Volume 1, Issue 9 - June 2005

In The News

Super Bowl Coming To Tampa in 2009!

The Super Bowl is coming back to Tampa!

 

Confirming the confident talk of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl Task Force, the 32 National Football League team owners voted on Wednesday, May 25 to hold Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa's Raymond James Stadium. It will be the fourth Super Bowl played in Tampa and the second in Raymond James. The home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers most recently played host to the big game in January of 2001.

 

"We are so excited and so happy that the NFL has awarded the Super Bowl to Tampa," said Buccaneers Owner/President Malcolm Glazer. "We know that we have a beautiful community in Tampa, and what wonderful people we have there."

 

In winning the bid for the 2009 Super Bowl, the Bay area prevailed over very strong competition from Atlanta, Houston and Miami. The Atlanta bid was thought to be helped by the possibility of significant renovations to the Georgia Dome, and the Houston bid could call on fresh memories of a well-run event in 2004. Even Miami, already chosen to play host to the 2007 Super Bowl, was a contender given the league's obvious fondness for that site. The three member presentation team for Tampa's winning effort included: Tampa Bay Super Bowl Task Force Chairman Dick Beard, City of Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, and Chairman of the Hillsborough County Commission Jim Norman.

 

"This is a defining moment for our sports community," said Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. "This is a major statement towards the phenomenal teamwork involved in putting the bid together."

 

Area Athletes Showcase Talent at Southeast Football Combine

 

On Saturday, May 21, Pro-Motion Sports USA, in collaboration with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, held the annual Southeast High School Football Combine at Raymond James Stadium. All recruits who participated had been invited by representatives from Pro-Motion Sports USA, and auditioned in front of nearly 70 college head coaches, from all divisions. After last year's inaugural combine, 28 Hillsborough County players signed letters of intent to play football at the collegiate level, and this year that number is likely to increase. This year 132 athletes from Hillsborough County Schools participated with the hopes of earning the opportunity to attend college on an athletic scholarship.  

 

"Without the incredible support of Hillsborough County's Board of County Commissioners and their Chairman Jim Norman, this event that helps generate thousands of dollars in college scholarship funding for our local athletes would not be possible," said Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.

 

Combine testing included 40 yard times, bench press (150lbs x reps), standing broad jump, and the 20 yard shuttle. Players also had the opportunity to "air it out" as prospects ran, passed, caught while being defended. Lineman and linebackers also had the opportunity to flaunt their skills in various one-on-one drills.  

Upcoming Events                                

Tampa Shriners Hospital for Children to Host 2005 National Junior Disability Championships  

 

Hundreds of athletes with physical disabilities such as amputations, cerebral palsy, visual impairments and spinal injuries will gather to display their abilities in the heat of competition as Tampa Shriners Hospital for Children hosts the 2005 National Junior Disability Championships from July 16-23, 2005 at the University of South Florida.

 

Athletes ranging in age from 7-21 will showcase their abilities in this week-long competition held in Olympic-style venues highlighting a variety of sports including track, field, pentathlon, boccia, swimming, archery, table tennis, 3-on-3 basketball and weightlifting. This event is sanctioned by Wheelchair Sports USA in collaboration with Disabled Sports USA, National Disability Sports Alliance and the United States Association for Blind Athletes. Each athlete must meet qualifying standards based upon the particular sport, functional classification, age and gender. This competition has grown to include participants from all 50 states and several foreign countries.

 

Grammy Award winner, Larry Ford, will kickoff the games with a performance at the Opening Ceremonies on July 17. The Tampa Bay Sports Commission and BlazeSports Club of Tampa Bay are playing an active role in this event. The New Tampa YMCA, and the Embassy Suites will also be the site of some of the events throughout the competition. Sponsors and volunteers are still needed in many areas. 

 

Help Wanted

National Junior Disability Championships: July 16-23

 

We are looking for volunteers to assist in officiating, administration, event setup, registration, and numerous other areas for the National Junior Disability Championships. For more volunteer information or to sign-up, please contact Tara Deering at TDeering@shrinenet.org.

 

The Tampa Bay Sports Commission is a private, non-profit, 501c3, charitable corporation that serves the entire Tampa Bay area as the lead organization for bidding on and hosting major amateur sporting events. Our mission is to attract, promote and/or organize major amateur sporting events, and grassroots youth sports programs, that foster the ongoing development and quality of life for the entire Tampa Bay area.

 

 

Tampa Bay Sports Commision - 400 North Tampa Street, Suite 2800, Tampa, Florida 33602
Ph: 813.223.1111 - Toll Free: 800.826.8358 - Fax: 813.218.3376 - www.TampaBaySports.org
For more information, email Joe Willis at jwillis@VisitTampaBay.com