October 2007
In the News

2007-08 NCAA Women's Basketball Season Set to Begin and End in Tampa

 

The inaugural ESPNU Women's Basketball Invitational will kick-off the 2007-08 NCAA Women's Basketball season on November 15 at the St. Pete Times Forum.  This first year event was created by ESPN Regional and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission with the concept of tipping the season off on the same court that this year's National Champion will be crowned. 

 

Tennessee Head Coach Pat Summitt was in Tampa on September 18 for the NCAA Corporate Champions and Partner Summit and expressed her excitement about the opportunity to bring her defending National Champions to Tampa, not once, but twice. 

 

"Tampa's going to do a great job," said Summitt.  "We hope to see y'all two more times."

 

Tennessee will make its debut in Tampa against Oklahoma at 9 p.m.  Preceding that match-up, the University of South Florida will take on Duke at 7 p.m.  All four schools qualified for post-season play in 2007.

 

Game tickets for the doubleheader are now available to the general public at the St. Pete Times Forum McDonald's Box Office or through all Ticketmaster outlets, including Spec's Music and FYE. Tickets are priced at $30, $15 and $10 with student tickets available at $5 with presentation of student ID. These prices do not include service charges and fees. For more information, visit www.stpetetimesforum.com or call 813-301-2500.

 

The night before the doubleheader (November 14), all four teams, along with special guests and VIP's will board the Yacht Starship for a Tip-Off Reception and Dinner Cruise.  A limited number of tickets are still available to the general public at this time. Individual tickets can be purchased for $75 and tables are available at $750 (up to 10 people per table).  Tickets can be ordered by contacting Josh Jones at 813-218-3814 or jojones@VisitTampaBay.com.

 

ESPNU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL INVITATIONAL

November 14, 2007

Tip-Off Reception and Dinner Cruise

 

November 15, 2007

Duke vs. South Florida at 7 p.m. - ESPNU

Tennessee vs. Oklahoma at 9 p.m. - ESPNU

 

2008 NCAA Special Ticket Opportunity

 

On March 21 and 23 and April 6 and 8, 2008 Tampa will be hosting the 2008 NCAA Men's Basketball 1st and 2nd Rounds and the NCAA Women's Basketball Final Four at the St. Pete Times Forum.  General tickets have been sold out for several months, however, the Tampa Bay Local Organizing Committee has several ticket and hospitality packages available to get you to both events.  For more information or to purchase packages, please contact Abby Boustead of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission at 813-218-3829 or at aboustead@VisitTampaBay.com.

 

For Final Four volunteer opportunities, please go to https://2008womensfinal4.theregistrationsystem.com/

 

Tampa Bay Sports Commission and Cole Haan Partner on James Blake Book Signing

 

One of tennis' biggest stars, James Blake, was in Tampa on September 25 at International Plaza's Cole Haan store promoting his new book, Breaking Back: How I Lost Everything and Won Back My Life. In the book, the Tampa resident details the trials and tribulations he had to overcome in life along with his uphill battle towards regaining tennis stardom. The event drew more than 250 people to Cole Haan and sold over 200 books.

 

"We could not be more satisfied with the overwhelming success that this book signing generated for both Cole-Haan and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission," said Rob Higgins, executive director of the Sports Commission. "As our organization moves forward, we are excited about continuing to diversify our overall company portfolio by getting involved with these types of special events."

 

USL to Feature Five-A-Side Frenzy

 

    

 

One of the biggest and most diverse soccer extravaganzas in the country, the USL SoccerFest, will return to Tampa this November, running from November 15 through November 20.  Local community members and businesses can become involved through a variety of initiatives including a small-sided tournament called the Five-A-Side Frenzy and a free, interactive Players' Village with a variety of entertainment options.

 

The Five-A-Side Frenzy is a fast-paced, action-packed competition.  Each team fields a goalkeeper and four field players, with a maximum roster of nine players.  The tournament is open to kids and adults of all ages and skill levels, with each team guaranteed three games.  Each participant will receive a free t-shirt for participating in the tournament, which will be held November 17-18 at Ed Radice Sports Complex.  Register today (space is limited) by visiting www.uslsoccerfest.com/frenzy/index.html.

 

USL is also working in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Tampa to provide Club kids with an opportunity to compete at the SoccerFest.  Businesses and individuals who are unable to participate are encouraged to sponsor a team from a local Boys and Girls Club.  Please contact James Ward at 813-963-3909x224 for additional details.

 

Visit www.uslsoccerfest.com to find out how you can get involved!

 

Tournaments Return to Tampa for Labor Day Weekend

 

Labor Day Weekend continues to be an exciting time for youth sporting events in Tampa Bay with the Florida Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) 1st Pitch Classic and the Black Watch Labor Day Soccer Tournament combining to attract more than 200 youth baseball and soccer teams to the area, resulting in over 2,200 room nights.

 

For the third consecutive year the AAU 1st Pitch Classic took place at the Ed Radice Sports Complex.  This year's tournament featured 70 teams and over 900 athletes. The AAU will return to Tampa on the final weekend of December when the 2007 AAU Winter Nationals bring in some of the nation's top eight through twelve year old teams. 

 

The Black Watch Soccer Club's 11th Annual Labor Day Soccer Tournament featured 140 youth boys and girls teams at the Ed Radice Sports Complex, Temple Terrace 301 Fields, Otis M. Andrews Sports Complex and the Black Watch Soccer Complex.

 

Tournaments Pickup as Fall Season Approaches

The Florida Half Century Tampa Bandit Softball Tournament held on September 8-9 at the Ed Radice Sports Complex and Greco Softball Complex, featured 35 teams from around the state in three separate age divisions; 60+, 65+ and 70+.

"Those of you that weren't here missed a beautiful weekend for softball, and I really think we should do it again some time soon with everyone getting the opportunity to experience Tampa's hospitality," said Tournament Manager Duane Jones.

The inaugural Southern Stars meet, now one of the largest cross country meets in the state, showcased some of the best talent in the Southeast on the night of September 29 at the Ed Radice Sports Complex.  Approximately 170 schools participated in the meet, which consisted of 16 events ranging from JV team competition to the featured Ferman Starts boys and girls varsity race, and concluding with a men's and women's open race.

"Southern Stars gives a lot of teams in Hillsborough County, who have never experienced big-time cross country the opportunity to have it in their own back yard," said Meet Director Bob Ennis.  "It was bigger than the state meet with the number of participants that came. That in turn makes it special for the athletes, with all the hard work they put in, being in a venue like this. It kind of puts them on stage."

 

The Hillsborough County United (HCU) Adidas Columbus Day Classic returned to Tampa for the fourth consecutive year on October 5-7. Over 175 boys and girls teams ranging in age from nine to nineteen participated in this year's tournament. Games were hosted at the Ed Radice Sports Complex, Blackwatch Soccer Complex, Carrollwood Soccer Fields and Shimberg Park.

 

"This tournament continues to move in the right direction thanks in part to the support of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission," said Eric Sims, General Manager of HCU. "We are encouraged by not only the overall increase in teams but more specifically the number of teams coming from outside the Tampa Bay area. We eagerly anticipate an even bigger tournament next year."

 

SEBA Adds Top Girls Talent to Tampa Bay Fall Showcase

        

The Southeast Basketball Academy (SEBA) hosted talented prospects from around the state of Florida at the Girls and Boys Tampa Bay Fall Showcase at Tampa Preparatory School on September 22 and 29.  The inaugural girl's event played host to close to 60 players who showcased their skills for evaluation during a full day of basketball action. 

The second annual boys showcase featured nearly 100 players all with hopes of catching the attention of the Division II, III, NAIA and JUCO coaches in attendance.  The high school players participated in fundamental drill stations and 3-on-3 and full court scrimmages. 

Michael McManamey, a former Jesuit standout, who went on to play at Florida Southern is the Florida Director of SEBA. Three years ago, he helped organize the first showcase in Atlanta and in the last two years, he organized a fall and spring showcase in Tampa.

 

"Our goal is to provide kids exposure to increase their chances of getting recruited and this event helps bring all the necessary players to the table to achieve that goal," McManamey said.

 

Tampa Bay to Host Major Baseball Event for Third Year in a Row

 

           

 

Due to a major participation increase from previous years, the National Club Baseball Association (NCBA) recently announced that Tampa will serve as host city for the 2008 NCBA Spring Training Showcase for the third year in a row.

 

Tampa helped team participation increase from 10 teams in 2005 to 39 teams in 2007.  During the month-long event in 2007, more than 1,000 participants and fans made their way to the Tampa Bay area to enjoy the warm weather and great baseball.

 

Kyle Buchmann, NCBA director of tournaments and championships stated that the amount of planning that it takes to host an event of this size is greatly reduced when you can return to a quality location year after year.

 

"The Tampa Bay Sports Commission has been extremely helpful in making this tournament a success each year with their dedication to a quality experience for the players and fans," said Buchmann. "Working with the local sponsors, hotels, field crews and umpires has been such a positive experience that I look forward to the future of this event in the Tampa area."

 

Last year's tournament resulted in an economic impact of more than $1 million for the Tampa Bay area. This year, the NCBA is anticipating that 50 club baseball and softball teams will be making the trip to the area during their spring break to play at Mike Sansone Park, 2502 Sansone Blvd. in Plant City.

 

"On behalf of everyone here at the Sports Commission and Tampa Bay and Company, we cannot tell you how excited we are that the NCBA will be returning to Plant City for the third straight year," said Jason Aughey, sales and events manager for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. "It has been an absolute pleasure working with the organization and we look forward to continuing this relationship and growing the event in the future."

 

For more information on this event, contact Kyle Buchmann, NCBA director of tournaments and championships, at 412-321-1797 or kylebuchmann@clubbaseball.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 log on to https://2008womensfinal4.theregistrationsystem.com/ or email

final4volunteer@VisitTampaBay.com.

 

High School All-Star Game - Game Day of Champions - December 8, 2007

 

The Tampa Bay Sports Commission is in the process of organizing our volunteer efforts for the annual High School All-Star Game and Game Day of Champions events that will be held on December 8 at Raymond James Stadium. Assistance is needed with team check-in, escorting teams and cheerleaders and welcoming fans to the stadium. For more volunteer information or to sign-up, please contact Weston Gallop at wgallop@VisitTampaBay.com or (813) 218-3892.

 

United Soccer League - Super Y League North American Finals - Nov. 15-20, 2007

 

    

 

The United Soccer League is in need of volunteers for this year's USL Super Y-League North American Finals, November 15-20.  The North American Finals is one of the largest and most prestigious youth soccer tournaments in the world. Part of the 3rd annual 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 Erin McGauley at (813) 963-3909 or erin.mcgauley@uslsoccer.com.

 

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.

 

 

 

Tampa Bay Sports Commision - 401 East Jackson Street, Suite 2100, Tampa, Florida 33602
Ph: 813.223.1111 - Toll Free: 800.826.8358 - Fax: 813.218.3376 - www.TampaBaySports.org
For more information, email Blake Guthrie at bguthrie@VisitTampaBay.com


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