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IN THIS EDITION... As the new college football season kicks off, the August edition of Touchdown Tampa Bay offers information about Championship Yacht Village, a unique new way to travel to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship. Columnist Joey Johnston speculates on local players and coaches who could be making a homecoming to the Tampa Bay area in January. Finally, we share an insightful Q&A with Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan. The lifelong Tampa resident gives an inside look at the local efforts involved with bringing the College Football Playoff National Championship to Tampa Bay.
TAMPA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP HOMECOMING By Joey Johnston There are 128 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision. All told, we’re talking somewhere in the neighborhood of 13,000 players and approximately 2,000 coaches. For each of them, their preferred destination is Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on January 9 for the College Football Playoff National Championship. For those with Tampa Bay area roots, it’s an almost unthinkable dream. Call them the Homecoming Kings. They are players and coaches who grew up here, playing high school ball. Perhaps they coached a local team. Maybe they once played for the Bucs. Our region has become one of the nation’s foremost football factories, so it’s only natural that college rosters would be filled with locals. The odds are always against a national championship opportunity. But to play the Big Game in your hometown area?
“I have always had an affinity for the Tampa Bay Area. They love their football. It’s a great sports town and it knows how to put on big events. We coaches kind of get wrapped up in things, but we appreciate the area’s hospitality. I know the fans do, too.”
“It’s hard to imagine what that would be like,’’ said Clemson wide receiver Artavis Scott, an East Lake High School product. “You can’t look that far ahead. But for sure, it’s something that would drive you. It would be perfect.’’
BUTCH JONES
Perfect. Continued on page 5
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CHAMPIONSHIP YACHT VILLAGE BRINGS NEW ELEMENT TO COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF The Hillsborough River, which winds through Downtown Tampa, offers a stunning backdrop and the chance to add a new concept at the College Football Playoff National Championship. Championship Yacht Village, located outside the Tampa Convention Center and connected to the brand new Tampa Riverwalk, will provide VIP access for dock-space purchasers, in the heart of the College Football Playoff Championship Campus. “The Championship Yacht Village brings a truly unique element to the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship festivities,” said Joe Collier, Chairman of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission. “Football fans who take advantage of this offer will enjoy incredible access and hospitality to the culmination of the college football season. We anticipate Championship Yacht Village to be a mainstay for upcoming major events in the years to come.” Local and visiting football fans can travel to Championship Campus via boat and drop anchor on the Hillsborough River at the Tampa Convention Center by reserving their space in advance. Dock spaces available feature either a 30 X 79 foot or a 80 X 150 foot space. Contact Claire Lessinger at CLessinger@VisitTampaBay.com to reserve one of the limited slips available at the Tampa Convention Center. With the purchase of a slip at the Championship Yacht Village, football fans will receive College Football Playoff National Championship tickets, as well as the option to purchase additional game tickets. Additional perks include exclusive access to the Championship Yacht Village floating bar, tickets to Playoff Fan Central at the Tampa Convention Center, VIP tickets for AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! concert series at Curtis Hixon Park, registrations for the Extra Yard for Teachers 5K, tickets to to the Taste of the Championship at The Florida Aquarium and access to the Host Committee’s pregame hospitality party at the Championship Tailgate. CLICK FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION!
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Tampa Bay Sports Commission Executive Director, Rob Higgins, recently chatted with Tampa Bay radio station, 620 WDAE, to talk all things College Football Playoff National Championship. Addtionally, we encourage you to check out the Sneak Preview from page two for a personal tour of Championship Campus.
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EXTRA YARD 5K THROUGH DOWNTOWN TAMPA BENEFITS LOCAL EDUCATORS Lace up the running shoes for the Extra Yard 5K to show your support of the College Football Playoff National Championship and its major beneficiary, Extra Yard for Teachers. The event, being held at Amalie Arena on Sunday, January 8, also offers a one mile fun run. Participants will enjoy ideal January running temperatures as they take in the beautiful scenery of Downtown Tampa and Bayshore Boulevard. Race day activities include live entertainment, race sponsor activations and a post-race awards ceremony. Participants will receive a complimentary ticket to Playoff Fan Central at the Tampa Convention Center and an entry into a drawing to win two tickets to the national championship game. Participant shirts are available for the first 1,000 entries, and all who cross the finish line will receive a medal.
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SIX POINTS WITH...KEN HAGAN: HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY COMMISSIONER Ken Hagan, a Hillsborough County Commissioner since 2002, has played an integral part in an evolutionary period of Tampa Bay’s sports history. He is on the Board of the Tampa Sports Authority and Visit Tampa Bay, and is involved in many local Economic Development and Transportation Committees including serving as Chair of the Local Transportation Task Force. With that in mind, here are a few questions.
Since you are on the Board of Directors for Visit Tampa Bay and the Tampa Sports Authority, what was your role in bringing the College Football Playoff National Championship to Tampa? I have been proud to work alongside the Tampa Bay Sports Commission to help lead our bid effort. Since awarded, it’s been a pleasure to help deliver on the promises made, ensuring that this event goes off without a hitch.
Age: 48 | Occupation: Hillsborough County Commissioner College: University of Florida (Bachelor of Science), University of Tampa (Master of Business Administration)
What will be your role between now and January 9? My role will be to serve as an ambassador for the event, assisting with fundraising efforts and serving on the Host Committee to help guide the fan experience. Why is sports in our community such a passion for you? I’m a big believer that some of life’s greatest lessons are learned on the field, the gym, the track or the pools. I’ve been a longtime advocate of youth sports and parks and recreation because of what I believe our kids can learn from the experience. I’ve also seen the impact of professional sports teams in our community. Professional teams can unite people from every walk of life, every socioeconomic class – we all come together to cheer and it becomes a rallying cry for our community. As a Hillsborough County Commissioner since 2002 how have you seen the Tampa Bay area sports scene develop over the last 15 years? Rob Higgins joined the TBSC shortly after I was elected to office, and in that time I’ve watched the market take shape. Thanks to Rob’s leadership, we’ve seen Tampa explode as a destination for major sporting events. We’ve brought in the best of the best from the amateur level all the way to the Super Bowl and collegiate national championships. The sports tourism market has truly seen the impact of the County and the Sports Commission coming together to attract top talent. What do you think will be a highlight for folks visiting the Tampa Bay area for the national championship game, besides the game itself? One highlight will be the Tampa Riverwalk. It will serve as a pedestrian-friendly connector for our visitors, allowing them to easily travel between the exciting events within Championship Campus. Additionally, many of the events surrounding the national championship game are free or low cost allowing all of our residents to be a part of the action. One of my favorites is the AT&T Playoff Playlist LIVE! concert series where fans will be able to enjoy some of the nation’s top acts for free. What’s a favorite local place of yours to visit or frequent in the Tampa Bay area? On any given weekend, you will likely find me at Top Golf. It’s a fun atmosphere both for family and business. For our out-of-town guests, I think they have to experience historic Ybor City. Ybor has been a central point of our community for decades, with vibrant nightlife, restaurants and more. Best of all, it’s just a trolley ride away. EXTRA POINT
What are your favorite Tampa Bay sports memories? I’ve been blessed to have been a part of some incredible Tampa Bay sports moments. I was in San Diego in 2003 when the Buccaneers won the Super Bowl. I was at the Tampa Bay Rays’ infamous game 162 when Evan Longoria shot a two-run homer to advance to the AL Wild Card game. Perhaps my favorite though, happened in 2004, when the Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup. There is something special about raising the cup in your hometown. The atmosphere was electric both inside and outside the arena.
BE A PART OF THE TAMPA HOST EFFORTS AS A VOLUNTEER AND LOCAL AMBASSADOR Major sporting events are no stranger to the Tampa Bay area. One of the reasons events like the College Football Playoff keep returning to the area is due to the support of the local community and its volunteer efforts. The events surrounding the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship will require a dedicated community effort. Be a part of this historic occasion in Tampa as a volunteer and local ambassador. CLICK TO VOLUNTEEER
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TA M PA F O O T B A L L C H A M P I O N S H I P H O M E C O M I N G - C O N T I N U E D F R O M PA G E 2 That’s what Clemson was last season until it lost to Alabama in the national championship game in Glendale, Ariz. Scott, who had a teamleading 93 receptions for 901 yards and six touchdowns, understands the journey’s potential pitfalls, but also knows about the necessary sacrifices. So does Tigers sophomore right tackle Jake Fruhmorgen, the former Plant High standout who has moved into the starting lineup. So does Tigers sophomore receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, once a do-everything back at Sickles High. Very soon, incoming Tigers freshman receiver T.J. Chase of Plant City also will be chasing that goal.
lineman Byron Cowart (Armwood), Auburn wide receiver Nate Craig-Myers (Tampa Catholic), Florida defensive lineman Joey Ivie (Pasco), Georgia guard Isaiah Wynn (St. Petersburg Lakewood), Missouri running back Ish Witter (Alonso), Mississippi State running back Brandon Holloway (Alonso) and Ole Miss tight end Jacob Mathis (Berkeley Prep).
Clemson is chock full of local stories — and big dreams.
Michigan has a familiar name at center in Mason Cole (East Lake).
But there are more. A pair of former Bucs head coaches now work in the Big Ten and would find some measure of vindication if their teams reach Tampa.
Michigan State features linebacker T.J. Harrell (Tampa Catholic) and center Devyn Salmon (Plant City), while Mark Snyder, once the University of South Florida’s defensive coordinator, is the Spartans’ linebackers/special teams coach.
Greg Schiano, with the Bucs from 2012-13 after building Rutgers into a contender, is Urban Meyer’s first-year defensive coordinator with the Ohio State Buckeyes. For two years, Schiano was out of football, living in Tampa.
The North Carolina Tar Heels have local connections with defensive coordinator Gene Chizik (Clearwater) and tight ends coach Chad Scott (Plant City). Former St. Petersburg Northeast player, Joe Wickline is the first-year offensive coordinator at West Virginia. Meanwhile, a very long way from home, USC senior Leon McQuay III (Armwood) is vying for playing time at safety. For fans of the underdog — schools outside of the Power Five conferences — there’s promising Marshall sophomore quarterback Chase Litton (Wharton). And, of course, there are more local players per capita at USF than anywhere else. The Bulls are poised for a big season (and it’s FSU at USF, September 24, for what’s sure to be one of the biggest college games played at Raymond James Stadium this season.)
Lovie Smith was Bucs head coach from 2014-15 and now has returned to college at lllinois, where his defensive coordinator is former Bucs All-Pro linebacker, Hardy Nickerson. Potential storylines abound.
Obviously, the College Football Playoff National Championship is a mammoth event, regardless of who qualifies. But wouldn’t a local tie add some flavor?
In the SEC, Tennessee’s Butch Jones is coaching one of the league favorites. As a kid from Michigan, Jones once talked his way into working at training camp for the Bucs, serving as a ballboy, doing the laundry, anything needed. At last season’s Outback Bowl, where the Volunteers prevailed, Jones referred to Tampa as his “second home.’’ The Ole Miss Rebels also have high hopes and the program’s defensiveline coach/recruiting coordinator is Chris Kiffin, formerly a player at Sickles High. Local talent abounds across the SEC, such as Auburn defensive
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Every college football team has a Homecoming game. This would be different. Might we be crowning a Homecoming King or two (or three) in Tampa on January 9? Stay tuned. Joey Johnston, a sports journalist with the Tampa Tribune and St. Petersburg Times for more than three decades, has covered all of the Tampa Bay area’s major sporting events and can’t wait to witness the College Football National Championship game on Jan. 9 at Raymond James Stadium.
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