{ Also see Part II ]

"I think that every parent harbors the hope that their child will grow up to become an adult that is happy, normal and will make a meaningful contribution to society. Kristin's experiences at the University of Alabama have been a major contributor toward the fulfillment of that hope for me. It would be impossible to try to name all of the people that have had so many positive impacts on her during these past four years and it is apparent to me that I have had the privilege of meeting only a small portion of them. They range from the coaching and support staff, her teammates past and present as well as the Bama family of boosters and University faculty. I have been so impressed with their kindness, caring and enthusiasm. With an atmosphere like that, it is seemingly impossible not to succeed! My personal thanks to all of you for your wonderful and caring support."

"I find it hard to believe that four years could have passed so quickly. It seems much more like only one and a half years! These four years have provided her with a chance for growth and the realization of broadened intellectual vistas and perspectives. It has been a continuation of learning to balance her job as a university athlete against the need for scholarship and trying not to lose sight of the collegiate experience as well. It has given her a chance to be "on her own" while still under the gentle (most of the time) guiding influence of her coaches and their staff. She has teammates that will be lifelong friends every bit as close as her own siblings. She has known the agony of defeat as well as the joy of victory and the realization that just plain hard work can be a reward in itself. Perhaps this is a lesson that is even more a realization for her mother and I. She is the kind of kid that doesn't make much of either a defeat or a victory but is far more inclined to be focused on the next competition or test, realizing that the past is past and the future is where we must focus our efforts. She has shared with me that her proudest moments have been her academic accomplishments while at the university and that she is immensely proud of being introduced as an Academic All American, perhaps even more so than and Athletic All American. "

"It is difficult to see how she has managed the physical rigors of her sport and training requirements against the demands of a full academic load. It is simply amazing that she and her teammates are able to so consistently find a way to accomplish so much. It is true that there is a remarkable support and infrastructure for the University of Alabama athletes. It is a play on the old adage "from whom much is expected, much is given" in terms of facilitating the athletes' chances of success. I know that among the teammates there exists an incredibly strong support network to help each other deal with the inevitable stresses and strains of their schedules. The coaches and other staffers also are available for help as well as devoting a lot of attention to ensuring that the team members are coping with the stresses and pressures that this program brings to the athletes. It is truly amazing that it works so well for so many."

"I have been impressed with the University of Alabama family of alumni and supporters as well. They are to be found everywhere and they are ever so proud of their school and the program. It does not matter what sport, everyone has both high hopes and high expectations. That really has been brought home to me in a number of ways. I can remember first attending a dual meet with Georgia when Kristin had signed her letter of intent. You cannot imagine the shock of entering Coleman Coliseum for the first time in your life to see eleven or twelve thousand fans there to see a women's gymnastics meet! Remember that we were used to club gymnastics settings of mostly immediate family only and at that not all of them!"

"After Kristin's freshman year was over, our oldest daughter Kim and I were moving her from El Paso, Texas to graduate school in San Francisco, California. We were taking the scenic route and among the many places we visited on our way was the Grand Canyon. I was wearing a Bama gymnastics cap that Kristin had autographed by the team and given to me for Christmas that year. Suddenly I heard a voice say "Roll Tide", and I responded in kind noting that the fellow who greeted me was one of three very big fellows who looked as if they could have been defensive tackles for the football team. The biggest of the three noticed the signatures on the cap and asked where I had obtained it. When I explained that it was a gift from my daughter who was on the team he asked "oh yeah, which one is she?" I told him that it was Kristin and he exclaimed that she had had a great freshman year with far more authority than someone who was only casually familiar with the team and its individual members' accomplishments. Where but at the University of Alabama would one expect to see such an unlikely fan? I simply had no idea of the devotion and loyalty of the Tide faithful and to see over the four years how many travel so far to see and cheer for their team. Again, it is simply amazing."

"When you have a child that has shown promise in a sport, it is very flattering to see them being recruited to a collegiate program. There were quite a number of schools that had an interest in Kristin and as a parent, you think wow, this is pretty nice to have a school willing to sponsor a scholarship for your child. Then you take time for a reality check and look at top programs like Alabama's and how many scholarships they have for that year and the sheer numbers of athletes they have to choose from and all of a sudden you wonder if any will be available. In the year that Kristin was recruited there was only one available at Alabama and we dared not let our hopes get too high, especially considering that Coach David Patterson had to form a judgment on Kristin with a broken hand at the time of his visits. Kristin's recruiting trip to Alabama was the last of her five allowed under NCAA rules and on each of her previous trips to other schools she had returned saying how much she had liked the school that she had visited but was unwilling to make any commitment. The "chemistry" at each of these schools just was not quite there. When she got off the plane from her visit to Alabama, there was not the slightest hesitation in her voice as she told us immediately that she was committing to the University of Alabama. Apparently the Pattersons and Coach Raschilla saw something in this Level 10 kid that made them willing to take a big chance and the rest is now history. We could not be more happy or proud of her choice and the coaches' decision. It has been a great experience for both Kristin and us and we are all in your debt (thank you University of Alabama). It has been wonderful beyond words and you have been kind and supportive above all expectations. We truly feel that we are a part of the Bama family."

Keith Sterner