Alabama Gymnastics’ Opening Meet Leotard Choice Speaks of Service to Others
1/6/2017 4:01:00 PM | Gymnastics
NORMAN, Okla. – Alabama gymnastics is known far and wide for its vibrant, stylish and beautiful leotards, adding to their collection with great regularity. But as the Crimson Tide gets the 2017 season started at Oklahoma, the UA seniors asked head coach Dana Duckworth if they could reach back for today's leotard.
"The seniors came to me a while back and made a request to wear a particular leotard," Duckworth said. "When they explained why, it really filled me with joy."
The seniors asked to wear a black and white houndstooth leotard covered in silver jewels that was created following the April 2011 tornado that came through the West Alabama region. The Tide first wore it during the 2012 season against Missouri, another area hard hit by severe weather, in a Tornado Relief meet that was featured in Sports Illustrated with a photo of the leotard.
So when it came time to pack for the 2017 season opener, Alabama's seniors wanted to go back to that leotard as a way to show the team's penchant for community outreach while competing in an area of the country too often troubled by severe weather.
"This is a team that has a tremendous competitive heart, but also has a servant's heart and that is why they wanted to wear this leotard for this meet," Duckworth said. "It is a way of telling Tuscaloosa that those affected by the 2011 storm are always in their hearts, but also that they have empathy for the Oklahoma communities that have gone through so much.
"When they told me why they wanted to wear this leotard to open their senior season, I was blown away," Duckworth said. "They are extremely driven and passionate about their gymnastics and their academic pursuits, but they also understand the importance of making a difference in the community around them and that is truly special."
Alabama opens the 2017 season at 6:45 p.m. in the Lloyd Noble Center, will be broadcast live on Fox Sports Oklahoma and on the Fox Sports Go app with Chad McKee and Kelly Garrison calling the action.Â
For all the latest information on Alabama gymnastics, follow BamaGymnastics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook and head coach Dana Duckworth on Twitter and Instagram at @UACoachDana.
