Alicia Goodwin Glad She's a Gator Gymnast
Friday, February 18, 2011 | Gymnastics
As a four-year member of the UF gymnastics team, Alicia Goodwin has learned in order for a team to reach its potential, everyone has to know his or her role.
With graduation on the horizon and on the eve of the team's Senior Night, Goodwin has learned her role: a calming presence on the team. Though the once-quiet gymnast may not be bouncing off the walls or pulsating with energy, she has learned to embrace her even-keel nature.
“I found that I don't have to be a loud person to be a leader on the team,” she said.
It's not just out on the competition floor either. Goodwin said the experiences in college, outside of gymnastics, have molded her as much as any contortion of the body during gym practice.
Meeting new faces, interacting with professors, living with non-gymnasts and gaining skills in independence are all things Goodwin learned in college to crack her out of her shell.
“When asked questions or meeting new people, I'm quicker to introduce myself,” she said.
She shook a lot of hands as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at Florida. Affiliated with the NCAA, SAACs are committees made up of student-athletes assembled to provide insight on the student-athlete experience. Goodwin caught a glimpse of the other side of the athletic coin.
“Every sport at the university, there's so much more that goes into it than just competing; coaches working behind the scenes, compliance, rule changes, funding, how it can affect the whole program as a whole,” she said.
She climbed the ranks and as vice president of SAAC, she traveled to Birmingham, Ala., to partake in the Southeastern Conference SAAC meeting. Discussions covered legislature, NCAA rules and how to improve SEC athletics as a whole.
“To interact with people from all the other SEC schools was a great opportunity,” she said.
Some of Goodwin's other ventures include Campus Crusades for Christ and being named to the 2009 SEC Gymnastics Community Service Team. The two-time All-American is a three-time National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches Scholastic All-American.
She even finds time to attend a local church, which reminds her of home.
“My faith has actually gotten a lot stronger since I've been in college,” said the Dallas native.
She might feel right at home come Senior Night. Not that she's thinking about it.
She remembers when she came in as a bright-eyed freshman, overwhelmed at it all. She can hearken back to the seniors on the gymnastics team who urged the freshmen to savor each moment.
She is looking forward to a “good last time at the O'Dome.” The stage of countless memories for Goodwin, the O'Connell Center will house her one last time.
She can't dwell on the heart-tugging finality of the night. She is looking forward to finishing her season on a strong note. Winning the SEC Championship last season, the team, Goodwin included, has its sights on a higher goal.
Even an NCAA Gymnastics Championship wouldn't trump the college experience Goodwin had helping her—more so than gymnastics perhaps—become the person she will be on Senior Night.
“It's college. You grow up,” she said.
By Eugenio Torrens, UF Communications
