Volume 1, Issue 10 - July 2005

In The News

Tampa Bay Awarded 2012 Frozen Four!

Tampa Bay and the St. Pete Times Forum have been awarded the 2012 NCAA Men's Frozen Four, it was announced today by the NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee. The University of Alabama, Huntsville will serve as the host school for NCAA Men's Ice Hockey's showcase event. It will mark the first time any round of NCAA ice hockey championships competition will be held in the state of Florida.


Tampa Bay was among six finalists for available years of the championships. Other cities chosen to host the Men's Frozen Four were Washington D.C. (2009), Detroit (2010) and St. Paul (2011). The other finalists were Boston and Philadelphia. The Tampa Bay bid was a joint effort by the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, the St. Pete Times Forum and the University of Alabama, Huntsville.

"Being awarded the Frozen Four further affirms Tampa Bay's growing influence on the national sporting map," said Ron Campbell, President of the St. Pete Times Forum and Chairman of the Tampa Sports Commission. "A lot of different individuals and groups worked hard on this bid and I think it all started with Jay Feaster, John Tortorella and our Lightning winning the Stanley Cup and showing the nation that Tampa Bay is not only a great sports community, but a thriving hockey community. We place this event alongside the Super Bowl and collegiate basketball championships that are coming to Tampa and we look forward to fully embracing the NCAA and its student-athletes."

Wayne Dean, chair of the Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee, and a member of the NCAA staff took site visits to all six cities prior to all cities doing formal presentations to the entire Division I Men's Ice Hockey Committee, June 7-10, in Indianapolis. Tampa Bay Lightning star and 2004 NHL Hart Trophy Winner (MVP) Martin St. Louis, a former Frozen Four participant, met with the NCAA on their site visit to Tampa to tout the area as a potential host city. St. Louis is a co-chairman of the organizing committee for the event.

"As we represented to the committee in Indianapolis, the Tampa Bay area is a tremendous hockey market," said Lightning Executive Vice President & General Manager Jay Feaster. "From the 23,000 people who witnessed Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals inside the St Pete Times Forum to the 20,000-plus gathered on the plaza outside the building, we demonstrated that Tampa Bay hockey fans are passionate about the sport and we expect a similar response for the Frozen Four in 2012."

The 2006 Frozen Four will take place at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with the 2007 finals held at the Savvis Center in St. Louis, Missouri and the 2008 Men's Frozen Four at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

"We are extremely appreciative of the NCAA's decision to have Tampa Bay host the 2012 NCAA Men's Frozen Four," said Rob Higgins, Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. "Our community stands ready to create an unprecedented Frozen Four experience for college hockey's student-athletes, coaches, officials, and supporters."

 

Jason Aughey Named Sports Sales and Events Manager

 

On July 18, Jason Aughey joined the Tampa Bay Sports Commission team as the new Sales and Events Manager. Jason will be responsible for coordinating the commission's direct sales efforts in attracting as well as organizing amateur events of all sizes on behalf of the community. "Jason is a phenomenal addition to our team that will pay immediate dividends," said Rob Higgins, Executive Director. "He possesses an eclectic skill set that will be very valuable in providing the highest level of customer service for our current and future clients." Before joining the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Jason worked for Central Florida's Polk County Sports Marketing as the Sports Sales and Events Representative. In this capacity, Jason was responsible for assisting with the recruitment, development, management and implementation of all PCSM special events and served as a liaison to most of PCSM's major clients. He also served as the co-host and co-producer of PCSM's weekly sports talk radio show, "Sports Central" and was a special correspondent for PCSM's weekly television show.

 

United States National Dragon Boat Racing Championships Coming to Tampa in 2006

 

On June 15, the United States Dragon Boat Federation (USDBF) officially announced that Tampa has been selected as the site of the 2006 USDBF U.S. National Dragon Boat Racing Championships. The event will take place August 25-27, 2006. Over 75 teams from across the country are expected to compete in the event. "Tampa was chosen for several reasons. The organizers demonstrated exceptional organization and enthusiasm and have the full support of the Tampa Bay community," said Gary Carstens, president of USDBF. "Tampa is an outstanding destination and many athletes are expected to bring their families to the event. We are tremendously pleased to be holding our event in Tampa in 2006." 

 

The USDBF U.S. Nationals are held every two years in preparation for the International Dragon Boat Federation (IDBF) World Championships. The U.S. Nationals are traditionally used to select a national team to represent the United States at the IDBF World Championship event. The 7th annual World Championships will be held in Australia in the fall of 2007. "As co-chairman of the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Races, I am excited that the United States Dragon Boat Federation has recognized our two year old event and awarded us the 2006 National Dragon Boat Championships," said Kevin Burns, President of Tampa Bay International Dragon Boat. "This is a tribute to the strong support of our sponsors and volunteers as well as the superior venue in which to hold the races. This will propel Tampa to the forefront of the sport for years to come."

Upcoming Events                                

Tampa Hosts YBOA 16U & 17U Boy's Basketball National Championship, July 16-23

 

The Tampa Bay Sports Commission is hosting Youth Basketball of America (YBOA) and their 16-under & 17-under Boy's Basketball National Championships in Tampa, July 16-23. Competition started at 10:00am on Sunday July 17 and will continued daily until Saturday July 23.

 

YBOA, which hosts National Championships for Boys and Girls from ages 7 to 17, expects nearly 40 teams to participate in the Championships with 90 percent being from outside of the state of Florida.

 

"We are truly excited about having the YBOA 16U & 17U National Championships in the Tampa area this July," said Matt Ramker, Tournament Director. "This is a great opportunity to showcase Tampa as a top-notch basketball location and a great destination for families to visit."

 

During the 16U & 17U National Championships, the teams will play in round robin pool games with the top teams advancing to the championship playoffs. The remaining teams will be placed in consolation brackets. The tournament will utilize three gymnasiums in the Tampa area: Plant High School, Jefferson High School, and Memorial Middle School. The YBOA 16U & 17U Boy's Basketball National Championships are held in partnership with Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation.

 

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