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Last Friday morning, the Orlando Business Journal and the Sports Commission hosted the first annual Business of Sports breakfast at the Orlando Hilton. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. A sellout crowd of more than 320 people attended and listened to a panel of leaders from the Orlando Magic, UCF, Walt Disney World, Florida Citrus Sports and Fox Sports Florida/Sun Sports.
Orlando's new Amway Center was discussed, as were topics ranging from the renovation of the Citrus Bowl and the new marketing strategies at the recently renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Be sure to click here for video from the event. The planning is already underway for next year's breakfast.
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KEEP UP WITH US!
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM SAM
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 Is it spring yet? We hope you've had a great February, although we're still wondering when the warmer weather is going to stick around and stay for good. At least it feels like spring at Disney and Kissimmee. The Atlanta Braves have reported to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the Houston Astros have checked into Osceola County Stadium. Opening Day for Spring Training is next week.
March is obviously a huge month for basketball. We're still a few weeks away from March Madness, but many local basketball fans have their eyes locked on Lakeland right now for the FHSAA Basketball State Finals. Orlando's Bishop Moore High School will play for the 3A girls title this afternoon at 3:30. The Dr. Phillips and Lake Mary girls teams will play tomorrow in the 6A semifinals. If they both win, they'll play each other Saturday for the championship. The boys state tournament is next week and a handful of teams, including #1 ranked Winter Park High, are still alive. Then, as an added basketball bonus, some of the area's best players will play on the same court at the 3rd annual United Negro College Fund All-Star Basketball Classic in Orlando on Saturday, March 13 at Jones High School.
March also means Bay Hill. The Arnold Palmer Invitational will tee it up March 25-28. Check out golf's best at Arnie's Place as the PGA Tour returns to Central Florida. It's more than a tournament though. Proceeds again benefit two great causes: the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and the Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies.
Spring is our busy season at the Central Florida Sports Commission. As the college semester enters the homestretch, we pick up the pace at area golf courses. The next month also includes wrestling and soccer. Check it out in our latest newsletter. Have a great March, especially all your bikers headed to Daytona Beach for the races and Bike Week! |
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Best Regards,
Sam Stark
President/CEO
Central Florida Sports Commission |
ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT |
 March Madness arrives a few days early at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach. The men's hoops team hosts the Sun Conference Final Four this weekend on campus and is only two wins away from the NAIA Division II National Tournament in Missouri. Northwood and Warner play at 5pm tomorrow at the ICI Center. Embry Riddle plays Florida Memorial at 7pm. The winners meet on Saturday night for a date in the NAIA Big Dance. The Eagles are ranked 8th in the nation and are 26-5 this season. Tickets are only $3 for students and $5 for adults. Go Eagles!!!
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| WRESTLING ARRIVES IN OSCEOLA |
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Spring Training isn't the only game in town for Osceola County.
 Many of the state's top young wrestlers will head to Osceola Heritage Park on Saturday, March 6 for the Florida State Folk Style Championships. More than 1,300 athletes and spectators are expected for the championship. This is the first time the Sports Commission and Kissimmee CVB have hosted this prestigious event, which features divisions for pee wees, girls, cadets and juniors.
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| SOCCER IN SEMINOLE |
Another new event is coming to Seminole County on March 13-14. The US Club Soccer Florida Cup is set for the Sylvan Lake Park and Seminole Soccer Complex in Sanford. Registration is still open and more than 50 teams are expected (750 youth athletes). The Florida Cup is open to U-15-16-17-18/19 boys and girls teams. The U11-U14 Florida Cup Final Four will also be played at the complexes at the same time as part of another huge soccer weekend in Seminole County.
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| NCAA CHOOSES VOLUSIA |
College golf will take over Volusia County at the beginning of May, 2011. Last week, the Sports Commission and Sunshine State Conference were selected to host the NCAA Division II Men's Golf South/Southeast Regional at Victoria Hills Golf Club in DeLand. The 20-team tourney will be held May 1-4.
That means it will be a very busy week. The same day D-II ends, we'll drive up Interstate 95 for the NCAA Division I Women's Golf East Regional at LPGA International from May 4-7. The NCAA chose Stetson and the Sports Commission as the hosts for this tournament several months ago. It will be the first time D-I returns to Volusia since the 2007 NCAA Women's National Championship at LPGA International. | |
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