GULF SHORES AND ORANGE BEACH, ALA. – Alabama’s beaches will welcome nearly 40 diverse athletic events from March through early May 2017 including the NCAA National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship, a national cheerleading competition, statewide grappling championship and youth tournaments galore. Many events take place during the spring break season when athletes’ families can take advantage of beach vacations.

“The Sports Commission will welcome a variety of events to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach from youth baseball, softball, volleyball, cheer, soccer and track events to collegiate championships and participation-based events like runs and golf tournaments,” said Beth Gendler, vice president of sales for the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission. “Spring is an amazing time to visit Alabama’s beaches with warm temperatures and lots to do, so we encourage families to extend their sporting trips to incorporate vacations.”

Another reason to visit Alabama’s beaches this spring is to watch some of the best female athletes in the country compete during a major standout event – the NCAA National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship – which takes place May 5-7 on the Gulf Shores Public Beach. In 2016, the city of Gulf Shores, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission and the University of Alabama at Birmingham hosted the first NCAA-sanctioned beach volleyball championship, and the 2017 event is shaping up to include more on-site amenities for patrons to explore. Tickets are on sale. Visit: NCAA.com/Championships/Beach-Volleyball for details and updates.

Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission Spring Schedule:

March 10-12: Gulf Coast Beach Volleyball Bash hosted by Spring Hill College

March 11: Century Tennis Tournament

March 11-12: AVP First Youth Beach Volleyball Tournament

March 11-12: Orange Beach Soccer Shootout (Girls)

March 13-15: Gulf Coast Classic I Softball Tournament

March 13-16: Gulf Coast Classic I Baseball Tournament

March 15-19: University of South Alabama Gulf Shores Golf Tournament

March 18: Spirit Brands Orange Beach Nationals

March 18: Gulf Shores High School Track & Field St. Patrick's Day Invitational

March 20-22: Gulf Coast Classic II Softball Tournament

March 20-23: Gulf Coast Classic II Baseball Tournament

March 24-26: Gulf Shores Junior Tennis Tournament

March 25: Flora-Bama Beach Run Walk for America's Warriors 5K & 1/2 Marathon

March 25: Gulf Shores Spikeball Tournament

March 25-26: USSSA Global Sports Baseball 300 Point Qualifier

March 27-29: Gulf Coast Classic III Softball Tournament

March 27-30: Gulf Coast Classic III Baseball Tournament

March 30-April 2: Southern Senior/Adult Hardcourt Tennis Championship

April 1: South USA Grappling Alabama State Championship

April 1-8: Lakewood High School Softball Training

April 7-8: Gulf Shores High School Tennis Tournament

April 12-13: AISA Outdoor Track & Field State Championship

April 15: Zydeco & Crawfish Festival 5k Run

April 19: Flora-Bama's Mullet Swing Golf Tournament

April 22-23: Worldwide Spirit Association Cheer Beach Nationals

April 22: 21st Annual Mullet Man Triathlon

April 22-23: USSSA Global Baseball Border Wars State Championship

April 27-30: Alabama Tennis Invitational

April 28-29: Pleasure Island Showdown Softball Tournament

April 29: Gulf Coast Region Beach Volleyball Classic

May 4-6: AHSAA State Track Championship (4-5-6-7 A, boys and girls)

May 5-7: NCAA National Collegiate Beach Volleyball Championship

May 6-7: Gulf Coast Region USA Volleyball Beach Fest

For information on upcoming athletic events along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, visit: GulfShores.com/Sports, or call 1-800-745-SAND.