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| Volume 1, Issue 12 - September 2005 | |||
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In The News | |||
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FAMU vs. USF Weekend: A Success for Both Schools
The following day, USF welcomed the Rattlers back to the area for a Community Luncheon at the Tampa Convention Center. Many distinguished guests including the Chairman of the Hillsborough County Commission Jim Norman, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, Florida A&M University President Castell Bryant, and USF President Judy Genshaft. A pep rally featuring the cheerleaders from both universities followed the luncheon, which generated even more excitement for the Saturday night football game. Saturday started with a festive tailgate party at Al Lopez Park for alumni from both schools. Fans came to the park to hear live entertainment and enjoy the pre-game festivities. Bands from Blake, Middleton, and Hillsborough High Schools stopped by to get the fans ready for the exciting football game. The USF home attendance record at Raymond James Stadium was shattered when over 43,000 fans took the stands to witness the Rattlers and Bulls go head to head. USF‘s running game allowed for a solid 37-3 victory over the visiting Rattlers. At halftime, all eyes were on Florida A&M University's Marching 100 when their entertaining performance showed why they are considered one of the best marching bands in the country.
Labor Day Sporting Events Fill Tampa Bay Area
At the BlazeSports Tampa Bay Annual Awards Luncheon, Andy Chasanoff, Blaze Director, honored the Tampa Bay Sports Commission with the 2005 Friend of the Team Award. The award recognized the Tampa Bay Sports Commission for outstanding dedication and support of the BlazeSports Tampa Bay Sports Program. The mission of the BlazeSports program is to maximize the potential of children and adults with physical disability though sport.
At the Florida A&M University President's Scholarship Gala, FAMU President Castell Bryant recognized the Tampa Bay Sports Commission with the Distinguished Community Service Award. The honor was awarded in appreciation for outstanding support of the President's Scholarship Gala and the numerous academic scholarships that were generated because of it. | |||
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The return of Florida A&M University football to Tampa to take on the University of South Florida has been described as a "resounding success" for the Tampa Bay community. Throughout the weekend of September 10, a variety of events were held in conjunction with the first-ever football meeting between the two schools. 
On September 8, Florida A&M alumni and distinguished guests attended the President's Scholarship Gala at A La Carte Event Pavilion for a wonderful evening of entertainment. Several sponsors contributed to make this event a huge success: Outback Steakhouse, Lee Roy Selmon's Restaurant, State Farm Insurance, Fifth Third Bank, AAA Auto Club South, A La Carte Event Pavilion, GunnAllen Financial, Florida Lottery, Tampa Bay Federal Credit Union, Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Hillsborough County and the Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau. Proceeds from the event, which exceeded $50,000, went to fund academic scholarships for Tampa Bay area students to attend FAMU. 
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission was busy with an exciting week of youth sporting events in the Tampa Bay area September 2 - September 5. Florida AAU First Pitch Classic Baseball Tournament, the Black Watch Labor Day Soccer Tournament, and U.S. Fencing Veterans World Fencing Championships delivered over 200 youth teams from around the country and 300 athletes internationally to the area for the week. 
The Florida AAU First Pitch Classic was played at the Ed Radice Sports Complex. The baseball tournament featured 70 baseball teams competing in Under-9 to Under-12 age groups. The Black Watch Soccer Club 9th Annual Labor Day Soccer Tournament featured 140 boys and girls teams competing in 9-Under to 19-Under age groups. Games were played throughout the weekend at the Ed Radice Sports Complex, Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex, and the Black Watch Soccer Complex. 
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission was recently honored with two significant awards for their work in the community. 
Coming this November 17-22 to the campus of the University of South Florida and Ed Radice Sports Complex is one of the largest and most prestigious youth soccer tournaments on the continent, the USL Super Y-League North American Finals. Part of the inaugural USL Soccerfest, the Super Y-League North American Finals will feature over 140 elite teams from all over North America who will compete in the league's annual premier event. We are looking for people to assist in event setup, administration, registration, and numerous other areas. For more volunteer information or to sign-up, please contact Anthony Mozzicato at 
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