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The three community shows are the undisputed main events of next week's Celebrity Mascot Games. But there's another way you can help support our charity, New Hope for Kids.
Each mascot brings autographed items from their team for our online Mascot Games Silent Auction. Local businesses have also donated hotel stays, gift certificates, free golf and many other prizes. The items will be up for bid on EBay from July 16-26. Go to www.mascotgames.org beginning next Friday to see all the items. Thank you for your support!
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KEEP UP WITH US!
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A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM SAM
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We hope you had a great 4th of July!
Summer is officially in high gear. The Magic are holding rookie camp and signing new players. The Predators are playing their final four regular season games and jockeying for the playoffs. And the biggest sporting
event of the  season was held over the weekend. Kevin Harvick won Saturday's exciting Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. The weekend of racing also included a win by Dale Earnhardt, Jr. during the Nationwide Series race. Check out all the race recaps here. Now work is underway on the Speedway's massive re-paving project. The only event at the track between now and January 1st (the expected completion date) is the Daytona Beach Half Marathon on Halloween morning.
This is a busy time here at the Sports Commission. It is highlighted by the family event of the summer---the Celebrity Mascot Games are a week away! We'll have more on that annual tradition and other events in this month's Community Sports Report. Have a great July, and we hope to see you next week!
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Best Regards,
Sam Stark
President/CEO
Central Florida Sports Commission |
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The Central Florida Sports Commission serves the counties of Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia, as well as the City of Orlando, by stimulating the local economy through sporting events. Economic impact is calculated by using formulas provided by the State of Florida's Office of Tourism & Economic Development.
Annual Totals as of April 2010
Hotel Room Nights - 22,303
Economic Impact - $16,312,098.75
Number of Participants - 24,106
Number of Spectators - 19,899
Number of Events - 19
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ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT |
Central Florida has another major champion. And this one is a first-timer. Lake Nona's Graeme McDowell is still basking in his U.S. Open win on Father's Day at Pebble Beach.
McDowell splits his time between the European Tour and PGA Tour events. He lives at Lake Nona when he's in the states. He's become an annual player at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Tavistock Cup when Lake Nona faces Ilseworth Country Club. He's not the most well-known player at either club, but right now McDowell is the one with the US Open trophy on his coffee table. |
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| THE MASCOTS ARE BACK |
30 Mascots from all over the sports world. An obstacle course. An inflatable  joust. Two giant hamster balls. Put them all together and you'll get---hilarious chaos!
Chaos is actually the only thing you can be sure to see next week at the 18th Annual Celebrity Mascot Games. Mascots from the Magic, Florida Gators, UCF will join their friends from NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball, NHL and NCAA for three community shows July 15-17. They'll compete against each other in crazy games and competitions, all to benefit New Hope for Kids, a Central Florida-based wish granting and grief counseling organization.
Thursday: July 15, 12:30pm-Volusia County Fairgrounds
Friday: July 16, 12:30pm-Amway Arena
Saturday: July 17, 2pm-Amway Arena
Tickets are only $9 for general admission seats, $15 for reserved. With ticket prices that affordable, funny mascots and a great charity, it's easy to see why the Mascot Games are the family event of the summer!
Not sure what to expect or want to see if your favorite mascot is coming? Check out www.mascotgames.org! |
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| OLYMPIC 4TH OF JULY |
Nearly 3,500 youth and adult taekwondo athletes spent the last week in  Orlando at the USA Taekwondo Junior Olympics and Senior Nationals. They competed at the Orange County Convention Center from June 29-July 4. The six-day event is the largest championship on the taekwondo annual schedule. We expect the event will generate nearly $6 million in economic impact and more than 10,000 room nights.
Some of these athletes qualified for the JO's last month in Daytona Beach at the USA Taekwondo National Qualifier. The JO's were also held in Orlando in 2003.
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| OSCEOLA JUMPS INTO ACRO |
Acro features several athletes competing together at the same time, combining dance and acrobatic routines. For a glimpse of past competitions, check out  his link. These athletes are amazing!
Athletes will range from the junior and senior elite levels to Junior Olympians. The event is open to the public. The Sports Commission and Kissimmee Convention and Visitors Bureau are serving as the hosts for the National Championships.
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| NCAA HEADS TO THE BEACH |  LPGA International in Daytona Beach has been selected to host the 2013 NCAA Division II Women's Golf National Championship. The Sports Commission and Sunshine State Conference have been tabbed as the hosts for the five-day event (one practice round and four competitive rounds). Twelve teams and 12 individuals will come to Volusia County in May of 2013.
The National Championship joins a growing roster of upcoming NCAA golf events in Volusia. Next May, the Sports Commission will host both the D-II Men's Regional at Victoria Hills Golf Club in DeLand and the D-I Women's East Regional at LPGA Internationl.
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 THE SPORTS CLUB
The Sports Commission has unveiled an exciting new concept for Central Florida---the Sports Club. This is an important program that provides value and benefit to you, supports the local sports scene and helps our local economy.
Take a look at the benefits, tickets and fun by clicking here! This is your Central Florida "sports ticket" and it can't be beat for price and quantity. Use the tickets as employee rewards and incentives, for customer appreciation and retention, or for friends and family. Our team will manage the benefits for you and serve as your "concierge," sending you the tickets timely and periodically instead of all at once.
The Sports Club is affordable, valuable, fun adn supports the community and economy in so many ways. We hope you will find the level that's best for you. Sign up today! |
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