She served as the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide women's gymnastics team from 1979 to 2014.
During her tenure, she built the program at the University of Alabama into one of the most successful in the history of college gymnastics.
Patterson graduated from Union Endicott High School in 1974, Slippery Rock State College in 1978, and was named the head women's gymnastics coach at the University of Alabama by then Athletics Director Paul "Bear" Bryant later that year.
The Pattersons have two children, Jessie and Jordan, who was a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide softball 2012 NCAA championship team.
[3] “We named this plaza after Coach Sarah Patterson as a way to honor the great success she has enjoyed over the years in the gymnastics program, and the contributions that she has made to the University and the athletics department in general,” UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore said.