GULF SHORES, AL - The late spring sports lineup along Alabama’s beaches is filled with major track and field events kicking off with the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Track & Field Championship April 24-25. Fans can watch fast-paced events such as relays, jumps, javelin and discus in the upgraded Mickey Miller Blackwell Stadium at the Gulf Shores Sportsplex.

“Interest in bringing track and field events to our area has exploded since the city of Gulf Shores renovated its facilities in 2013 and 2014,” Beth Gendler, vice president of sales for the Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Sports Commission said. “The addition of the hammer/discus cage, javelin runway, shot put area and steeplechase as well as a top-of-the-line track has afforded us the opportunity to host more events, especially at the collegiate level.”

Gendler says hosting the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field National Championships has created a domino effect. The Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), an NAIA conference, followed in NAIA’s footsteps by bringing its championship to Gulf Shores.

Also, new on the sports commission’s schedule in 2015 is the Sun Belt Track & Field Conference Championship and the addition of the 7A division of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Track Championship.

The schedule of track and field events coming to the Gulf Shores Sportsplex includes:

Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) Track & Field Championship

Date: April 24-25

Website: SSACSports.com 

Note: An additional major sports event this weekend is the Open Beach Handball Championship April 24-26 at the Gulf Shores Public Beach at The Hangout.

Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) State Track Championship (4-5-6-7A boys and girls)

Date: April 30 to May 2

Website: AHSAA.com

Note: An additional major sports event this weekend is the AVCA Sand Volleyball National Championships May 1-3 at the Gulf Shores Public Beach at The Hangout.

Sun Belt Track & Field Conference Championship

Date: May 8-10

Website:SunBeltSports.org

National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Outdoor Track & Field National Championships

Date: May 20-23

Website: NAIA.org

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