"By coming to UCF, I was provided the opportunity to earn a college degree from an amazing institution and play a sport I love. It’s time for me to return the favor and invest in the future of UCF football."

- Ron Thow

Former UCF Football player

Recently made the most significant financial commitment to

UCF Athletics of any former football student-athlete

Around The Horn.

• UCF Athletics has received its most significant financial commitment from a former Knights football player in school history. Ron Thow, who played fullback for UCF from 1989-92 and was on the 1990 team that finished 10-4, earning a spot in the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision Playoffs, made the legacy-gift commitment.
• Kentucky's Azhani Tealer was selected 19th overall in the third round Monday in the 2023 Pro Volleyball Federation collegiate draft by the Orlando Valkyries. The former Wildcat will head to the Sunshine State, joining fellow UK Alumna, Kaz Brown on the Orlando roster. The 2023 PVF season begins Friday, January 26, 2024 with the regular season running through May 11 and the playoffs beginning in mid-May.
• The Solar Bears extended their home winning streak to three games with a 4-0 victory Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 9,049 at Amway Center. Mitchell Hoelscher scored the Teddy Bear Toss goal that brought 10,674 stuffed animals down to the ice.
• History was made on Lake County's Harris Chain of Lakes over the weekend, with 17-year-old Aaron Yavorsky becoming the youngest Bassmaster Classic qualifier. His two-day Classic Fish-off weight of 48lb 6oz helped seal the win.
• Hall of Famer golfer Tiger Woods’ latest comeback resumes in Orlando at the PNC Championship. Tickets remain for Friday’s pro-am at the Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes, where Woods and 14-year-old son Charlie will hone their games in preparation for the weekend’s two-day 36-hole scramble.
• Paolo Banchero was yelling at the TV in the Magic locker room in support of his teammates while he was getting his right ankle taped up hoping to return to Monday night’s game against the Cavaliers. The second-year forward exited the 10-point victory with a minute left in the third quarter after rolling his ankle before returning midway through the fourth to help lift Orlando past Cleveland at Amway Center.
• With Orlando City’s offseason in full swing on the heels of an East semifinal exit from MLS Cup playoffs earlier this month, 13 players are under guaranteed contracts. 
• Orlando dad Jason Eichenholz has partnered with the Orlando Magic on 'Events with Jonathan,' a program which helps people with autism enjoy Orlando Magic games by offering unused corporate suites to people who struggle with sensory overload in crowds.
• Kylie Strom has agreed to a three-year contract with the Orlando Pride, after she posted the best season of her career. Strom led NWSL in total tackles (80), tackles in the defensive third (50) and tackles plus interceptions (114) for the seventh-place Pride (10-11-1), who finished just outside the postseason cutoff in coach Seb Hines’ first season.
• Orlando will always be UCF’s hometown, but Tampa is quickly becoming a close second. With UCF's allotment of tickets for the Gasparilla Bowl already sold out, the school is suggesting fans buy their tickets directly through the bowl game.
• Youth esports has arrived in Central Florida! Greater Orlando BOOM starts their first competitive season on February 19, Meet staff and coaches and play some games at the open house event on January 13 at HuviGG Esports Arena in the Oviedo Mall.

Be a part of the magic of the 2024 Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend! As a volunteer, you’d be supporting the runDisney® athletes and the presence of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society® at Walt Disney World Resort on the racecourse and at the finish area. Click here to register now! 

In The News.

• The Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts recently shared that it would be opening a new live music-focused venue in early 2024. Judson’s Live is being billed as an intimate live music space, inspired by listening rooms from iconic music cities like the Blue Note and Dizzy’s Club. 
• This year, Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining program raised $269,272 for Orange County charities—a 44% increase from 2022. The news was shared during Visit Orlando’s Year End Celebration Luncheon at the Hilton Orlando, which gathered over 1,000 members, industry professionals and government officials. A record-breaking 132 restaurants participated in this year’s Magical Dining, including 22 new restaurants to the program.
• A proposed $400 million project to improve Camping World Stadium got a boost Tuesday from Orange County Commissioner Mike Scott, who called the Orlando venue a “good neighbor” that has helped lift the community around it. He appealed to his board colleagues to consider not only the stadium’s role as host of events drawing hundreds of thousands of tourists annually to Orlando, but its contribution in transforming the neighborhood of West Lakes.
• For 11-year-old Make-A-Wish kid Ross, his first ride aboard the Incredicoaster was a wish-come-true, years in the making.  Ross is an aspiring Disney Imagineer from New York who was diagnosed with leukemia. “Behind the Attraction.” He wished to meet the Disney Imagineers, learn how they design Disney coasters, and experience them at Disneyland Resort during his very first trip.
• Be sure to stop by the amphitheater to enjoy the beautifully illuminated Eola Wonderland Christmas Tree and watch as the lights dance to popular holiday music and sync with the iconic Lake Eola fountain five times every night by the intersection of East Washington Street and North Rosalind Avenue.
• A South Florida firm specializing in unique surf park concepts is moving the ball forward on its planned project in Orlando's fast-growing Horizon West region.
• On Jan. 23, Orange County will hold a workshop tied to the three major projects recommended for consideration of TDT funding. The board already approved in October money – generated from the tax on hotels and short-term rentals – for the $560 million expansion of the Orange County Convention Center, as well as roughly $90 million tied for a new tower for the University of Central Florida's FBC Mortgage Stadium.
• Orlando Science Schools is adding a new campus in east Orlando. The tuition-free public charter school system announced it will open in August 2024 as a STEM-focused school that will serve grades kindergarten through eighth grade. The school has started accepting enrollment applications for kids in grades K-6.

Stay Engaged.

• Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in December, shoppers can enjoy the Merry Market in downtown Orlando featuring local vendors with products ranging from soaps and candles to jewelry and more, between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., through Friday, December 23.
• The City of Orlando will host a Sensory Night on Sunday, December 17 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. where you can enjoy the magic of the holidays in a sensory-friendly environment with no/low music, noise-canceling headphones, quiet places to enjoy snacks and water and “calming vibes,” and a train ride line system where you can hop on a holiday train, stress-free.
• Downtown for the Holidays will culminate on Saturday, December 23 at 8 p.m. with a dazzling display of synchronized drones flying in formation over Lake Eola Park, creating beautiful holiday-themed designs in the night sky. Attendees can sit back and watch a 12-minute light show featuring 500 drones from the comfort of their own blankets and lawn chairs.
• The Morse Museum is hosting Holiday Friday Nights in December. Guests can enjoy free museum admission from 4pm-8pm, and live music from 5pm-8pm.
• Orlando Ballet is thrilled to present the world premiere of a ground-breaking production of The Nutcracker, December 8-24. This from-scratch, Broadway-caliber production will be the largest ever created by an Orlando-based performing arts organization, featuring enchanting new choreography, stunning costumes, fantastical sets, and magical stage elements.
• Gatorland is offering discounted tickets on its Screamin’ Gator Zipline for the next few weeks. The attraction’s zipline experience — which includes five segments and a 150-foot swinging bridge — is now on sale for $49.99 per person through Dec. 17. You'll travel up to 30 mph above dozens of alligators and crocodiles and Gatorland’s famed breeding marsh. It tops out at 65 feet high.
• SeaWorld Orlando is again offering an extended Fun Card deal. Buyers now get unlimited visits to the theme park for the rest of 2023 and all of 2024. The price is $131.99. A version also includes admission to the Aquatica water park through the end of 2024, and it sells for $189.99.
• 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.

In The Community.

The entire GO Sports team, joined by a few family members, celebrated the holidays with a festive dinner at Bar Italia earlier this week.

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen attended Visit Orlando’s Year-End Luncheon with his wife Jill Cohen, CEO of the LifeBoat Project who was one of the charities benefitted by this year's Magical Dining program. They are pictured with 2024 LIfeBoat Project Board Chair Kathy McLain.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel had the opportunity to visit with Brandon Frey, the Governor's Regional Representative for the State of Florida.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel, Senior VP Brent Nelson, Coordinator Elizabeth Caldarelli, and Seminole County rep Danny Trosset hosted members of the NCAA's Division II staff this week in preparation for the upcoming 2024 DII Spring Festival being hosted in Seminole and Orange Counties.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended Visit Orlando’s Year-End Luncheon last week, pictured here with Visit Orlando CEO Casandra Matej, Orlando City's Jarrod Dillon, Barbara Bowden (Loews Hotels Universal Orlando), John De Armas (Profitland Partners), and Fred Sawyers (Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek and Waldorf Astoria Orlando).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior VP Michael Kalinich attended Visit Orlando’s Year-End Luncheon last week, pictured here with board member Mike Waterman (Visit Orlando).

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel attended the draw party for the 2024 CONMEBOL Copa America tournament, along with board members Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC) and Ricardo Villar (Florida Cup/FC Series).

Corporate Partner Spotlight.

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Fun & Games.



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