GULF SHORES — Lulu’s hosted a welcome party fit for champions as the Gulf Shores football and swimming teams were recognized for their performances at recent state championships.

The Dolphin football team captured the program’s first state title in the 24th year of varsity competition and the boys’ swim team collected a second consecutive Red Map trophy as state runners-up. Individually, senior Liam Bickham earned two gold medals with first-place finishes in the 100-yard backstroke and 100-yard butterfly.

Gulf Shores head football coach Mark Hudspeth was appreciative of the throng of Dolphin fans who greeted the teams with a Walk of Champions.

“A humbling experience to see so many people come out tonight and just very thankful for the support of this community,” Hudspeth said. “To see this team and have this community rally behind this team is amazing. What a night.”

School Board President Kevin Corcoran led the ceremonies that featured remarks from Mayor Robert Craft, Superintendent Matt Akin and high school principal Cindy Veazy as well as Hudspeth, who introduced his coaching staff. Head swimming coach Brook Hopkins then took the stage and introduced the boys’ runner-up team and the girls’ squad that earned a second straight fourth-place finish at state.

Before the masses were released to dinner, fireworks dotted the sky to wrap up the championship welcome party for the first football state champion.

Hudspeth acknowledged that time was running out with this 2023 team and he was grateful for a few more moments together.

“The chances I get to be with this team from here on out are few and far between,” Hudspeth said. “Eventually they'll all be going their separate ways so I'm just thankful I get a chance to spend more time with them.”

Already putting in the work for the 2024 season, Hudspeth said there hasn’t been much time to celebrate quite yet.

“For me it's been sort of busy, I'm already planning for next year and getting to work on next year,” he said of his first few days as an Alabama state champion. “Then a lot of planning for tonight so we'll find a little bit of downtime during Christmas.”