The Crimson Tide has fought through a long season, seven kinds of flu and cold bugs, wind and snow, some nagging injuries, arctic temperatures - and one tough loss - to arrive at just the point in time when they need you the most. Let's all take a solemn vow to show up in droves at the Gwinnett Center Arena this coming Saturday, March 20th for the 2004 SEC Gymnastics Championship.

No excuses, now, I scouted out the Gwinnett Center Arena at an event earlier this year (as friend and fellow fan, Bob, says,"Love me, love my Sarah Brightman!") and found it to be a beautiful, modern facility with the very best in fan-friendly amenities. In addition, there is a huge parking lot adjacent to the arena, which itself is right at an Interstate exit. If you get there well before the 7:00 (Eastern)/6:00(Central) start time of the championship meet, you can pass time shopping at the huge nearby Discover Mills shopping center and/or perhaps dining at one of the dozens of restaurants in the immediate area.

As likely as not, the GymTide will get shipped out a 'fair ways off' for the Regional, so let's all seize this opportunity to show the team how much we appreciate all their hard work and dedication by taking over the Gwinnett Center Arena. And, what better way is there to cheer the Tide on to a repeat victory in the SEC Championship than live and in person?

(If - and this is a big if - if you find it impossible to make your way to the Gwinnett Center Arena next Saturday night for the Championship and you just have to 'watch' the meet on-line, don't forget that the only coverage officially available will be from the SECsports.com website. Supposedly -don't get me started!- none of the school or booster websites will be allowed to offer live scoring or play-by-play commentary. And no, I don't have any idea why that is - but, like I said, don't get me started! The PBA's will do all in their power - within the groundrules set down by the SEC - to get as much information to you as quickly as they can.)

If you do get to come, and I'm expecting a huge group of Bama fans, don't forget to come over and say hello. I'll be easy to pick out, I'll be the one passed out and having smelling salts applied during Bama's beam rotation! Roll Tide!!!