“On behalf of our great partners at Orlando City and Orlando Pride and the Wilf Family, we look forward to welcoming the U.S. Women's National Team (SheBelieves Cup, February 16) and the Men's National Team (CONCACAF Nations League Group D Final, March 27) back to the 'fortress' of Exploria Stadium.”

- Jason Siegel, President & CEO

Greater Orlando Sports Commission

“I'm doing it for the next woman who is in the position to deserve it a lot more than I do and get it. I want to be a dream merchant for other women, if that's what they want. I don't think it's ever a goal of anyone to say 'I want a statue,' but it allows you and everyone else to appreciate your body of work.”

- Dawn Staley, Head Coach

South Carolina Women's Basketball

Commenting on the fact that women make up only 2-3% of the public

statues worldwide.

Around The Horn.

.

• South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley never wanted a statue built in her honor. She was apprehensive when the city of Columbia brought the idea to her. The legendary Gamecocks coach changed her mind when she learned how few women are represented with statues. Women make up only 2-3% of the public statues worldwide.
• One of the final tests before the U.S. Women's National Team heads off to the Women's World Cup this summer is the SheBelieves Cup, which kicks off TONIGHT in Orlando! The No. 1-world ranked USWNT takes on No. 6-ranked Canada at 7pm. Before that, Japan face Brazil in a doubleheader at the stadium at 4pm Click here to get your tickets now!
• U.S. Soccer announced that Exploria Stadium will host the U.S. Men’s National Team’s final group match of the CONCACAF Nations League on March 27 at 7:30pm It’ll be a Group D match vs. El Salvador and the match will air on TNT.
• Posted on a wall inside the UCF men’s basketball practice facility is a short message: “Keep it simple.” That’s just what the Knights did against Tulsa Saturday night at Addition Financial Arena when they prevailed 96-52 for their second straight win to get back to a .500 record in AAC play.
• Regardless of the results, the Orlando Magic have been playing the kind of games they’ve asked for the past couple of weeks. The Magic have played multiple games in playoff-like atmospheres over the last few weeks. Monday night was no different, with the Magic gutting out a 100-91 road win over the Chicago Bulls.
• A Friday night in a nondescript ballroom at a hotel and new UCF offensive coordinator Darin Hinshaw is preaching quarterback play to a group of high school football coaches. UCF Coach discusses the importance of footwork, nodding in acknowledgment when Hinshaw praises Schneider’s career with the Knights: 10,976 passing yards and 82 passing touchdowns.
• When Fred Davis was coming out of Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville during the 2020 high school football recruiting cycle, the 4-star cornerback chose the Clemson Tigers. Three years later, the Florida native is back in the Sunshine State after transferring to UCF to join the Knights for their inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference.
• Orlando-based fashion label Duvin has just released a new collection in partnership with Orlando Magic. The new 13-piece vintage-inspired merchandise collection officially launched at a pop-up on February 10 at The Heavy, in Winter Park and is now exclusively available at the Orlando Magic Team Shop at the Amway Center. 
• Baseball is going to look different this spring with the introduction of new rules. Larger bases, a pitch clock and limitations on defensive shifts are expected to lead to quicker games with more action on the base-paths. Per ESPN, MLB’s Joint Competition Committee voted to make the extra-innings ghost runner rule permanent in the regular season and place restrictions on position player pitching.
• The 70th PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando offered a smorgasbord of golf equipment, apparel, gadgetry and technology. More than 800 vendors — from industry heavyweights to newcomers seeking a piece of the action in an $84 billion business — recently flooded the spacious Orange County Convention.
• The Chiefs’ rally to defeat the Eagles 38-35 is on pace to become the third most-watched television show in history, with an estimated 113 million people watching, according to preliminary numbers released Monday. Fox said the audience estimate includes the broadcasts on Fox and Fox Deportes as well as streaming on Fox and the NFL’s digital sites.
• When you think of cheerleading you probably think of chants on the sideline, but it also includes a lot of technical lifts. Those lifts and throws are called stunting. Now, stunting will be its own sport. The NCAA has approved stunt as a spring women’s sport for Division II schools.
• College football players can now get airtime during the Super Bowl broadcast, despite not being in the pros yet — all thanks to name, image, and likeness rules. During Super Bowl 57, two players were paid to be featured in commercials. While college athletes began appearing in ads in July 2021, the rise of college athletes in Super Bowl commercials marks a particular milestone given the massive audience and notoriety of the advertisements. 
• The Orlando Magic waived veteran guards Terrence Ross and Patrick Beverley Sunday afternoon, opening two standard roster spots. Ross, who arrived in Orlando after being traded from the Toronto Raptors in February 2017, was the Magic’s longest-tenured player. Ross played an integral role as the Magic’s top reserve for the Orlando teams that made the playoffs in 2018-19 and 2019-20. 
• As Mike Norvell took to the field at Camping World Stadium to celebrate his team’s Cheez-It Bowl win, the Florida State coach was awash in a shower of cheese snack treats. A delicious, but albeit messy, reminder of the Seminoles’ 35-32 win over Oklahoma a few minutes earlier. It’s a win that can be shared by the Orlando community which helps support three college community which helps put on three post season college games.

In The News.

• 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.
• Gary Cain — who is about to retire after 28 years as CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida — is one of five finalists for the Orlando Sentinel’s Central Floridian of the Year. When he arrived, the organization was serving about 1,000 kids at eight clubs in three counties. Today, the operation serves more than 10,000 kids at 40 clubs in six counties.
• A 35-year-old wooden playground in Winter Park could see some big upgrades and possibly even a complete overhaul soon. “Castle Park,” a wooden jungle gym in Martin Luther King Jr. Park has been one of the most beloved public play areas in Winter Park since it was built in 1987 and is one of the last remaining wooden playgrounds in the area.
• The Pioneer Hall Players are back as the beloved musical dinner show Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue returns this summer to Walt Disney World. If you’re hankerin’ for a seat at the table, reservations will be available starting May 26, with performances kicking off on June 23.
• SeaWorld Orlando has revealed more acts for the concert series tied to its ongoing Seven Seas Food Festival. The lineup’s additions include Hanson, Sean Kingston, the Commodores, rising country stars and a few tribute bands.
• Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival hosted an open house and show-time extravaganza last month to announce their presence in the heart of downtown Orlando.  The scrappy, longtime haven for outsider artistry suddenly finds itself on the inside looking out.
• Elizabeth Bonker is one of the 529 students who make up Rollins’ College of Liberal Arts Class of 2022, but millions will benefit from her example. Bonker was diagnosed with autism after she suddenly stopped speaking at 15 months. She would eventually find her voice by developing her motor skills and learning to use a keyboard.
• Alligators and manatees seem to get all of the attention when it comes to Florida wildlife. But river otters can be found in every region of the state except for the Keys. The otter’s presence in our waters indicates a healthy ecosystem.

Stay Engaged.

• On Sunday, February 19, Orange County Library System will host author, James Beard Award-winning chef, and former Top Chef contestant, Kwame Onwuachi for a discussion of his first cookbook, “My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef.”
• The 2023 CNU Florida Summit will take place on February 16-17 in Downtown Orlando at Creative Village. Immerse yourself in a living, breathing model for New Urbanism as they explore the theme of Equitable Revitalization in Action. 
• Applications are now 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.
• On Feb. 18 learn how to grow your own food and take home all the supplies you need to do so for free! This event takes place at South Street Farm by Infinite Zion Farms at 10am! They will cover topics like seeding, maintenance, pruning and harvesting, and send you home with all the materials you need to get started.
• Orlando Science Center has revamped and remodeled its Otronicon event, renaming it Spark STEM Fest. The four-day museum-wide gathering begins Friday, Feb 17 and will be held on all four floors of the science center, featuring exhibits, live shows, demonstrations, competitions, workshops, speakers, and hands-on activities.
• 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 Wetlands Festival is back on Feb. 18. and this time it will be held entirely at the Orlando Wetlands Park! Enjoy a free event for all ages, explore environmental exhibits, guided hikes and tours, live animals and presentations, demonstration trucks and equipment, kids’ activities, native plant give-away, door prizes and more!
• 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.  
• SeaWorld Orlando is offering an annual-pass deal that throws in one year’s worth of visits to Aquatica water park for free. The deal, which runs through Feb. 20, works on all four levels of SeaWorld passes — bronze, silver, gold and platinum. Those range in price from $168 to $438 and come with varying amounts of benefits, including free parking, guest tickets and in-park discounts.
• 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.

GO Sports hosted our first board meeting of 2023 at Universal Orlando Resort last week, and enjoyed taking in the Mardi Gras parade to close out the night!

GO Sports honored longtime Board Member Bud Beucher at the board meeting, celebrating his retirement after many years as owner and General Manager of Mission Inn Resort & Club in Lake County, FL. 

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel is pictured with board members Latria Graham (GLB Media Group) and Tammy Gustafson (Universal Orlando Resort) at Universal Orlando's Mardi Gras Parade.

GO Sports board members Eric David (Travel + Leisure), Charles Hawkins (Charles J Hawkins II, P.A.), and Caesar Lopez (Orlando City SC, Orlando Pride & Exploria Stadium) stopped for a photo after the board meeting.

GO Sports board members and hotel partners RP Rama (Sarona Holdings), Jesse Martinez (The Alfond Inn), Cindy Staley (Mission Inn Resort & Club), Chris Mueller (Hilton Orlando), Jeff Swirsky (Delta Marriott Orlando Celebration), John McGavin (Grande Lakes Orlando), and Scott Weisz (Marriott Vacations Worldwide).

The team from Track Shack was on hand to help our board celebrate being ONE YEAR OUT from hosting the 2024 USA Team Trials - Marathon in Orlando.

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

The name Arnold Palmer is synonymous with a legacy of philanthropy and sportsmanship. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings is excited to welcome back the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March!

GO Sports Executive Vice President Jennifer Lastik attended a networking event hosted by Orlando Business Journal ahead of the Mentoring Monday event later this month, where she will serve as a mentor.

Congratulations to GO Sports Board Member Charles Hawkins, who was honored at a recent Magic home game as a Magic Diversity Game Changer.

GO Sports President & CEO Jason Siegel and Senior VP Brent Nelson met with AAU's new National President Jo Mirza and 1st Vice President Bobby Stone this week.

GO Sports Senior Director Shalisa Griffin spoke to over 700 high school students from across the US at the 2023 DECA Sports and Entertainment Marketing Conference. The were additional speakers in sports and entertainment from the Orlando area that spoke between Thursday and Friday. 

GO Sports CFO Gary Cohen attended the world premiere of ‘Not For Sale: Florida,’ a film based on the The Lifeboat Project’s human trafficking survivors’ true stories. Cohen is pictured with actor Dean Cain, The Lifeboat Project CEO and Founder Jill Cohen, and Jason Campbell (Producer, Director and Writer).

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