Alabama Gymnastics Will Think Pink This Friday Night

Dusk falls, and a soft, pink glow radiates from the University of Alabama campus. Driving down Paul W. Bryant Drive, the light is brightest at the Coleman Coliseum, home of Alabama Gymnastics. Inside the building, even the concourse is lit up with pink.

This Friday at 7 PM, No. 6 Alabama Gymnastics will host its 11th annual Power of Pink meet with No. 12 Boise State. It is an event that aims to bring awareness to the fight against breast cancer and to support fundraising for the DCH Cancer Fund. The Coliseum and several other campus and community landmarks are lit up with pink lighting this week to show support for the cause.

Sarah Patterson came up with the idea in 2004. She wanted to designate a gymnastics meet as a "Drive for the Cause" event and encouraged everyone in attendance to wear pink. It was a huge success, and the attendance numbers have only gone up since. Now called the Power of Pink, the meet regularly sells out the Coleman Coliseum.
An Alabama gymnastics meet is always exciting, but Power of Pink Night brings something extra. The gymnasts on both teams wear pink leotards and fans come decked out in pink shirts, scarves, shoes, and even pink wigs or feather boas. Team introductions cease to become about the gymnasts and their accolades, but rather the breast cancer survivor who is also introduced and accompanies them on the mat. It is a night of awareness and honoring those who have bravely fought the disease.

The Power of Pink initiative has spread to other Alabama women's sports as well. Volleyball and soccer held Pink games last fall. Women's Basketball will hold their Pink game on February 22nd at Foster Auditorium and Softball will have a Pink game later this spring.

Friday's meet begins at 7 PM and the first 500 fans to come through the doors will receive a pink T-shirt. Pink shakers will be placed on every seat in the Coleman Coliseum. The night will also be a celebration of Sarah and David Patterson's 36-year career and Alumni Night for past members of the Alabama Gymnastics team.

The Tide's opponent this Friday is certainly no cupcake. Boise State has worked their way up from No. 19 to No. 12 this season and has been ranked nationally in the top 15 on vault, bars, and beam. No. 6 Alabama is currently ranked second on floor, fifth on vault, seventh on beam, and twelfth on bars. The Broncos are the sixth consecutive ranked opponent for the Tide.

Tickets are still available for Friday night's meet from the Alabama Ticket Office, located in the Coleman Coliseum, as well as 348-BAMA or online at rolltide.com