Alabama championship head coaches meet media
Alabama gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson shows off her 2011 gymnastics national championship ring-as-a-necklace as she meets with members of the media the day before the dedication of the Sarah Patterson Champions Plaza, Thursday, October 03, 2013, at the plaza in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The plaza, highlighting all of Alabama's athletics teams outside of football, as well as the Crimson Tide's NCAA Champion coaches from gymnastics, women's golf, softball and men's golf, will be dedicated Friday afternoon. Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Sarah Patterson said she could feel the electricity when she walked into the BJCC Arena for the SEC Gymnastics Championship.
An avid gymnastics crowd greeted the coaches and athletes a few weeks ago for the Southeastern Conference to crown its top team. Every team had its loyal followers in attendance, but one team's backers were more apparent than those of any other.
"All the schools were represented but obviously there were more Alabama fans," the Tide coach said. "It was a difference-maker. We all felt it the moment we walked out for our first event."
Patterson and her squad rode the wave of support to a conference crown and on to a regional title. Now they return to the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in pursuit of a national championship.
"For us to be back in that environment where we won our eighth SEC championship, I think our ladies are just ecstatic and can't wait for the competition," the coach said.
And why not? The Tide's track record as a host of the national championship is perfect. Alabama hosted at Coleman Coliseum in 1991, 1996 and 2002 and won the title all three times.
But nothing is being taken for granted. A stumble out of the blocks on Friday could leave hosts watching from the stands.
"On any given night you have to be at your best or you won't advance to the Super Six on Saturday night," Patterson said.
A look at Alabama's semifinal session on Friday night proves her point. There are only five teams that have won the national championships among the 12 and four of them are in that session.
One of those teams, Nebraska, beat Alabama earlier in the season. Patterson's squad eked out a narrow victory at the regional championship in Seattle.
The Bama coach said this weekend's event is a unique opportunity for everyone on her team from freshman to senior.
"This is their only opportunity to compete in the state of Alabama for a national championship," she said. "I hope that our fans understand what a difference-maker they can be. This is our only opportunity for all of these women during their career and we'd like to make it a fairytale ending."