VINEMONT, Ala. – The Gentrys’ story starts before the skating, neon lights, birthday parties and concession stand shenanigans at Sportsworld Skate Center.
The story began 27 years ago when Shae and Valerie shared a phone call. Shae, at the time, was a director with Merchants Home Delivery and Valerie, a corporate travel agent for Seven Seas Travel. Shae was on the line calling Seven Seas Travel and let it continue to ring.
“It rang at least 30 times,” he said. “She came out and asked, ‘Is anyone going to answer the phone?’ She answered it and we’ve been together ever since.”
“He had a wonderful Southern accent. Me, being a California girl, I thought, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m in love! That accent – that’s a Southern gentleman,’” Valerie recalled.
Together they lived in California, but in 2020 decided to move. Shae, having family in Cullman and growing up near the area, frequently visited his family.
“We fell in love with Cullman and the community, the Warehouse District and the festivals,” Valerie said.
When the pandemic happened Shae, Valerie and their two daughters, Savannah and Victoria, traveled in a camper across the country, ultimately making their way to Cullman.
Shae said they met with a real estate agent to find their forever home.
“At one point she looked at me and said, ‘Shae, I don’t know where we’re going.’ So she handed me the keys and said she would show up at any house we took her to, but I was driving.”
Shae said he was a fan of speed skating in previous years. He had been skating since age 3, though he and his family enjoyed skating together. After they moved to Cullman, they frequented the local skating rink in Vinemont.
One night, Shae said, he looked at his wife and said, “I want to buy this rink.”
Valerie said she laughed and told him to go get a cold drink. Though five years later, in February 2025, after celebrating 25 years of marriage, they did in fact buy the rink.
“We’re not here to make a buck,” the couple said. “If we can change just one life that will be enough.”
The couple not only enforces family friendly regulations and strict no bullying or foul play rules, but strongly lead by faith.
“We had a young man come in that spoke with one of our workers and we prayed with him and gave him a Bible.” Shae explained that a small act of kindness and compassion changed his life.
He said the individual turned his life to Christ and regularly visits Sportsworld to be with his newfound family.
The impact on patrons doesn’t stop there! Sportsworld recently hosted its Catch the Rhythm for Autism event and impacted a Florida DJ so much, he wrote a song specifically for Shae and Valerie Gentry, as well as their devotion to skating.
Watch the video at https://tinyurl.com/3v97kray.
The Gentrys’ hospitality has touched many. Previously bullied children struggling to branch out have found their confidence through the skating community.
“You wouldn’t recognize some of these kids from in and out of the rink,” they said.
With the safe haven it has provided, children who normally walk with their heads down, headphones in and staying to themselves are outgoing chatterboxes at Sportsworld.
Valerie said with a nod, “This is a place where kids can come be accepted.”
Get more information about Sportsworld Skate Center at www.facebook.com/CullmanSkating.
The rink is located at 90 County Road 1223, Cullman, AL 35058.
