BOWL WEEK EVENT SPOTLIGHT: TEAM BEACH DAY

One of the many places to visit in Mobile is the beach. From the sunny skies to the blue water, Dauphin Island can create a perfect day for just about anyone. Dauphin Island offers an authentic taste of the beautiful Gulf Coast. It is a small southern town with a strong marine culture, a mix of locally owned shops and galleries, and laid-back restaurants that serve delicious locally harvested seafood.

The first full day of bowl week, December 14th, will consist of the two teams alternating between practice and Dauphin Island. This gives the teams a chance to wind down and have fun after a day of traveling, but also to see a historical and educational side of Mobile. The teams will have open access to the aquarium/sea lab, beach and Fort Gaines.

Upon arrival, the teams will be given a swag for the day which includes a beach towel and a football shaped beach ball. The teams will also have access to their own private section of the beach. They will be able to partake in games, bonding experiences, and even go for a swim.

The Alabama Aquarium, formerly named Estuarium, is located at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab which highlights the four key habitats of coastal Alabama: The Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands, and the Northern Gulf of Mexico. It includes the 10,000-square-foot Exhibit Hall, a 7,000-gallon stingray touch pool, and the Living Marsh Boardwalk. The Alabama Aquarium showcases the plants, animals, and other natural resources found in the estuary and its surrounding marine habitats. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is the state of Alabama’s marine science research and education center. For over 40 years the Sea Lab has been conducting marine science research as well as teaching undergraduate, graduate and K-12 students.

The historical site of Fort Gaines is also located on Dauphin Island. Fort Gaines was a crucial site for the south during the civil war, and is one of the key sites in the famous Battle of Mobile Bay. The fort has original cannons, a blacksmith shop, kitchens, a museum, gift shop, and tunnels. The Fort was recently designated as one of the “Eleven Most Endangered Historic Sites” in America due to on-going shoreline erosion.

The LendingTree Bowl would like to thank the city of Dauphin Island for letting us use their facilities. It is an amazing opportunity for the teams, staff, and community to be a part of.

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