Vince Visser
Published: Sep 16, 2025 10:30 AM
By Rachel Wingard
Vince Visser, a sophomore in industrial and systems engineering (ISE) from Vestavia, Alabama, is keeping things cool with his invention, Polar Docks — a product that earned him a spot as a finalist in Auburn’s Tiger Cage Business Idea Competition.
Why Auburn
“My oldest brother graduated from Auburn with a degree in finance. I love the South and its unique culture. My brother always talked about the Auburn family, which people talk about a lot, but it is true. People here are so nice and accepting of all cultures and types of people. I also attended many football games growing up. There’s no atmosphere like Jordan-Hare Stadium. We have something special here.”
Why Engineering
“There are a few different reasons I chose engineering. Business was always appealing to me, but I decided to study engineering first and learn business later. I chose ISE after visiting a manufacturing shop and seeing these big, fascinating rigs. I was obsessed with how flawlessly the entire shop was run. I’m good at working with people and with business, so ISE was the perfect fit.”
Polar Docks
“I started this project with my dad and brother around 2019. It wasn’t solely my idea until I took charge of it later. We spent most of our summers on the lake, watching people fumble with towels and hoses trying to cool down their docks. Docks are very expensive, and Polar Docks help you use them comfortably. Each small mister sprays about 36 inches in diameter. The dock surface can be up to 73 degrees higher than the air temperature — Polar Docks cools it enough to walk on without shoes.”
Tiger Cage
“One of my fraternity brothers encouraged me to enter the competition during my freshman year, but I didn’t decide to do it until this year. I was nervous at first, but then it clicked — I’d been working on this for four years. Nobody knew my product better, so why not just talk about it? I love building things, and getting to see my idea turn into something that solves a real problem is awesome.”
To learn more about Visser, check out his interview on the award-winning #GINNing Podcast. Media Contact: , dzd0065@auburn.edu, 334-844-2326
Why Auburn
“My oldest brother graduated from Auburn with a degree in finance. I love the South and its unique culture. My brother always talked about the Auburn family, which people talk about a lot, but it is true. People here are so nice and accepting of all cultures and types of people. I also attended many football games growing up. There’s no atmosphere like Jordan-Hare Stadium. We have something special here.”
Why Engineering
“There are a few different reasons I chose engineering. Business was always appealing to me, but I decided to study engineering first and learn business later. I chose ISE after visiting a manufacturing shop and seeing these big, fascinating rigs. I was obsessed with how flawlessly the entire shop was run. I’m good at working with people and with business, so ISE was the perfect fit.”
Polar Docks
“I started this project with my dad and brother around 2019. It wasn’t solely my idea until I took charge of it later. We spent most of our summers on the lake, watching people fumble with towels and hoses trying to cool down their docks. Docks are very expensive, and Polar Docks help you use them comfortably. Each small mister sprays about 36 inches in diameter. The dock surface can be up to 73 degrees higher than the air temperature — Polar Docks cools it enough to walk on without shoes.”
Tiger Cage
“One of my fraternity brothers encouraged me to enter the competition during my freshman year, but I didn’t decide to do it until this year. I was nervous at first, but then it clicked — I’d been working on this for four years. Nobody knew my product better, so why not just talk about it? I love building things, and getting to see my idea turn into something that solves a real problem is awesome.”
To learn more about Visser, check out his interview on the award-winning #GINNing Podcast. Media Contact: , dzd0065@auburn.edu, 334-844-2326
Auburn sophomore Vince Visser, an industrial and systems engineering student from Vestavia, Alabama, shows a component of his Polar Docks invention, which earned him a spot as a finalist in Auburn’s Tiger Cage Business Idea Competition.