Author: J. Mark Bryant

The Mobile Tennis Center (MTC) has long been considered one of the top athletic facilities in the nation. That honor must be well deserved, as the world’s largest tennis competition is now booked at the center near Langan Municipal Park for the next three years. July 21-24 the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) will conduct its Southern Sectionals for players age 18 and above. Coming back the following weekend, July 28-31, will be the USTA’s Southern Sectionals for players age 40 and above. The two events are expected to draw 2,000 players to Mobile. Over the eight days of play,...

Much to the dismay of officials and students at Spring Hill College, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has again denied the Badgers full acceptance into Division II competition. On July 14, the Division II membership committee notified SHC President Christopher P. Puto it will not recommend to the NCAA Division II Management Council that the Badgers be allowed to advance to full membership. This came despite the group saying it was impressed by the Jesuit school’s compliance program and enhancements to its athletics department. The sole reason cited by the membership committee was SHC’s current accreditation status with...

One of the area’s most unique events returns to downtown Mobile this Saturday. For the seventh straight year, the Dauphin Street Vault (DSV) will display some incredibly talented athletes in an interesting setting. Everything necessary to conduct this high-flying field event — including portable runways, crossbars and landing pads — are placed on the pavement between Jackson and Joachim streets. Instead of the typically quiet atmosphere found at a normal track meet, the Dauphin Street Vault is in the middle of the restaurants and nightclubs. With a disc jockey and light show provided by Red Bull, it takes on...