Gymnastics Announces Loaded 2015 Schedule
8/31/2014 12:00:00 AM | Gymnastics
"We are so excited to get this season underway," UA head coach Dana Duckworth said. "This is a typical Alabama schedule - it's very challenging and will prepare our ladies for the championship season. I'm especially excited about our home schedule, which will bring some of the best gymnasts in the country to Tuscaloosa."
Alabama opens the season in Coleman Coliseum with Pac 12 rival Arizona on Friday, Jan. 9 before closing out the regular season with a home meet against defending NCAA Champion Oklahoma on Friday, March 13 with Senior Night. In between the Tide will host SEC powers Florida, LSU, and Auburn along with non-conference foe Boise State in Coleman Coliseum.
"Our fans are absolutely amazing," Duckworth said. "Our home-floor advantage comes from the passion, loyalty and enthusiasm that has grown year to year. Nothing would help continue our tradition of excellence more that to see our fanbase continue to grow and thrive."
Alabama's road meets start with a trip to Fayetteville to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks on Friday, Jan. 16. The Tide will also travel to Kentucky, Georgia, and Missouri. The Tide will close out its regular-season road schedule in Birmingham with the addition of a neutral-site meet against instate rival Auburn at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Center.
"When the chance came to add an extra meet to our schedule and to have that meet in Birmingham against Auburn, we were delighted," Duckworth said. "We had such great support in the BJCC last year for both the SEC and NCAA Championships, and I know that this will be another great environment for college gymnastics."
Alabama's postseason opens in Duluth, Ga. with the SEC Championships at the Gwinnett Center. The NCAA Regional Championships will take Alabama to one of six sites ranging from Berkley, California to Auburn, Alabama depending on the Tide's seeding following the SEC Championships.
The Crimson Tide will close out the season with the NCAA Championships, which will take place in Fort Worth, Texas for the first time.
"Our overriding goal has not change," Duckworth said. "Our focus all season long is to be on the floor, the last night of the season, with a chance to win a championship, and this schedule will prepare us for that opportunity."
