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| Volume 1, Issue 6 - March 2005 | ||||
| In the News | ||||
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TampaBaySports.org gets facelift, enhanced features The Tampa Bay Sports Commission announces the re-launch of its website, www.TampaBaySports.org. The new and improved TampaBaySports.org is one of the primary marketing tools used by the Sports Commission to provide Tampa Bay sports destination information to both the general public and the sports industry.
"The re-launch of our website is invaluable to our marketing initiatives because it enhances our ability to communicate to the world that Tampa is the best community for hosting youth and amateur sporting events," said Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director Rob Higgins. "We have such an incredible story to tell and we are confident that TampaBaySports.org will give us the effective web presence needed to communicate our message."
The in-depth website contains up-to-date information about the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and features news, events, facilities, and membership sections. The site also offers a plethora of information in an easy to navigate and user-friendly model. Users can not only learn more about upcoming sporting events in the area, but they can also have all of their questions about the Tampa Bay area answered in the "Why Tampa Bay?" section.
Football Fair a Resounding Success
Over two days, February 19-20, the School District of Hillsborough County held its Sixth Annual Football Recruiting Fair at East Bay High School. 40 schools from all corners of the country were present, representing NCAA Division II, III, and NAIA institutions. 35 local high schools were also represented, including schools from outside Hillsborough County, a change from past recruiting fairs. Collegiate coaches spent the day Saturday reviewing tape of local athletes and conferring with local head high school coaches and their staffs. On Sunday, players and their families had a chance to meet and greet the coaches, before discussing their potential in both athletics and academics. "This is the biggest and best fair we have ever had," said Vernon Korhn, athletic director of the Hillsborough County school district, who was instrumental in the success of this year's fair. "We look forward to continued growth with each and every future fair." In the space of one year, 15 additional colleges took part in this event. This fair gives colleges with limited recruiting budgets a chance to view numerous players over a weekend, rather than having to do so individually over a longer span of time. The Tampa Bay Sports Commission would like to congratulate all associated with this year's fair on their collective success, and would also like to extend the best of luck to all of the student-athletes who attended.
The 8th Annual Blackwatch Labor Day Soccer Tournament took place on Presidents Day weekend, February 19-20. The tournament was held at three Hillsborough County locations: Blackwatch Soccer Complex, University of South Florida Intramural Fields, and Plant City Stadium, to accommodate all 134 teams that participated.
The Blackwatch Soccer Club was incorporated in the early 1980s and has evolved into one of the most prestigious youth soccer clubs in the state. Blackwatch alone had a total of 18 teams competing in the tournament, compiling four first-place finishes. Both boys and girls ages 8 to 17 competed on teams from all across the state of Florida.
The true success of the tournament cannot be measured by the sheer amount of teams, but rather by the tremendous outpouring of support the teams received from their friends and families. The three facilities were overflowing with spectators urging their respective teams on. The Tampa Bay Sports Commission would like to thank all the teams and their families for participating, and hopes, in cooperation with Blackwatch, to continue to grow this tournament in future years.
Stars of Tomorrow Competition
The United States Trampoline and Tumbling Association, in collaboration with the Amateur Athletic Union and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission, held its Stars of Tomorrow Competition at the University of South Florida Corral on February 19 - 20. The USTA visits different areas of the country each year to gain exposure for a sport that is essentially in its infancy. The trampoline was introduced as a medaling event in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, four years after it was exhibited in Sydney.
200 participants from eight states competed in three events: power tumbling, trampoline, and double-mini trampoline. Winners over the weekend, competing in levels from beginner to elite, earn a trip to New Orleans later this year to take part in the Jr. Olympic Games. However, Patti Lingenfelter, Executive Director of the USTA, believes that there are more important things than winning, "The kids love every aspect of it, the traveling, the interaction with other kids, and most definitely the competition."
Lingenfelter is not only the Executive Director of the USTA, but she is also a coach of 31 years, and brought her team south from Chicago. Her dedication and enthusiasm could clearly be seen, despite the chaotic nature of the gym, as the kids were bouncing, flipping, tumbling, and basically, just having fun. | ||||
| Upcoming Events | ||||
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Soccer Game Day of Champions - March 5, 2005
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| Help Wanted | ||||
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NFL Europe Training Camp Scrimmages NFL Europe is currently looking for volunteers for four upcoming scrimmages in March. Responsibilities will include working and moving the chains on the sidelines, as well as working closely with the officiating staff. Although this opportunity is geared toward a younger demographic, (these will be long, demanding, and hot days) we urge all that feel up to the challenge to volunteer. All volunteers will receive t-shirts and hats, and will also be served complimentary lunch and refreshments as the day progresses. This experience is unique, as it places the volunteer as close to the field as possible. Please contact Mary Beth Curry at mcurry@VisitTampaBay.com or (813) 218-3829 for more information.
Schedule of Scrimmages TUESDAY, MARCH 8 31st Street Sports Complex, St. Petersburg 9:00 A.M. - Berlin vs. Frankfurt 12:00 P.M. - Hamburg vs. Cologne 3:00 P.M. - Amsterdam vs. Rhein Fire
SATURDAY, MARCH 12 31st Street Sports Complex, St. Petersburg 9:00 A.M. - Hamburg vs. Amsterdam 12:00 P.M. - Frankfurt vs. Rhein Fire 3:00 P.M. - Berlin vs. Cologne
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16 31st Street Sports Complex, St. Petersburg 9:00 A.M. - Hamburg vs. Rhein Fire 11:30 A.M. - Amsterdam vs. Berlin 2:00 P.M. - Frankfurt vs. Cologne
SATURDAY, MARCH 19 Pepin-Rood Stadium, University of Tampa 8:30 A.M. - Cologne vs. Amsterdam 10:00 A.M. - Berlin vs. Rhein Fire 11:30 A.M. - Frankfurt vs. Hamburg Riverwalk Liberty 5K Run - April 16, 2005
The 2nd Annual Riverwalk Liberty 5K Run, to be held April 16, 2005, is looking for volunteers to help make the race flow as smoothly as possible. This race is unique, as it is run during twilight, allowing racers and volunteers to catch a glimpse of Florida's pristine sunsets. Benefiting Special Olympics Florida, this race not only provides friendly competition, but also lends a hand to an extremely worthy cause. The organizers are looking for volunteers for a variety of positions. Some of them include registration volunteers, starting line help, course marshals, water stop volunteers, and finish line help, to name a few. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Joe Willis at jwillis@VisittTampaBay.com or (813) 342-4075. | ||||
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Board Member Profile | ||||
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Blackwatch Soccer Tournament Kicks Off
On March 5, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission will host the Game Day of Champions at Raymond James Stadium. The annual Game Day of Champions Soccer program gives Hillsborough County youth soccer teams a special opportunity to play in front of their families, friends, and fans at Raymond James Stadium. This event will feature 12 teams from local youth soccer leagues. Game times are 9:00 am, 10:30 am, 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm, 3:00 pm and 4:30 pm. Admission and parking are free for this event.
When you think of the words "Hillsborough County Athletics," the name Vernon Korhn probably comes to mind. The Athletic Director of the Hillsborough County School District, Korhn has served our community under that title since 2000. The commitment Korhn exudes towards student-athletes in the Tampa area rarely goes overlooked, as he is the recipient of a variety of awards, including two-time Coach of the Year, and in 1994, Korhn was recognized as Florida's Athletic Administrator of the Year. 
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