re: Alabama Athletics with a fantastic weekend of winning

The Byrne Notice recaps much of this past weekend’s success:

https://rolltide.com/news/2021/2/22/general-byrne-notice-presented-by-mercedes-benz.aspx

Byrne Notice presented by Mercedes-Benz

Oats Contract Extension

We were thrilled to be able to announce a contract extension with head men's basketball coach Nate Oats last week that runs through 2027. In just his second season in Tuscaloosa, Coach Oats and his staff have our team ranked in the top 10 and in first place in the Southeastern Conference standings. We know that Nate, Crystal and their family have embraced our community and fan base as you all have with them, and we look forward to what is to come for Alabama men's basketball.

Strong Showing at SEC Women's Swimming and Diving Championships

Congratulations to our women's swimming and diving squad for an amazing run at last week's SEC Championships, where they posted their best finish since 2003 (fourth) as well winning eight gold medals, tying for the most in school history. In addition to winning three individual titles, Rhyan White was voted the SEC Swimmer of the Meet and earned the SEC Commissioner's Trophy as the meet's individual high point scorer. The men's team gets their championship run started on Tuesday in Columbia, Mo., and we wish them the best of luck.

Gymnastics Posts Season-Best Score to Down No. 2 LSU during its annual Power of Pink Meet

Our gymnastics team had an extraordinary night against LSU last Friday, using 197.725, its best score since 2017, to upset the No. 2-ranked Tigers. Sophomore Luisa Blanco led the way with a career-best 39.825 in the all-around, the third highest score in school history. We've got two more meets left in this year's SEC-only regular season schedule before rolling into the SEC Championships, which have been moved to Huntsville, Ala., on March 20.

Spring Sports Open Season with Wins

Several of our spring sports, both traditional and in this pandemic year, opened their seasons on a positive note over the last week with softball, baseball and soccer all collecting wins on opening night. Softball, after having to alter its plans due to inclement weather in Texas, started 2021 off in Montgomery, defeating Alabama State, 10-0 in five innings. Our team is now 8-0 after last weekend's Easton Bama Bash, which it capped off with a 13-5 run-rule decision over No. 8 LSU on Sunday. Our soccer team, which competed in its usual fall season as well, posted a 2-0 shutout over Columbus State on Friday to begin its spring slate, while baseball, also playing its first game on Friday, swept the series with McNeese, scoring a combined 23 runs over the three-game weekend.

Both Basketballs Win on Senior Day

It was a great weekend of basketball in Tuscaloosa with both of our teams celebrating victories on their respective Senior Days. On Saturday, our men's team moved one game closer to an SEC regular-season title with its 82-78 win over Vanderbilt and recognized its six seniors following the game. On Sunday, our women's team completed its season sweep of Mississippi State, the first time since 1991, with a 71-63 victory over the Bulldogs. Our trio of women's seniors was honored prior to the game with a host of family members on hand in the stands. It's been incredible to watch what these two groups have done for their respective programs since arriving on campus, and we are looking forward to what is still to come in the postseason for both our men and our women.

Track & Field Gears up for SEC Indoor Championships

Following its three indoor events at Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Arkansas this season, our men's and women's track & field teams are headed back to Fayetteville for the 2021 SEC Indoor Championships. The event is scheduled to run Thursday, Feb. 25 through Saturday, Feb. 27. Best of luck to our teams as they compete for conference titles!

University Spotlight

There were nine recipients of this year's Premier Awards, The University of Alabama's highest honors as selected by the Alabama Awards Committee. These nine individuals, made up of students, faculty and staff, are models of the highest standards of scholarship, service, leadership and character. Congratulations to all!