A4 The Orlando Times December 19 - 25, 2013

BY CLINTON REYES, TIMES SPORTS WRIT- As Magic Drop ER Tempers Flare Orlando Magic - Amway Another Game Center, Orlando high) and had the big responsi- MAGIC NOTES – The feet. Following the scuffl e bro- bility of matching up with All- Central Florida Hotel and Lodg- RLANDO – Whoever ken up and reviewed by offi cials, O star PG Kyrie Irving. However, ing Association (CFHLA) an- thought that Magic F Andrew Nicholson was sent to the locker Oladipo’s defense was not good nounced Monday that Orlando Nicholson didn’t have the physi- room early. Postgame Nicholson enough to shutdown the dynamic Magic CEO Alex Martins will cality needed to play in the NBA, addressed members of the media: Irving as he put up a game high be awarded the 2013 Charles may just want to take another “I didn’t try to hurt him. I didn’t 31, to go along with Dion Waiters’ Andrews Memorial Hospitality look. The once known calm, pre- think I pushed him that hard, but 21 as Orlando would go on to lose, Award for Community Leader- carious big man may have just it’s part of the game.” 109-100. ship. The award is CFHLA’s created an entirely new image It was very obvious Nicholson highest honor recognizing an The Magic’s bench was a no- for himself as he was ejected late became frustrated by the outcome individual’s achievements and show Friday night, getting low in the 4th quarter for a Flagrant of the hard fought game as Orlan- contributions to the Central productivity from E’Twaun Moore 2 foul. After playing much of the do played well, even leading early Florida hospitality industry as (3 Points) and Tobias Harris (10 game head to head with the Cava- on in the 4th quarter. Tobias well as the community at large. Points) against the 9-13 Cava- liers this past Friday in Orlando, Harris knocked down a big 3, giv- The award will be presented to liers. Orlando shot 11-30 from frustrations seemed to bubble up ing the Magic a 5 point early 4th Martins during the 2013 CFH- three, and 37-85 from the fi eld but in the fi nal seconds when Nichol- quarter lead, only to fall witness to LA Hospitality Gala on Dec. 14 fell short yet again now dropping at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort. son pushed Cleveland Center An- a 14-0 run that put Cleveland up seven of their last eight and don’t Martins was selected as this derson Varejao in the back after for good. have much to look forward too. year’s recipient for his commit- he made a gimme layup. An angry Orlando did however have Orlando is on the road, before re- ment to regional development Dion Waiters (Cleveland PG) es- some solid production from its turning home Wednesday, Decem- and diversity, his support of the calated the matter by confronting young stars. Rookie PG Victor ber 18th for 6 straight home games 2006 community venues initia- Nicholson almost instantly as the Oladipo carried much of the load leading into the New Year. tive and his involvement in local Amway Center crowd rose to its scoring 26 points (Tied his career charities. “ Orlando shot 11-30 from three, and 37-85 from the fi eld but fell short yet again now dropping seven of their last eight . . .” Orlando Magic Honors Local Teachers Through EDUCATOR OF THE MONTH PROGRAM Presented By Quill.com

ORLANDO - The Orlando Magic, along with STUFF the Magic Mascot and Magic Dancers, surprised its ird of six teachers honored on December 10 third Educator of the Month presented by Quill.com, Tammy Herburger, in her classroom at Palm Bay High School on December 10. Herburger, who teaches theatre at Palm Bay, was presented with $500 in Quill cash towards school supplies. She will also be the Magic’s guest at the game on Wednesday, Dec. 18 when the Magic take on the Jazz with tip-off set for 7 p.m. As part of the Magic’s commitment to education, the Magic along with Quill.com will recognize six edu- cators as the Educator of the Month throughout the season. Each honoree will receive $500 to spend on school supplies, be invited to an upcoming Magic home game where they will be hosted in the Quill.com suite with food and beverages and be honored at center court. They will also be entered as a fi nalist for Educator of the Year which will award the winner $10,000 towards school supplies for the school that the winner is representing. The Magic’s other Educators of the Month presented by Quill include Dorina Sackman from Westridge Middle School and Adam Sherman from Lake Brantley High School. The fourth educator will be honored in January. The Orlando Magic celebrates 25 years of Magic basketball both on and off the court. The Magic’s com- mitment to Central Florida is celebrated in its Silver Season with 25 years of giving through more than $40 million donated to the local community by way of event sponsorships, donated tickets, autographed mer- chandise, scholarships and grants over the years. Through a quarter century of giving, Magic community programs have impacted nearly two million total youth along with more than 5,000 player and community ambassador appearances. The Magic continues its quest to be champions on the court and in the community (left to right): Magic Dancer Virgilia, Quill.com National Sales Manager Mike Sullivan, STUFF the Magic Mascot, and looks toward a city that fl ourishes through a collaborative effort of the Magic’s coaches, players, employ- Educator of the Month - Palm Bay High School’s Tammy Herburger, Magic Assistant Director of Community Relations ees, partners, fans and Central Floridians. To learn more about the Magic in the community, visit http:// Latria Leak at the Magic’s Educator of the Month presentation on December 10 at Palm Bay High School. Herburger www.nba.com/magic/magic-in-the-community. was presented with $500 in Quill cash towards school supplies and will be the Magic’s guest at an upcoming home game. Celebrating Page 15

Orlando Predators Partner With Historic Town Of Eatonville ORLANDO - The Orlando ESPN Acquires Predators are proud to announce a partnership with the Town of Rights To Arena Eatonville providing the team a players practice facility and Football Starting coaching staff headquarters. The Predators facility will consist of In 2014 BY LISA EARLY, Director Families, Parks and Recreation City of munity School. Every child at the schools will receive a kit! a 4,000 square foot standalone Orlando Page 15 operates a homework assistance program every CHICAGO – ESPN and the day, after school, in Parramore. On any given day, about 25 building outside of the practice ORLANDO - To Friends of Parramore Kidz Zone: Here’s a great story for the Arena Football League (AFL) Parramore children attend, free of charge. The program es- fi eld and visible from I-4 only 2.5 holiday season! have agreed to a multi-year pecially focuses on building children’s reading and writing miles from downtown Orlando. Check out the attached photos from a “bag stuffi ng event” where volunteers agreement beginning in 2014. skills. It’s one of the reasons the needle has been moving on The athletic fi elds are also used assembled 525 “Imagination Care Kits” for Parramore children. The event was The new deal grants ESPN rights school performance among Parramore’s children. by Rollins College and a variety of organized by one of PKZ’s non-profi t partners, Page 15. youth football teams. The move to to more than 10 regular season For more information about Page 15, feel free to contact Each kit contains a book, a pair of cozy socks, a snack, and a hand-written Julia Young, the organization’s Founder/Director. Julia is the Town of Eatonville, is a part of and postseason games on its tele- message of encouragement and inspiration. a true champion for Orlando’s children. She has created a a larger revitalization effort that vision networks per year, includ- Next Thursday, Page 15 will deliver the kits to two Title I elementary schools powerful model for promoting academic success in Parra- includes a sense of communal ing ArenaBowl and one confer- that Parramore children attend: Fern Creek Elementary and Nap Ford Com- more. responsibility and to provide lo- ence championship game, as well cal employment for the Orlando as 75 or more games annually on Predators organization. ESPN3, ESPN’s live multi-screen The Town of Eatonville has sports network. ESPN’s video incredibly historic roots, being the player will also be available on oldest incorporated African Amer- the AFL website, ArenaFootball. ican municipality in America, in- com. corporated in 1887. The town is The relationship between the HOME FOR THE listed on the United States Na- AFL and ESPN began more than tional Registry of Historic Places, two decades ago when ESPN and is continually governed and televised the very fi rst Aren- operated by persons of African aBowl live in 1987. Since then, American decent. It is also the ESPN televised a combination of hometown of former NFL profes- AFL regular season and playoff HOLIDAYS sional football player and Hall of games for fi ve years (1995-99), Fame defensive end David “Dea- AFL playoff games from 2000- WITH SIX HOME GAMES DEC. 21 - JAN. 4 con” Jones and Orlando Predators 02 and both regular season and 8 year veteran, Eric Drakes. For- playoff games from 2007-08. mer NBA player Chucky Atkins Additionally, ABC presented the and actor Norm Lewis from the hit ArenaBowl for fi ve years from TV show “Scandal” also grew up in 1998-2002. the Town of Eatonville. “ESPN has a long history of “We are honored that the working with the Arena Football Predators are going to be a part of League and this new agreement this community,” said, Vice Mayor is a great opportunity to show- Eddie Cole who also stated: “We INCLUDING THESE case the AFL as part of our year- know that they are going to be round commitment to football,” more than just a football team. said Matthew Volk, ESPN direc- David Pearsall and the new Preda- tor, programming and acquisi- tor’s ownership group truly care BIG MATCHUPS about our community and it’s go- tions. ing to be great for our kids to have “The AFL’s return to ESPN is these players and coaches to look the latest example of the strides up to on daily basis.” our sport has made in recent Orlando Predators new owner, years,” said AFL Commissioner David Pearsall, states: “I couldn’t Jerry B. Kurz. “Having the Are- be more thrilled to have part- naBowl on the ESPN family of nered with the Town of Eatonville. networks for years to come puts When considering having a new our Championship game along- place for the team to practice, we side some of the most prominent wanted a location that allowed us events in television.” to do the most good by contribut- Among the 14 franchises in ing to the surrounding environ- the Arena Football League is the ment. If we can help others reach newly-formed LA KISS of the their goals that will in turn help us National Conference West Divi- DEC. 23 DEC. 31 JAN. 4 reach ours. Vice Mayor Eddie Cole sion -- owned by Gene Simmons 7:00 P.M. 5:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. is result oriented with a relentless and Paul Stanley of the rock band effort to help local residents and KISS -- and the 2013 American those around him. I consider him Conference Champion Philadel- to be a visionary and role model phia Soul, which is owned in part to everyone throughout the com- by longtime ESPN NFL analyst munity and to myself. I am truly Ron Jaworski. The Soul played grateful to participate in the town the AFL champion Arizona Rat- council’s thoughtful revitalization tlers in ArenaBowl XXVI. BUY TICKETS TODAY AT effort which will have a positive Fans who receive their inter- affect for everyone involved. net or video subscriptions from ABOUT THE ORLANDO an affi liated provider will have ORLANDOMAGIC.COM PREDATORS: The Orlando access to ESPN3 online at Wat- Predators are owned and op- chESPN.com, on smartphones erated by David Pearsall of and tablets via the WatchESPN Pearsall Holdings, LP. The Or- app, and streamed on televisions lando Predators are an Arena through ESPN on Xbox LIVE to Football League (AFL) team Gold members, Apple TV and founded in 1991, the Predators have been in the playoffs 21 out Roku. The complete schedule of Celebrate the holidays. WE WILL . of 27 seasons and won the Are- 2014 games will be announced at naBowl in 1998 and 2000. a later date.