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Volume 2, Issue 6 - May 2007 |
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In the News |
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 AFS/TBSC University Challenge Golf Tournament Enjoys Second Year Success
On May 14, Academic Financial Services (AFS) and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission (TBSC) teamed up to host the 2nd annual AFS/Tampa Bay Sports Commission University Challenge Golf Tournament at the prestigious Old Memorial Golf Club in Tampa. The annual event consisted of 18 foursomes each playing as their favorite college team. As an added feature to this year's event, AFS awarded the top three placing foursomes with a total of $10,000 in scholarship funding to be presented to each team's respective college.
The McDonald's/Casper's Company Florida State Seminoles squad took home this year's trophy and $5,000 in scholarship funds to be awarded to Florida State University. Additionally, each member received a Callaway watch set as the first-place finishers.
The Bright House Network's University of Michigan team and the Sunshine State Conference team, which represented Saint Leo University, University of Tampa, Eckerd College and Barry University, rounded out the top three winners earning $3,000 and $2,000, respectively.
"The real winner, however, was the community as the proceeds from the tournament support the Commission's mission of social and economic impact through sports for the Tampa Bay area," said Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission.
At the awards ceremony, Wayne Morgan, CEO of AFS, was awarded the Tampa Bay Sports Commission Distinguished Community Service Award for his continued local contributions to the Tampa Bay sports community. Morgan joins other prestigious winners such as ESPN's Dick Vitale, who was the award's first recipient.
"We could not feel more fortunate to have an individual like Wayne Morgan in our community," said Higgins. "Time and time again, Wayne's generosity towards the local sports scene has demonstrated why he is a tremendous philanthropic asset to this area."
AFS/Tampa Bay Sports Commission University Challenge Golf Tournament sponsors include AFS, Outback Steakhouse, Callaway Golf, NGI, Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Pepin Distributing, Tampa Bay Downs, Bright House Networks, Hillsborough County, the Glazer Family Foundation, the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau, Levy Awards and Promotional Products, and VF Imagewear.
Details for next year's tournament are being finalized now and will be posted at www.tampabaysports.org as soon they become available.
Ticket Applications Available Online Thru May 31 for 2008 NCAA Men's and Women's Final Fours
 Ticket applications for the 2008 NCAA Men's and Women's Final Fours will be available online through May 31.
The 2008 Men's Final Four will be held at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The all-session ticket prices are $170 for upper level and $140 for distant view, and will admit the bearer to the national semifinals Saturday, April 5 and the national championship game Monday, April 7. The 2008 Women's Final Four will be held at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida. The all-session ticket price of $162 will admit the bearer to the national semifinals Sunday, April 6 and the national championship game Tuesday, April 8.
Ticket applications are available online only and can be accessed at http://www.ncaasports.com/, the NCAA's official championship Web site. The ticket application process will end at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 31, 2007.
Individuals may complete only one ticket application, but the online application program will permit applicants to enter their application up to 10 times. Only one entry may be selected per applicant and/or per household. There is a $5 non-transferable handling fee for each entry.
 Crosstown Expressway Contributes to Tampa Bay Sports Commission
On Wednesday, May 23, the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority (THCEA) donated $7,500 of the proceeds collected from the Get REV'd Crosstown Expressway Run to the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. The check presentation was made at the commission's quarterly board meeting by Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority Chairman, Senator James Hargrett, Jr.
"We truly appreciate the generosity of the Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority," said Tampa Bay Sports Commission Chairman Jeff Adams. "These dollars will provide significant additional opportunities for local youth to benefit from sports."
The Get REV'd Crosstown Expressway run commemorated the opening of the Expressway's Reversible express lane. Sponsored by Lifestyle Family Fitness and Smoothie King, the run consisted of three races: a 10K, a 5K, and a one-mile walk.
The Tampa-Hillsborough County Expressway Authority was established in 1963. It is an entity of the State of Florida, responsible for building, operating, and maintaining toll-financed expressways in Hillsborough County. The THCEA controls the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, a main artery that runs from downtown Tampa to Brandon, Fla.
Southeast Football Combine Creates Scholarship Opportunities for Area's Youth
 On May 19, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission once again teamed up with Pro-Motion Sports USA in an effort to create scholarship opportunities for local Tampa Bay high school athletes at Raymond James Stadium. More than 25 college coaches attended the combine and nearly 500 underclassmen from around the state (160 from Hillsborough County) showcased their skills in a series of stations including the 40-yard dash, bench press repetitions, standing broad jump and 20-yard shuttle. In the combine's first two years, 2005 and 2006 over 40 athletic scholarships were awarded.
 Plant City Showcases Top Prep and Collegiate Softball Talent
 The eyes of the softball world turned to Plant City in the month of May when the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) State Softball Championships and National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I Softball National Championships visited Plant City Stadium and the Randy L. Larson Four-Plex for the second consecutive year.
This year's FHSAA championship featured 24 teams during the week of May 7. In the end, six champions were crowned in the six classifications. Local powerhouse Chamberlain High School advanced to the semi-finals before losing 5-0 to Pace High School, which ended their season with a 28-3 record.
The 2007 NJCAA Division I Softball National Championship took place May 17 - 19, 2007. The 16-team championship drew over 4,000 athletes, coaches, umpires and spectators from 13 states to Hillsborough County, generating over 1,200 room nights. In the end, number one seed Chipola College of Marianna, FL defeated North Idaho College 6-3 to claim this year's national title.
AAU Brings the State's Best to Tampa
 For two consecutive weekends, Sunshine Athletics and the Florida Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) called Tampa home and brought two of its most coveted youth tournaments to town, the Girls State Basketball Championship and the State Baseball Championship.
The Girls State Basketball Tournament featured more than 65 teams from the state of Florida, ranging in age from 10-18. The tournament tipped off on Friday, May 18 and concluded with championship play on Sunday. This marks the fifth Florida AAU basketball tournament hosted in Tampa this year.
Over Memorial Day weekend more than 80 youth baseball teams, ages 8-10 competed in the Florida State Baseball Championship at the Ed Radice Sports Complex. Last year's State Championship drew more than 3,300 attendees to Hillsborough County.
USSSA and BAYTAF Return to Tampa over Memorial Day Weekend
The United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) hosted their Boys and Girls State Basketball Championships in Tampa over Memorial Day weekend. Championships were awarded in grades 9-11 at this year's tournament .
This is the sixth USSSA Basketball event that has been hosted in Tampa this year. This was the final state event prior to the Girls National Championship, which takes place on July 5-8. Last year's Nationals produced more than 1,900 room nights in Hillsborough County.
The 16th Annual BAYTAF Classic, one of the largest track and field meets in the nation hosted more than 1,800 athletes from the Southeastern United States and Caribbean Islands on May 25-27 at Jefferson High School. "The three-day event featured Master's, Open, and Youth age group athletes from more than 55 teams that competed in nearly 6,000 events," said Nate Johnson, BAYTAF spokesman.
Upcoming Events
 AVP Esurance Tampa Bay Open, May 31 - June 3, 2007
The American Volleyball Professionals (AVP), St. Pete Times Forum and Tampa Bay Lightning have announced a partnership to bring professional beach volleyball to the grounds of the Forum May 31-June 3. The AVP Esurance Tampa Bay Open will serve as one of the 18 nationwide events on the AVP Crocs Tour and marks the debut of professional beach volleyball in Tampa.
As part of the new integrated partnership, the St. Pete Times Forum and the Tampa Bay Lighting will actively assist with the promotion and presentation of the Tampa AVP event, as well as assist in selling all local revenue for the tournament, including tickets, concessions, sponsorships and hospitality.
"The AVP is thrilled to bring professional beach volleyball to Tampa and we look forward to working with the Tampa Bay Lightning on this endeavor," said AVP General Manager Gabby Roe. "Florida has always embraced the growing sport of professional beach volleyball and we can't wait to bring the excitement and action of the AVP Crocs Tour to fans in another part of the state."
"We are excited to welcome this tournament to the grounds of the St. Pete Times Forum," said Ron Campbell, President of the Tampa Bay Lightning and the St. Pete Times Forum. "This event is a first for Tampa, and we look forward to it as we continue to aggressively pursue bringing the best sports and entertainment events in the nation to the Bay Area," he continued.
The AVP Esurance Tampa Bay Open will kick off with an open qualifier on Thursday, May 31 and continue with the main draw throughout the weekend, culminating with the men's and women's finals on Sunday, June 3. More than 150 of the country's top beach volleyball players, including Olympic Gold medalists Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor will compete in the tournament, which will be televised on Fox Sports Net.
US Youth Soccer Region III President's Cup, June 8 - 10, 2007
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission and the Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) are proud to be hosting the U.S. Youth Soccer Region III President's Cup in Tampa on June 8-10. This event will feature over 100 boys and girls teams from throughout the Southeast. Competition kicks off on Friday, June 8 at the Ed Radice Sports Complex and the University of South Florida.
Previously held in Huntsville and Decatur, Ala. this tournament will feature teams from ages 14-19 from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
"Having hosted several successful FYSA events over the past few years, Tampa has certainly worked hard to earn its reputation as a premier soccer destination," said Jason Aughey, sports sales and events manager.
 Ringor Baseball Showcase Series, June 13, 2007
National Scouting Report will host the Gold Coast Baseball Showcase in conjunction with the Ringor Baseball Showcase Series next month at Wharton High School. The showcase is scheduled for 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on Wed, June 13, 2007 at 20150 Bruce B Downs Blvd. Professional scouts will rate all players with the top players receiving invitations to advance to a regional, then national showcase. A college recruiting session will follow at 6:00 PM. For more information on this and other showcases and registration, go to www.nsrshowcases.com/baseball, or contact Greg Wiley Area Director, National Scouting Report at (813) 963-2028 or email at gwiley@nationalscoutingreport.org
Volunteer Opportunities
2008 Women's Basketball Final Four April 6-8, 2008
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission is searching for energetic individuals to act as community ambassadors to ensure that the event's first trip to the state of Florida is an overwhelming success. Those individuals interested in learning more about potential volunteer opportunities can contact Blake Guthrie at bguthrie@VisitTampaBay.com. |
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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. |
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