University of Alabama

Athletics

Alabama's athletic teams are known as the Crimson Tide. The school fields varsity teams in the NCAA's Division I and is a member of the competitive Southeastern Conference (Western Division), while club sports compete in their respective leagues. The school's athletic teams compete at the highest level, often contending for conference and NCAA titles. Athletic facilities on campus include the 83,818-seat Bryant-Denny Stadium, named after legendary football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and former UA President George Denny, and the 15,043-seat Coleman Coliseum.

Related Topics:
NCAA - Division I - Southeastern Conference - Bryant-Denny Stadium - Paul "Bear" Bryant - Coleman Coliseum

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Alabama maintains athletic rivalries with Auburn University and the University of Tennessee. The rivalry with Auburn is especially heated as it encompasses all sports. The annual Alabama-Auburn game is nicknamed the Iron Bowl and is considered one of the most intense games in all of college football. The Alabama-Auburn basketball games (two each season, not counting possible postseason matchups) are often called "Iron Ball."

Related Topics:
Auburn University - University of Tennessee - Iron Bowl

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While the rivalry with Tennessee is centered around football for the most part, there is no shortage of acrimony here, especially given the recent history between UT Coach Phillip Fulmer and his relationship to the Tide's most recent NCAA probation. There are also rivalries with Louisiana State University (football and baseball), Mississippi State University (men's basketball), and the University of Georgia (women's gymnastics).

Related Topics:
Phillip Fulmer - Louisiana State University - Mississippi State University - University of Georgia

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Football

The University of Alabama football program is by far the most nationally notable of the intercollege athletics programs. The football team, started in 1892, is one of the oldest in the country. The school has won 21 SEC titles, played in 51 bowl games, the most in the nation, (with a 29-19-3 record) and claims a total of 12 national championships, tied for the most in the nation (Notre Dame). Alabama has produced 17 hall-of-famers and 91 All-Americans honored 101 times.

Related Topics:
Football - Notre Dame

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Almost synonymous with Alabama football is legendary coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.

Related Topics:
Paul "Bear" Bryant - University of Alabama Athletics

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Men's basketball

Alabama's men's basketball program has been overshadowed for most of its history by football. However, as the football program has drifted in relative mediocrity in recent years, the men's basketball program has risen in stature nationally, achieving a No. 1 national ranking briefly in 2002. In recent years, UA has become a regular conference basketball contender much as it was in the 80's under the direction of Wimp Sanderson.

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Gymnastics

The women's gymnastics squad at the University of Alabama first completed in 1975. The squad did not have a winning season until the arrival of Sarah Patterson in 1979. In the intervening 26 years under husband and wife team Sarah and David Patterson, the squad five SEC championships, 19 regional titles, and 198 All-American honors. It has placed in the top 5 at the NCAA Championships 19 of the past 21 years and won the championships four times: in 1988, 1991, 1996, and most recently in 2002

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Gymnastics meets have an average capactiy of 9,000 at Coleman Coliseum. Some meets against the team's archrival: the Georgia Gymdogs have attracted a capacity crowd.

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