Tigers Ranked Fifth In National Attendance
April 26, 2006 AUBURN, Ala. - For the second time in three years the Auburn gymnastics team finished the season ranked fifth in the country with an average attendance of 3,187 at five home meets. The Tigers also ranked fifth among schools for the highest single-meet attendance, as 5,833 looked on when the Tigers hosted Alabama on Jan. 27. "Our team has gotten better and better each year and so have our crowds," head coach Jeff Thompson said. "Hosting the NCAA Championships (in 2005) put the spotlight on women's gymnastics here in Auburn. With the success of the Auburn team, we have watched the excitement grow and seen a renewed interest in gymnastics in our area's young girls." The Southeastern Conference is known for its attendance at gymnastics meets and 2006 did not disappoint, as four of the top-five schools in attendance hail from the SEC. Utah led the nation in attendance with an average of 12,746, followed by Alabama with an average of 12,654. Georgia, the 2006 NCAA Champions averaged 9,484, which ranked third in the nation. Following the the aforementioned three schools, there is a large drop in average attendance for the rest of the country. Georgia's average attendance of 9,484 was 5,337 higher than Florida (4,147), the fourth-highest school. The Tigers' 2006 average ranks third in school history. Only the 2004 and 2003 seasons averaged more fans through the turnstiles than 2006. In 2004 the Tigers averaged a school-best 3,912.75 and in 2003 an average of 3,492.80 fans attended the meets. "Instructional gymnastics and cheer programs are now growing in our area and with that comes a larger fan base," Thompson said. "Little gymnasts bring their parents and grandparents, and once they've attended one meet, they continue to return for every meet after that. We are absolutely thrilled to be ranked fifth best in the NCAA for attendance at women's gymnastics meets and look forward to continued growth and improvement next year." Joining the 2004 season, the 2006 campaign marks the second time in school history the Tigers have ranked fifth in average attendance. Auburn's season-high attendance of 5,833 against Alabama ranks fifth-highest among all the schools. Each school only has its top attendance for a single meet counted one time, therefore, eliminating the schools with the highest averages from claiming all the highest single-meet attendance numbers. Alabama had the highest attendance for a single meet with a crowd of 15,162. Utah was second with an attendance high of 14,407, followed by Georgia, 9,951, and Florida, 8,338. The Tigers return 22 of 24 routines for the 2006 season with only senior Danielle Holtz exhausting her eligibility. Returning for Thompson's eighth season are two-time All-American 2006 SEC Gymnast of the Year Julie Dwyer and 2006 Northeast Regional Vault Champion Lindsey Puckett. 2006 Average Attendance 2006 Single-Meet Attendance Highs
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