NIU fans can get their first peek at the 1989-90 men’s gymnastics team Saturday night (7:30 p.m.) after the football game at Chick Evans Field House when the team competes in its annual alumni meet.

The exhibition meet, called the Ranck/Sorenson Alumni Meet in remembrance of two freshmen gymnasts who were killed in an automobile accident in the 1970’s, will feature four alumni and nine members of this year’s team.

The four alumni include: Gene Margiotta, a three-time NCAA qualifier in the floor routine and member of the 1988 squad; Tom Kennedy, a member of the United States National Team; Doug Kieso, a national champion on the pommel horse; and Andy Morreale, a qualifier to the United States Championships which is the final step before being selected to the Olympics.

Coach Chuck Ehrlich will divide up the seven all-arounds and put two equal teams on the floor. They will compete in the six Olympic events to give the coach and the fans a feel for the team and its’ abilities as they prepare to open the season Nov. 18 in the National Mixed Pairs Invitational in DeKalb.

“We’ve got to work on our routines to work up our endurance,” Ehrlich said. “And we want the student body to see how good our gymnastics team is.”

Consistency is the other key factor for the team to be working on according to Ehrlich.

“Our consistency level is good at this point,” Ehrlich said. “All early competition will be learning. By regional time, we should be where we want to be.”

Ehrlich feels that this is an excellent opportunity for the gymnasts and the fans.

“It will show the student-body that we have really good national skill level through all six events,” Ehrlich said. “If they’ve never seen gymnastics, I think they’ll be impressed.”