Tuscaloosa, AL – Visit Tuscaloosa (Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports) has named Josiah “Robins” Bonner III the new senior sports sales and event development manager, effective February 26, 2024.

Bonner interned with the agency in 2019 while a student at The University of Alabama and made significant contributions to the Druid City Music Festival. After receiving a B.S. degree in 2020, he spent four years working in sports and events management. He was part of the Bruno Event Team that helped put on the World Games 2022 in Birmingham.

During the past two years, Bonner has traveled the United States and throughout Canada working alongside, and overseeing, the management of a variety of sporting events. He also has taken the initiative to familiarize himself with the sports tourism industry and has consulted with organizations such as the Huntsville Sports Commission, where he assisted with the development of bid proposals.

“We are excited to welcome Robins to the Visit Tuscaloosa team,” said Kelsey Rush, Visit Tuscaloosa president and CEO. “Sports and events play a vital role in our organization’s mission and in keeping the Tuscaloosa area vibrant. Robins is well suited to help continue the tradition of welcoming a robust sports tourism landscape to our community.”

As senior sports sales and event development manager for Visit Tuscaloosa, the community’s destination marketing organization, Bonner will lead the organization’s efforts to attract and host sporting events across Tuscaloosa County. He also will assist with the creation and planning of new events and the marketing of emerging sports-related attractions.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Visit Tuscaloosa team,” Bonner said. “Tuscaloosa holds a special place in my heart and I could not be happier to be in a position to give back to a community and county that has played such a major part in my life.”

Born in Mobile, Ala., Bonner later moved to Tuscaloosa and graduated from Tuscaloosa Academy before attending UA.

Thank you to our partners at Bryant Conference Center for sponsoring this content!

The ultimate gameday experience in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, home to The University of Alabama and the Crimson Tide, offers one of the most electric atmospheres that college football has to offer. Sometimes called “The City of Champions,” Tuscaloosa is a vibrant community filled with local restaurants to satisfy every palate, a walkable downtown complete with live music, outdoor spaces to explore, and a destination that’s easily accessible – no matter what direction you’re coming from.

For a true taste of the game day experience, kick off the weekend with a trip to the Bryant Museum, where you’ll find exhibits, artifacts, and memorabilia that traces the long history of The University of Alabama football. Once you’re done taking in the knowledge of Alabama Football’s legendary past, it’s time to enjoy the beautiful campus. From the museum, walk over to the Quad for what will become a tailgating experience you won’t soon forget. Hundreds of tents are filled with friends and family as they join in fellowship, indulge in great food and drinks, and cheer on other football teams across the nation as they await Alabama’s kickoff.

Bryant Museum

Another stop you won’t want to miss is the Walk of Champions and the Coaches Walk, located at the north end of Bryant Denny Stadium. The Walk of Champions includes granite tablets commemorating the school’s title seasons. But what makes it so special on game days takes place two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff. The Alabama team buses drop the players and coaches off at the walkway where thousands of fans greet them with smiles and roaring cheers to watch some of college football’s most elite walk to the locker room.

After cheering on the Tide, it’s time to experience the energetic nightlife in T-Town. While there are many options to select from, be sure to check out options located along The Strip, Downtown, or in Temerson Square, as well as a variety of other locations throughout the city. Many restaurants and bars feature live music, especially throughout game day weekends.

Downtown Tuscaloosa

Whether you arrived to town early or have time before returning home, consider exploring the Tuscaloosa Civil Rights Trail. This self-guided, 18-stop trail includes many stories to help you understand Tuscaloosa’s place in civil rights history, but most importantly, highlights the history of how Tuscaloosa’s color barrier was broken by the courageous efforts of many black and a few white foot soldiers.

When planning your trip, search visittuscaloosa.com for all things Tuscaloosa. We welcome you with open arms and know you’ll make legendary memories to last a lifetime while here. Roll Tide!

A Game Day Must: Don’t miss out on a Denny Dog (aka Stadium Dog). Quite possibly the next best thing outside of the game itself and sold in Bryant Denny!

Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics