 — — —
Tide Timeline March 25, 1995 - Alabama vaults past three teams on the fi nal event to win its third SEC Team Championship with an NCAA-best vault total. 51 Bryan Raschilla Assistant Coach Seeing Bryan Raschilla in the world of gym- to grow every time they turn around and with nastics, it’s easy to think there’s something wrong their infectious smiles, are team favorites when with that picture. At 6 feet 5 inches tall, it would they visit in the gym. be easy to think he looks a little out place, but for “If I ever wonder how long I’ve been here, all I the Alabama Gymnastics team, Raschilla, now in have to do is look at my kids and how fast they’re his 12th season as assistant coach, is a picture per- growing up,” Raschilla said. “They are at a really fect fit. neat age right now where they understand what And for Raschilla, the feeling is mutual. daddy does and they really enjoy the meets and “I absolutely love what I am doing,” Raschilla being around the girls. And I certainly couldn’t said. “I get to meet and build relationships with think of better role models for my children than some really wonderful people. The chance to work our gymnasts.” with this caliber of student-athlete, I don’t think Raschilla believes he is fortunate to have the you get anywhere else. And what I like the most opportunity to raise his children in Tuscaloosa is that it’s not just about gymnastics and it’s not with the collegiate atmosphere. just about the four years they’re here on campus. “I just really like Tuscaloosa a lot, and bringing Being at Alabama is about creating lifelong rela- up my children where they can be positively influ- tionships.” enced by these collegiate athletes is just great,” Most importantly to him, Raschilla has seen Raschilla said. class after class of Alabama gymnasts come His duties with the Crimson Tide are as wide through the program, grow as athletes and people ranging as his talents. In addition to in-the-gym and graduate, ready to make something great of coaching, the Mineral Ridge, Ohio native also their lives. develops the Tide’s strength and condition- “I’m at Alabama to be a part of a program that ing program and coordinates, along with David does things the right way,” Raschilla said. “I have Patterson, Alabama’s recruiting efforts. the good fortune to coach athletes who excel in “Bryan not only brings his keen technical academics, athletics and community service. To be analysis to the team,” Sarah Patterson said. “He able have some part in their development is really also brings the sort of stability that is expected of at the heart of why I coach.” this program. After all, he is now in his 12th year Since he joined the Tide for the 1997 season, with us, and he is only the third coach to serve as Raschilla has helped coach Alabama to nine top-5 an assistant. He adds a comforting continuity for national finishes, including the 2002 NCAA the athletes.” Championship and a pair of NCAA runner-up He also brings a talent for graphic design to the finishes. With Raschilla on board, the Tide has Tide. Before joining the collegiate coaching ranks, also won a pair of Southeastern Conference titles in addition to coaching club gymnastics, Raschilla in 2000 and 2003. Alabama gymnasts have won 10 worked in the art department of one of Ohio’s top individual NCAA titles, earned 115 All-American advertising agencies. Every year, Raschilla brings honors and 111 Scholastic All-American honors. his skills to bear on the Tide’s posters, logos, Raschilla’s gymnasts haven’t been the only advertising, media guide covers along with a host ones to grow and prosper. He and wife Laura of other projects. have a son, Adam born in 1998, and a daughter, “I’ve always been able to draw,” Raschilla said. Kathryn, born in 2001. Adam and Kathryn seem “And I’ve always been interested in computers.
Did You 52 Know? Assistant coach Bryan Raschilla does all the graphic design work for the gymnastics team, including the cover of the 1999 media guide which was named Best in the Nation. Bryan Raschilla Capsule Family: Wife - Laura Son - Adam, Daughter - Kathryn Hometown: Mineral Ridge, Ohio Education: Youngstown State University (Ohio), 1989 Major: Graphic Design
Record at Alabama/Years: 130-33-1/ 11
The Crimson Tide With Raschilla — 2002 NCAA Team Champion — 2003 & 2000 SEC Team Champions — 1998-03, 05-07 NCAA Regional Team Champions — 10 individual NCAA Championships — 4 NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship — 3 SEC Postgraduate Scholarships — 26 athletes with 110 All-American honors — 42 athletes with 99 Scholastic All-American honors — 24 All-SEC honors — 111 Academic All-SEC honors — 26 individual SEC Championships — 3 NCAA Top VIII Honors — 6 NCAA Region Gymnast of the Year Honors — SEC Freshman of the Year — 5 SEC Gymnast of the Year Honors — 2 SEC Athletes of the Year — 2 SEC Scholar Athletes of the Year — SEC Single meet attendance record What I am able to do for the champions, national qualifiers ries that stick with him. The Raschillas - (15,162 vs. Florida 1/20/06) team is a great marriage of those and national team members, he “As a coach, I think some Kathryn, Bryan, Laura and Adam — SEC Single season attendance record two things.” moved into the collegiate arena. of my greatest memories come (12,578 per meet, 2006) So how did the 6-foot, 5-inch “I started in 1983,” Raschilla from those moments that no one redhead with a degree in graphic said. “And I’ve been coaching else sees,” Raschilla said. “It’s design get involved in the one ever since.” those moments in the gym when sport he’d never tried? Following a two-year stretch someone is having a hard time, “I probably get asked that at the University of Michigan, but they push through anyway. question a hundred times a where the Wolverines were sec- It’s breakthroughs in practice, year,” Raschilla laughed. ond and sixth at nationals during and all the hard work along the Asked to spot for his high his tenure, Raschilla moved on to way that sets up the champion- school team, Raschilla’s interest The University of Alabama. ship moments. Those are some continued to develop through- In the years that have passed of my best memories.” out his time at Youngstown in Tuscaloosa with the Crimson But Raschilla’s greatest State University in Ohio when Tide, Raschilla has accumulated memory thus far is the birth of he coached age-group gymnas- masses of great memories, but his children. “They are the first tics. After eleven years of club for him, it’s not just the champi- Southern-born Raschillas,” he gymnastics and countless state onships, the titles and the victo- exclaimed.
Tide Timeline April 13, 1996 - Alabama scores an NCAA-record 198.075 at the NCAA Central Regional Championships in Baton Rouge, La. 53 Dana Duckworth Volunteer Assistant Coach
Sarah Patterson has always wanted her gym- “Life changes so fast and priorities shift so nasts to be positive role models to all the little girls quickly once you have children,” Duckworth said. they come into contact with. As for the gymnasts “It’s been wonderful, extremely busy, but amazing themselves, there isn’t a better role model than time and I wouldn’t trade a moment of it for any- former Crimson Tide NCAA Champion Dana thing in the world.” Dobransky Duckworth, now in her ninth season as Balancing her family life, her profession and a volunteer assistant coach for the Crimson Tide. coaching is challenging, but well worth it, she said. “Dana has achieved everything that I could “My decision to volunteer with Alabama wish for our athletes,” Patterson said. “She enjoyed stems from the passion I have for the sport, the a tremendous career here at Alabama, winning love I have for the University and the example I NCAA and SEC team titles as well as individual strive to set for our ladies in and out of the gym,” NCAA Championships. She excelled in the class- Duckworth said. “My goal is to bring an element room and was active in the community. And of creativity and fun during our ladies’ quick four beyond what she accomplished while she was at years here at the Capstone. It’s my way of giving Alabama, she has gone on to a great career with back to a sport and a program that has given me so a wonderful family. I can’t think of a better role much.” model than Dana.” In addition to serving as a role model, Even the stories that Dana might rather forget Duckworth is also one of the nation’s premiere serve the current generation of gymnasts well. choreographers. Nothing could drive that point “As a freshman, in her first semester, Dana home quite like the success the athletes she has failed her first round of tests, in every class,” worked with have enjoyed. Patterson remembers. “I tell that story because Last season, when sophomore Morgan Dennis by the end of the semester, she had all As. Dana capped off her rookie season by winning the worked hard to get things back on track and never NCAA Floor Exercise Championship, it marked gave up.” the fourth time that a routine that Duckworth Success is a Duckworth hallmark. She finished choreographed won the NCAA floor title. In what her career as a two-time NCAA Champion, win- is believed to be a first, two of the athletes she ning the balance beam title in 1992 and 1993. She worked with shared the NCAA floor exercise title was also part of the 1991 NCAA Championship in 2004 when Alabama’s Ashley Miles and North and 1990 Southeastern Conference teams. Carolina’s Courtney Bumpers tied for top honors. Her life since graduation has been just as suc- In 2005 Bumpers scored a 10.0 to win her second cessful. She enjoys a highly successful career with floor title, while Miles was right there in second Pfizer Pharmaceuticals and she and her husband with a 9.975. That same year Miles also scored Joe, who married in 2000, have two children, a 10.0 during the Super Six Team Final, leading Joseph Clemson, “Jace”, born in 2006, and Camryn Alabama to a second place finish. Miles closed Elizabeth who was born in 2004. out her storied Alabama career with a third place
Did You 54 Know? Two-time NCAA Champion Dana Dobransky Duckworth is in her eighth year as Alabama’s volunteer assistant coach. award which means she is in the In addition to her team cham- top ten percent of the representa- pionships, Duckworth earned eight tives in the Southeast Region. She All-American accolades and finished was elected district captain for her career in 1993 by winning her the Legislative Action Committee, second consecutive NCAA Balance which works with state and local Beam title with a perfect 10.0. She Senators and Congressmen to was named NCAA Woman of the address healthcare issues and the Year for the State of Alabama in impact they have on constituents. 1993. Duckworth’s pride in the Alabama As a student, she soared to gymnastics program also contributed great heights, becoming a three- to her decision to make a return year Scholastic All-American and engagement. Throughout her career, a two-time CoSIDA At-Large she witnessed the way in which the Academic All-American, an award program changed her teammates, and, the spans several sports. She was more importantly, how it impacted inducted in Mortar Board as an her own life. undergraduate and earned both an “When I came aboard in 1989, NCAA and Southeastern Conference The Duckworths - I was just a 17-year-old girl. Over Postgraduate Scholarship, using them Joe, Jace, Dana and Camryn those four years, I really matured to attend graduate school at Alabama into a young woman with leadership and obtain her Master’s of Business national finish on the floor exercise skills,” Duckworth explained. “The Administration in 1999. giving her four top-3 NCAA finishes. opportunity to compete with Alabama After graduating with her With Duckworth’s help, Miles also completely structured my life in such Bachelor’s degree, she moved up the won four consecutive Southeastern a positive way - from winning cham- corporate ladder quickly at AMX Conference and NCAA Regional floor pionships to going to graduate school Corporation, a high tech firm out of exercise titles. She is the first gymnast on postgraduate scholarships. Who Dallas. She finished her tenure there in SEC history to win the same event could ask for anything more? I am so as manager of their training pro- all four years of her career. glad to have this opportunity to give grams. After receiving her Master’s “It’s such a wonderful experience back and watch the same thing hap- degree, she served as Director of to be able to help these athletes bring pen to these young ladies.” Marketing of a Trussville based auto- out their personality and perform Duckworth has now seen both motive company followed by a short routines that shine,” Duckworth said. sides of a national team champion- stint as Vice President of Corporate “They work very hard and have cer- ship, having been a part of the Tide’s Solutions for a Birmingham company tainly been very successful. It’s a lot of 1991 NCAA title as a sophomore and before returning to Tuscaloosa to fun to watch them compete.” the 2002 NCAA Championship as work for Pfizer. Professionally, Duckworth has a coach. She has also won a confer- been just as successful. In her six and ence title as an athlete (1990) and as a half years with Pfizer, she has already coach (2003). become a multiple Vice President Cabinet winner denoting the top rep- resentative in the Gulf Coast Region and earned the Circle of Excellence
Tide Timeline April 25, 1996 - Junior Meredith Willard wins Alabama’s fourth NCAA All-Around title. 55 2008 Alabama Roster Name Yr. Exp. Hgt. Hometown Club Team
Alyssa Chapman So. 1L 5-3 Spartanburg, S.C. Kozeev’s World of Gymnastics
Morgan Dennis So. 1L 5-3 Westampton, N.J. Arena Gymnastics
Kayla Hoffman Fr. HS 5-1 Union, N.J. Rebound Gymnastics
Terin Humphrey Sr. 3L 5-1 Bates City, Mo. Great American Gymnastics Express
Jennifer Iovino Fr. HS 4-11 Olney, Md. Hill’s Angels
Ricki Lebegern So. 1L 4-11 Annandale, Va. Capital Gymnastics
Brittany Magee Jr. 2L 5-2 Arlington, Texas Texas Dreams Gymnastics
Cassie Martin Jr. 2L 5-0 Olney, Md. Hill’s Angels
Megan Mashburn Fr. HS 5-4 Greenville, S.C. Haydens Gymnastics Academy
Amanda Montgomery Jr. 2L 5-5 Jacksonville, Fla. Starlight Gymnastics
Ashley O’Neal Jr. 2L 5-2 Kennesaw, Ga. Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta
Casey Overton So. 1L 5-2 Virginia Beach, Va. Excalibur Gymnastics The 2008 Alabama Gymnastics Team - From the left, bottom row- Jennifer Iovino, Cassie Martin, Terin Humphrey, Ricki Lebegern. Second row - Megan Mashburn, Kassi Price, Brittany Magee, Amanda Montgomery, Kaitlin White. Third row - Jacqueline Kassi Price So. 1L 5-4 Plantation, Fla. Orlando Metro Shealy, Kayla Hoffman, Morgan Dennis, Casey Overton. Top row - Ashley O’Neal, Alyssa Chapman. Jacqueline Shealy So. 1L 5-3 Tuscaloosa, Ala. World Olympic Gymnastics Academy
Kaitlin White Sr. 3L 5-6 Allen, Texas World Olympic Gymnastics Academy PRONUNCIATION GUIDE: Alyssa Chapman ______Ah-liss-uh Casey Overton______Kay-see Ricki Lebegern ______Leba-gurn Courtney Priess______Preess HEAD ASSISTANT ASSISTANT VOLUNTEER STUDENT Brittany Magee ______Mah-gee Bryan Raschilla ____ Rah-shill-uh COACH HEAD COACH COACH COACH COACH Sarah Patterson David Patterson Bryan Raschilla Dana Duckworth Courtney Priess 30th Year 30th Year 12th Year 9th Year 1st Year
Did You 56 Know? Alabama made its 25th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance in 2007, giving the Tide the second longest streak in collegiate gymnastics history. 2008 Alabama Roster Breakdown CLASS BREAKDOWN Seniors (2) Juniors (4) Sophomores (6) Freshmen (3) Terin Humphrey Brittany Magee Alyssa Chapman Kayla Hoffman Kaitlin White Cassie Martin Morgan Dennis Jennifer Iovino Amanda Montgomery Ricki Lebegern Megan Mashburn Ashley O’Neal Casey Overton Kassi Price Jacqueline Shealy STATE-BY-STATE BREAKDOWN ALABAMA MARYLAND NEW JERSEY TEXAS Jacqueline Shealy Jennifer Iovino Morgan Dennis Brittany Magee Cassie Martin Kayla Hoffman Kaitlin White FLORIDA Amanda Montgomery MISSOURI SOUTH CAROLINA VIRGINIA Kassi Price Terin Humphrey Alyssa Chapman Ricki Lebegern Megan Mashburn Casey Overton RETURNING NCAA CHAMPIONS (2) GEORGIA Terin Humphrey — 2007 & 2005 Uneven Bars Ashley O’Neal Morgan Dennis — 2007 Floor Exercise
RETURNING ALL-AMERICANS (4) Morgan Dennis (2): 2007 — Floor, All-Around* Terin Humphrey (10): 2007 — Bars, Beam 2006 — All-Around*, Bars*, Beam, Floor* 2005 — All-Around*, Bars, Beam, Floor Brittany Magee (1): 2006 — Floor* GYMNASTICS STAFF Kassi Price (1): 2007 — Bars* Assistant Athletic Trainer: ______Monica Decker * Denotes second-team All-American Student Athletic Trainers: ______Laura Nicholson - spring semester Katy Steele and Denarreo Gilmore - fall semester Managers: ______Will Miller, C.J. Laird, Lauren Smelley and Abbie Dean - spring semester 2007 SCHOLASTIC ALL-AMERICANS (8) Academic Advisor: ______Fern Hampton Alyssa Chapman, Ricki Lebegern, Brittany Magee, Cassie Martin, Amanda Montgomery, Casey Strength and Conditioning Coach: ______Travis Illian Overton, Kassi Price, Kaitlin White Promotions Director: ______Jennifer Martin Promotions Intern: ______Nicki Rumanek 2007 ACADEMIC ALL-SEC (9) Morgan Dennis, Terin Humphrey, Ricki Lebegern, Brittany Magee, Cassie Martin, Amanda Montgomery, Casey Overton, Kassi Price, Erin Rightley
Tide Timeline April 26, 1996 - Alabama sets an NCAA Super Six Championship-record 198.025 while winning its third NCAA Team Championship, second in Tuscaloosa. 57 Megan Casey Mashburn The 2008 Crimson Overton Kaitlin White Tide Preview
Kayla Hoff man
Cassie Martin Ashley O’Neal
Terin THE 2008 SEASON - THE DETAILS - Humphrey It’s a time of celebration and • There are 15 gymnasts on this year’s roster - 2 seniors, 4 juniors, 6 sophomores excitement for the Alabama and 3 freshmen. Gymnastics program as the 2008 • The Crimson Tide returns two NCAA Champions to its roster in 2008, senior season marks Sarah and David Terin Humphrey and sophomore Morgan Dennis. Humphrey won her second Patterson’s 30th year coaching uneven bars title last year while Dennis won the floor exercise title. Humphrey the Crimson Tide and the 20th is also the defending NCAA Central Region All-Around and Uneven Bars anniversary of Alabama’s first Champion, while Dennis won the Regional vault title. The Tide also returns Southeastern Conference and 2007 Southeastern Conference Balance Beam champion Ricki Lebegern. Morgan NCAA Championship team. But • Alabama returns four All-Americans this season, Humphrey, junior Brittany Dennis the most exciting thing about 2008 Magee and sophomores Dennis and Kassi Price. is the current team stands ready to • While the Pattersons are in their 30th season coaching the Tide, assistant coach take Alabama to its 26th NCAA Bryan Raschilla is in his 12th season coaching at Alabama. Volunteer assistant Championship and strive for its coach Dana Dobransky Duckworth is in her 13th season with the program as a fifth national title. Alabama returns gymnast and coach. all but one routine from last season • Alabama has six home events this season including two that are already sched- and has added some talented fresh- uled to be televised. The Tide’s Feb. 8 meet against Arkansas will be on espn2 men to the mix as well. while its Feb. 1 meeting with the Georgia Bulldogs will be on Fox Sports Net. • Alabama is coming off its 25th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance, the second longest streak in collegiate gymnastics history.
Did You 58 Know? Senior Terin Humphrey is a 10-time All-American and the 2007 and 2005 NCAA Uneven Bars Champion. THE SCHEDULE - The 2008 season, which opens in Tuscaloosa against Illinois, includes six home meets in Coleman Jennifer Jacqueline Coliseum where Crimson Tide fans will be able Shealy to see three-time defending NCAA Champions Iovino Amanda Georgia, defending SEC Champions Florida, Alyssa Montgomery Auburn and Penn State at home as well as the Chapman annual “Power of Pink” meet on Feb. 8 against Arkansas. It will be the fourth annual “Drive 4 the Cause” meet which in addi- tion to being a great competition will also help raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer. In all, the Tide will face five of the top six fin- ishers from last year’s NCAA Championships. Including No. 1 Georgia, No. 3 Florida, No. 4 UCLA and No. 5 Stanford and No. 6 Nebraska. “This is definitely a fans schedule,” Patterson said. “There is no doubt that by the time we get to Brittany the championship season, we’ll have seen the best of the best. It will make for an exciting year to be sure.” Magee Kassi THE TEAM - Price This year’s squad features 15 gymnasts, includ- ing 13 returnees – seniors Terin Humphrey and Kaitlin THE CLASSROOM - White, juniors Brittany Magee, Cassie Martin, Amanda Alabama Gymnastics is known for being a balanced pro- Montgomery and Ashley O’Neal, sophomores Alyssa gram, earning accolades in the gym and in the classroom Chapman, Morgan Dennis, Ricki Lebegern, Casey Overton, and the 2008 team is no exception. The Tide earned a 3.5 Kassi Price and Jacqueline Shealy. To that mix, Alabama team grade point average last season, the highest in the added the freshman trio of Kayla Hoffman, Jennifer Iovino Southeastern Conference and third highest of any and Megan Mashburn. team at the NCAA Championships last season. Of the Tide’s veterans, four, Humphrey, Dennis, Lebegern Alabama returns eight Academic All-SEC hon- and Price went in the all-around last season and four, White, orees and eight Scholastic All-Americans Magee, O’Neal and Overton, competed on three events. from last season.
THE BOTTOM LINE - One of the reasons for Alabama’s unrelenting success over the past 30 years is that its focus has Ricki Lebegern never wavered. In the gym, for the Crimson Tide, there is one goal. “On the last night of the season,” Sarah Patterson said. “We want to be on the floor of the national championships with a chance to win.” Simple, but effective, that goal has led Alabama to 25 straight appearances at the NCAA Championships. Only one team has been to more consecutive national championships. The determi- nation, drive and dedication with which Alabama pursues its singular goal has earned the Tide four national championships and 21 top-4 NCAA finishes.
Tide Timeline April 27, 1996 - Senior Kim Kelly and junior Stephanie Woods win Alabama’s 10th and 11th NCAA titles. Kelly wins the fl oor exercise with a 10.0 and Woods takes the uneven bars. 59 The 2008 Crimson
Tide at a ALYSSA CHAPMAN MORGAN DENNIS KAYLA HOFFMAN TERIN HUMPHREY Spartanburg, S.C. Westampton, N.J. Union, N.J. Bates City, Mo. Sophomore Sophomore Freshman Senior NCAA Champion NCAA Champion Glance All-American All-American
JENNIFER IOVINO RICKI LEBEGERN BRITTANY MAGEE CASSIE MARTIN MEGAN MASHBURN AMANDA MONTGOMERY Olney, Md. Annandale, Va. Arlington, Texas Olney, Md. Greenville, S.C. Jacksonville, Fla. Freshman Sophomore Junior Junior Freshman Junior All-American
ASHLEY O’NEAL CASEY OVERTON KASSI PRICE JACQUELINE SHEALY KAITLIN WHITE Kennesaw, Ga. Virginia Beach, Va. Plantation, Fla. Tuscaloosa, Ala. Allen, Texas Junior Sophomore Sophomore Sophomore Senior All-American
Did You 60 Know? Th e 2007 Alabama Gymnastics team is made up of three freshmen, fi ve sophomores, fi ve juniors and two seniors. Sophomore • 1L • 5-3 Hometown: Spartanburg, SC alyssa Major: Education Events: Vault, Beam, Floor High School: Dorman CHAPMAN Club: Kozeev’s World of Gymnastics Alabama Highlights: • Finished 3rd on the balance beam at the 2007 — freshman 2005 Level 10 Regional Championships • Joined Alabama for the spring semester • Level 9 Eastern National Qualifier • Posted a 3.668 grade point average for • Member of the Beta Club and National the spring semester, earning Dean’s List Art Honor Society honors • National Honor Society • Scholastic All-American Personal Information: Prep Highlights: • Full name: Alyssa Brooke Chapman • Coached by Anatoly and Tamara Kozeev • Daughter of John and Marilee Chapman at Kozeev’s World of Gymnastics • Sister - Samantha • Five-time Region VIII Qualifier • Brother - Jason • Six-time Kozeev Gymnast of the Year • Born November 30, 1988 • 2006 Level 10 South Carolina State all-around, vault, uneven bars, balance beam, floor exercise champion • 2005 Level 10 South Carolina State vault, balance beam, floor exercise champion • Finished 13th in the all-around and fifth on the balance beam at the 2006 Level 10 Regional Championships
Tide Timeline Alyssa Chapman earned Scholastic All-American honors her freshman year and was named to the Dean’s List her first semester at Alabama. 61 Sophomore • 1L • 5-3 Hometown: Westampton, N.J. morgan Major: Pre-major studies Events: All-Around High School: Holy Cross DENNIS Club: Arena Gymnastics Alabama Highlights: Prep Highlights: 2007 — freshman • Coached by Magda During, Jill Cookingham, • 2007 NCAA Floor Exercise Champion Valdi Kolasa and Wes Marutani at Arena • Sixth Alabama Gymnast to win an NCAA title Gymnastics as a freshman • Second in the all-around and the floor exer- • All-American on the floor exercise and second cise and third on the uneven bars and bal- team All-American in the all-around ance beam at the 2006 Parkettes Invitational • Ranked No. 1 in the nation on the floor exer- • Won the all-around at the 2006 New Jersey cise at the end of the regular season Level 10 State Championships • Won the NCAA Central Regional Vault • Won the vault and floor exercise at the 2005 Championship with a 9.95 Twisters Invitational • Fifth in the all-around at the SEC • Competed at the 2004 U.S. National Championships with a 39.5, earning second Championships team All-SEC honors in the process • Won the all-around at the U.S. Coaches’ Cup • Won the all-around twice, at Auburn, tying her • Won the vault at the 2004 Podium Meet career best with a 39.525 and against LSU • Ninth in the all-around at the 2004 U.S. with a 39.5 Classic • Ranked No. 1 in the nation in the all-around • 2003 New Jersey Optional Athlete of the Year during the week of Jan. 29 • Won the all-around at the 2003 US Challenge • Won a Tide best 15 individual event titles dur- • Ninth in the all-around at the 2003 Level 10 ing the season Nationals • Led Alabama on the floor exercise 10 • Won the all-around at the 2003 Level 10 times, winning it eight times - at the NCAA Region 7 Championships and the 2003 Level Championships and against Oklahoma, 10 New Jersey State Championships Auburn, Kentucky, UNC, LSU, UCLA and at • Four-year honor student Auburn • National Honor Society • Posted the Tide’s season best marks on the vault, 9.950 and floor exercise, 9.975 Personal Information: • Posted a career best 9.875 on the balance • Full Name: Morgan Marie Dennis beam against UCLA • Daughter of Al and Carla Dennis • Named to the Dean’s List for the summer • Born October 1, 1988 semester after earning a 3.5 grade point average • Academic All-SEC
Dennis’ Top Scores - All-Around: 39.525 | Vault: 9.950 | Bars: 9.875 | Beam: 9.875 | Floor: 9.975
Did You 62 Know? Morgan Dennis is the first freshman to win the NCAA Floor Exercise Championship since 1999. Freshman • HS • 5-1 Hometown: Union, N.J. kayla Major: Pre-major Studies Events: All-Around High School: Home Schooled HOFFMAN Club: Rebound Gymnastics Prep Highlights: • Finished third and fourth respectively at the 2003 • Two year member of the United States National and 2004 Friendship Classic Team • Took seventh in the all-around and third on the • Competed for Diane Farrell at Rebound Gymnastics balance beam at the Level 9 Eastern National • Took 11th in the all-around at the 2006 USA Championships National Championships • Was fourth on the balance beam at the Level 10 • Was second in the floor exercise, eighth on the National Championships uneven bars and 10th in the all-around at the 2006 • Competed at the 2003 and 2004 U.S. Classic US Classic • Honor Roll Student all four years • Was seventh on the floor exercise and uneven bars as part of the U.S. National Team at the 2006 Personal Information: Moscow World Cup • Full Name: Kayla Marie Hoffman • Won the floor exercise and was second in the all- • Daughter of Helen and Richard Hoffman around and vault at the 2006 Friendship Classic • Sister – Emma • Finished eighth in the all-around at the 2005 USA • Born August 13, 1988 National Championships and was sixth on the uneven bars • Won the all-around at the 2005 American Challenge and second on the balance beam, third on the floor exercise and fourth on the vault and uneven bars • Took second on the floor exercise at the 2005 Parkette Invitational and was seventh in the all- around and fifth on the vault
Tide Timeline Kayla Hoffman, a two-year member of the United States National Team, competed at the 2006 World Cup in Moscow. 63 Senior • 3L • 5-1 Hometown: Bates City, Mo. terin Major: Criminal Justice Events: All-Around High School: Odessa HUMPHREY Club: Great American Gymnastics Express Alabama Highlights: 2006 — sophomore Prep Highlights: • Led the USA to gold at the 2000 USA • First team All-American on the balance • Member of the 2004 United States vs. France Challenge in St. Etienne, 2007 — junior beam and second team All-American Olympic Team, competing in Athens, France, taking gold in the all-around • Won second NCAA Uneven Bars in the all-around, balance beam and Greece • An accomplished horsewoman, com- Championship against the tough- floor exercise • Earned two Olympic Silver medals, peted in barrel racing est field in NCAA history, marking • Posted a season-best score of 9.9 on one as part of the USA squad and indi- • National Honor Society Alabama’s 20th individual champion- the uneven bars four times, including vidually on the uneven bars ship and fifth bars title Personal Information: the NCAA Championship team finals • Alabama gymnastics’ first Olympian • Sixth Alabama Gymnast to earn mul- • Full name: Terin Marie Humphrey • Won the NCAA West Regional balance • Member of the United States 2003 tiple NCAA titles • Daughter of Steve and Lisa Humphrey beam title with a season-best 9.9 World Championships Gold Medal • All-American on the uneven bars and • Brother: Shannon, serves in the United • SEC Gymnast of the Week Team in Anaheim, Calif. balance beam, for a career total of 10 States Marines, including a year-long • Led the Tide with 52 routines • Third in the vault, uneven bars and • Went all-around a team-best 12 times tour in Iraq • Won 14 event titles including three floor exercise at the 2004 Visa and competed a team-best 51 rou- • Born August 14, 1986 all-arounds American Cup tines • Academic All-SEC • Led the United States to a silver medal • Won the uneven bars, with a 9.9, and after taking second in the vault and the all-around, with a 39.475, at the 2005 — freshman sixth in the all-around at the 2003 NCAA Central Regional Championships • NCAA Uneven Bars Champion, mark- Pacific Challenge • Won the balance beam at Auburn with ing Alabama’s 18th individual champi- • Member of the United States 2002 a season-high 9.9 to close out the onship and fourth bars title World Gymnastics Championships in regular season • First-team All-American on the Debrecen, Hungary taking ninth in the • Won the all-around against UNC with a balance beam, uneven bars and vault and 11th in the floor exercise 39.575, tying her career best score floor exercise and second-team All- • Led the USA to the Gold at the 2002 • Won the floor exercise and vault American in the all-around Pacific Alliance Championships in against UNC, tying her career best on • Posted a career-high 9.9 on the vault, Vancouver, Canada, taking second the vault with a 9.9 a 9.95 on the floor exercise and a in the all-around and fourth in the • Scored a career-high 9.950 on the 39.575 in the all-around during the uneven bars floor exercise against Auburn NCAA Super Six team finals • Finished second in 2000, third in • Opened the season by winning the • Won the SEC and NCAA Central Region 2004, sixth in 2003 and seventh in uneven bars against Oklahoma and uneven bars titles 2002 in the all-around at the USA closed out the season by winning the • Won 10 uneven bars titles during the Championships NCAA Central Regional and NCAA season, including all three postseason • Competed for Al Fong and Armine Championship titles championships Barutyan-Fong at Great American • Had surgery on both elbows in the fall • Joined the Crimson Tide in January Gymnastics Express, the same gym to clear up pre-existing problems, was after spending the fall on the T.J. Maxx that produced Crimson Tide All- expected to miss the first part of the Olympic Tour Americans Marna Neubauer, Kim season, instead competed in every Masters and Gwen Spidle meet and went all-around 12 times • Academic All-SEC Humphrey’s Top Scores - All-Around: 39.575 | Vault: 9.900 | Bars: 9.950 | Beam: 9.950 | Floor: 9.950
Did You 64 Know? Terin Humphrey, a two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, is only the third gymnast in NCAA history to repeat as national champion on the uneven bars. Freshman • HS • 4-11 Hometown: Olney, Md. jennifer Major: Pre-major Studies Events: All-Around High School: Magruder IOVINO Club: Hill’s Gymnastics Prep Highlights: • Won the all-around and the vault and the • Coached by Kelli Hill and Jen Bundy at 2006 Starz and Stripes Invitational Hill’s Gymnastics • Competed at the 2004 US Classic • Four-time National Tops team member • From the same club team as current • Three-year competitor at the national Tide junior Cassie Martin and former All- championships American Raegan Tomasek • Was ninth on the vault and 12th on the • Four-year honor roll student balance beam at the 2004 USA National Championships Personal Information: • Won the floor exercise and was third in • Full Name: Jennifer Lea Iovino the all-around and balance beam, fourth • Daughter of Carol Ann and Frank Iovino in the vault and sixth on the uneven bars • Sister – Allison Michelle at the 2007 Maryland Classic • Born September 8, 1989 • Won the floor exercise at the 2006 Level 10 National Championships and was third in the all-around, fifth on the balance beam and eighth on the vault
Tide Timeline Jennifer Iovino was the 2006 Level 10 National Floor Exercise Champion. 65 Sophomore • 1L • 4-11 Hometown: Annandale, Va. ricki Major: Human Development & Family Studies Events: All-Around High School: Falls Church LEBEGERN Club: Capital Gymnastics Alabama Highlights: • Trained at Capital Gymnastics National 2007 — freshman Training Center where she was coached • SEC Balance Beam Champion with a by Tatiana Perskaia, Victor Vectrov and career high 9.925 Marina Gerom • Led Alabama in nine events, winning six • Second in the all-around and the balance individual titles beam at the 2006 Junior Olympic National • Scored a career all-around high of 39.475 Championships against LSU, including a career high 9.925 • Won the all-around, vault, uneven bars and vault and a 9.9 balance beam score balance beam at the 2006 JO Region 7 • Led Alabama in the all-around against Championships as well as taking second in Georgia and won the all-around at the floor exercise Arkansas • Won the all-around at the 2006 Excalibur • Posted a 9.875 to share top honors on the Cup balance beam at Arkansas • Fourth in the all-around at the 2005 JO • Scored a career high 9.9 on the floor exer- Nationals cise against Kentucky and matched that • Won the vault, uneven bars and balance score against UCLA beam and took second in the all-around at • Won the vault to open the season, against the 2005 JO Region 7 Championships Oklahoma with a 9.85, and to close the • Won the all-around and vault at the 2005 regular season, at Auburn with a 9.9 Maryland Classic • Scored a career-high 9.825 on the uneven • Won all four apparatus and the all-around bars against UNC and at Auburn at the 2005 Winter Island Getaway • Earned Dean’s List honors for the fall and Invitational and the 2004 World Class spring semesters after posting a 3.6 grade Invitational point average in the fall and a 3.866 GPA • National Honor Society in the spring • Scholastic All-American Personal Information: • Academic All-SEC • Full Name: Erica Leigh Lebegern • Daughter of William and Jamie Lebegern Prep Highlights: • Brother - Terry and sister - Sophie • Member of the U.S. Junior Olympic • Born December 12, 1987 National Team • Finished fourth in the all-around and third on the vault at the 2005 Level 10 National Championships
Lebegern’s Top Scores - All-Around: 39.475 | Vault: 9.925 | Bars: 9.825 | Beam: 9.925 | Floor: 9.900
Did You 66 Know? Ricki Lebegern won Alabama’s 25th Southeastern Conference championship since 2000 when she took top honors on the balance beam last season. Junior • 2L • 5-2 Hometown: Arlington, Texas brittany Major: Criminal Justice Events: All-Around High School: Coppell MAGEE Club: Texas Dreams Gymnastics Alabama Highlights: • Scored 9.85 or better on the vault 10 of 2007 — sophomore 14 meets, including a 9.9 during the NCAA • Won the beam with a career high 9.9 against Championship Super Six Finals UCLA and at Auburn • Joined the Crimson Tide Dec. 26th for the sec- • Posted a 9.875 to share top honors on the bal- ond semester ance beam at Arkansas • Earned Dean’s List honors (3.5 GPA or better) • Scored a season high 9.875 on the vault for the spring semester against LSU • Scholastic All-American • Earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average for the summer semester, earning a place on the Prep Highlights: prestigious President’s List • Member of the USA National Team • Posted a 3.934 grade point average in the • Competed in the 2005 North American Tri- spring, earning Dean’s List honors meet • Scholastic All-American • 2004 and 2005 U.S. Championships qualifier • Academic All-SEC • Competed for Kim Zmeskal Burdette and Chris Burdette, Directors at Texas Dreams 2006 — freshman Gymnastics • Second team Floor Exercise All-American • NCAA West Regional floor exercise and vault Personal Information: champion, scoring 9.90s • Full name: Brittany Lauren Magee • SEC floor exercise champion, scoring a career • Daughter of J.D. and Dalena Magee best 9.95 on the way to the title • Brother - Joe • All-SEC • Sister - Kara • Won the vault at Kentucky and against • Born June 9, 1988 Arkansas and Auburn, tying for top honors with teammate Ashley Miles all three times • Won the beam with a career best 9.875 against Arkansas and at LSU • Scored a career high 9.95 on the vault against Kentucky • Won the floor exercise with a 9.9 at Penn State • Competed on the vault, balance beam and floor exercise in all 14 meets • Competed 42 routines as a freshman
Magee’s Top Scores - Vault: 9.950 | Beam: 9.900 | Floor: 9.950
Tide Timeline A two-year Scholastic All-American, Brittany Magee won a share of the SEC and NCAA Central Region Floor Exercise titles as a freshman. 67 Junior • 2L • 5-0 Hometown: Olney, Maryland cassie Major: Pre-Med Events: All-Around High School: Magruder MARTIN Club: Hill’s Gymnastics • Took first in the floor exercise, second in the Alabama Highlights: uneven bars and third in the all-around at the 2007 — sophomore 2004 Level 10 National Championships • Won the uneven bars against Auburn, scoring a • Won the floor exercise at the 2004 Region 7 career best 9.925 Championships and took third on uneven bars and • Posted a perfect 4.0 grade point average in the in the all-around fall, earning a spot on the President’s List, and • Won the 2004 Maryland State balance beam, floor a 3.978 GPA for the spring semester, earning exercise and all-around titles Dean’s List honors • Won the 2003 Elite U.S. Challenge balance beam • 2007 Academic All-District 4 Women’s At-Large and floor exercise titles and took second in the Team all-around • Named Outstanding General Chemistry Student • Won the 2003 Level 10 National uneven bars, • Scholastic All-American floor exercise and all-around titles and took sec- • Academic All-SEC ond on balance beam • Won the 2003 Region 7 uneven bars, balance 2006 — freshman beam, floor exercise and all-around champion- • Won the balance beam at Penn State and again ships at Auburn with matching career-best 9.9 scores • Won the 2003 Maryland all-around, uneven bars • Scored career-best 9.875s on the uneven bars and balance beam titles and floor exercise at Kentucky • Four-year member of the honor roll • Earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average as a freshman Personal Information: • Scholastic All-American • Full name: Cassandra Anne Martin • Academic All-SEC • Daughter of Melba and Dan Martin • Brothers - David and Christopher Prep Highlights: • Sisters - Theresa and Rebecca • Coached by Kelli Hill and Jen Bundy at Hill’s • Uncle, Robert Griffin, swam for Alabama 1960-64 Gymnastics, the same gym that produced Tide • Born December 13, 1987 All-American Raegan Tomasek and current freshman Jennifer Iovino • 2003 and 2004 Level 10 U.S. National Team member
Martin’s Top Scores - Bars: 9.925 | Beam: 9.900 | Floor: 9.875
Did You 68 Know? Cassie Martin, a two-year Scholastic All-American, was named to the 2007 CoSIDA Academic All-District 4 At-Large Team, which honors student-athletes from 12 different sports. Freshman • HS • 5-4 Hometown: Greenville, S.C. megan Major: Pre-major Studies Events: Bars, Vault, Floor High School: Evans MASHBURN Club: Hayden’s Gymnastics Prep Highlights: • Finished third in the all-around, second on • Coached by Dennis Hayden and Craig Kirby the vault and eighth on the uneven bars at Hayden’s Gymnastics and floor exercise at the 2004 Eastern • Finished seventh on the vault at the 2006 Championships Level 10 National Championships • Won the all-around and balance beam and • Competed a the 2007 Level 10 National was second on the vault and floor exercise at Championships the 2004 Level 9 Regional Championships • At the 2007 Level 10 Regional • Beta Club Championships, finished third in the all- • Four-year honor roll student around, second on the vault and fourth on • National Honor Society the uneven bars • Took fifth on the vault and balance beam at Personal Information: the 2005 Level 10 Regional Championships • Full Name: Megan Kay Mashburn • Daughter of Mike and Kay Mashburn • Father, Mike, played football at the University of Memphis • Two brothers – Matt and Drew • Born April 28, 1989
Tide Timeline Megan Mashburn, a member of the National Honor Society, finaled on the vault at the 2006 Level 10 National Championships. 69 Junior • 2L • 5-5 Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla. amanda Major: Entrepreneurship & Small Business Mgt. Events: All-Around High School: Bartram Trail MONTGOMERY Club: Starlight Gymnastics Alabama Highlights: Prep Highlights: 2007 — sophomore • 2003 Level 10 U.S. National Team member • Competitive debut came at the NCAA Central • 2005 Florida State Balance Beam Champion Regional Championships on the uneven bars and • 2005 National Qualifier balance beam • Competed for Vessy Ivanov and Valentin Marinov • Named to the President’s List for the spring at Starlight Gymnastics semester after posting a perfect 4.0 grade point • National Honor Society average • Character Counts Award • Earned a 3.936 GPA in the fall, earning a spot on the Dean’s List Personal Information: • Scholastic All-American • Full name: Amanda Vaughn Montgomery • Academic All-SEC • Daughter of Ladson and Angie Montgomery • Father graduated from Alabama while mother 2006 — freshman graduated from Alabama’s Law School • Inducted into Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society • Brother - Ladson • Scholastic All-American • Sisters - Kelsie and Samantha • Academic All-SEC • Born May 18, 1987
Montgomery’s Top Scores - Bars: 9.700 | Beam: 9.775
Did You 70 Know? A two-year Scholastic All-American, Amanda Montgomery earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average for the spring semester. Junior • 2L • 5-2 Hometown: Kennesaw, Ga. ashley Major: Restaurant & Hospitality Management Events: All-Around High School: Kennesaw Mountain O’NEAL Club: Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta Alabama Highlights: Prep Highlights: 2007 — sophomore • Took seventh in the all-around at the 2005 • Posted a career high 9.875 to share top Level 10 National Championships honors on the balance beam at Arkansas • Finished eighth on the balance beam at the and matched that score at Auburn in the last 2005 Level 10 National Championships regular season meet • Won the all-around, vault, balance beam • Posted a career high 9.9 to share top honors and floor exercise at the 2005 Region 8 on the vault at Arkansas Championships • Competed three events (vault, balance beam • 2004 Level 10 Region 8 Balance Beam Champion and floor exercise) in seven meets this sea- • Competed for Jacobo Giron and Natalia son Vaulter at the Gymnastics Academy of Atlanta • Posted a career best 9.875 on the floor exercise in the season opening meet against Personal Information: Oklahoma and matched that score against • Full name: Ashley Brooke O’Neal UCLA • Daughter of Gary and Helen O’Neal • Posted a 3.583 grade point average for the • Born April 10, 1987 spring semester, earning Dean’s List honors
2006 — freshman • Scored a career high 9.85 on the floor exer- cise during the NCAA Championships Super Six team final • Posted a career high 9.85 twice on the vault, at Penn State and at Auburn • Scored career high 9.825 on the balance beam at LSU • Academic All-SEC
O’Neal’s Top Scores - Vault: 9.900 | Beam: 9.875 | Floor: 9.875
Tide Timeline Ashley O’Neal, who earned Dean’s List honors last spring, posted career best scores on each of her events last season.. 71 Sophomore • 1L • 5-2 casey Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va. Major: Pre-major Studies Events: All-Around High School: Alpha Omega Academy OVERTON Club: Excalibur Gymnastics Alabama Highlights: International Massilia Cup in Marseille, 2007 — freshman France • Matched career best of 9.875 on the • Coached by Jim and Dena Walker at balance beam at the SEC Championships Excalibur Gymnastics club, the same • Won the balance beam against UNC gym that produced former Tide All- posting a 9.85 Americans Alexis Brion and Dana Filetti • Earned Dean’s list honors for the fall and • Finished in the top-20 in the all-around spring semester after posting a 3.538 at the 2004 USA Championships and 3.835 grade point average respec- • Took eighth in the all-around at the tively 2003 USA National Championships and • Posted a perfect 4.0 GPA for the sum- finished in the top-10 in the floor exer- mer semester, earning President’s List cise, balance beam and uneven bars honors • Won the floor exercise and was second • Scholastic All-American in the all-around at the 2004 Parkettes • Academic All-SEC Invitational • Took second in the all-around at the 2005 Parkettes Invitational Prep Highlights: • National Honor Society • U.S. National Team member • Member of the U.S. National Training Personal Information: Squad from 2000-06 • Full name: Lauren Casey Overton • Helped the United States National Team • Daughter of George and JoAnn Overton to a team gold at the 2004 USA/Japan • Born July 5, 1988 Meet • Competed for the U.S. at the 2002
Overton’s Top Scores - Beam: 9.875 | Floor: 9.650
Did You 72 Know? Scholastic All-American Casey Overton was named to the Dean’s List for the fall and spring semester and the President’s List for the summer semester. Sophomore • 1L • 5-4 Hometown: Plantation, Fla. kassi Major: Pre-Business Events: All-Around High School: Crenshaw School of Performing Arts PRICE Club: Orlando Metro Alabama Highlights: Prep Highlights: 2007 — freshman • Six-year member of the United States National Team • Second team All-American on the uneven bars • Earned silver on the uneven bars and bronze in the • Featured in Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd vault at the 2006 World Cup meet in Lyon, France section during the first week of February • Led the United States to a silver medal in the 2005 • Ranked No. 1 in the nation in the all-around during the Massilia Cup in Marseille, France, winning the all- season’s second and fourth week around, uneven bars and floor exercise and taking • Led the Tide 12 times, winning 11 individual titles in second in the vault the process • Led the United States to the gold at the 2004 Junior • Won the all-around in the first three meets of the sea- Pan Am Championships in San Salvador, El Salvador, son, scoring a career high 39.575 against Auburn winning the all-around and taking second in the • Won the uneven bars with a career high 9.95 against uneven bars and third in the balance beam and floor UNC and against Auburn and Kentucky and at Auburn exercise • Posted a career high 9.875 to share top honors on the • Won the all-around and led the United States to the balance beam at Arkansas gold at the 2002 Copa International in Puerto Rico • Scored career-best 9.925 marks on the vault and floor • Took seventh in the all-around at the 2006 U.S. exercise against Auburn Championships • Won the vault against Oklahoma and Kentucky • Fifth in the all-around at the 2004 and 2005 U.S. • Posted the Tide’s top balance beam score of the sea- Championships son of 9.875 at Florida, a score she matched against • Ninth in the all-around at the 2003 U.S. Kentucky Championships • Earned a perfect 4.0 grade point average for the fall, • Won the all-around, floor exercise and spring and summer semesters, earning a spot on the uneven bars at the 2000 Junior Olympic President’s List each time National Championships • Scholastic All-American • Trained under Jeff Wood and Christi • Academic All-SEC Barineau at Orlando Metro • Valedictorian of her senior class Personal Information: • Full Name: Kassandra Rose Price • Daughter of Paul and Annjanette Price • Sister - Karlee • Born August 2, 1989
Price’s Top Scores - All-Around: 39.575 | Vault: 9.925 | Bars: 9.950 | Beam: 9.875 | Floor: 9.925
Tide Timeline All-American Kassi Price won the first three all-around competitions of her Alabama career and was featured in Sports Illustrated’s Faces in the Crowd during her freshman year. 73 Sophomore • 1L • 5-3 Hometown: Tuscaloosa, Alabama jacqueline Major: Communications Events: All-Around High School: Spring Creek Academy SHEALY Club: World Olympic Gymnastics Academy Alabama Highlights: Personal Information: 2007 — freshman • Full name: Jacqueline Ann Shealy • Competed on the uneven bars in • Daughter of Steadman and Ann the season opener, tearing the ACL Shealy in her left knee on the landing, still • Brothers - Steadman, Robert and scoring a 9.775 John David • Sister - Anna Catharine Prep Highlights: • Mother was The University of • Coached by Evgeny Marchenko Alabama’s first scholarship gym- at World Olympic Gymnastics nast and a member of Sarah and Academy David Patterson’s first Crimson Tide • Finished second in the all-around team and the floor exercise and fourth in • Father was a two-time national the vault, uneven bars and balance champion quarterback for Alabama beam at the 2005 WOGA Classic in 1978 and 1979 • Won the vault and took fifth in • Attending Alabama on a Bryant the all-around and second in the Scholarship uneven bars at the 2005 Lady Luck • Sarah and David Patterson’s first Invitational legacy gymnast • Finished second in the all-around • Born February 9, 1988 and won the uneven bars at the 2004 Classic • Won the vault and balance beam and took second in the all-around at the 2003 Big Chill Invitational • Led Region 8 to the 2001 Level 10 National Championship • National Honor Society
Shealy’s Top Scores - Bars 9.775
Did You Both of Jacqueline Shealy’s parents are former Alabama athletes. Her mother Ann was a member of Sarah and David Patterson’s first team and her father Steadman was quarterback of Alabama’s 1978 74 Know? and 1979 National Champion football teams. Senior • 3L • 5-6 Hometown: Allen, Texas kaitlin Major: Financial Planning Events: All-Around High School: Allen WHITE Club: World Olympic Gymnastics Academy Alabama Highlights: Prep Highlights: 2007 — junior • Coached by Evegeny Marchenko and Natasha • Scored a career high 9.875 on the floor exer- Boyarskaya at World Olympic Gymnastics cise against LSU and matched that score a Academy week later against UCLA • Four-year member of the United States • Posted a career high 9.875 on the uneven National Team bars against Auburn, a score she matched at • Competed internationally over half a dozen Arkansas times • Posted a season best 9.850 on the vault at • Finished ninth in the all-around as a member Arkansas of the United State’s 2001 Goodwill Games • Earned a 4.0 grade point average for the team in Brisbane, Australia spring and summer semesters, earning • Took second in the all-around and the floor President’s List honors both times exercise at the 2002 American Classic • Posted a 3.833 grade point average for the • Took fourth in the all-around and sec- fall semester, earning Dean’s List honors ond in the floor exercise at the 2001 U.S. • Scholastic All-American Gymnastics Championships
2006 — sophomore Personal Information: • Scored a career best 9.85 on the uneven bars • Full name: Kaitlin Elizabeth White at Penn State • Daughter of Monte and Tammy DeVinny • Scored a season high 9.85 on the vault • Brothers - Tanner and Tucker against Georgia • Born October 6, 1986
2005 — freshman • Scored a career-best 9.875 on the vault dur- ing the NCAA Super Six team finals
White’s Top Scores - Vault: 9.875 | Bars 9.875 | Floor: 9.875
Tide Timeline Scholastic All-American Kaitlin White posted career high scores on the floor exercise and uneven bars as a junior. 75 Courtney Priess Student Coach Administrative Staff There was no doubt that when student coach Courtney Priess retired from gym- nastics after her sophomore season due to on-going back problems that plagued her since her days as a club gymnast, that Sarah and David Patterson wanted to keep her involved in a signifi cant and daily basis. “Courtney brings so much to this team, from her amazing attitude and work ethic to her great knowledge of gymnastics and eye for choreography,” Sarah Patterson said. “She is a valuable part of this team and brings so much to prac- tice every day.” In addition to her daily duties in the gym as a student coach, Priess also provides weekly updates on the team to the Tide’s websites, providing fans with an insider’s view of the team’s progress. “Courtney’s Chalk Talk,” has been an instant hit, as much for its upbeat style as the details she provides. “I think more than anything else, people feed on Courtney’s positive nature,” David Patterson said. “She is such a great teammate and an amaz- ing person. Just reading her updates, her excitement and passion for this Rita Martin Robin Kelley program is evident.” Director of Gymnastics Operations Administrative Assistant As a sophomore, Priess was named to the Southeastern Conference’s Good Works Team for her efforts in community service. A two-year For every minute that Alabama “Rita is so great at keeping every- Academic All-SEC honoree, she came to the Tide from Cincinnati Gymnastics shines in the white hot thing together,” Patterson said. “She Gymnastics Academy. She was an all-around fi nalist at the 2002 and spotlight of national success, there are allows us to be our best because she 2003 Level 10 National Championships and was runner-up in the thousands of behind the scene details handles all the fine points so well.” all-around at the 1999 Level 10 National Championships. She twice that make it possible. Martin and her husband Buddy competed for the United States at the Massilia Cup in Marseille, For the Crimson Tide, there are have a daughter, Kelly, and two sons, France. A native of Hamilton, Ohio, she is the daughter of Linda two women charged with handling Paul, a Tide graduate, and Brett, an and Mel Priess. those details and keeping everything Alabama senior. running smoothly. Rita Martin, the Kelley is in her sixth year with the gymnastics operations director, and gymnastics program, though she has Robin Kelley, the Tide’s administrative been a part of the athletics department assistant, work hard every day to keep for the past eight years. She also per- the Alabama Gymnastics world shin- forms a wide variety of duties, includ- Tony Giles The Voice of the Crimson TIde ing bright and running like a well oiled ing keeping up with the program’s machine. correspondence and recruiting efforts. Tony Giles is in his 16th season eral NCAA Regional and Southeastern As director of operations, Martin She also travels with the Tide, taking as the voice of Alabama Gymnastics. Conference Championships including is responsible for a wide variety of care of the details on the road. Giles, the public address announcer last spring’s NCAA Central Regional. tasks, from daily paperwork to being “Robin does so many things for us,” for the Crimson Tide home meets A financial advisor and estate plan- the meet director, and everything in Patterson said. “She is invaluable on since 1993, is considered one of the ning consultant for Morgan Stanley, between. the road, taking care of all the arrange- nation’s best. In addition to serving as Giles is also Alabama’s announcer The New Jersey native has been ments, from where we stay to where the announcer for the Tide’s regular for men’s basketball and football. A a part of the athletics department for we eat and how we get from here to season home schedule, he has also 1976 graduate of The University of more than 25 years and the University there.” been the voice of the 1996 and 2002 Alabama, Giles and his wife Lynn have for 30. When Sarah Patterson added A native of Northport, Ala., Kelley NCAA Championships as well as sev- two sons, Scott and Rowdy. Associate Athletics Director to her list and her husband Jay have two sons, of duties in 1985, Martin became her Tanner and Jesse. assistant.
Did You 76 Know? Director of Gymnastics Operations Rita Martin has been with the gymnastics program since 1985. Managers <
Assistant Marketing and Jennifer Martin Promotions Director What you see at any given Alabama the first team to sellout the newly renovated Gymnastics meet, from the pre-meet light Coleman Coliseum with a beyond-capacity show and up-tempo music to the t-shirts crowd of 15,162, a new Alabama and SEC flying through the air and video highlights record for gymnastics attendance. flashing across the Crimson Tide’s video “Selling out the coliseum the last two display boards takes a lot of work to prepare seasons was such a great experience,” Martin Beth Garner Kent Gidley Johnathan King Patrick MacDonald and Jennifer Martin has a lot to do with cre- said. “It definitely stands as one of the high- Associate Director Photography Coordinator Video Services Assistant Manager ating that fun-filled atmosphere. lights of my career to this point.” of Athletic Ticket for Athletics Graduate Assistant of Video Services Martin is in her third year as the Tide’s In addition to gymnastics, Martin works assistant director of marketing and promo- with football and serves as the director of the tions and one of her main responsibilities Tide’s trademark licensing office. is the gymnastics program and all that goes A native of Natchitoches, La., Martin with it. came to Alabama after a two-year stint as “Working with Sarah Patterson and Northwestern State’s Assistant Athletics the gymnastics program has been so much Director for Marketing and Promotions. fun,” Martin said. “She is such a dynamic Before that she served as a marketing assis- figure who has been at the forefront of ath- tant at both Texas State and LSU. She gradu- letic marketing for such a long time. I have ated from LSU in 2001 with a degree in learned a tremendous amount working with general studies. She and Kevin Martin were Ashley Waters Joe Whitehead Steve Wilson her.” married last spring. Assistant Director of Assistant Coleman Coleman Coliseum In 2006, Martin was part of Alabama Event Management Coliseum Manager Manager history when the gymnastics team became
Tide Timeline Feb. 1, 1997 - Alabama sells out Coleman Coliseum for the fi rst time as 15,043 fans come to see the Tide take on Georgia. A reported 400 fans are turned away for lack of seats. 77 Athletic Trainer Monica Decker There is nothing quite so reassuring for members of the Alabama be there everyday, encouraging them, letting them know that they are Gymnastics team as walking into the gym and seeing Monica making progress and keeping them positive.” Decker’s smiling face. And in the case of injuries, she is there through their rehab to Decker, in her eighth year as a member of the gymnastics staff, is help them return to peak health as quickly and safely as possible. an invaluable part of the Crimson Tide program. Decker worked extensively with 2002 senior Andreé Pickens, helping “Monica is by far one of the finest athletic trainers that I have her come back from a torn Achilles tendon. She was part of a team worked with,” head coach Sarah Patterson said. “Her rapport with the that included orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews, that helped staff and the athletes is exceptional and her knowledge of rehabilita- Pickens not only come back in record time, but helped Alabama to its tion is outstanding. She has a gift for working with elite level athletes. fourth NCAA Championship in 2002. For her efforts during the 2002 I think anyone can know the nuts and bolts of training, but I think it season, Decker was awarded the David Dutton Award, given to indi- takes someone who is gifted to work with elite level athletes.” viduals who go above and beyond the call of duty for the Alabama A native of Phoenix, Ariz., Decker came a long way to work with Gymnastics program. the Crimson Tide. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise In addition to her other duties, Decker also tries to teach her Science from Arizona State in 2000. In 2002 she earned a Master’s in charges the importance of carrying on healthy habits into the life Sports Medicine Health Care from Alabama where she is currently beyond their career. pursuing a second Master’s in Food and Nutrition. “I hope that I can teach them all enough about taking care of “To take the best care of my athletes, I don’t think I can ever stop themselves, that when they go out into the world, they enjoy healthy learning,” Decker said. “And that’s why I’m pursuing a degree in and successful lives,” Decker said. “And being part of the Alabama nutrition. I think it’s a degree that will really complement the work I gymnastics ‘family’ I look forward to watching them grow and do as an athletic trainer.” mature over the years.” In addition to serving as a certified athletic trainer on the Tide Decker has a daughter, Ayana Berenice. staff, Decker is also an instructor in Alabama’s athletic training undergraduate program as well as serving as coordinator of the University’s clinical proficiency lab. Much of her day to day work, especially in the preseason, is spent on preventative measures, helping stop problems before they get started. During the season, most of Decker’s time is spent helping the athletes maintain their health and fitness levels. “Positive reinforcement is a big part of the job,” Decker said. “To
Athletic Training Student Staff - Athletic trainer Monica Decker is assisted during the school year by members of The University of Alabama’s athletic training program. This fall she was assisted by Katy Steele and Denarreo Gilmore. In the spring she will be joined by Laura Nicholson.
From the left - Laura Nicholson, Denarreo Gilmore and Katy Steele
Did You 78 Know? In her eighth season as the gymnastics team’s athletic trainer, Monica Decker has a Master’s in Sports Medicine Health Care from Alabama and is currently pursuing a second Master’s in Food and Nutrition. To maintain its status as a top team in the nation, Alabama gym- nasts must stay in top form. Enter Travis Illian the Crimson Tide’s strength and conditioning coach. Illian, in his first year with the Crimson Tide, works hand in hand with the gymnastics coaches to modify the Tide program to make sure it best meets the needs of the current team. On average, the team spends nearly five hours a week improving and enhancing their flexibility as well as their physical and aerobic strength. This preseason, the gymnasts spent two to three days condition- ing in the gym and a day spinning. Each gymnast also is given a spe- cific, individual routine that fits their needs. Illian works closely with the Alabama coaching staff, especially assistant coach Bryan Raschilla, who designs, with input from Illian, the overall program. The preseason workouts are designed to build the gymnast’s core strength, Raschilla explained. “Once the season arrives, we are still building, but we don’t increase our levels of frequency. We also add more joint stabilization exercises to prevent injury.” Illian’s job isn’t finished when the final Alabama gymnast com- petes at the NCAA Championships. Instead, he is busy preparing the squad’s summer conditioning. The gymnasts get four to six weeks off depending on individual needs. Then it is back to maintaining the strength they worked so hard to develop over the past year. Illian also leads the team through spinning, the core of the aero- bic program. “While spinning is basically an aerobic exercise, we’ve modified it to be more strength oriented, more explosive,” Raschilla said. Leaner, faster and stronger. That is the aim of the Crimson Tide strength and conditioning program and staff for the athletes. Every step an Alabama gymnast makes to build these characteristics is just another step closer to another national championship title. Strength & Conditioning
Tide Timeline Jan. 11, 1998 - Meredith Willard becomes the fi rst Alabama gymnast to earn the prestigious NCAA Top VIII Award. 79 Maintaining The Crimson Tide Alabama’s Medical Staff When Dr. Jimmy Robinson talks about his work with the Alabama Crimson Tide, you can hear the excitement in his voice. “When I was doing my residency, I got bit by the sports medicine bug,” Robinson said. “The more I worked with the teams, the more I wanted to do this kind of medicine.” One of Robinson’s rotations during his Family Practice Residency in Tuscaloosa was with Alabama team physician Dr. Bill DeShazo. Not only did he work the required hours of his rotation, but he found himself hanging around and helping out even when he wasn’t on duty. As a matter of fact, Robinson traveled with the gymnastics team to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1988 and was on hand for the Tide’s first ever NCAA Championship. “It was a blast,” Robinson said. “I was still in training and just getting interested in sports medicine. So to be out there with the gymnasts when they won the first championship Alabama’s ever had outside of football, it was definitely an exciting moment.” After doing a fellowship in sports medicine at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, Robinson received a call from Sang Lyda, the trainer in charge of the Tide’s Olympic Sports. Dr. DeShazo was retiring and Lyda wanted to know if Robinson would be interested in taking over as the team physician for the Olympic Sports. It was an opportunity Robinson jumped at. “I came back and opened a practice in August of 1989 and From the left — Dr. Craig Buettner, Dr. Jimmy Robinson, Dr. Les Fowler and Dr. Jeff Laubenthal are all part of the Crimson Tide’s medical staff. have been with the University ever since,” Robinson said. As Robinson’s practice began to grow, he began to look for someone to join him. With high standards, his search took Laubenthal in particular is very familiar with the Alabama “I’m a fan and the opportunity to work with the depart- quite a while. He had been practicing seven years when he athletics department. Not only is he a former stand-out ment is better than a paycheck,” Robinson said. “To me, the asked Craig Buettner to join him and another five after that baseball player for the Tide, but he is married to former All- biggest thrill is when I get to work with an athlete and maybe when Jeff Laubenthal was asked to join the practice. American gymnast Katherine Kelleher. something I do helps them be as good an athlete as they can “Both Craig and Jeff were handpicked. Both have the Now the three men serve as the primary physicians for the be. There’s nothing like feeling that in some small way, I made right kind of personalities and are smart as can be to boot,” Crimson Tide. Robinson and his colleagues are involved in all a positive difference in an individual or team’s performance.” Robinson said. “When I identified them through the residency levels of an athlete’s healthcare, from the first physical of the Robinson’s expertise in the sports medicine has reached program, and they caught the sports medicine bug, we tried year before an athlete can even start practice, to an exit physi- international acclaim. For the 2000 Olympics in Sydney he was to set them on the path that would bring them back here. cal at the end of an athlete’s career and everything in between. one of eight team physicians for the U.S. Olympic squad. He Both men are big Alabama fans, so working with the athletics The hours involved are long to say the least, but for Robinson served in the same capacity at the 1998 Goodwill Game and department was a big incentive.” and his cohorts, the effort is worth it. 1999 Pan Am Games.
Did You 80 Know? Team physician Dr. Jimmy Robinson was a member of the U.S. Olympic medical staff at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia. athletic training to administration. After serv- ing as the Tide’s head athletic trainer from 1987 through the 1998 season, he moved to the administrative side in 1999, and currently serves as Director of Sports Medicine. Rodney Brown is the director of rehabilitations services. The Coleman Coliseum training room is staffed by six full-time athletic trainers, includ- ing Sherry Kimbro (soccer and rowing), John Morr (men’s basketball, men’s and women’s tennis, softball and men’s and women’s golf), Joe Hoffer (baseball, volleyball and cheer and dance), Bernard Burroughs, (men’s and women’s track and field), Monica Decker (gymnastics) and Jeremy Dobbs (women’s basketball, swimming and diving, cheerleading and dance team). Jeff Allen is the head football athletic trainer. He is assisted by assistant ath- letic trainer Ginger Gilmore and Jeremy Gsell and two graduate assistants, Nick Williams and John Hardin. The coliseum staff also consists of 7 gradu- ate assistant athletic trainers: Brandon Rayne (Swim and Dive), Nick Seiler (Softball), Jenny Hogg (men’s and women’s tennis), Katie Murphy (women’s track and field), Breck Hastings (cheer and dance), Nick Kregal (row- ing) , Megan McGrath (rowing) and Johanna Dr. James Andrews (center), one of the world’s foremost experts in orthopedic medicine, and Dr. Lyle Cain, one of the nation’s top orthopedic surgeon’s, consult Beeghly (volleyball). with sophomore Jacqueline Shealy after her ACL surgery last spring. Athletic trainers can spend an average of 10 to 12 hours a day on the job depending on In addition to the near daily attention injuries. His work with Andreé Pickens’ rup- THE TRAINING STAFF what point of the season the team is in. of Drs. Robinson, Buettner and Laubenthal, tured Achilles’ tendon allowed her to not only Keeping Crimson Tide gymnasts fine-tuned Alabama ensures the safety of its athletes Alabama has several specialists on call including compete her senior year but compete at a high- is the No. 1 job of The University of Alabama by assigning at least one athletic trainer to each former Alabama quarterback Dr. Les Fowler er level than before the injury. She led Alabama trainers. Their “body shop” is the newly reno- team to cover home and away events, condi- who serves as the department’s orthopedist. to the 2002 NCAA Championship and cap- vated state-of-the-art training room located in tioning, practice and travel. Alabama athletes can also count on Dr. tured the NCAA Uneven Bars crown. Last fall, Coleman Coliseum, and their tools consist of James Andrews who serves on the Tide’s Andrews and Dr. Lyle Cain, another Alabama hot and cold whirlpools, electrical stimulation medical staff as a consultant. Andrews is one team physician, removed bone chips from both and ultrasound machines, tape and pre-wrap of the world’s foremost orthopedic surgeons, of Terin Humphrey’s elbows, allowing her and QDA spray, and a brain full of knowledge internationally known and recognized for his greater range of motion than she has had in needed to make sure each gymnast performs to scientific and clinical research contributions in many years. Their expertise had her back in the her full potential. knee, shoulder and elbow injuries and his skill lineup for the start of the season, and winning Bill McDonald heads the athletic training as an orthopedic surgeon. Many of the world’s her second NCAA Uneven Bars championship staff. A member of the Tide staff since 1987, outstanding athletes seek his expertise in sports by April. McDonald’s area of expertise extends from
Tide Timeline Oct. 17, 1998 - Merritt Booth is honored as a top-10 fi nalist for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award. 81