Greater Orlando Sports Commission - Impact Update powered by Withum

Impact Update for Thursday, May 19

"This is a great team...not just the five young ladies that played four rounds of golf, but the entire team of seven student-athletes who are getting it done in the classroom as well."

-Christa Teno, Seminole State College

Head Golf Coach

See Seminole State Golf story below...

Quote of the Day.

“It's hard to beat a person who never gives up.”

- Babe Ruth

Around The Horn.

Starting the 2022 NJCAA National Championship at No. 1, the defending national champion Seminole State College of Florida Raider Women’s Golf team maintained the top spot, winning its third consecutive title and the fourth in the program’s history.
Monster Jam World Finals are returning to Camping World Stadium this weekend, May 21-22, drawing fans from all over the globe. This year also marks Monster Jam’s 30th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of world-famous Grave Digger.
The Greater Orlando Sports Commission unveiled the list of 60 finalists for the 2022 SPORTYS: Greater Orlando’s Night of Champions presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute. The finalists were selected by a voting committee made up of members of the GO Sports board of directors. Representing 36 different organizations throughout Greater Orlando, the complete list of finalists can be found here along with the corporate partners who are sponsoring the 12 award categories.
The Orlando Magic won the NBA Draft Lottery Tuesday night and landed the top overall pick for the first time since they got Dwight Howard in 2004.
For the first time in school history, the UCF Knights will host an NCAA Softball Regional. The Knights are hoping the home-field advantage will help them move on in the tournament.
UCF baseball scored 6 runs in the third inning on its way to a 10-2 five-inning win against Bethune-Cookman Tuesday night at John Euliano Park. The game was called after an hour long delay in the top of the sixth inning due to storms in the area.
The Cure All-Stars Baseball Game is hosted by the Orlando Sports Foundation and the Florida Collegiate Summer League in an effort to bring teams together to find a cure for cancer. Senior Baseball players from Orange and Seminole County who achieve excellence in the classroom and on the ballfield are considered for participation in the special event this Saturday.
The U.S. Soccer Federation reached milestone agreements to pay its men's and women's teams equally, making the American national governing body the first in the sport to promise both sexes matching money. The federation announced separate collective bargaining agreements through December 2028 with the unions for both national teams on Wednesday.
In their preceding road match, the Orlando Pride scored early and held on for the next 87 minutes. This time around, the Pride duplicated the early goal and the result, winning 2-1 on Wednesday night against the North Carolina Courage.
On Friday, UKG announced a multimillion-dollar three-year sponsorship of the NWSL Challenge Cup. This makes the 2023 Challenge Cup the first professional women’s soccer tournament to achieve pay equity.
The World Rugby Council unanimously voted to officially select the United States as the host nation of the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup and the 2033 Women’s Rugby World Cup. This moment marks a pivotal turning point for the sport of rugby in the United States and around the world. Orlando is one of 25 U.S. cities bidding to host matches in either or both tournaments.
Major League Fishing, the world’s largest tournament-fishing organization, is set to return to Leesburg and Central Florida for a tournament next week, May 19-21, with the Toyota Series at the Harris Chain of Lakes. The tournament will showcase a field of the region’s best bass-fishing pros and Strike King co-anglers.
The Orlando Predators and National Arena League football are back at the Amway Center with dynamic new owners Nate Starling and John Cheney, who are also supporting the community and several charities through their notable upcoming nonprofit initiative, the Orlando Preds Football Foundation. Click here to see ticketing options for future home games, including May 15 and May 28.

In The News.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer took to social media to announce the city has chosen a new fire department chief. The mayor tweeted that he appointed Charlie Salazar from Dallas to the position.
Orlando’s wealth of things to do and see makes it an “Unbelievably Real” destination for tourists and businesses, according to a $28.5 million marketing campaign launched Monday by Visit Orlando and the Orlando Economic Partnership. The new slogan emerged after about a year of collaboration among the tourist association and economic growth groups to sell Orlando to wider audiences.
Disney World is reopening the Harmony Barber Shop and the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. The shop is considered a park staple, first opening with Magic Kingdom in 1971. Harmony Barber Shop, located near the entrance of Magic Kingdom on Main Street, U.S.A, will reopen July 31, according to a post on Disney Parks Blog.
NASA's Insight Lander spacecraft on Mars is losing power because of all the dust on its solar panels. NASA said Tuesday it will keep using the spacecraft’s seismometer to register marsquakes until the power peters out, likely in July.
Lake Nona High School Senior Jerry He is planning his future while volunteering his time to promote cultural appreciation and inclusion. He is helping organize and plan this year’s Asian Cultural Festiva l as co-president of R.E.A.C.H. Central Florida which stands for Recognizing Experiencing Asian Cultural Heritage. He started volunteering with the nonprofit in middle school.
“The Greatest Show on Earth” is making a comeback — without animal acts — five years after shutting down its three-ring circus. Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey announced an interactive, live show that will launch in September 2023, celebrating performers from around the world “displaying incredible feats that push the limits of human potential."
An extra passenger was accounted for Tuesday after a woman gave birth mid-flight on a Frontier plane on its way to Orlando. A Frontier flight attendant helped the new mother to the plane’s lavatory and delivered the baby. Then, the plane made a stop at the Pensacola Airport, where paramedics were ready to transport the mother and baby to the hospital.

Stay Engaged.

Join Dr. Keita Joy with Success Uncensored has partnered with Meta for a 4-part business series. The second virtual program is on May 26 at 7pm EST on the topic of team resilience. The program will discuss how to grow, develop and empower your team to excel in an ever-changing business culture. Click here to register for the complimentary virtual event.
The Parramore Cleanup & Beautification Event with Keep Orlando Beautiful is on May 21, 2022. Volunteers are needed to remove litter and debris starting from four sites across the Parramore community. This event comes as a collaboration between the City of Orlando and several city-wide organizations in preparation for the Special Olympics opening ceremony, opening remarks will be provided by District 5 Commissioner Regina Hill.
The Downtown Arts District’s “Break 4 Art” Program offers a unique entertainment experience, bringing live music and street performance in various downtown locations. Break 4 Art encourages experienced street performers and emerging artists and provides a unique opportunity where they can display their talents.
The first-ever Ultimate Garden Party fundraising event on May 21 will support Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida’s mission of ending hunger. Hunger advocates will Escape to Elegance during an afternoon featuring live entertainment, delicious hors d’oeuvres, and specialty libations.
The Washington Street Night Market is an outdoor event highlighting uniquely fantastic local makers and artists. Held at The Falcon each month, they curate select artists/makers and feature rotating local art on the walls.
WonderWorks Orlando on International Drive is offering teachers and school staff free admission for the month of May as part of teacher appreciation days.
The Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival is a 14-day immersive cultural experience held annually in mid-May, featuring 850 ticketed theatrical performances and a free outdoor music festival. The festival unites local, national, and international artists with the Central Florida community, creating a uniquely diverse arts experience.
Experience one of North America's largest comic, sci-fi, horror, anime and gaming events at MEGACON Orlando! Four big days of citywide events, family-friendly attractions and world-renowned celebrities await you at the Orange County Convention Center on May 19-22.
SeaWorld Orlando and Busch Gardens are now offering military members and up to three guests complimentary one-day admission to the theme park. The offer is valid for qualified service members and veterans, including active, retired, honorably separated officers and enlisted personnel of the U.S. military.
Florida residents can save big while visiting Walt Disney World Resort theme parks. Click here to view the current list of special offers.
Universal Orlando's Florida resident specials include discounts on vacation packages.

In The Community.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah participated in the Fanatics Golf Classic with GO Sports Board Members Jesse Martinez and Mike Waterman from Visit Orlando, benefitting the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, Special Olympics Florida, and the Make A Wish Foundation

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended a jersey exchange between Orlando City Soccer Club and Monster Jam World Finals, which is in town at Camping World Stadium this weekend on May 21-22

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and his wife Sarah attended the Make A Wish Gala at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, pictured here with GO Sports Board Member Mike Harris and his wife Catriona

GO Sports hosted a welcome banquet for the NCAA DII Men's and Women's Tennis Championships at Top Golf in Lake Mary this week.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel visited Fox 35's Good Day Orlando to talk about Monster Jam World Finals, 2022 Special Olympics USA Games, and NCAA Golf and Tennis Championships all taking place in Orlando this spring

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen helped manage The LifeBoat Project’s annual Poker Tournament held at LBP offices in Apopka to raise funds to pro housing and services to survivors of human trafficking

Local Resources.

Visit these pages for the most critical local health and government updates:
City of Orlando: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
Orange County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
Osceola County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
Seminole County: COVID-19 Homepage | Testing Sites | Vaccine Sites
Lake County: Homepage
City of Orlando:
The Downtown Development Board (DDB) and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) created a webpage to assist with identifying grants and incentives that may be available to downtown businesses.
Orlando's City Council approved the Safety Awareness for Everyone (S.A.F.E) Program, creating an incentive for businesses and properties to purchase and install security measures that are intended to help deter crime and provide a safer environment for business owners, employees, and visitors. Entertainment businesses including, but not limited to, bars, nightclubs, and entertainment venues located within the City of Orlando’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) footprint shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security measures which include identification scanners, security cameras, and metal detection systems. Other properties located within the CRA shall be eligible for funding to purchase and install security cameras only. Applicants are eligible to receive up to $10,000 or 50% of the total cost of eligible products, whichever is less. Click here for more info and to apply now.
Orange County:
Orange County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program remains open for individuals who are behind on rent or at risk of being evicted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To date, more than $15.3 million have been approved to keep 2,635 families in their homes. Recently, the City of Orlando announced it has depleted its current federal funds dedicated to its Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Orange County is stepping in to bridge the gap and will temporarily offer assistance to Orlando residents, effective now until further notice. Eligible residents include those living in unincorporated Orange County, Apopka, Bay Lake, Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Lake Buena Vista, Maitland, Oakland, Ocoee, Orlando, Windermere, Winter Garden and Winter Park. Residents can visit ocfl.net/RentalAssistance to review program details and to check if their address is eligible.
CareerSource Central Florida is helping career seekers and displaced workers apply for the Reemployment Assistance program through the Department of Economic Opportunity.
Osceola County:
Osceola County is currently accepting applications for emergency utility assistance for households impacted by COVID19. Funding is available for electric, gas, and water utilities only. If you reside in Osceola County and your household is impacted, please click here to complete the application.
Lake County:
For Lake County residents, United Way of Lake and Sumter Counties is able to assist with CARES/ERA/SHIP Federal funds for rent and utilities. For more information on eligibility and documents needed, or to make an appointment, please visit their Family Stability Services page.
Seminole County:
If you have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and live in Seminole County, The Sharing Center is currently accepting applications for rent/mortgage and utilities assistance. Click here for program criteria and to learn how to apply.
Additional Resources:
The US Small Business Association has compiled a database of private funding options to help small businesses. Browse the options available nationally, or input a zip code to explore location-specific funding.

Fun & Games.

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