The Alabama women’s basketball team will be returning to its original home, Foster Auditorium, on Sunday to take on the Florida Gators. Foster has quite a history on campus, as most know it for the “Stand in the Schoolhouse Door” by then-Governor George Wallace.

Senior forward Tierney Jenkins is aware of the historical importance of the return to Foster.

“The coaches have stressed the importance of Foster to us,” Jenkins said. “We went and heard Vivian Malone speak. I think we understand how important it is, but since we didn’t actually experience this, we don’t fully get it.”

It is only fitting that head coach Wendell Hudson lead the team back to the historic landmark, since Hudson was the first African-American scholarship athlete at the Capstone.

During a presentation of the newly renovated Foster Auditorium to the media on Monday, athletic director Mal Moore emphasized Hudson’s desire to bring the team back to Foster.

“We wanted a home-court advantage,” Hudson said. “Having a tougher environment to play in will really help our program, and playing in this smaller venue was a step we needed to take to get to where this program is heading. We want the fan holding the ticket to feel like it’s worth something.”

Since Foster is only housing volleyball and women’s basketball, the team is enjoying a feeling of ownership when they step into Foster for practice.

“They understand that this is ours,” Hudson said. “They have that feeling of ownership. They feel like they’re not one of many anymore.”

Jenkins, a senior, loves the newly renovated facility but did have initial concerns.

“I’m not going to lie, I was worried to begin with,” Jenkins said. “I had played in Coleman for three years and I was so used to the rims and everything. But now that I’ve gotten in here and practiced, I love it here. The court is nice, the locker rooms are amazing and the weight room is brand new.”

While the adjustment to the new goals had to be accounted for, the new crowd is something else the Crimson Tide will have to consider.

“The crowd adjustment will be the biggest adjustment we will have to make,” Hudson said. “It will be different having the crowds right on top of us. The building has good acoustics, and I hope we make a good adjustment to a more intimate crowd.”

The excitement for tip-off on Sunday is starting to mount. University President Robert Witt will be holding a ceremony on the court before the game, which will include any alumni of Alabama athletics who played in Foster. All athletes who played in Foster have been invited to attend.

“Everyone is pumped for Sunday,” Jenkins said. “Players’ families are coming in and everything. Everyone is really excited.”

When the game starts on Sunday, Hudson is hoping his players will be able to settle down quickly.

“It’s going to have a lot of adrenaline,” Hudson said. “We get the band and all those fans in here, the adrenaline will be pumping. I just hope we can calm down quickly and start playing basketball.”

Jenkins said she hopes the team’s tenure in the new environment starts strong.

“I’ve thought about how cool it would be to score the first basket,” Jenkins said. “But I normally don’t score first. I just hope it’s for Alabama.”