2015 Inductee Announcement & Enshrinement Ceremony Media Recap
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Table of Contents Media Recap
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Media Coverage
SportsTalk Florida
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Meet The 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Class
560 WQAM (Miami)
Sun Sentinel Vanbiesbrouck, Conine and Thomas to be inducted into Florida Sports Hall of Fame Zach Thomas, Jeff Conine among this year’s Florida Sports Hall of Fame inductees
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Jeff Conine interview with Orlando Alzugaray Zach Thomas interview with Orlando Alzugaray
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UM coach Randy Ableman among those to be inducted into Florida Sports Hall of Fame
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NewsRadio WIOD (Miami)
Nine Honorees To Be Inducted Into Florida Sports Hall Of Fame
Dundy, Eight South Florida Stars Headline 2015 Class 18
Conine to enter Florida Sports Hall of Fame
Former Bucs’ coach Tony Dungy gets state Hall of Fame recognition
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Florida Hall of Fame Enshrinement Luncheon 37 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Inductees 38-40 Announced
Fox Sports Florida
John Vanbiesbrouck on entering Sports Hall of Fame
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Media Advisory / Press Release
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SaintPetersBlog
Vanbiesbrouck, Thomas, Conine Headline 2015 19 Florida Sports Hall Of Fame Inductees Panthers To Honor 2015 Florida Sports Hall Of 20 Fame Inductees
John Vanbiesbrouck, Jeff Conine, Zach Thomas headline Florida Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2015
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MLB.com
WFOR-TV (CH.4, Miami)
2015 Florida Sports Hall-of-Fame Inductees Announced
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Florida Sports Foundation
SunTimes BEEZER’S BACK: John Vanbiesbrouck inducted into Florida Sports Hall of Fame
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Tony Dungy interview with Orlando Alzugaray 28 Joey Cornblit interview with Orlando Alzugaray 28
The Miami Herald Former Panther John Vanbiesbrouck joined by ZachThomas, Jeff Conine in Florida Sports Hall of Fame
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Florida Sports Hall of Fame 2015 class includes 24-25 Tony Dungy, Zach Thomas 3
Media Recap Trifecta Team PR is proud to present our Media Recap for the 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame. Trifecta Team PR worked to create a highly-proactive publicity plan to gain event recognition for the 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony held on November 17, 2015. Our work began in September 2015 with the release of our first media advisory, followed by the press conference to announce this year’s inductees and concluded with the enshrinement events in November. During this time period Trifecta Team: •
Utilized Trifecta Team’s custom media database and media relationships to secure coverage of inductee announcement and enshrinement events
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Sourced print quality images of all inductees for use on the Florida Sports Hall of Fame website and social media platforms, enshrinement event program, promotional poster and video boards at a Florida Panthers game
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Secured a professional photographer and developed a shot sheet for documenting all the enshrinement events
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Worked with Florida Sports Hall of Fame staff/board members and inductees on media interview schedules and talking points
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Worked with WQAM radio program director, talent and producer to schedule interviews during the live remote at the enshrinement luncheon
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Coordinated with Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Operations Staff on event logistics for the media
Highlights of the event publicity included stories in the two top print / online publications in South Florida – The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald. Local television stations, WFOR-TV (CBS), WSVNTV (Fox) and WTVJ-TV (NBC) along with regional cable sports network Fox Sports Florida covered the event and conducted multiple interviews with inductees of the 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame. WQAM, the highly-rated sports radio station in the South Florida Market, conducted its 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. show live from the event venue and interviewed many inductees. The following pages showcase the results of our work for the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.
Jack Heilig Partner, Trifecta Team Jack@TrifectaTeam.com 4
Hall of Fame Inductees
Randy Abelman
Jeff Conine
Sonny Hirsch
Bennie Blades
Paula Carter
Joey Cornblit
Tony Dungy
Zach Thomas
John Vanbiesbrouck
Media Coverage
November 17, 2015 By: Harvey Fialkov Page 1 of 2
Vanbiesbrouck, Conine and Thomas to be inducted into Florida Sports Hall of Fame
“It’s such a great honor to me” John Vanbiesbrouck, 52, a Vezina Trophy winner who won 106 of his 374 games with the Panthers from 1993-98 said of making the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. “I tried to play hard with character and integrity. This is a wonderful payback.” (MICHAEL LAUGHLIN / Sun Sentinel file photo)
They were South Florida fan favorites despite being undersized and mostly on losing teams. But one couldn’t measure the size of their hearts or the competitive zeal of John Vanbiesbrouck and Zach Thomas as they starred in their respective sports. So it’s no surprise that the first-ever Panthers goalie who led a third-year expansion team to the Stanley Cup Finals and the seven-time Pro Bowl Dolphins linebacker will head a nine-person contingent into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday morning at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood.
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November 17, 2015 By: Harvey Fialkov Page 2 of 2
Thomas and Vanbiesbrouck, the Panthers’ first pick in the 1993 expansion draft, signed autographs and posed for pictures with fans during the Lightning- Panthers game Monday night. “It’s such a great honor to me” said Vanbiesbrouck, 52, a Vezina Trophy winner who won 106 of his 374 games with the Panthers from 1993-98. “I tried to play hard with character and integrity. This is a wonderful payback.” Also at the game and being honored in the 11:30 a.m. ceremony was Mr. Marlin Jeff Conine, former University of Miami and Piper High football star Bennie Blades, Jai Alai champion Joey Cornblit, Hall of Fame bowler Paula Carter and longtime UM diving coach Randy Ableman. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy and late Hurricanes play-by-play announcer Sonny Hirsch will also be inducted. At times, it appeared that the 5-foot-10 Thomas was wearing skates instead of cleats as he flowed sideline to sideline making game-changing defensive plays for the Dolphins from 1996-2007. “I would’ve played goalie,” joked Thomas, 42, who had 17 interceptions, 16 forced fumbles, 20.5 sacks, four touchdowns and 1,100 tackles as he and his brother-in-law, Jason Taylor, spearheaded a strong Dolphins defense. “I’m grateful to be honored. The game doesn’t owe me anything. It gave me everything. This is just a bonus. … The reason I was good is because I loved it and was always prepared.” Now sporting a Grey goatee and bragging about his grandchildren, Vanbiesbrouck is surprised but proud that Panthers fans still sport Beezer’s No. 34 jersey. “Twenty years goes so fast. … I love it. It shows we did something special here,” said Vanbiesbrouck, who operates the Muskegon Lumberjacks, a Michigan-based USHL team. “When we made the run in ‘96, people threw rat. We didn’t win the Stanley Cup, but we won the fans over.” Vanbiesbrouck’s heart remains with the Panthers. “This team is scaring a lot of people out there right now,” he said. “They’ve got a real shot of doing some special things.” http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/florida-panthers/fl-florida-sports-hall-of-fame-1117-20151116story.html
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September 22, 2015 Page 1 of 2
Zach Thomas, Jeff Conine among this year’s Florida Sports Hall of Fame inductees
Former Miami Dolphins star Zach Thomas speaks during halftime show where he and former teammate, Jason Taylor, were inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame. The Miami Dolphins were playing the St. Louis Rams, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 in Miami. (Lynne Sladky / AP)
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame is holding its induction ceremony in South Florida for the first time this year, and the 2015 class will have plenty of local flavor. Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, ex-Marlin Jeff Conine and former University of Miami and Piper High football star Bennie Blades are among the inductees who will be honored Nov. 17 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. Former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, ex-Marlin Jeff Conine and former University of Miami and Piper High football star Bennie Blades are among the inductees who will be honored Nov. 17 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood. 11
September 22, 2015 Page 2 of 2
Also being inducted are ex-Florida Panthers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy, longtime UM diving coach Randy Ableman, late Hurricanes play-by-play announcer Sonny Hirsch, jai alai champion Joey Cornblit and Hall of Fame bowler Paula Carter. The Florida Sports Hall of Fame has inducted 234 members since being founded by the Florida Sports Writers Association and the Florida Sportscasters Association in 1961. This year’s class will also be recognized at the Panthers’ Nov. 16 home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at BB&T Center. The enshrinement ceremony begins at 11:30 a.m. the following day. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fl-florida-sports-hall-of-fame-0923-20150922-story.html
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November 17, 2015 By: George Richards Page 1 of 3
Former Panther John Vanbiesbrouck joined by Zach Thomas, Jeff Conine in Florida Sports Hall of Fame
John Vanbiesbrouck’s first taste of South Florida hockey came on Dec. 9, 1992, when he made 31 saves as his New York Rangers beat Tampa Bay 6-5 at Miami Arena. The next day, the NHL made a surprise announcement and awarded H. Wayne Huizenga an NHL expansion team. Ten months later, and Vanbiesbrouck was back at Miami Arena as a member of the new Florida Panthers after being snapped up with the first pick of the 1993 expansion draft. “The Beezer” quickly became of the most popular athletes in South Florida, his exploits keeping the Panthers competitive during their formative years before leading them to the Stanley Cup Finals in just their third season. 13
November 17, 2015 By: George Richards Page 2 of 3
Like Dan Marino’s No. 13 in the stands at Sun Life Stadium, many fans still wear Vanbiesbrouck’s No. 34 to games. “Twenty years go by so fast,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “I have grandkids now. … I love it, a part of me is always here because we did some special things. When you’re playing, you don’t know how far things will go, how lasting it will be. It’s really cool. I hope my grandkids get to see that sometime.” On Tuesday, the grandfather who coined the term “Rat Trick” and helped create a rat-tossing sensation, was inducted with eight others — including Zach Thomas, Tony Dungy, Jeff Conine and Bennie Blades — into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame at a luncheon at the Seminole Hard Rock in Hollywood. “I know I’m grateful to be able to play the game that long and go in with this group,” said Thomas, the former Dolphins great. “It’s a great group. I’m grateful to be honored.” Just the second hockey player in the Florida Hall — Tampa Bay’s 2004 Stanley Cup captain Dave Andreychuk is the other — Vanbiesbrouck says those five years he spent with the Panthers are ones he’ll always remember. “It’s special,” said Vanbiesbrouck, now general manager of the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL junior league in Michigan. “When we made our run in 1996, people threw rats. We didn’t win the Cup, but we won the fans over. That’s what counts.” Vanbiesbrouck helped sell South Florida on hockey from the start. Bill Torrey, the team’s first president, brought a small group of veteran players such as Vanbiesbrouck, Scott Mellanby and Brian Skrudland to town after the expansion draft to help introduce the game to the locals. Selling the foreign sport of hockey during a South Florida August wasn’t the easiest thing to do. “We drove around from South Miami to West Palm Beach,” Torrey said. “It’s 90-something degrees and these veteran NHL players are playing street hockey. It kind of brought them together. They had fun with it. They never complained.”
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November 17, 2015 By: George Richards Page 3 of 3
Vanbiesbrouck sees the problem the Panthers have drawing fans to the team’s second home — one he never played in as a member of the Panthers — in suburban Sunrise. With not much success on the ice since the first few years, the franchise has foundered and lost its standing in the South Florida pecking order. The Panthers were once as popular as any team in the region. Vanbiesbrouck hopes they get there once more. The team and Broward County are currently negotiating a financial package that would guarantee the Panthers stay in Sunrise for the foreseeable future. “I’m so happy they’re maintaining it here in South Florida,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “You have to keep it here. It’s growing the game. In the USHL, we have 12 players in our league from the state of Florida. … The roots being laid here are going a lot farther than people know. It’s really taking hold.” Vanbiesbrouck and seven of the other Florida Hall of Fame inductees were hosted at the Panthers’ 1-0 victory over Tampa Bay on Monday (Dungy was the only one not there). The other inductees are: Thomas (Dolphins), Conine (Marlins), Blades (Piper High/UM/Lions), Randy Ableman (UM diving coach), Paula Carter (bowling), Joey Cornblit (Jai-Alai) and late UM radio voice Sonny Hirsch. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nhl/florida-panthers/article45287475.html#storylink=cpy
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September 24, 2015 By: Susan Miller Degnan Page 1 of 2
UM coach Randy Ableman among those to be inducted into Florida Sports Hall of Fame Randy Ableman is as proud as he can be about being elected to yet another Hall of Fame — this time the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. It’s just that he never really has time to consider his impressive accomplishments because he’s still achieving them. “It’s the weirdest thing,” the University of Miami head diving coach said by phone Thursday night. “All these other guys have had their careers and can reflect back. I’m still in the middle of mine. I’m still grinding every day. We had two workouts today. “I guess I haven’t had time to reflect on the good old days because I’m still trying to make them the good old days.” Ableman, 56, will join an illustrious class that includes two other men with UM ties — former UM safety Bennie Blades and former long-time radio broadcaster Sonny Hirsch, who is being inducted posthumously. Ableman, Blades and Hirsch will be inducted Nov. 17 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, the first time the 54-year-old organization will have its enshrinement in South Florida. Joining the three in the Hall: Former Miami Marlin Jeff Conine, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Tony Dungy, former Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, former Florida Panthers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, former bowling great Paula Carter and former Jai Alai great Joey Cornblit. “A big-time Canes football fan,” Ableman said he goes to just about every home game. But the pool is where he made his distinguished career. Ableman has coached at six Olympics, all of his divers from UM. He became the UM coach in 1989 and is a nine-time NCAA Diving Coach of the Year, leading his teams to an NCAA-record 23 national titles. A four-time All-American diver at the University of Iowa, Ableman was a 10-meter diver along with Greg Louganis for the 1980 U.S. team that boycotted the Moscow Games. 16
September 24, 2015 By: Susan Miller Degnan Page 2 of 2
He already is a member of the Iowa and UM Halls of Fame, but said he was blown away by the names of the other inductees. “Every name I couldn’t believe,” said Ableman, the father of 12-year-old Samantha and UM sophomore Charlotte. “Jeff Conine. Vanbiesbrouck. Dungy. I don’t think of myself in that class. We don’t have professional athletes in my sport. Even that they looked at a sport like diving is really cool.” UM’s Blades is a native of Fort Lauderdale. He was a co-winner of the Jim Thorpe Award with Oklahoma’s Rickey Dixon in 1987 and ended his UM career as the school’s all-time leader in interceptions, with 19. He spent 10 years in the NFL, finishing his career as the second-leading tackler in Detroit Lions history. Hirsch, who died in 1999, was the well-loved voice of the Miami Hurricanes for 28 years. Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article36503694.html#storylink=cpy
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November 16, 2015 Page 1 of 1
BEEZER’S BACK: John Vanbiesbrouck inducted into Florida Sports Hall of Fame
SUNRISE, Fla. – When the Florida Panthers officially joined the National Hockey League prior to the start of the 1993-94 season, the organization chose a man behind a mask to serve as the face of the fledgling franchise. With their first pick in the 1993 NHL Expansion draft, the Panthers selected goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck from the New York Rangers, bringing immediate legitimacy the upstart organization and breathing new life into the veteran netminder’s career. http://miami.suntimes.com/florida-panthers/7/97/342233/beezers-back-john-vanbiesbrouck-inducted-into-florida-sports-hall-of-fame
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November 17, 2015 Page 1 of 1
Vanbiesbrouck, Thomas, Conine Headline 2015 Florida Sports Hall Of Fame Inductees HOLLYWOOD (CBSMiami) – The Florida Sports Hall of Fame will induct nine distinguished honorees during a ceremony at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Tuesday night. The list of nine athletes, coaches and broadcasters includes former Florida Panthers goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, who starred for the team during their first five seasons and led them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 1996. Also being inducted are former Miami Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas, Super Bowl champion head coach Tony Dungy and the man known as Mr. Marlin, Jeff Conine, who was with the Marlins for both of their World Series winning campaigns. The other inductees are Bennie Blades (Miami Hurricanes), Randy Abelman (diving coach), Paula Carter (bowling), Joey Cornblit (Jai-Alai) and Sonny Hirsch (sportscasting). “This will certainly go down as one of the strongest Hall of Fame classes we’ve been fortunate to welcome,” said Barry Smith, President of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. “These folks have accomplished so many great things not only in sports, but in life and this group means so much to the people of south Florida. We are delighted to bring our enshrinement activities to this part of the state for the first time.” For more information on the Florida Sports Hall of Fame click here. To read the full story visit: http://miami.cbslocal.com/2015/11/17/vanbiesbrouck-thomas-conineheadline-2015-florida-sports-hall-of-fame-inductees/
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November 9, 2015 Page 1 of 1
Panthers To Honor 2015 Florida Sports Hall Of Fame Inductees
SUNRISE (CBSMiami) – The Florida Panthers announced on Monday that they will be recognizing the 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame inductees at a future game. The list of nine athletes, coaches and broadcasters includes former Panthers goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck, who starred for the team during their first five seasons and led them to the Stanley CupFinals in 1996. Vanbiesbrouck and the rest of the inductees will be honored on November 16th when the Panthers host the Tampa Bay Lightning at the BB&T Center. The Florida Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on November 17th. The other inductees are Tony Dungy (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Zach Thomas (Miami Dolphins), Jeff Conine (Miami Marlins), Bennie Blades (Miami Hurricanes), Randy Abelman (diving coach), Paula Carter (bowling), Joey Cornblit (Jai-Alai) and Sonny Hirsch (sportscasting). For more information on the Florida Sports Hall of Fame click here. The Panthers face the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, November 10th at 7:30 p.m. You can hear every game on Sports Radio 560 WQAM, the radio home of the Florida Panthers. 20
September 22, 2015 Page 1 of 1
2015 Florida Sports Hall-of-Fame Inductees Announced
HOLLYWOOD, FL (CBS Miami) – Nine legends will make up the 2015 class of inductees to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, including Zach Thomas, John Vanbiesbrouck, Jeff Conine, Tony Dungy, and Bennie Blades. Joining them are longtime UM diving coach Randy Ableman, late voice of the Hurricanes Sonny Hirsch, first American-born Jai Alai champ Joey Cornblit and Bowling Hall-of-Famer Paula Carter. The nine honorees will be inducted at the 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement on November 17 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood. “This will certainly go down as one of the strongest Hall of Fame classes we’ve been fortunate to welcome,” FSHOF President Barry Smith said. “These folks have accomplished so many great things not only in sports, but in life and this group means so much to the people of south Florida. We are delighted to bring our enshrinement activities to this part of the state for the first time.” 21
November 17, 2015 Page 1 of 1
John Vanbiesbrouck, Jeff Conine, Zach Thomas headline Florida Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2015
Watch the full video at: http://www.foxsports.com/florida/video/john-vanbiesbrouck-jeff-conine-zachthomas-headline-florida-sports-hall-of-fame-class-of-2015-111715
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November 16, 2015 Page 1 of 1
John Vanbiesbrouck on entering Sports Hall of Fame
Watch the full video at: http://www.foxsports.com/florida/video/john-vanbiesbrouck-on-entering-floridasports-hall-of-fame-111615
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September 22, 2015 Page 1 of 2
Florida Sports Hall of Fame 2015 class includes Tony Dungy, Zach Thomas
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame announced Tuesday its nine 2015 inductees for its November ceremony at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. The selections span a breadth of sports and skills: former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Tony Dungy, University of Miami diving coach Randy Ableman, former University of Miami football star Bennie Blades, 1971 National Bowler of the Year Paula Carter, former Miami Marlin Jeff Conine, Jai-Alai legend Joey Cornblit, former University of Miami announcer Sonny Hirsch, former Dolphins Pro Bowl and All-Pro linebacker Zach Thomas and goalie John Vanbiesbrouck, who was was a three-time All-Star in five seasons with the Florida Panthers.
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September 22, 2015 Page 2 of 2
“This will certainly go down as one of the strongest Hall of Fame classes we’ve been fortunate to welcome,” the hall’s president Barry Smith said in a release. “These folks have accomplished so many great things not only in sports, but in life and this group means so much to the people of south Florida. We are delighted to bring our enshrinement activities to this part of the state for the first time.” The ceremony takes place Nov. 17 at 11:30 a.m. at the casino in Hollywood, Florida. For more information, visit www.flasportshof.org. http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/florida-sports-hall-of-fame-2015-inductees-tony-dungy-zachthomas-jeff-conine-092215
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November 17, 2015 By: Antwan Stanley Page 1 of 2
Meet The 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Class
Zach Thomas and John Vanbiesbrouck were two of the best players during the 1990s in the South Florida area and both had outstanding careers in both the NFL and NHL. Thomas and Vanbiesbrouck will be rewarded for all their hard work on Tuesday afternoon as theywill be among the nine people inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame on Tuesday. The seven other legends that will be inducted are Tony Dungy, Bennie Blades, Jeff Connie, longtime UM diving coach Randy Ableman, former voice of the Miami Hurricanes Sonny Hirsch, first American-born Jai Alai champ Joey Cornblit and Bowling Hall-of-Famer Paula Carter. On Monday night, Thomas and Vanbiesbrouck attended the Panthers game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. They each discussed what an honor it was tobe going into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. “It’s special to me,” Vanbiesbrouck said. “You never realize how much you really connect with people until you grow up. It’s such a great honor and I tried to play the game with honor and integrity. Going into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame is special. Vanbiesbrouck had a long 20-season career in the NHL, which includes five seasons with the Florida Panthers. During his five seasons playing for the Panthers, Vanbiesbrouck was selected to play in the NHL All-Star game three times. In 1994, Vanbiesbrouck won the NHL All-Star Game MVP. 26
November 17, 2015 By: Antwan Stanley Page 2 of 2
In 1996, Vanbiesbrouck led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Finals where they would go on to lose to the eventual Stanley Cup Champions, the Colorado Avalanche. When Vanbiesbrouck ended his career, he finished with the most wins (374) for any American-born goalie, a record he still holds today. In addition to his career with the Panthers, Vanbiesbrouck won the 1985-1986 Vezina Trophy (awarded to the top goaltender in the NHL) as a member of the New York Rangers. Thomas spent 12 of his 14 seasons with the Miami Dolphins. During his superb career, he was named to seven Pro Bowls, was named a first-team All-Pro five times and Thomas was also selected to the NFLs All-Decade Team of the 2000s. “I try not to rank it, but I’m grateful to play that long and to be with the inductees that are going in like Tony Dungy, Jeff Connie and all those guys,” Thomas said. “The game doesn’t owe me anything, it has given me everything. Everything after this is just a bonus.” Zach finished with almost 1800 tackles, which ranks fourth all-time among linebackers. He is also one of only three players in NFL history to record 100 or more tackles in each of his first 10 seasons. During his career, Thomas recorded 17 interceptions and racked up 20 sacks. The nine honorees will be inducted atthe 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement on November 17 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood.
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November 17, 2015 Page 1 of 1
Big O Show live from the Florida Sports Hall Of Fame induction
Listen to the full interview at: http://miami.cbslocal.com/audio/big-o-show/podcast-big-o-show/
Listen to the full interview at: http://miami.cbslocal.com/audio/big-o-show/zach-thomas/
Listen to the full interview at: http://miami.cbslocal.com/audio/big-o-show/jeff-conine/
Listen to the full interview at: http://miami.cbslocal.com/audio/big-o-show/tony-dungy/
Listen to the full interview at: http://miami.cbslocal.com/audio/big-o-show/joey-cornblit/ 28
September 22, 2015 Page 1 of 1
Nine Honorees To Be Inducted Into Florida Sports Hall Of Fame
Nine honorees will be officially inducted into the 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame in November. The inductees, named today, include former Miami Dolphin Zach Thomas, former Panthers goalie John Vanbiesbrouck and former Marlin Jeff Conine. The ceremony to honor the inductees is set to take place from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood on November 17th.
Read more: http://www.wiod.com/articles/wiodam-local-news-122821/nine-honorees-to-be-inductedinto-13967583/#ixzz3tC2GP1AZ.
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October 2, 2015 Page 1 of 4
DUNGY, EIGHT SOUTH FLORIDA STARS HEADLINE 2015 CLASS Super Bowl champion coach, NBC analyst and national spokesperson for the fatherhood initiative All-Pro Dad, Tony Dungy joins eight south Florida sports celebrities who make up the 2015 class of inductees to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. The nine distinguished honorees will be officially inducted at the 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement, presented by Ultimate Software, on Nov. 17 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. This will mark the first time the 54-year-organization will hold its annual enshrinement in south Florida. Former Miami Dolphin favorite Zach Thomas, Florida Panther star John Vanbiesbrouck and Miami Marlin great Jeff Conine also headline this year’s class along with a University of Miami trio including football star Bennie Blades, longtime UM diving coach Randy Ableman and the late voice of the Hurricanes Sonny Hirsch. The first American-born world Jai Alai champion Joey Cornblit and Bowling Hall of Famer Paula Carter round out the class. “This will certainly go down as one of the strongest Hall of Fame classes we’ve been fortunate to welcome,” said Barry Smith, President of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. “These folks have accomplished so many great things not only in sports, but in life and this group means so much to the people of south Florida. We are delighted to bring our enshrinement activities to this part of the state for the first time.” Among the enshrinement activities will be a special recognition of the 2015 Hall of Fame class by the Florida Panthers at their Nov. 16 game vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning at BB&T Center. The Official Enshrinement Ceremony, Presented by Ultimate Software, begins at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 17. For information on tickets and partnerships visit the Florida Sports Hall of Fame web site at www. flasportshof.org http://www.flasports.com/2015/10/02/2015-florida-sports-hall-of-fame-inductees/
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September 22, 2015 By: Joey NowakPage 1 of 2
Conine to enter Florida Sports Hall of Fame
Former Marlins star Jeff Conine will be inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in November, joining eight other South Florida sports celebrities in this year’s class. The enshrinement will be held Nov. 17 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. It is the first time in the 54-year history of the organization that the induction ceremony will be held in South Florida. Conine is the only player to appear in the Marlins’ inaugural game in 1993, plus be a member of both the ‘97 and the 2003 World Series champions. He was acquired by the franchise in the ‘92 Expansion Draft and was twice named the Marlins’ Most Valuable Player by the South Florida Chapter of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (1994-95). The two-time All-Star won the ‘95 All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award. Over his career with the Marlins, Conine hit .290 with 120 home runs, 553 RBIs and a club-record six grand slams. He went 4-for-4 in the Marlins’ inaugural Opening Day and played all 162 games in 1993, finishing third in the voting for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Conine currently serves as a special assistant to Marlins team president David Samson and as an analyst for “Marlins Live” pregame and postgame shows on FOX Sports Florida. Ableman, Joey Cornblit, Paula Carter and Sonny Hirsch. http://m.mlb.com/news/article/150996608/jeff-conine-makes-south-florida-hall-of-fame 31
September 22, 2015 Page 1 of 4
Former Bucs’ coach Tony Dungy gets state Hall of Fame recognition
Former Tampa Bay Bucs coach Tony Dungy, long considered the architect of the some of the best seasons in franchise history, is one of nine new members of the Florida sports Hall of Fame. Dungy won his Super Bowl with the Indianapolis Colts. He was fired from the Bucs the season before Tampa Bay won its Super Bowl and replaced by Jon Gruden. Dungy is now an analyst on NBC. Other members of the Hall of Fame class include former Dolphin Zach Thomas, former Panther John Vanbiesbrouck, former Marlin Jeff Conine and former University of Miami player Bennie Blades. Also selected was former Miami diving coach Randy Ableman and former Miami broadcaster Sonny Hirsch. Jai Alai champion Joey Corblitt and bowler Paula Carter complete the class. The bios of the inductees:
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September 22, 2015 Page 2 of 4
Randy Ableman (Diving Coach) Ableman, the head diving coach at the University of Miami since 1989, has won the NCAA’s Diving Coach of the Year nine times, including a stretch from 1995-2000 when he won the award each year. At Miami he has coached 24 national champions, 26 individual All-Americans, at least one every year he’s been at UM, and 11 Olympians representing seven countries. Ableman coached 12 years in a row (1991-2002) with at least one national champion in each of those years. In 1995, Ableman coached five All-Americans, an NCAA first. He was also selected as a member of the U.S. Olympic Diving Team coaching staff for three Olympics (1996, 2000 and 2004). In 2008 he was the head diving coach for the Republic of South Africa in Beijing. In 2002, Ableman was awarded U.S. Diving’s highest honor, the Phil Boggs Award. A four-time All-American diver at the University of Iowa, he won the 1981 NCAA 1-meter springboard championship and was named to the 1980 Olympic team, which did not compete due to the boycott of the Moscow games. He is a member of the University of Iowa and University of Miami Athletic Halls of Fame. Bennie Blades (Miami football) A native of Fort Lauderdale, Blades went on to the University of Miami, where he was co-winner of the Jim Thorpe Award in 1987, given to the outstanding defensive back in the country. He was a consensus all-America at safety in 1986-87 and ended his UM career as the school’s alltime leader in interceptions (19) and interception return yardage. He also set school records for consecutive games with an interception (5) and total tackles by a safety. He spent 10 years in the NFL, including nine with the Lions, who picked him third overall in the 1988 NFL draft. Bennie finished his career as the second leading tackler in Lions history. He played in the 1991 Pro Bowl and twice was named the Lions Defensive MVP. Paula Carter (Bowling) Carter, a Miami native, was the 1971 National Bowler of the Year. She won the U.S. Open twice and also finished first and second twice each at the Women’s International Bowling Congress National singles championships. She is a member of the Florida and Miami Bowling Halls of Fame and the WIBC National Hall of Fame. Joey Cornblit (Jai-Alai) Cornblit, whose professional name was simply Joey, led the American team to a bronze medal at the World Amateur championship when he was 15. The Miami native turned pro at 16, playing for Miami Jai-Alai. He was the first American-born player to become a world champion; he won 23 championships. He holds the record at Dania for the most wins, with 186 games 33
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Jeff Conine (Baseball) Conine is known as Mr. Marlin, and is the only player to have appeared in the Marlins inaugural game in 1993 and both World Series victories, 1997 and 2003. Conine played for six major league teams in 17 years, half of those for the Marlins. He hit .290 for the Marlins (.285 overall) with 120 home runs (214 overall) and 553 RBI (1,071 overall). On the Marlins inaugural opening day he went 4-4, ending the season having played all 162 games and finishing third in the Rookie of the Year voting after a .292, 12 home-run, 79 RBI season. The next two years he was named to the All-Star team, earning the game’s MVP honors in 1995. In 32 post-season games in 1997 and 2003, Conine hit .304 with one home run, 8 RBI and 15 runs scored. He is currently a special assistant to Marlins team president David Samson. Joey Cornblit (Jai-Alai) Cornblit, whose professional name was simply Joey, led the American team to a bronze medal at the World Amateur championship when he was 15. The Miami native turned pro at 16, playing for Miami Jai-Alai. He was the first American-born player to become a world champion; he won 23 championships. He holds the record at Dania for the most wins, with 186 games during the 1988-89 winter season. He retired in 1995, ending a 24-year career. His number 37 is the only Jai Alai jersey to be retired. Tony Dungy (Football Coach) Dungy coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2001, and led the Bucs to four straight playoff appearances (1998-2001), including a loss to the Rams in the 1979 NFC Championship game. He moved on to Indianapolis and led the Colts to six straight playoff appearances (10 straight counting TB) and the Super Bowl XLI win over the Bears following the 2006 season. In all, he won 68 percent of his games, 139 in all. He retired after the 2008 season. Sonny Hirsch (Sportscasting) Hirsch was the voice of the Miami Hurricanes for 28 years. He handled play-by-play for football and basketball from 1958-71 and returned to those two sports plus baseball from 1983-97. He also served as GM of the Miami Marlins of the Florida State League for 10 years. He received a special honor in 1998 from the UM Sports Hall of Fame and is a member of the City of Miami Hall of Champions. He died in 1999.
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Zach Thomas (Football) Thomas had a 14-year NFL career, 12 of those seasons with the Dolphins (one with Dallas, one with KC). During his illustrious career he was named to seven Pro Bowls, was named first team All-Pro five times and was named to the NFL’s All decade team of the 2000s. Thomas has more tackles (almost 1,800) than any linebacker currently in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and ranks fourth all-time in tackles among linebackers. He is one of only three players in NFL history to record 100-plus tackles in each of his first 10 seasons. He also intercepted 17 passes and recorded 20 sacks during his career. John Vanbiesbrouck (Hockey) A native of the Detroit area, Vanbiesbrouck played for five NHL teams: the Rangers, Panthers, Flyers, Islanders and Devils. He gained most of his fame during the five years he played for the Florida Panthers, being named an all-star three times (MVP of the 1994 game) and leading the Panthers to the Stanley Cup finals in 1996. He is the winningest American-born goalie in history, and 13th overall in NHL history. In addition to his career with the expansion Panthers, he won the Vezina Trophy as top goalie in the NHL in 1985-86 and was named a first team all-star postseason.
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Media Advisory & Press Release
November 12, 2015 Page 1 of 1
Florida Sports Hall of Fame 2015 Enshrinement Luncheon Tuesday, November 17 Doors Open: 11:30 a.m. / Program starts at Noon Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood Main Ballroom 2015 Class Randy Ableman, Diving Coach, UM Bennie Blades, Football, UM Paula Carter, Pro Bowler Jeff Conine, Baseball, Marlins Joey Cornblit, Jai-Alai Tony Dungy, Football, Buccaneers Sonny Hirsch, Sportscaster Zach Thomas, Football, Dolphins John Vanbiesbrouck, Hockey, Panthers The Luncheon is SOLD OUT Limited Seating is being held for media -- Please RSVP to Jack Heilig to reserve a luncheon seat -A riser with a mult box will be setup in the ballroom. Please contact Jack Heilig if you will need to plug in to the mult box so space can be reserved.
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2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Inductees Announced FOR RELEASE TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 AT 11 A.M. EDT HOLLYWOOD, FL - Super Bowl champion coach, NBC analyst and national spokesperson for the fatherhood initiative All-Pro Dad, Tony Dungy joins eight south Florida sports celebrities who make up the 2015 class of inductees to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. The nine distinguished honorees will be officially inducted at the 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Enshrinement, presented by Ultimate Software, on Nov. 17 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. This will mark the first time the 54-year-old organization will hold its annual enshrinement in south Florida. Former Miami Dolphin favorite Zach Thomas, Florida Panther star John Vanbiesbrouck and Miami Marlin great Jeff Conine also headline this year’s class along with a University of Miami trio including football star Bennie Blades, longtime UM diving coach Randy Ableman and the late voice of the Hurricanes Sonny Hirsch. The first American-born world Jai Alai champion Joey Cornblit and Bowling Hall of Famer Paula Carter round out the class. “This will certainly go down as one of the strongest Hall of Fame classes we’ve been fortunate to welcome,” said Barry Smith, President of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. “These folks have accomplished so many great things not only in sports, but in life and this group means so much to the people of south Florida. We are delighted to bring our enshrinement activities to this part of the state for the first time.” Among the enshrinement activities will be a special recognition of the 2015 Hall of Fame class by the Florida Panthers at their Nov. 16 game vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning at BB&T Center. The Official Enshrinement Ceremony, Presented by Ultimate Software, begins at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 17. For information on tickets and partnerships visit the Florida Sports Hall of Fame web site at www.flasportshof. org. In addition to recognizing the state’s most outstanding athletes, coaches and teams, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame is a leader in educating Florida’s youth on the importance of fitness in the fight against childhood obesity and diabetes. Through its “Fame of Fitness” program the Florida Sports Hall of Fame is telling the inspirational stories of its members as a way to encourage Florida’s youth toward a healthier, happier life through their involvement in sports. 38
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Here are the bios of the 2015 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Class: Randy Ableman (Diving Coach) Ableman, the head diving coach at the University of Miami since 1989, has won the NCAA’s Diving Coach of the Year nine times, including a stretch from 1995-2000 when he won the award each year. At Miami he has coached 24 national champions, 26 individual All-Americans, at least one every year he’s been at UM, and 11 Olympians representing seven countries. Ableman coached 12 years in a row (1991-2002) with at least one national champion in each of those years. In 1995, Ableman coached five All-Americans, an NCAA first. He was also selected as a member of the U.S. Olympic Diving Team coaching staff for the last three Olympics (1996, 2000 and 2004). In 2008 he was the head diving coach for the Republic of South Africa in Beijing. In 2002, Ableman was awarded U.S. Diving’s highest honor, the Phil Boggs Award. A four-time All-American diver at the University of Iowa, he won the 1981 NCAA 1-meter springboard championship and was named to the 1980 Olympic team which did not compete due to the boycott of the Moscow games. He is a member of the University of Iowa and University of Miami Athletic Halls of Fame. Bennie Blades (Football) A native of Ft. Lauderdale, Blades went on to the University of Miami where he was co-winner of the Jim Thorpe Award in 1987, given to the outstanding defensive back in the country. He was a consensus all-America at safety in 1986-87 and ended his UM career as the school’s all-time leader in interceptions (19) and interception return yardage. He also set school records for consecutive games with an interception (5) and total tackles by a safety. He spent 10 years in the NFL, including nine with the Lions who picked him third overall in the 1988 NFL draft. Bennie finished his career as the second leading tackler in Lions history. He played in the 1991 Pro Bowl and twice was named the Lions Defensive MVP. Paula Carter (Bowling) Carter, a Miami native, was the 1971 National Bowler of the Year. She won the U.S. Open twice and also finished first and second twice each at the Women’s International Bowling Congress National singles championships. She is a member of the Florida and Miami Bowling Halls of Fame and the WIBC National Hall of Fame. Jeff Conine (Baseball) Conine is known as Mr. Marlin, as the only player to have appeared in the Marlins inaugural game in 1993 and both World Series victories, 1997 and 2003. Conine played for 6 major league teams in 17 years, half of those for the Marlins. He hit .290 for the Marlins (.285 overall) with 120 home runs (214 overall), 553 RBI (1071 overall) and a record 6 grand slams. On the Marlins inaugural opening day he went 4-4 ending the season having played all 162 games and finishing 3rd in the Rookie of the Year voting after a .292, 12 home run, 17 RBI season. The next two years he was named to the All-Star team, earning the game’s MVP honors in 1995. In 32 post-season games in 1997 and 2003, Conine hit .304 with one home run, 8 RBI and 15 runs scored. He is currently a special assistant to Marlins team president David Samson. Joey Cornblit (Jai-Alai) Cornblit, whose professional name was simply Joey, led the American team to a bronze medal at the World Amateur championship when he was 15. The Miami native turned pro at 16, playing for Miami JaiAlai. He was the first American-born player to become a world champion; he won 23 championships. He holds the record at Dania for the most wins, with 186 games during the 1988-89 winter season. He retired in 1995, ending a 24-year career. His number 37 is the only Jai Alai jersey to be retired. 39
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Tony Dungy (Football Coach) Dungy coached the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1996-2001, and led the Bucs to 4 straight playoff appearances (1998-2001), including a loss to the Rams in the 1979 NFC Championship game. He moved onto to Indianapolis and led the Colts to six straight playoff appearances (10 straight counting TB) and the Super Bowl XLI win over the Bears following the 2006 season. He retired after the 2008 season. Sonny Hirsch (Sportscasting) Hirsch was the voice of the Miami Hurricanes for 28 years. He handled play-by-play for football and basketball from 1958-71 and returned to those two sports plus baseball from 1983-97. He also served as GM of the Miami Marlins of the Florida State League for 10 years. He received a special honor in 1998 from the UM Sports Hall of Fame and is a member of the City of Miami Hall of Champions. He died in 1999. Zach Thomas (Football) Zach had a 14-year NFL career, 12 of those seasons with the Dolphins (one with Dallas, one with KC). During his illustrious career he was named to 7 Pro Bowls, was named first team All-Pro five times and was named to the NFL’s All decade team of the 2000s. Zach has more tackles (almost 1800) than any linebacker currently in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and ranks fourth all-time in tackles among linebackers. He is one of only three players in NFL history to record 100+ tackles in each of his first 10 seasons. He also intercepted 17 passes and recorded 20 sacks during his career. John Vanbiesbrouck (Hockey) A native of the Detroit area, Vanbiesbrouck played for 5 NHL teams: the Rangers, Panthers, Flyers, Islanders and Devils. He gained most of his fame during the 5 years he played for the Florida Panthers, being named an all-star three times (MVP of the 1994 game) and leading the Panthers to the Stanley Cup finals in 1996. He is the winningest American-born goalie in history, and 13th overall in NHL history. In addition to his career with the expansion Panthers, he won the Vezina Trophy as top goalie in the NHL in 1985-86 and was named a first team all-star post-season. For more information Contact: Wayne Hogan, Mango Media, at (404) 291-2120 or hogan@mangoFLA.com Jack Heilig, Trifecta Team PR, at (954) 634-2299 or Jack@TrifectaTeam.com
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Contact Information Jack Heilig Trifecta Team PR Jack@TrifectaTeam.com
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