Newsletter - Pasco County Schools

1
IN THIS EDITION...
In the first of six editions leading up to the 2017 College
Football Playoff National Championship Game in Tampa
Bay, find out how all residents and visitors in the area
can be a part of the 2017 College Football Playoff National
Championship without a game ticket. Get to know Carlos
Alfonso, the Chairman of the Local Host Committee, who is
rounding up local business leaders to contribute their time
and support of Championship Weekend. Finally, learn why the
2017 National Championship Game fits perfectly in the Tampa
Bay landscape in Joey Johnston’s informative column,
“The Land Where Champions are Crowned”.
TAMPA BAY...THE LAND WHERE SPORTS
CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED
By Joey Johnston
Welcome to the Tampa Bay area — the land where sports champions are
crowned. Had I thought ahead, I would’ve invested long ago in a confettimanufacturing company. Talk about a need-based industry! For about three
decades, our area has done more big-time sports celebrations than just about
anyone.
So when the College Football Playoff National Championship Game is staged at
Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium next January
9, you can rest assured that our area will put
on a spectacular show.
As usual.
It’s what we do.
Super Bowl XXXV
We’ve had four Super Bowls — only Miami,
New Orleans and Los Angeles have hosted more — and each one played to rave
reviews. Whether it was Marcus Allen’s run, Scott Norwood’s miss, Trent Dilfer’s
homecoming or Santonio Holmes’ catch, Tampa’s Super Bowls resonated with
magic memories and hospitality that other cities sought to emulate.
Downtown Tampa’s Amalie Arena has twice held the NCAA Women’s Basketball
Final Four — the final title for Tennessee’s Pat Summitt (2008) and the 10th for
Connecticut’s Geno Auriemma (2015) — and it’s coming back again in 2019.
Continued on page 5
#TAMPABAY2017
“Tampa Bay is an area that just
gets things done in a first-class,
positive way. There’s such an
impressive track record for events
and we couldn’t be happier to be
bringing our championship game
to such a great venue.”
BILL
HANCOCK
EXECU T IVE DIR ECTOR
COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF
2
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN CELEBRATE THE FINAL COLLEGE FOOTBALL SATURDAY OF THE SEASON IN DOWNTOWN … FOR FREE!
Downtown Tampa will come alive on January 7 for championship weekend events that include Playoff Fan Central, a college football
theme park, AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! Concerts and a Media Day open to fans. BREAKING NEWS… All of these events are open to the
public AND we’re going to let you know how to attend these events for FREE!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: Kicking things off on Saturday morning is Media
Day, a new fan experience for the 2017 College Football Playoff National
Championship. Media Day, at Amalie Arena, is a free event open to the public
and fans attending this event will receive earphones to eavesdrop on pre-game
insights from head coaches and select players from both teams as they prepare
for the National Championship Game. Additionally, attendees to the College
Football Playoff Media Day will
receive FREE admission tickets for
Playoff Fan Central.
After attending Media Day and the interactive fan festival, Playoff Fan Central, college
football fans can enjoy national talent at the AT&T’s Playoff List Live! Concert at Curtis
Hixon Park. That’s a full day at the final college football Saturday of the season in
Downtown Tampa – ALL FOR FREE.
Look for more information about the Playoff Playlist Live! Concert artists at Curtis
Hixon Park in November. Past AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! artists include the likes of
John Mellencamp, Lenny Kravitz, The Band Perry, Sting, Ciara, David Nail, WALK THE
MOON, X Ambassadors, American Authors and Moon Taxi.
Downtown Tampa will be the college football hub of the nation, and the place for you,
your family and friends. For more information on these events and additional events,
please visit TampaBay2017.com.
TASTE OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP SHOWCASES LOCAL CUISINE TO FOOTBALL FANS
For as much as the fine folks of the Tampa Bay area love their football, they also love something that goes hand
in hand with football, eating. The Taste of the Championship takes a bite into culinary diversity. Tampa Bay’s
cuisine is unique and rich with options ranging from fine dining to farm-to-table restaurants, fresh seafood and
authentic Spanish dishes.
The Florida Aquarium hosts the Taste of the Championship, Sunday, January 8 (7:00-10:00 p.m.). This delicious
charity event benefits Extra Yard for Teachers, the College Football Playoff’s Foundation’s primary philanthropic
initiative. Seating is limited so be sure to purchase tickets in advance (on-sale soon) to save your place at the table. Tampa Bay-area restaurants
serving up local delicacies include: 717 South, Ava, Bern’s Steak House, Boca, Cigar City BrewPub, Columbia Restaurant, Datz, Fodder & Shine, Goody
Goody, Haven, Mad Dogs & Englishmen, Mise en Place, Parkshore Grill, The Refinery, Roux, and Ulele.
As an added bonus, those in attendance can share appetizers and memories of past gridiron glories with former college football star players. Visit
TampaBay2017.com/Taste or click the logo to register!
BE A PART OF TAMPA BAY’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF HOSTING EFFORT AS A VOLUNTEER AND LOCAL AMBASSADOR
Major sporting events are no stranger to the Tampa Bay area. One of the reasons events like these keep returning to the
area is due to the support of the local community and its volunteer efforts. The events lasting throughout the 2016 college
football season and leading up to the game the weekend of January 6-8 will require a dedicated volunteer effort. Be a part of
this historic occasion in Tampa as a volunteer and local ambassador. Join the team at TampaBay2017.com/volunteer/signup
#TAMPABAY2017
3
SIX POINTS WITH... CARLOS ALFONSO - CHAIR OF THE HOST ADVISORY COMMITTEE
What is your role as the Chair of the Host Advisory Committee?
I have been working with Rob Higgins and the Tampa Bay Sports Commission for about three years,
first in assisting to lobby for the award of the game, then attending the first two games to learn
the priorities and nuances of hosting the game. Most importantly, I along with Rob, am leading the
effort to forge partnerships with numerous Tampa Bay entities to ensure that our hosting of this
game sets the benchmark for quality host communities. It’s been a true pleasure working under
the guidance of the Bill Hancock, Michael Kelly and the entire College Football Playoff family.
Who are key Tampa Bay area people providing support to be recognized for their efforts?
There have been so many to step up and help, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Hillsborough County
Commissioner Ken Hagan, Leonard Levy, Chairman of the Sports Commission Joe Collier, and Jeff Adams,
The leadership at Tampa General Hospital and TECO Energy, Jeff Vinik and the Lightning, Bryan Glazer of
the Bucs, Paul Anderson of the The Tampa Port Authority and his Board, led by Steve Swindal and The
Florida Aquarium, led by Thom Stork come to mind among so many others. More and more partners are
joining the effort each day.
Age: 61 | Occupation: Founding principal and CEO of Alfonso Architects
College: University of Florida, Bachelor of Design
and a Masters of Architecture
Since being rewarded the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship, how has the Tampa business community responded and how will benefit
between now and January 2017?
We have had so many great corporate sponsors step up to serve on the Host Advisory Committee such as Sykes, the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay
Buccaneers, Ferman Automotive, Skanska, PNC Bank, USAmeribank, Raymond James and Columbia Restaurant Group, to name a few.
The Downtown Riverwalk project will be complete by January 2017. How does this tie the downtown area together and connect fans going from venue
to venue during championship week?
I really believe that this game will be the “Coming out of the Riverwalk” project in Tampa. Many years of vision from multiple mayors have now become a reality
and visitors and residents alike will be able to experience the different venues and activities offered during the week of the game by walking along Tampa’s
beautiful waterfront.
What’s Your Tampa Bay Sports Background:
I served on the 2009 Super Bowl Host Committee for Tampa Bay. I also served on the Hall of Fame/Outback Bowl Team Selection Committee for 16 years.
Who are your favorite Tampa Bay sports personalities?
I grew up reading Tom McEwen and will never forget his work. George Steinbrenner left a great mark on the City. Jeff Vinik and the Lightning’s attention to
quality and community stand out. Then there’s Lou Piniella, Warrick Dunn, Derrick Brooks, Tony La Russa, Tino Martinez, Evan Longoria, Wade Boggs, Vinny
LeCavelier, Freddie Solomon who all stand out. Now we have Derek Jeter living in our community. What a great place!
EXTRA POINT
What’s your most memorable Tampa Bay sports moment?
I have so many. As a kid I watched the University of Tampa, with Freddie Solomon, beat Miami at the old Tampa Stadium. The Seventh Game of the Stanley Cup
in 2004 was the most electric moment. All the Super Bowls in Tampa, especially the first game between the Redskins and the Raiders in 1984 because it
was our spectacular debut as a host community .
EXTRA YARD 5K THROUGH DOWNTOWN TAMPA BENEFITS LOCAL EDUCATORS
Lace up your running shoes for the Extra Yard 5K road race to show your support of the College Football Playoff National
Championship and its major beneficiary, “Extra Yard for Teachers,” on Sunday, January 8 at 8 a.m. Beside the benefit to the Extra
Yard for Teachers program, runners themselves will receive quite a few benefits beside the route scenery of Downtown Tampa
and Bayshore Boulevard and a January morning run in Florida.
Race day activities include live entertainment, activities with several race sponsors and a post-race awards ceremony. Those
who line up at the starting line will receive a ticket to Playoff Fan Central at the Tampa Convention Center and an entry into a
drawing to win two tickets to the national championship game. Participant shirts are available for the first 1,000 entries and all
who cross the finish line will receive a medal.
Those not up for a three mile run can still be a part of the fun at the 1-Mile Family Fun Run (9 a.m.) includes one (1) ticket to Playoff Fan Central at the Tampa
Convention Center and an entry for one (1) into the drawing to win two (2) tickets to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Early registration
is $25 and the entry fee increases on November 2. The Fun Run Entry fee is $15 through race day. Click the logo to register!
#TAMPABAY2017
4
TAMPA BAY ....THE LAND WHERE SPORTS CHAMPIONS ARE CROWNED - CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field hosted the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final
Four in 1999, gracing us with UConn’s historic upset of the Duke Blue
Devils.
Even on the fly, with no preparation, our area has shined when the
Tampa Bay Lightning twice
advanced into the Stanley
Cup Finals (2004 and 2015)
and the Tampa Bay Rays
stormed into the World
Series (2008).
2015 NCAA Women’s Final Four
St. Petersburg once was
the site of the Davis Cup Men’s Tennis Final (1990), when the United
States singles team of Andre Agassi and Michael Chang helped to
dispatch Australia and claim our country’s first title in eight years. We
have hosted NCAA championship events for men’s soccer (1990) and
women’s volleyball (2009).
But the most improbable story of all was when we staged the NCAA
Frozen Four — twice — despite the nearest men’s hockey program being
located hundreds of miles away from Tampa.
“We were really concerned going to Tampa,’’ said Boston College
coach Jerry York, speaking of the 2012 event. “We were very concerned
it wouldn’t fly. Was it too far for people to go? The majority of our
programs were Northern
and Midwestern. We had a
lot of concerns.’’
Attracting Super Bowls set the bar high.
The Tampa Bay Sports Commission, utilizing aggressive and
innovative approaches to attract events, has since helped to make
the area into a capital of college sports championships.
And now it’s college football’s signature moment headed to
Tampa. It’s an expected economic impact of $300-million, an
estimated 65-million visitors and the exposure afforded by ESPN’s
international audience.
It’s a ton of work and logistics, but the Tampa Bay area has proven
itself capable of pulling off big events.
“I think we’re on a roll — and we’ve been on a roll for a long time,’’
Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn said. “We know how to rise to the
occasion here. We’re
all pulling together for
the big picture, which
benefits us all in this
area.’’
In 2013, Tampa was
Raymond James Stadium
awarded the third
College Football Playoff National Championship Game … before the
first one had even been played. Not surprisingly, College Football
Playoff Executive Director Bill Hancock, who was director of the
NCAA Men’s Final Four when it visited St. Petersburg in 1999, didn’t
need to be sold.
But Tampa’s first Frozen
Four was a huge success,
setting attendance
2016 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four
records and showing that
even the most ardent college-hockey fan would be happy in the land of
beaches, palm trees and Cuban sandwiches.
York remembers his reaction when hearing that Tampa was selected
for the 2016 Frozen Four.
“This has always been a special place,’’ Hancock said. “What I have
observed, too, is the immense pride that it gives people about their
hometown. It’s just a reminder that, ‘Hey, we live in a cool place.’
Tampa Bay is a very cool place.’’
“Great move!’’
When college football decides its championship, the entire industry
will enjoy a full-scale welcome to the Tampa Bay area, the place
where sports champions are crowned.
Similarly, the NCAA Women’s Final Four took a leap of faith when
coming to Tampa in 2008. Things worked seamlessly and again, the
event played out before packed houses.
“I would like to see our Final Four played in Tampa as often as
possible,’’ said Auriemma, the UConn coach. “I would think any major
sporting event would love to come here.’’
The season is right around the corner.
The preparations already have begun.
And as our championship-event history has shown, it’s also the land
of confetti. Lots and lots of confetti.
Joey Johnston, a sports journalist with the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times for more than
three decades, has covered all of the Tampa Bay area’s major sporting events and can’t wait to witness the College Football Playoff National Championship on January 9 at Raymond James Stadium.
#TAMPABAY2017
#TAMPABAY2017
5
ADDITIONAL EVENTS TO BE UNVEILED IN THE NEXT EDITION OF
TOUCHDOWN TAMPA BAY!
#TAMPABAY2017
6