“Simply stated, I believe Walt Disney and John Hitt have done more to transform Central Florida into a vibrant, dynamic place than any two people.”

- Jeb Bush

Former Governor of Florida

Around The Horn.

.

• A Tribute to Dr. John Hitt: When athletics director Terry Mohajir and president Alexander Cartwright stood in front of a podium posing for photos with a Big 12 Conference logo behind them celebrating the move to a Power Five conference, someone monumental in helping UCF reach this point was missing from the festivities. Although Mohajir and Cartwright received an invitation to the Big 12, the process began almost 30 years ago when John Hitt became UCF president.
• The Hurricanes are riding high as they go through the final stretch of the men’s basketball regular season, and people around the nation are taking note. Miami (22-5, 13-4 ACC) has won six consecutive games and moved up two spots to No. 13 in this week’s Associated Press poll.
• Terrell Buckley may not have gotten the result he wanted in his first game as a head coach, but that didn’t deter the 51-year-old from enjoying the overall experience. The game was featured in prime-time on ESPN and FX to add to the excitement. All in all, it made for an exciting night for Buckley.
• The Knights baseball team scored 4 runs in the bottom of the third inning, added 3 more in the fifth, put together an 8-run sixth inning and plated 6 in the seventh behind the strong bats of McCabe, Romano and Drew Faurot, the latter of whom hit a 3-run home run in the sixth to help seal a victory in their home opener over Siena.
• The newly rebooted XFL delivered solid television viewership numbers in its first week, with the four games averaging 1.29 million viewers. ESPN’s broadcast of the Orlando Guardians season opener against the Houston Roughnecks on Saturday night averaged 751,000 viewers, while the subsequent broadcast on FX averaged 390,000.
• The Orlando Pride open their 22-game regular season on March 26 on the road and play their home opener April 2 at Exploria Stadium, the NWSL announced. The Pride are under the leadership of Seb Hines, who was elevated from interim to full-time coach during the offseason.
• Orlando City Soccer’s last preseason game coincided with the unveiling of its new season kit, a purple and gold embossed jersey the team is calling “The Wall Kit.” The new jersey is being touted as a tribute to the fans that fill the team’s supporter section each home game and features a brick-themed pattern with gold striping/epaulets on the shoulders.
• After winning back-to-back state titles in 2018 and 2019 before dropping out of FHSAA state series competition for three years, the Montverde Academy Eagles girls soccer team made their return to this season’s playoffs a triumphant one. Ranked No. 2 in the state regardless of classification, the Eagles — led by a hat trick from Estefania Gonzalez — dominated from the opening whistle.
• Florida has amended its law surrounding college athletes making money off their name, image and likeness to even the playing field for many of the state’s colleges and universities. The bill, HB7B, was signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis on Thursday morning in front of a contingent of college football coaches and athletes from the University of Florida and Florida State.
• Stenhouse picked up his third Cup Series win and first since the 2017 Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway. The victory was his first with JTG Daugherty Racing.
• The XFL has just announced the release of a new nine-part docuseries in partnership with Walt Disney and ESPN that chronicles the creation of the new league and the stories of its players. Player 54: Chasing the XFL Dream will debut on Thursday, February 16 at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.

In The News.

• Former University of Central Florida president John Hitt, who oversaw tremendous growth at the school and the addition of a medical school, on-campus football stadium and more than 100 new buildings, died on Monday, less than five years after retiring from the university where he spent 26 years at the helm.
• The City of Orlando is launching a new Mobile Food Cart Pilot Program in the Downtown Entertainment Area/Central Business District. Orlando City Council unanimously approved the pilot program which will allow for up to 12 mobile food carts to operate downtown between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2:30 a.m., seven days a week. The year-long program will concentrate those carts in 10 designated locations in the downtown core, allowing them to operate with a special permit in the public right-of-way.
• This year, Brightline's high-speed rail will connect Orlando to Miami, with a few stops in between. While we don't know the exact date yet, it's nearly 90% done, as some final rounds of testing will soon start in Brevard County. The top speed in some spots will be 110 miles an hour.
• Orlando City Soccer has just launched a new food program at Exploria Stadium that features five new food stalls run by local restaurants. The new “Orlando Made” initiative includes 4 Rivers Smokehouse, The Coop by 4 Rivers, Black Rooster Taqueria, Harrell’s Hot Dogs, and Teak Neighborhood Grill. A new rotating vendor cart will also be swapped by local restaurants on a game-by-game basis, including the likes of Cholo Dogs and Sus Hi Eatstation, with more to be added/announced soon.
• The 88th annual Bach Festival comes to a close this weekend with the chance for Central Florida music fans to experience two instruments rarely heard these days. The harpsichord had its heyday in music’s Baroque period of the 17th and 18th centuries before being supplanted by the piano. The viola da gamba also was popular at that time, but eventually the cello elbowed it out of the modern-day orchestra.
• Walt Disney World has announced the day that its reservations system will be loosened up. As of April 18, Disney World’s annual passholders will be able to visit any of the four theme parks after 2 p.m. without needing to make a reservation. Notable exceptions: Reservations will continued to be needed at Magic Kingdom theme park on Saturdays and Sundays.

Stay Engaged.

• The Orlando Economic Partnership will host its premiere networking event Barbecue in the Park, presented by VyStar Credit Union. Join the region's top business leaders and elected officials on March 7 from 5 – 8 p.m. at the new the new 2.3-acre Luminary Green Park at Creative Village. Enjoy live music, mouthwatering BBQ, a fine selection of beer, wine and spirits, and more. Click here to purchase your registration.
• For the fourth consecutive year, the City of Orlando is partnering with the Orlando Tech Community to offer grants via the Orlando Technology Community Support Program. The program, which is an effort of the Orlando Economic Partnership, provides matching grants to help organizations and companies develop tech-focused events in the amount of $65,000 which will be divided among four winners.
• Applications are open to join CareerSource Central Florida’s 2023 Summer Youth Program. The interactive and engaging program allows high school students (ages 15-19) to explore career paths, obtain specialized career training, and gain work experience with local businesses in Central Florida. Participants have the chance to earn a minimum of $1,200 while exploring, engaging, and gaining job experience for the future. Young adults who reside in Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake and Sumter Counties are welcome to apply here.
• Meet and network with influential women leaders at the Orlando Business Journal's 10th Annual Mentoring Monday event in Orlando. This event will take place in person on Feb. 27 at 10 am. The event will offer the opportunity to choose from over 40 mentors who are the most influential women in the business community for one-on-one and group coaching sessions.
• The second annual ShamRock the Block Street Party will take place on East Washington Street on Friday, March 17 at 4 p.m. The event will feature a variety of games as well as drink specials, local food deals, and live music/DJs throughout the event. An NCAA basketball tournament viewing area with a large projector screen will also be popping up as well.
• Orlando City Hall will be hosting a series of events throughout the month that celebrate the contributions of Black Americans. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will host the opening reception of the City of Orlando’s Black History Month Art Exhibition celebrating the creativity, inspiration, and cultural heritage of Black visual artists. The art exhibition runs from Thursday, Feb. 2 until Sunday, April 30. 
• The 10^th annual Touch-a-Truck will roll back onto Knights Plaza at Addition Financial Arena on Saturday, March 4 from 12pm to 3pm. Addition Financial Arena is hosting this free, interactive experience for families and kids of all ages Touch-a-Truck will give children the opportunity to learn more about their favorite trucks and vehicles they see daily.  
• The Orlando Pottery Festival will be hosting a Spring Arts Market on April 29 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Florida Army National Guard Armory. The event will feature over 50 local ceramic artists ranging from professional potters to emerging hobbiests, sharing their functional and decorative work. Pieces include everyday dishware, ceramic jewelry, figurative work, garden decor, and more.
• Florida Residents can save up to $65 on select multi-day tickets at Universal Orlando theme parks when buying online. Click here for current offers.
• Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.

Executive Jobs.

• Tavistock Development, a diversified real estate firm specializing in planning, design, finance, construction and development, is currently seeking a Senior Manager/Director of Communications. Apply Here.
• The Milk District Main Street is seeking a new Executive Director. Long a commercial hub east of Downtown Orlando, The Milk District became the 10th district to join the Orlando Main Streets program in October of 2016. Apply Here.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior VP Michael Kalinich attended a meeting of Orlando International Airport partners today, pictured here with GO Sports Board Member and COO of GOAA, Tom Draper. Siegel presented to the group about March Madness and other upcoming events in Greater Orlando.

GO Sports Senior VP Brent Nelson attended a Skal International event this week alongside GO Sports Board Members Jesse Martinez (The Alfond Inn), Chris Mueller (Hilton Orlando), and Jeff Swirsky (Delta Marriott Celebration).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior Director Shalisa Griffin attended the Jim Thorpe Invitational last weekend at the Omni Resort at ChampionsGate.

Members of the USA Track & Field Staff as well as athlete ambassador Keith Brantly spoke at a recent GO Sports board meeting, giving insight into the impact and importance of the 2024 team trials event.

New Corporate Partner.



TECO Peoples Gas

Delivering safe, resilient, clean, affordable natural gas for homes and businesses across Florida.

For more information, visit

https://www.peoplesgas.com/

Thank you for supporting sports tourism in Greater Orlando!

Fun & Games.



• PHOTOS: Solar Bears Tie Dye Night
• The Neuroscience of Touch
• Remembering UCF President John Hitt - Photos through the years