You knew we couldn’t leave Sarah Patterson out of our Through the Ages series. The former Alabama head coach is part of the fiercest rivalry in the sport and is a member of an elite club of coaches fans recognize as having made collegiate gymnastics what it is today. Patterson took the helm in 1979, before the NCAA recognized women (we’re getting tired of typing this sentence—NCAA, what were you doing?!), until her 2014 retirement. Let’s journey through the years of Sarah.
1987
Check out those earrings.
1988
Those polka dots! Those sleeves! Also, we need to acknowledge that Alabama won its first title in 1988, but CBS chose to interview Marsden and not Patterson. Side eye, CBS.
1989
It’s a brief glimpse, but it’s long enough to see that ruffle!
1990
She does love those statement sleeves!
1991
Combining the polka dots and stripes—very bold.
1992
All red this year!
1993
This is a big departure.
1994
That dress is all bling.
1995
From a fluff bit about the Georgia Alabama rivalry, which is quality television.
1996
Is that…a pearl-encrusted white suit?!
1997
Doing a little outfit repeating. But hey, if you won the national title in it, why not?!
1998
Always on the earring game, and back to red.
1999
Going the all-white embellished look again this year. Suzanne, of course, is in black.
2000
Our first sighting of Sarah in black! A classy, understated look.
2001
If one thing in gymnastics is always reliable, it’s Sarah’s earrings.
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