Congratulations to our friend and local legend Dr. Richard Lapchick, civil rights activist and Director of The Institute for Diversity & Ethics in Sport at UCF, who was awarded the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award as part of the 2023 ESPY Awards. The honor is one of the Sports Humanitarian Awards, celebrating "individuals that have taken risks and used an innovative approach to helping the disadvantaged through the power of sports.”

Around The Horn.

• Congratulations to Dr. Richard Lapchick, civil rights activist and Director of The Institute for Diversity & Ethics in Sport at UCF, who was awarded the Stuart Scott ENSPIRE Award as part of the 2023 ESPY Awards. The honor is part of the Sports Humanitarian Awards, and this award celebrates “individuals that have taken risks and used an innovative approach to helping the disadvantaged through the power of sports.”
• Amway Center, Orlando’s premier sports and entertainment destination, is excited to host its upcoming hiring event on Wednesday, July 19, from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. The hiring event offers a unique opportunity for aspiring professionals to engage with partner organizations, conducting same-day on-site interviews. Prospective candidates have the opportunity to secure a variety of part-time positions delivering legendary experiences for our guests attending Orlando Magic and Orlando Solar Bears games, concerts, family shows and countless other events.
• Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark took center stage at the conference’s football media event at AT&T Stadium, calling it a big moment for the league as it welcomed four new members: BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF. In the 11 months Yormark has been commissioner of the Big 12, he’s helped steer the conference through uncertain times. Under his leadership, he helped secure a new media rights deal with ESPN and FOX worth $380 million a year that could pay schools anywhere from $30 to $50 million annually through 2031.
• One of Florida Citrus Sports' most popular annual events, Feast on the 50 presented by SouthState Bank, returns to Camping World Stadium on Thursday, Oct. 26 at 5 p.m., a new, earlier start time! The one-of-a-kind tailgate on the field features a night full of food, family and fun.
• At the 6:49 mark of the first quarter Monday inside the Thomas & Mack Center, Magic rookie Anthony Black stole the ball from Pacers second-year guard Bennedict Mathurin and moved quickly down the court. After a few steps, the 6-7 guard from Arkansas looked to his left and passed the ball ahead to his new teammate Jett Howard. In a matter of seconds, Black and Howard displayed a growing chemistry between the pair of rookies who were selected just five picks apart in the first round of last month’s NBA Draft.
• The membership of Sports ETA has elected new board leadership and board of directors who began their terms July 1st. Congratulations to our friend and colleague Ray Palmer, STS, President and CEO of Pensacola Sports, who has been appointed Chairman of the Board.
• The Orlando Sentinel’s athlete of the year honors have often gone to players who played two or three sports. Hannah Hudson competed in five during her senior year, and suited up for six sports in her career at The First Academy.
• William Carter, better known by his nickname, Chase, was a team captain in three sports for the Eagles and a senior standout in every one — all while maintaining a 4.9 weighted grade point average. His across-the-board success makes Carter the Orlando Sentinel Boys Athlete of the Year for the 2022-23 school year. Last fall, he quarterbacked the Eagles to a 12-1 region runner-up football season. 
• The Big 12 Conference is hitting the road this football season as part of a “Big 12 Homecoming” tour with stops planned at its four new member schools: BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF. The tour is part of a conference-wide celebration, with each visit featuring 3 days of events. It kicks off in Houston, followed by a trip to Cincinnati and then UCF before finishing off at BYU. The Knights host Baylor on Sept. 30 as part of Family Weekend, with the game already sold out.
• Fresh off a resounding shutout victory last weekend at the Washington Spirit, the Orlando Pride came into their NWSL home game Friday against OL Reign full of confidence. A 1-0 victory for the Pride marked their first victory against the Reign since 2016 and only the second triumph all-time.
• The pickleball mania is here and it’s propelling homebuilders to rethink what amenities to include in new Central Florida neighborhoods. Jacksonville-based Dream Finders Homes is the latest developer to announce plans to feature pickleball courts in an upcoming project. When its 57-lot subdivision opens on 305 acres in Windermere in early 2026, residents will have a place to play the fast-growing sport.
• Greater Orlando Sports Commission will host our 5th annual Celebrating Women in Sports luncheon presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute on Wednesday, September 13 at UCF's Addition Financial Arena. This year's featured speaker is Joan Benoit Samuelson, winner of the first ever women's Olympic marathon at the 1984 games in Los Angeles, and pioneer of women's marathoning. To purchase a table and inquire about sponsorship opportunities, contact Michael Kalinich. Click here to purchase individual tickets.

In The News.

• Start making those lists, Magical Dining fans, as Visit Orlando‘s annual program — now in its 18th year — returns Aug. 18, with this year’s participating restaurants numbering north of 115. Also new, notes Visit Orlando president and CEO Casandra Matej, is the introduction of a two-tiered menu and pricing system that will feature three-course prix fixe dinners available at either $40 or $60. The program will run through Oct. 1.
• Orange County Government will make new grants for small businesses, home-based businesses, and gig workers available through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding beginning Tuesday, July 18, 2023. The Orange County Board of County Commissioners has dedicated $26 million to provide Business Opportunities in Orange County for Support and Transformation (BOOST) for those impacted by COVID-19.
• Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts has been named one of the 11 Most Beautiful Theaters in the World according to Architectural Digest. Aside from their astounding aesthetics, there is no singular element that defines or unites the most beautiful theaters. Located in Orlando, Florida, Steinmetz Hall is one of the world’s most acoustically advanced theaters, with the unique structure sitting on steel train tracks.
• In honor of Independence Day, guests visiting the Magic Kingdom on 4th of July got the chance to see U.S. Air Force flyover Cinderella Castle. The Air Force showcased their capabilities with two flyovers as part of their national outreach program which aims to engage and inspire the next generation of patriotism.
• Disney Imagineers crossed a major milestone in the construction of the highly anticipated new attraction, Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Construction crews and Imagineers helped lift the giant tiara-topped water tower into place. The new attraction plans to be open in 2024.
• SpaceX is keeping up its record pace for the year with another overnight Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station that would set a company record between launches from the same pad. A Falcon 9 carrying 54 more of the company’s internet satellites is set to lift off from Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 40 at 12:40 a.m. Friday with a backup opportunity early Saturday at 12:15 a.m.
• The Pet Alliance is hosting its 10th annual “My Best Friend Wine Label Contest” this month and they are looking for photos of Central Florida’s cutest pets. The dog and cat with the most votes will have their image, name, and short story featured on a special wine label for the rest of 2023.

Stay Engaged.

• Disney Springs’ Flavors of Florida is preparing to return to Walt Disney World Resort this summer with even more savory dishes and a scrumptious new culinary series featuring renowned chefs. Running July 1 through Aug. 13, more than 30 locations throughout Disney Springs will be featuring a variety of food and drinks that celebrate homegrown flavors from Florida.
• Universal Passholder Appreciation Days is Back on Aug. 15 - Sept. 30, 2023. Includes over six weeks of exclusive offers, special events, discounts, Passholder opportunities and more. 
• EDC will return to Orlando on November 10-12 at Tinker Field at Camping World Stadium and the lineup has been released. The annual three-day music festival boasts multiple stages in different sections of the venue and attracted over 100,000 people a day at the 2022 event. 
• Celebrate the growth, diversity and character that make the Milk District one of Orlando’s favorite neighborhoods on July 19! There will be annual awards recognizing the people and businesses, a silent auction to bid on unique Orlando items and experiences (all benefitting the District), and a volunteer fair.
• Orlando Business Journal's Inno Under 25 is a recognition of the top founders, entrepreneurs, innovators and leaders under 25 in your local ecosystem. Highlighting some of the community's youngest entrepreneurs and technologists, the deadline to submit nominations is Friday, July 21.
• A beloved speaker series, Creative Mornings Orlando, will return this month on Friday, July 28 for the first time since shutting down during the pandemic. This upcoming event will feature a talk by Orlando’s official Poet Laureate, Shawn Welcome. Past guests have included the likes of filmmaker Jon Strong, Rollins Art Professor, Rachel Simmons, acclaimed designer Clark Orr, and professional musician Matt Heafy.
• A touring Edgar Allan Poe-themed speakeasy cocktail experience will make its way to Orlando this September, just in time for a maudlin/spooky autumn. The hour-and-thirty-minute immersive pop-up will take place at The Mezz in South Eola near downtown Orlando and will feature four themed cocktails and live readings of Poe’s work, as told by onsite “Poe Historians.” The pop-up will run from September 7-10 with multiple seatings each evening.
• 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.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior Director Lindsey McBride attended the 2023 US Twirling Nation Baton Championship at Osceola Heritage Park, pictured here with with US Twirling Association's President Karen Cammer and Sandi Weimers.

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen attended the Tiger Bay monthly luncheon at the Citrus Club, pictured here with wife Jill Cohen (Founder of the Life Boat Project) and featured speaker Jimmy Petronis (State of Florida CFO).

GO Sports Senior Director of Events Lindsey McBride attended the ICAST Fishing Convention at the Orange County Convention Center, pictured with Andrew Grant and Ryan Ritchie (Discover Lake County), and Lake County angler, Tim Fredrickson.

GO Sports Senior Vice President Brent Nelson attended the Esports Travel Summit this week in Toronto, pictured here with Travis Binkley and Rasheedi Williams (Visit Orlando) and Chris Katsares (Orange County Convention Center).

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Fun & Games.



• Pictures: Watermelon 5K in Winter Park
• Pictures: Orlando Magic 2023 NBA Draft