NAIA 'Teams Up' with Gulf Shores for Sports and Holidays

Teaming Up for Character is a central theme for all National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) sports, showcasing the core values of integrity, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership. As the top NAIA teams head to the Orange Beach Sportsplex for the Women’s Soccer National Championship presented by The Wharf Nov. 26 to Dec. 1, student-athletes will live out this character-focused program by collecting toys for the Christian Service Center.

“Character-driven initiatives set the NAIA apart as each staff member, coach and student-athlete comes together to touch our beach communities in an authentic way,” said Beth Gendler, vice president of sales for the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission. “We ask residents to come out and cheer on these incredible student-athletes throughout the championship and to take part in the toy drive impacting local children.” 

The Sports Commission encourages Gulf Shores and Orange Beach residents to team up with the NAIA by donating items such as new toys for local children of all ages in need at the Gulf Shores Welcome Center (3459 Gulf Shores Parkway) through Nov. 29. The welcome center is open each day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, teams will hold a soccer clinic at Gulf Shores Middle School during P.E. Nov. 26-27 to teach the core values of its Teaming Up for Character program. For more information, contact Sarah Cooper at SCooper@GulfShores.com.

Daily championship passes are $10 for adults, and tournament passes are $30 for adults. Children 10 and under will be admitted free, and passes can be purchased at the gate. For information on upcoming athletic events along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, visit GulfShores.com/Sports, or call 1-800-745-SAND.

About Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission: Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission is a partnership between Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism (GSOBT), the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber and the cities of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. In 2007, this commission became a department within GSOBT. In this role, the commission – along with assistance from both cities – works to bring quality sporting events to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. To learn more about playing on Alabama’s 32 miles of white-sand beaches, visit GulfShores.com/Sports.