GULF SHORES, Alabama—Three senior Dolphins accepted offers to play collegiate-level sports in a signing ceremony at Gulf Shores High School March 21.

Daniel LaBorde will play football and basketball for Huntingdon College in Montgomery. The Hawks play in the Gulf South Athletic Conference while Colby Simmons and Thrisstan Cornell will play football at Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss.

LaBorde said he was happy to get the opportunity to continue playing both sports at the next level.

“It worked out great,” he said. “Get to do both sports I love. I just didn’t want to have to give one up. And the coaches up there were supportive and said they would work with me and just said go for it. Coach (Ben) Blackmon and coach (Clint) Wigley really supported me and encouraged me a lot, too."

As a triple-duty senior playing three positions for GSHS Dolphin football, LaBorde rushed for 4.88 yards per carry and averaged nine yards per catch. He also booked 16 solo tackles playing defense. As a junior he recorded 26 total tackles and broke up 12 pass attempts. The Hawks went 6-3 last season in a tough GSAC field.

Gulf Shores head football coach Ben Blackmon said LaBorde’s enthusiasm and willingness to play different positions and both ways in football also said a lot about him personally.

“Daniel has the skills and the drive to work hard and keep getting better at whatever he decides to do. Huntingdon got a good two-for-one deal, here. But they are always serious about recruiting quality athletes who will bring more to their campus than athletic ability.”

He added that all three student athletes had similar high-quality  traits on and away from the playing surface.

“All these guys, Thrisstan and Daniel and Colby all have high standards of character and honor that good schools compete for. Of course good schools want the best to represent the school when they put on those uniforms but it’s also about wanting every student to go out and represent them everyday, just like we do here at Gulf Shores. And that’s why we’re proud to recognize them here today.“

GSHS principal Ernie Rosado echoed that aspect of the college experience for all students.

“You know we are very proud of these young men and all the hard work they have done and all the sacrifices they have made. We’re also proud to have them go out and represent Gulf Shores High School and the whole community. But even though we’re celebrating their recognition for accomplishments in sports, they would not be able to take advantage of this opportunity if they had not also put forth the effort it takes in their school work and overall academic preparation. So it says something about not just them but also about all the teachers who have influenced them and helped get them to this point. It’s a great day."

LaBorde is the son of Bonnie and Mark LaBorde. He plans to major in kinesiology and sports science.