Posted on February 20, 2002 at 3:54 p.m.

WHAT:

Celebration honoring UAB’s Vonetta Flowers for winning the Olympic gold medal in the two-woman bobsled. The event is open to the general public.

WHO:

Vonetta Flowers, assistant coach of the UAB women’s track team, Mayor Bernard Kincaid, UAB President Ann Reynolds, UAB Director of Athletics Herman Frazier.

WHEN:

Wednesday, February 27, 2002
12:15 p.m.

WHERE:

Bartow Arena
617 13th Street South
Birmingham, AL

BACKGROUND:

Vonetta Flowers’ quest for Olympic gold began many years ago on the running track. It culminated on February 19 at the bobsled run in Salt Lake City. In between has been a career at the University of Alabama at Birmingham including becoming a seven-time All-American and serving now as the assistant coach for women’s track. Tuesday she made Olympic history by teaming with Jill Bakken to win the inaugural running of women’s bobsled. The duo earned the first U.S. bobsled medal in 46 years. Flowers is the first-ever African-American gold medal winner in the winter Olympics.