As a four-time NCAA Champion, former Alabama gymnast Ashley Miles has enjoyed some tremendous moments in Coleman Coliseum and even though she finished her career last spring, the 2006 National Gymnast of the Year will have another standout moment on Saturday when she walks across the stage as a college graduate.

"It's hard to believe it's already here," Miles said. "They tell you that it will go fast, but you have no idea until you get to this point. I am tremendously proud of what I have been a part of at this University. There is no where else I could have had the career that I did at Alabama. Of everything I have accomplished since I've been here, Saturday will be the high point. Earning a degree is what I came to Tuscaloosa for and I can't wait to walk across that stage."

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Gymnastics team hosted its annual Christmas party for the children from the Stallings RISE Center in the Frances Smith Gymnastics Practice Facility.

Head Coach Sarah Patterson and the Crimson Tide have joined with RISE for a Christmas party for more than a dozen years and have hosted the party in their practice facility since it opened in 1996. As always, the gymnasts and RISE students were joined by a special guest when Santa Claus made an appearance.

The Alabama Gymnastics Team was hard at work again this past Sunday with another intrasquad on uneven bars and vault. The team also practiced full reps on the balance beam and continued to work through their floor choreography. Junior Terin Humphrey has made great strides in her recovery from elbow surgery (removal of bone chips in each) that occurred approximately three weeks ago and was working vault, bars and balance beam, as well as a full dance through on the floor. Sophomore Courtney Priess competed her full routine on bars and practiced several big skills on the balance beam, while junior Kaitlin White blocked out her new floor routine with the help of Dana Dobransky-Duckworth.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The University of Alabama Gymnastics program signed Jennifer Iovino to a national letter of intent in the early signing period according to head coach Sarah Patterson. Iovino will wear the crimson and white of Alabama starting with the 2008 season.

"We are thrilled to have Jennifer join our program and look forward to the many great qualities and talent she brings to the Crimson Tide," Patterson said. "Jennifer and her family went through the recruiting process early in her junior year, visiting many of the nation's top programs. We feel fortunate that she committed to the University of Alabama early in the process. Having her finally be able to sign her national letter of intent is exciting for all."

The defending Level 10 National Floor Exercise Champion, Iovino also finished third in the all-around at the 2006 nationals. She competed at the 2005 United States Championships as a senior international elite.

We have a Photo album (and a slide show) for the 2007 Quad autograph session.

• Photo Album: 2007 Quad autograph session
• Slide Show: 2007 Quad autograph session

Here are a few of the Photos:
(Click on a thumbnail to view a full size picture)

200169 bytes 01. JR Kaitlin White in a pre-signing interview

259342 bytes 02. The south line gets the sunshine

242143 bytes 03. and Bama gymnasts brighten the cool north line

Show your support of Alabama Gymnastics by joining the Medalist Club. Join by December 1^st to ensure that you receive your membership card, t-shirts, parking passes, and other benefits applicable to your membership level before the first meet.

We have a Photo album (and a slide show) for the 2007 Ghosts vs Goblins Intrasquad Meet.

• Photo Album: 2007 Ghosts vs Goblins Intrasquad Meet
• Slide Show: 2007 Ghosts vs Goblins Intrasquad Meet

Here are a few of the Photos:
(Click on a thumbnail to view a full size picture)

395580 bytes 01. Goblin Erin posts a last sign

217655 bytes 02. and Ghost Amanda energizes a Cackling Ghost

100036 bytes 03. as Ghost & Goblins & Others gather for the annual rematch

Greetings from the Medalist Club,

The 2007 NCAA Women's Gymnastics National Championships will be held April 26-28, 2007, on the campus of the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. For the championships, the Alabama gymnastics team will be staying at the Hilton Salt Lake City Center (the former Doubletree). At this writing, there are rooms available at the Hilton. However, the Medalist Club was unable to secure a block of rooms there at a rate favorable, and with other considerations acceptable, to our membership.

Fortunately, we have been presented with an opportunity to block 20 one-bedroom suites and 15 two-bedroom suites rooms at the Residence Inn City Center, which is only a block or two away from the team hotel.

The Medalist Club is currently soliciting nominations for the third annual SPDAA. The purpose of this award is to continue the Alabama Gymnastics tradition of involvement with the people who have been the basis of the creation of this exceptional program. It is the intention of the Medalist club to cite and honor those members of the Alabama Gymnastics family who continue to lead in life and in their profession as they did in the gym and in the classroom while contributing to the success of the program on a daily basis. Our first two recipients of the award, Barbara Mack Harding and Patti Rice Eggers exemplify the criteria for this award.

• Sarah Patterson Distinguished Alumni Award

The Alabama Crimson Tide Gymnastics Team held their annual spook-tacular intra- squad on Sunday, October 29, 2006, for the fans in the Francis Smith Practice Facility on the campus of the University of Alabama. After officially starting pre- season practices on September 11th, the team has been working diligently to perfect skills that will be incorporated into full competitive routines by Thanksgiving.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - University of Alabama junior gymnast Terin Humphrey, an NCAA Champion and two-time Olympic silver medalist, underwent successful surgery Tuesday to remove bone chips from both elbows.

For Humphrey, a nine-time All-American through her first two seasons with the Crimson Tide, the surgery corrected a long standing ailment that had grown more painful as her career progressed.

"Terin has had difficulty with both elbows from many years of competitive gymnastics at the elite level," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "It was time for us to take care of the problem and give her some relief. She came through the surgery like the true champion she is, and will begin rehabilitation immediately."

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Alabama Gymnastics team, in the midst of preseason training, is having an extra busy week.

Thursday night, Sarah Patterson serves as hostess for "A Nite of the Green" a charity gala that raised money for the DCH Breast Cancer Fund started in 2004 to support Patterson's "Power of Pink" initiatives. And that's just the start of a hectic schedule that runs through the weekend.

"We have a busy week, but certainly an exciting one," Patterson said. "The ladies are certainly looking forward to getting out into the community and lending a helping hand as well as meeting the fans and getting a taste of competition on Sunday."

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - After nearly a year of planning and hard work, "A Nite on the Green" is finally here.

Alabama Gymnastics head coach Sarah Patterson along with many others have been working since last year's "Drive 4 the Cause" event to put together a gala event that would benefit the DCH Breast Cancer Fund which was created by Patterson with the DCH Foundation to support her "Power of Pink" initiatives.

All that planning and work comes to life this Thursday, October 26, with "A Nite on the Green", held at the Bryant Conference Center starting at 5 p.m. Tickets for the event ($40 for an individual and $70 for a couple) can be purchased at Tuscaloosa Toyota, First National Bank of Central Alabama, Bank of Tuscaloosa and DCH Foundation, Inc.

PBAs and Salto were in attendance for another GymTide practice this past week and we have a brief report to share with the fans. Let's get right to the highlights...

Fall is in the air, the leaves are turning colors, footballs are flying...that can mean only one thing - it's time for our annual Medalist Club membership drive! Current Medalist Club members will soon receive a membership brochure, which includes an application form, in the mail. If you would like to become a member of the Medalist Club, there is a membership brochure and application form available online here.

We have a mini Photo album (and a slide show) for the Rings Ceremony (Saturday, October 14, 2006).

• Photo Album: Rings Ceremony (Saturday, October 14, 2006)
• Slide Show: Rings Ceremony (Saturday, October 14, 2006)

Here are a few of the Photos:
(Click on a thumbnail to view a full size picture)

258962 bytes 01 Ashley Miles and AD Mal moore

165224 bytes 02 Coach Sarah, AD Mal Moore and Ashley

153282 bytes 03 Honda's Rick Schostek presents the honda Award to Ashley

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Four-time NCAA Champion and 2006 National Gymnast of the year Ashley Miles one of the most decorated student-athletes in University of Alabama history was honored at halftime of today's Alabama-Ole Miss football game.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - University of Alabama gymnastics sophomore Melanie Banville has retired from gymnastics due to a pre-existing and ongoing back problem. A Scholastic All-American last season, Banville has withdrawn from the University and returned to her home in Long Sault, Ontario.

"Melanie struggled with this injury last year and took most the summer off from training to see if this would help make a difference," Alabama head coach Sarah Patterson said. "She feels she can no longer continue in the sport of gymnastics and, if she is not able to compete for the team, would rather finish her education closer to her home, her family and her friends. Melanie qualified for a medical exemption and could have continued her education here at the university on scholarship, but made the personal choice to return home. We wish her well and know that she will continue to be an excellent student."

A member of the 2004 Canadian Olympic Team, Banville made an immediate impact for the Crimson Tide as a freshman, winning the 2006 Southeastern Conference uneven bars title and earning All-American honors.

The Pattersons have been part of the Adopt-a-School project for several years, lending their time and support.

Sarah and David Patterson, in the midst of their 29th season coaching the Alabama Gymnastics team, were on hand at the Country Club of Tuscaloosa Thursday morning, serving as honorary chairs of the Tuscaloosa Adopt-a-School golf and tennis tournaments.

The 2007 season will feature three bus trips to away meets, including one to the SEC Championship in Little Rock, Arkansas. For additional information, please refer to the bus trip page.

Here's a video montage of the Sunday, September 17th "Show and Tell" practice, once again presented in three sizes to suit your internet connection speed:

09/17/2006 - Show and Tell Practice

• Dial-up speed (1.06 MB)
• High speed internet (3.88 MB)
• Broadband only (36.9 MB)

We have a new "Chalk Talk" from Coach Patterson:

• Chalk talk - Highlights for the 2007 season

We have lots of Tidebits to share from Bama's "Show and Tell" practice this past weekend, including some amazing tumbling already being thrown by our gymnasts. Let's start with some "housekeeping" notes before we get into the technical skills.

We have a new "Chalk Talk" from Coach Patterson:

• Chalk talk - Think Pink and Think Bama!

The GymTide began official practice on Monday, September 11, and we hope to have a brief practice report up soon. In the meantime, we have created a short video montage of some of the sights and scenes from the team's first day of preparation for their 5th National Championship. In an exciting development, you are all cordially invited to the Frances Smith Gymnastics Practice Facility this Sunday (09/17/06) at 1:30pm for what the coaches are calling a 'Show and Tell' session - a chance to meet the freshmen and get a look at what the team is working on. Note that spectator space is limited in the practice facility and there will also be a volleyball match starting at 1:30 in The CAVE. (It will be Bama volleyball vs. Ole' Miss. Admission is free, so why not make it a 'doubleheader'? Come by, check out the GymTide, and have a look at Bama volleyball in action, as well!).

• Dial-up speed (717 KB)
• High speed internet (5.72 MB)
• Broadband only (32.2 MB)

Coach Sarah Patterson and David DeSantis of Tuscaloosa Toyota have teamed up once again to help out the DCH Foundation, a fund supporting breast cancer awareness and early detection for area women who otherwise would not be able to afford the breast cancer screening and tests. You may have seen Coach Patterson and Mr. Desantis on TV promoting 'A Nite on the Green', a new event prior to the Tuscaloosa Toyota/DCH Foundation Golf Classic. The event will feature "The Tip Tops," a dance and show band from New Orleans, a silent auction, a live auction, and a chance to win a 2007 Toyota Camry from Tuscaloosa Toyota. 'A Nite on the Green' will be Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Bryant Conference Center. Tickets can be purchased for $40 for an individual and $70 for a couple at Tuscaloosa Toyota, First National Bank of Central Alabama, Bank of Tuscaloosa and DCH Foundation, Inc.