Former UA athlete mentoring young gymnasts

Ask anyone associated with the University of Alabama gymnastics program about Dee Theriault, who was known as Dee Foster when she won the NCAA all-around title in 1990, and they’ll probably mention something about her energy and enthusiasm.

The founder of Perfect Ten Consulting is not known for being idle.

Theriualt’s latest endeavor is a book series for children, and accompanying Web site, www.DearDeeDee.com, which she touts as being the “first-ever mentoring Web site and children’s book series created exclusively for gymnasts.”

“I’ve always said that gymnastics represents ‘my first life,’” she said in a release. “I devoted seventeen of my first 22 years on earth to the sport and, by the time I’d retired, I was really ready to start my second life, away from gymnastics. Now, after all this time, I realize that I miss being of contribution to the sport. I can’t compete anymore, but mentoring young gymnasts, at every age and level, is how I’m certain I can give back.

“Gymnastics, my coaches, teammates and all the amazing experiences I had served me remarkably well in life. It’s time for me to pass those life-lessons along to a new generation of gymnasts.”

The Huntsville native has lived in Los Angeles for the past 11 years, but still cheers for the Crimson Tide and attends many of the team’s biggest meets. She was on the 1991 NCAA championship team and qualified for the 1988 Olympic Trials only to withdraw due to an ankle injury.

“Inside and outside the sport of gymnastics, there are some ill-informed perceptions,” she continued. “I’ve seen and read countless stories positioning the sport of gymnastics as torturous, and its coaches as ogres. Through my membership mentoring site and book series, I want to share different stories with today’s competitive gymnasts, recreational gymnasts who are just getting started in the sport and their parents.”

The first book cover can be seen on the Web site (with fans having voted between three options). The full Web site is scheduled for launch at the end of the month.

rams were among the best in the nation.