- November 23, 2024
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As a young man in the 1960s, Steve Spurrier had a magical moment at Marineland Dolphin Adventure. That moment arrived when he came face-to-face with the dolphins kept at the park. It’s that moment that keeps Spurrier, 73, the 1966 Heisman Trophy winner and the winningest head coach in Florida and South Carolina football history, involved with the park.
Marineland Dolphin Adventure, located at 9600 N. Ocean Shore Blvd., hosted the legendary college football coach for a ‘Gator Night’ on Saturday, June 16.
The event was part of a month-long series of festivities as part of the park’s 80th anniversary celebration.
“The man loves Marineland, and he’s very dedicated to making sure it’s successful,” Marineland Vice President and General Manager Gary Inks said. “He really cares.”
The park reopened at 6:30 p.m. to host the event. Inks said there was originally supposed to be a tour of the facilities as well as a moment where Spurrier got to feed the dolphins. Those parts of the event were canceled due to poor weather conditions. As a result of heavy rain and lightning, the fans in attendance instead listened to Spurrier talk about his time at Marineland. In addition, Spurrier fielded a variety of questions from the audience.
Do you do yoga? Did you play baseball? And, How will the Gators be this season? were among the questions asked at the event.
Inks, who also addressed the audience on Saturday night, was sporting a Florida Gators hat signed by the Ole Ball Coach.
Inks said he isn’t a UF fan, though.
“I am tonight,” he joked.
