No. 4 Alabama Gymnastics Opens Season Friday in Coleman Coliseum against No. 21 Arizona

First-year Alabama gymnastics head coach Dana Duckworth and the 2015 Crimson Tide get things underway Friday, Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum against Pac 12 Conference foe Arizona.

What is being called “The Show” before the big show gets underway at 7 p.m. with a big “Roll Tide Roll” led by the Tide gymnasts as they conclude warmups. That will be followed by the Tuscaloosa Toyota handstand contest and the Tuscaloosa Toyota dance contest.

After the first prizes of the night are given away, recording artist Moriah Martins will keep the party going, performing several songs from the floor of the Coliseum. This mini-concert will give way to Alabama’s legendary pre-meet introductions at 7:20 p.m.

The change to Alabama’s gymnastics schedule came about due to the timing mandated by the SEC Network. Friday’s meet against the Wildcats will be streamed on the SEC Network + and can be found at WatchESPN.com or the WatchESPN app.

"The SEC Network provides all our teams with unprecedented national exposure," UA Associate Athletics Director Marie Robbins said. "With that exposure, comes a different timeline for our events. Our fans will want to be in Coleman Coliseum at the published start time so as not to miss out on “The Show before The Big Show” - pre-meet entertainment, exciting fan giveaways and the team's traditional lights-out introductions with videos, music and fireworks. Alabama Gymnastics meets are synonymous with `Fun, Family Fridays' and stand among the best, most affordable entertainment for families and students."

Duckworth and company are eager to get the season started with Friday’s meet.

“We are so excited for Friday,” Duckworth said. “We’re at the point in the season when we aren’t going to get much better without a meet. Our ladies have worked extremely hard to prepare for this meet throughout the fall and since returning the day after Christmas from a brief break for the holidays. The premeet entertainment is going to be incredible and our ladies can’t wait to be back in Coleman Coliseum in front of the best fans in the nation. You don’t want to miss one second of a Fun, Family Friday.”

Tickets for the Crimson Tide's home meets are on sale through the Alabama Ticket Office (205.348.2262) located in the lobby of Coleman Coliseum and online at RollTide.com. Fans can keep up with the Tide via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube by following BamaGymnastics.