UF Gymnastics: No. 2 Gators Gymnastics Link to Pink vs No. 8 Alabama Includes SEC Title Subplot

February 20, 2020

The No. 2 Gators play host to No. 8 Alabama Friday for the 14th Annual Gators Link to Pink meet. The Gators need a win to secure their second-consecutive Southeastern Conference regular-season title.

Courtesy of UF Athletic Association

Pink replaces orange and blue as the prominent color Friday as No. 2 Florida gymnastics welcomes No. 8 Alabama for the 14th Annual Gators Link to Pink sponsored by UF Health.

Action begins at 5:45 p.m. ET at the Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.

This year’s Link to Pink meet also has Southeastern Conference title implications.

The Gators are undefeated in SEC action (5-0), and Alabama is the only remaining team with a single league loss. A win Friday guarantees Florida its second consecutive SEC regular-season title, as the team would have one remaining league meet (Feb. 28 at Georgia).

Alabama is the Gators’ third top-10 opponent this season.

About Gators Link to Pink

Events aimed to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention and treatment will be included at Friday’s meet. These meets are part of a Southeastern Conference initiative, and most of the league’s teams will participate in a “pink” meet this season.

Team colors are set aside as the teams wear pink to show their support for the breast cancer fight.

Arrive Early to Cheer Your Gators

It’s an early start for the nation’s only meet featuring a pair of top-10 teams. Be in your Exactech Arena seat by 5:45 p.m. to take in the special pink-hued floor projection show prior to the teams entering the competition floor.

Here’s some tips to expedite your trip to the Exactech Arena Friday:

Getting TO the Arena:

* Season parking holders can enter the O’Connell Center lot off Lemerand Drive OR SW 2nd Avenue.
* Public parking is available in the O’Connell Center parking garage on first-come basis. Those wishing to park in the garage must enter lot off SW 2nd Avenue.
* A complimentary parking shuttle transports fans from which originates at the Commuter Lot on Lemerand Drive to the O’Connell Center. The shuttle begins at 4 p.m. Parking map for Gator Gymnastics
* Use the Waze app to provide the best route to Commuter Lot.
* For 5-10 minutes following Gator gymnastics meets, Lemerand Drive will close for north and south bound traffic from University Avenue to Stadium Road to provide pedestrians a safe exit.

Getting IN the Arena:

* To get tickets ahead of Friday’s meet, visit the FloridaGators.com ticket site or stop by the Gator Ticket Office (open Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.).
* The O’Connell Center ticket windows open at 4 p.m., with the gates opening at 4:30 p.m. Gates 1 and 2 will be open for each gymnastics meet. UF students should enter at Gate 3. Entry Gates for Gymnastics

* Bags are checked before entering the building. Everyone will go through the O’Connell Center metal detectors when entering. When using the metal detectors fans need to empty their pockets prior to screening, then walk through the detector. After that, tickets will be scanned and then you are ready to cheer your Gators!

Friday’s Promotions:
Pink T-Shirt – First 3,000 fans get a Link to Pink t-shirt
Link to Pink poster – Gators Link to Pink poster available to first 1,000