This week in FlaSports - April 21-28
 

Welcome to This week in FlaSports.  This feature on the FSF web site will once again give a weekly smattering of information about what's going on in sports in the Sunshine State.

Whether it be professional, amateur or recreational sports, and it's happening in Florida, look for it at This week in FlaSports.

Information on this page will be updated on Monday of each week.  To have your organization's events or happenings on This week in FlaSports, send an email to ngandy@flasports.com. 

Volume 2, Issue 5
April 21, 2008

► Orlando Magic earn first playoff win in five years behind Dwight Howard's 25 point, 22 rebound performance
► Lakeland selected to host Florida Sports Hall of Fame Weekend
► Miami Sports Commission launches Miami Soccer Series
► Florida's Sunshine State Games Registration opportunities

► Amateur Sports Accolades - X Miami Pan Am International Badminton Tournament at Shula’s Athletic Club
► FlaSports Calendar of Events for April 21-28
► Archive of previous issues of This Week in FlaSports


Orlando Magic earn first playoff victory in five years

Dwight Howard had 25 points and 22 rebounds, and Jameer Nelson scored 24 points, and the Orlando Magic defeated the Toronto Raptors 114-100 Sunday in the opener of their first-round series.

Howard scored six straight points in a 10-0 fourth-quarter run that sealed Orlando's first playoff win since 2003.  One more game will be played in Amway Arena, on Tuesday, April 22, before the seven-game series shifts to Toronto for two games. 

Series Schedule
Game 2 - Tuesday, April 22, 7:30 p.m., Sun Sports (at Orlando)
Game 3 - Thursday, April 24, 7:30 p.m., Sun Sports (at Toronto)
Game 4 - Saturday, April 26, 3:00 p.m., TNT (at Toronto)

If necessary
Game 5 - Monday, April 28, 7:30 p.m., Sun Sports (at Orlando)
Game 6 - Thursday, May 1, Time and TV TBD (at Toronto)
Game 7 - Saturday, May 3, Time TBD, TNT (at Orlando)

The Magic have deemed their trip to the 2008 NBA Playoff with the theme of "Blue and White Ignite," and urge fans and the Orlando community to jump into the excitement of the Playoff season.

Following a 52-30 regular season record, the Magic clinched the number 3 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs to secure home-court advantage for the first round. 

The Magic encourage its fans to show their spirit and wear BLUE and WHITE to IGNITE the team during its playoff run.  To get the latest and most up-to-date information surrounding the Magic throughout the playoffs, visit www.blueandwhiteignite.com, designed specifically for the Magic's playoff run.

As of Monday, April 21, tickets were still available for Game 2 on Tuesday, April 22.


Lakeland selected to host Florida Sports Hall of Fame Weekend for 2008-09
HOF Also Negotiating with Polk County as Permanent Home

Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing (PCTSM) and  the Florida Sports Hall of Fame (FSHOF) Foundation Board announced today that the 2008 and 2009 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Induction Weekend will be held in Lakeland at The Lakeland Center.

The 2008 Hall of Fame induction dinner will take place Saturday, August 16 at 7:00 p.m. in Sikes Hall. In addition to hosting the prestigious ceremony, PCTSM is in negotiations with the FSHOF to become the permanent home for the Florida Sports Hall of Fame at the new Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Polk County," said Mark Jackson, Director of Tourism and Sports Marketing, "To not only host some of Florida's most legendary athletes for the weekend during the Hall of Fame induction, but to be the permanent home to this outstanding organization is a major coup for Polk County."

The 2008 Induction banquet will be extra special as both the 2007 and 2008 classes will be inducted. The 2006 class included Bernie Kosar, Greg Norman, Monica Seles, Emmitt Smith and Vinny Testaverde, which is an indication of the caliber of athletes inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame each year. The Hall of Fame weekend consists of a "Legends Dinner" held on Friday, August 15 that will include Hall of Fame members and the Hall of Fame Foundation Board and Saturday evening's Induction Banquet which is open to the public. "The induction banquet is a great opportunity for attendees to mix and mingle with some of the biggest sports stars in Florida's history," said Rick Dantzler, President of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame Foundation, "It is a really special event."

The Florida Sports Hall of Fame was one of the very first state Sports Halls of Fame when it was created in 1958 by the Florida Sports Writers Association and the Florida Sportscasters Association. The Hall of Fame was housed at Cypress Gardens for ten years beginning in 1975 before moving to a new location. It was most recently located in Lake City, but has been looking for a permanent home since 2001.  According to Dantzler and the Foundation Board, it may have found that permanent home in Polk County with the creation of the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex, a $30 million dollar sports complex being developed by Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing and the City of Auburndale.

"This could be exactly what we have been looking for; a site with built in visitor traffic and a staff on site to help operate it," said Dantzler. Dantzler also cited the centralized location of Polk County and the accessibility of the Lake Myrtle site from Interstate 4 and the Polk Parkway as major factors in the decision to house the Hall of Fame in Polk County.

In an agreement reached between the Hall of Fame Foundation Board and Polk County Sports Marketing, Polk County is in the midst of a one year period of exclusive negotiation with the Hall of Fame Board to bring the Hall of Fame to Polk County.

"Everyone on the board is extremely enthusiastic about the location," said Dantzler.  The Florida Sports Hall of Fame Foundation Board is made up of past Hall of Fame inductees and business leaders who are sports enthusiasts from around the state.

The state of the art, 200-plus acre, Lake Myrtle Sports Complex will already be the new home to the Florida Youth Soccer Association, Russ Matt college baseball spring training, the Lakeland Baseball Academy, a USA Waterski competition ski site and a health and rehabilitation center in partnership with a local hospital.  PCTSM's new office headquarters, visitor center and the Polk County Sports Hall of Fame will be located at the complex as well.

"The Lake Myrtle Sports Complex is really shaping up to be a world class facility that will be a true asset for the people of Polk County to be proud of," said County Commissioner Jack Myers. "The possibility of bringing the Florida Sports Hall of Fame is also very exciting news. The Lake Myrtle Sports Complex is a place that will attract thousands and thousands of youth sports participants each year and having the Florida Sports Hall of Fame on site would be a perfect place to showcase Florida's sports legends to these amateur athletes and it would serve as real inspiration," Myers added.

Additional development and negotiations are also well underway with several sports organizations and national governing bodies. Auburndale Mayor Ronnie Spears said he would certainly welcome the Florida Sports Hall of Fame at the new facility. "The City of Auburndale and Polk County have always been strong proponents of sports and recreation. This is apparent with the County and City's commitment to develop the multi-million dollar Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in North Auburndale.  The City and County would welcome the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and its proud tradition," Spears said.

An initiative of the Central Florida Development Council and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, PCTSM is responsible for recruiting sporting events to Polk County and marketing the county as a venue for competitive sporting events and recreational sports such as golf, tennis, bicycling and water skiing/boating.

During the past year, more than 200 PCTSM-assisted events generated in excess of $125 million in economic benefits for Polk County. PCTSM is Florida's only sports commission to have earned both the Florida Sports Foundation's coveted "Sports Commission of the Year" and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports "Organization of the Year".

General information on sports in Polk County can be found by visiting the PCSM website at www.centralfloridasports.com.


Miami Sports Commission launches Miami Soccer Series
 

The Miami-Dade Sports Commission (MDSC) announced the development of the Miami Soccer Series, a partnership between the MDSC, Guillermo Tofoni, a FIFA Match Agent, and Dr. Fernando Berot, President of MSSE Corp.  This partnership  will position Miami to host international friendly and exhibition soccer matches, as well as official games and championships.

Sports Commission and international soccer officials believe that a large soccer fan base, a state-of-the-art facility in Dolphin Stadium, and geography are among the important factors that will help make the Series a success.  Initial economic impact models indicate that individual matches and events that are being considered for the Series would generate between $50 million to more than $150 million in economic impact for Miami-Dade County for each of the events of the Miami Soccer Series, depending on the particular type of match.

"As Mayor, I am thrilled to join the Miami-Dade Sports Commission in developing the Miami-Dade Soccer Series," said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez.  "The Series marries the world's most popular sport - played at its highest level -- with our great international destination.  Residents and visitors are in for a real treat, and the economic benefits and worldwide exposure the Series will bring to our community are immeasurable."

"We believe that this is a great market for the highest level of soccer," said Mike Sophia, Executive Director of the MDSC.  "This is a great opportunity to put Miami on the biggest stage with the world's most popular game, and we believe that we have developed the right partnership to make this happen."

As a part of the agreement, Tofoni will represent the MDSC in the international soccer community to secure major matches and tournaments for Miami.  The partnership with the MDSC is for five years, with a mutual option for five more.

"Miami is an ideal site for many, many great matches and events," stated Tofoni.  "It is very accessible from Europe and the Americas, it is a wonderful international destination, and it is home to an ideal soccer venue in Dolphin Stadium.  We are looking forward to a long partnership between the sport of soccer and Miami-Dade County."

MDSC Co-Chair and Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Jose "Pepe" Diaz added, "this is a great day for Miami-Dade County and the Sports Commission.  Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide and our involvement internationally will generate great exposure for our community, it will help our efforts to promote international tourism, and it will generate a significant amount of economic impact for Miami-Dade County.  Not to mention a great deal of excitement."

Sophia, Diaz, Tofoni and Berot were joined by Larry Gautier, the MDSC's Co-Chair and one of the founding members of the organization, and Tony Tirado, a Miami resident and legendary soccer broadcaster. 

While no specific matches or dates were announced, plans are currently being developed that could kick-off early in 2009.  The Sports Commission, Tofoni, and MSSE Corp. are working to develop a long-term calendar that would feature a variety of tournaments and matches, including international friendly matches featuring world soccer powers such as Argentina, Brazil, England, France, Italy, and Germany, as examples.  Traditional club teams such as Real Madrid, AC Milan, and Manchester United would also be attractive possibilities for the Miami Soccer Series.  Additionally, the group pledged to work closely with FIFA, CONCACAF and other international soccer organizations to attract official and championship matches to Miami.

For more information, please contact the Miami-Dade Sports Commission at (305) 818-7188.


Register now for 2008 Sunshine State Games events

Registration is now available for all upcoming Sunshine State Games events for a variety of Florida amateur athletes.

The Sunshine State Games Sport Shooting Championships includes 24 events at seven locations during the months of April and May.  The shooting begins on April 6 with the IDPA event at Orlando’s Central Florida Rifle and Pistol Club.  The series includes an event every weekend through May 18.  Other Sunshine State Games Sport Shooting venues include the Flagler Gun and Archery Club, Hernando Sportsman’s Club, Misty Morgan Road in Samsula, Port Malabar Rifle & Pistol Club, Volusia County Skeet and Trap and the Wyoming Antelope Club.

All Sunshine State Games Shooting events have entry fees beginning at $15 and entry deadlines vary by event.  While pre-registration is available for most shooting events, the majority will accept on-site registration.  Only the SASS (Cowboy) event on April 13, the Sporting Clays event on April 26 and 27 and the Western 3 Gun event on May 18 will not accept on-site registration.

Ice skating in Florida?  Incredible Ice, a state-of-the-art complex in Coral Springs, hosts the Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships, May 16-18.  Nearly 300 of Florida’s finest amateur skaters are expected to compete over three days of events at the practice facility of the Florida Panthers. 

The Sunshine State Games Figure Skating Championships individual entry fee is $70 for the first event per skater and $40 for each additional event per skater.  All entries mailed to the FSF office in Tallahassee must be postmarked by April 21 or athletes may register online until April 28.  Late entries may be accepted at the discretion of the Event Director and must be accompanied by a $50 late fee.

The Sunshine State Games Inline Hockey Championships return to the Palm Beach Skate Zone in Lake Worth for another year of skating and scoring, the weekend of June 13-15.  Competition is available for teams starting at the 8 and under age group and advancing up to Adult 18+ divisions.  Past Sunshine State Games Inline Hockey Championships have featured up to 40 teams.

Entry fee is $450 per team for registrations received, or teams registering online, by May 26.  Entry fee increases to $500 per team for entries received after May 26.  All entries must be received by June 6.

The Sunshine State Games Slow Pitch Softball Championships will be held July 12-13 at the Plant City Stadium Complex and Randy Larson Four-plex with men’s, women’s and coed play on a wide range of competition levels.

Entry fee is $225 per team when teams register online by June 30.  The fee increases to $300 after June 30.  No entries will be accepted after July 10. 

There are several different ways for Florida amateur athletes to register for competition.  The easiest way to sign up for either of these events is by online registration at www.flasports.com and clicking the Sunshine State Games tab.  Athletes may also download forms from www.flasports.com, fill them in and send them back to the Florida Sports Foundation.

The final way to register is to call the Florida Sports Foundation toll-free at 1-866-354-2637 and request a registration brochure and application be sent out.

Registration and competition information for the 24 sports of the 2008 Summer Games, to be held in Polk County, June 13-15, is now available at www.flasports.com.

Amateur Sports Accolades
 

X Miami Pan Am International Badminton Tournament at Shula’s Athletic Club

The Florida Badminton Association (FBA) http://www.flabadminton.org , in partnership with the Badminton World Federation and USA Badminton, heldo the X Miami Pan Am International Badminton Tournament at Shula’s Athletic Club, April 16– 19.

This year’s field included male and female athletes from USA, Puerto Rico, Denmark, France, Spain, Portugal, The Philippines, Brazil, Peru, Australia, and New Zealand, competing to qualify for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. 

Guatemalan Kevin Cordon, who will be playing in his first Olympics, took two sets to dominate Danish player Christian Lind Thomsen, 21-18, 21-10.  Peruvian Claudia Rivero, also a first time Olympian, dominated fellow Peruvian Christina Aicardi, 21-12, 21-7.  In the Women’s doubles event the #1 seeds and Australian Olympic representatives Tania Luiz and Eugenia Tanaka defeated Peruvians Aicardi and Rivero 21-13, 21-13.

In the Men’s Doubles it was Americans Daniel Gouw and Chandra Kowi (USA) defeating the team of Jose Antonio Crespo (Spain) and Guillherme Pardo (Brazil) in the finals of the Men’s Doubles event, 19-21, 21-13, 21-14.  In the first game the more experienced team of Crespo/Pardo played well placed smashes and drops to eke out a victory in the first set.  In the second game the youthful and aggressing Americans bounced with hard and quick shots that wore down the opposition.  In the final set the speed and quickness of the Gouw and Kowi gave the match to the American team.

The X Miami Pan Am International is one of the top tournaments in the Americas and besides the US Open, is only one of two internationally sanctioned badminton tournaments in the United States.

Badminton is the fastest racket sport with shuttle smashes clocked at over 200 mph. Players must possess superb reflexes and extraordinary stamina to compete at such speeds. Top players have been known to cover up to four miles on the court in a single match.

FlaSports Calendar of Events April 21-28

 

This week in FlaSports Archive (2007-08)
Volume 1, Issue 1, August 27
Volume 1, Issue 2, September 4
Volume 1, Issue 3, September 10
Volume 1, Issue 4, September 17
Volume 1, Issue 5, September 24
Volume 1, Issue 6, October 1
Volume 1, Issue 7, October 8
Volume 1, Issue 8, October 15
Volume 1, Issue 9, October 22
Volume 1, Issue 10, October 29
Volume 1, Issue 11, November 5
Volume 1, Issue 12, November 12
Volume 1, Issue 13, November 19
Volume 1, Issue 14, November 26

Volume 2, Issue 1, February 4
Volume 2, Issue 2, February 11
Volume 2, Issue 3, March 24
Volume 2, Issue 4, April 7
 

Office Information

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