News

Nominees And HOF Inductions Announced For SPORTYS

WINTER PARK, Fla. — The following is a press release from the Central Florida Sports Commission:

Ryan Lochte and Tyson Gay top the list of impressive nominees for the 2nd Annual SPORTYS @ Full Sail University, with Vince Carter, Annika Sorenstam and Jeff Turner to be inducted into the Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame.

The SPORTYS will honor the top area teams, high school, collegiate and professional athletes, coaches, deserving local residents and businesses throughout Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia Counties. The SPORTY will be presented to the winners in ten award categories: Team of the Year, High School Athlete of the Year, College Athlete of the Year, Professional Athlete of the Year, Coach of the Year, Business of the Year, Employee of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Media of the Year and the Community Spirit Award. See below for a complete list of award nominees.

During the show, the Class of 2012 will be inducted into the Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame. The Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame is the continuation of a great regional sports tradition, where 83 other Central Floridians have been honored for their distinguished accomplishments within professional and amateur sports since 1981. The 2012 class will join past inductees including Arnold Palmer, Dot Richardson, Nick Anderson, Chipper Jones and Doc Rivers, in a permanent display located on the terrace level of the Amway Center.

The Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2012 will include:

Vince Carter – Vince Carter, born in Daytona Beach, was a high school McDonald's All-American and was voted Florida's 1995 Basketball Player of the Year. An eight (8) time NBA All-Star, Carter played 1 ½ seasons with the Orlando Magic. Current player with the Dallas Mavericks, Carter continues to support Central Florida through his Embassy of Hope Foundation which offers yearly scholarships as well as support to organizations serving the Central Florida Community. Vince donated 2.5 million dollars to his former high school and to honor his gift, the Volusia County school district named the athletic center at Mainland High School the Vince Carter Athletic Center. In addition, in 2007 Vince was recognized with the Governor's Point of Light Award which recognizes Florida residents and organizations that demonstrate exemplary volunteer service to their community.

Annika Sorenstam – Widely considered the greatest female golfer of all time, Annika Sorenstam rewrote the record books by accumulating 89 worldwide victories; ten (10) of which were major championships. In 2003, Annika was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Sorenstam continues to support and give back to the Central Florida Community through the ANNIKA Foundation. The Foundation hosts three annual golf events for aspiring junior girls, as well as partners with several key organizations to promote healthy and active lifestyles for children, including the SPARK, the leading physical education program for schools. The ANNIKA Foundation also supports Florida Hospital for Children's Healthy 100 Kids initiative and the First Tee, developing the Nine Healthy Habits curriculum for children.

Jeff Turner – Following a great college career at Vanderbilt University, Jeff Turner was drafted in the first round of the NBA Draft by the New Jersey Nets in 1984. Jeff was a member of 1984 U.S. Olympic Basketball team that won the gold medal in Los Angeles, CA. He played ten (10) seasons in the NBA, with the Nets and the Orlando Magic, and spent nine (9) years as a radio broadcaster for the Magic. Jeff currently serves as the head boys basketball coach at Lake Highland Preparatory School here in Orlando.

"The SPORTYS at Full Sail University will highlight all that is great about sports in Central Florida," said John Bisignano, president of the Central Florida Sports Commission. "In addition to The SPORTY nominees, we are very excited to have such a distinguished class of Hall of Fame inductees."

The SPORTYS @ Full Sail University will begin with a red carpet ceremony and pre event reception from 6:30-7:00 PM. The awards program will take place from 7:00-8:30 pm, and will be immediately followed by the Ruth's Chris Steakhouse Overtime Party where guests will enjoy complimentary hors d'oeuvre, drinks and live entertainment. The SPORTYS will be hosted by WFTV anchor Greg Warmouth.

"As educators in the field of entertainment, media and sports, we recognize the significant role that sports plays in our local community and our larger society," said Josh Mora, Program Director for http://www.fullsail.edu/degrees/sports-marketing-media-bachelors [Sports Marketing and Media __title__ Sports Marketing and Media] at Full Sail University. "We consider it a great honor to once again serve as host for the Central Florida Sports Hall of Fame inductions and the 2nd annual SPORTYS at http://www.fullsail.edu/degrees/sports-marketing-media-bachelors [Full Sail University __title__ Full Sail University]."

Tickets are $85 per person or $750 for a corporate package of 10, and can be purchased by visiting www.centralfloridasports.org. Only a limited number of tickets are available to the general public.

The SPORTYS @ Full Sail University Award Nominees are:

Team of the Year
Orlando City Soccer – Won 2011 USL Pro Championship and currently in 1st place in USL Pro standings
Rollins Women's Basketball – Conference and region Champions, first trip to the NCAA DII Elite Eight
Spruce Creek Baseball – Won the 8A Baseball State Championship, which is the first in school history

High School Athlete of the Year
Joel Berry – Lake Highland guard won the Gatorade Player of the Year and named Mr. Basketball
Alexis Prince – Led Edgewater to 6A State Championship, named McDonald's All-American and Ms. Basketball
Andres Arroyo – Won a total of three state championships for Colonial in cross country and track

College Athlete of the Year
Octavious Freeman – Indoor & Outdoor Track & Field All-American and Conference USA Champion at UCF
Lucas Jovita – Won Division II Tennis National Championship and Conference Player of the Year at Rollins
Aurieyall Scott – Two time NCAA Outdoor All-American and Conference USA Champion at UCF

Professional Athlete of the Year
Ryan Lochte – Won 5 medals at the 2012 Summer Olympics; 2 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze
Tyson Gay – Silver medalist in the 4x100 meter relay at the 2012 Summer Olympics; first Olympic medal
Dennis Chin – Leading scorer for Orlando City Soccer, with 11 goals and 2 assists

Coach of the Year
Anthony Jones – Won back to back state championships for Dr. Phillips in girls basketball
Adrian Heath – Lead Orlando City Soccer to 2011 USL Championship and 2012 USL regular season champions
Terry Rooney – Coached UCF Baseball to best season in school history; advancing to NCAA Regional

Business of the Year
Orlando Magic
Golf Channel
Orlando City Soccer

Employee of the Year
Kevin Weickel – Disney Sports
Troy Willrick – Daytona International Speedway
Matt Repchak – Florida Citrus Sports

Volunteer of the Year
Mike Gaboury – Sunshine State Conference
Tom Horan – Tavistock Group
Cathy Gahres – Central Florida Sports Commission

Media of the Year
Bright House Sports Network
WFTV Channel 9 Orlando
Mike Bianchi

Rich DeVos Community Spirit Award
Florida Citrus Sports

With the exception of the Community Spirit Award, the winner of The SPORTY in each category will be announced the evening of the event.