Sarah Patterson Named 2007 Sayers Award Winner at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Sarah Patterson, associate athletic director and women’s gymnastics head coach at The University of Alabama, has received the University’s E. Roger Sayers Distinguished Service Award for 2007.

The E. Roger Sayers Distinguished Service Award is one of the highest honors given by the University to recognize faculty and staff members who have performed in an exemplary manner to further the mission of the University. The award, named for former UA President E. Roger Sayers, was created in 1996 by members of the President’s Cabinet and the National Alumni Association.

“I had the privilege of serving under Dr. Sayers while he was president,” Patterson said. “One of my favorite photos of all time is of him holding up our 1991 National Championship Trophy. To be honored with this award that bears his name is truly gratifying.”

Patterson, in her 29th season as UA’s head gymnastics coach, earned the exclusive award for the way her teams represent the University and for her extensive work to promote academics and community service.

Marie Robbins, UA associate athletics director/SWA, nominated Patterson for the prestigious honor. “Coach Patterson has touched the lives of countless individuals through her tireless and selfless dedication to the University of Alabama. Not only has she coached and mentored more than 120 student-athletes over the course of her tenure at the University, but she has used her notoriety as a platform to help others less fortunate than her and her student athletes,” Robbins wrote in her nomination of Patterson.

Beyond what she has done as a coach and a teacher, Patterson has been an extraordinary member of the University and Tuscaloosa community working for a multitude of causes. Three years ago she created the “Power of Pink” initiative, which has raised more than $300,000 for the DCH Breast Cancer Fund; the fund was created to support her efforts in the fight against breast cancer. The three “Power of Pink” gymnastics meets have averaged over 14,000 fans per meet, including sellouts of 15,000-plus the last two years.

Patterson’s success goes beyond the athletics arena, where her teams have won four NCAA Championships and her student-athletes have earned 21 individual national titles. Academically, Patterson’s student-athletes have led the nation in NCAA Postgraduate Scholarships and the league in Academic All-SEC honors.

Her teams have also been busy in the community, making a difference by being good role models and by taking an active role in community service projects.

Patterson was not able to be on hand when the award was presented on campus April 26. She was in Utah, leading her team in its 25th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance and 25th consecutive top-10 finish.

Her oldest daughter Jessie, a UA student, accepted the award on her behalf. “Building a championship program that brought recognition to this great university was always my mother’s dream,” Jessie Patterson said after the ceremony honoring her mother. “But over the years, her desire to help make a difference in the lives of others became of equal importance to her. Her love for this university and the Tuscaloosa community has been a driving force in her career.”

Previous award winners include E. Roger Sayers (1996), David Womack (1997), Drury Caine and B. Scott Bridges (1998), John A. Moore (1999), Dorothy J. Martin (2000), E. Culpepper Clark (2001), Cathy Randall (2002), J. Barry Mason (2003), Jan Pruitt Duvall (2004), Robert L. McCurley Jr. (2005) and Billy P. Helms (2006).