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.