Title goes here 2017 Enshrinement Ceremony Presented by November 8, 2017 Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa | Ponte Vedra, Florida YOUR VACATION IN THE M ddle SoTAfR TESV HeERrEywhere Want to squeeze more play out of your Florida getaway? Stay in Central Florida’s Polk County. Home to LEGOLAND® Florida Resort, 554 sparkling lakes and outstanding outdoor recreation, this is the affordable and opportunity-rich paradise you’ve been searching for. And with Tampa and Orlando less than an hour away, you can add white-sand beaches, heart-racing roller coasters and the most magical place on earth to your “must-do” list—because when your dollar goes further, so can you. Your wallet-wise vacation starts at VisitCentralFlorida.com CHoose in 800-828-7655 Very†hing twitter.com/VisitCentralFL E facebook.com/VisitCentralFlorida at the Central Florida Visitor Information Center 101 Adventure Ct., Davenport, FL 33837 Barry Smith Letter from the President ATION IN THE YOUR VAC On behalf of our 249 members, executive director Wayne ARTS HeErREywhere Hogan and our Board of Directors from across the state, T EV I want to personally welcome you to the 56th annual Florida Sof dle Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies presented by d FANATICS. Tonight we are honoring perhaps the most talented, M accomplished and eclectic classes in our history. The on-the-field and front-office accomplishments of this class speak volumes as we pay tribute to a Heisman Trophy winner, an NFL All-Pro and College All-American, a major golf winner, a Major League Baseball MVP and future first ballot Hall of Famer and a Commissioner who took his sport to new levels of popularity. But these accomplishments are but a small part of why this class is special. Although it is hard to believe, the community service and philanthropic endeavors of this entire class may be even more impressive than their athletic accomplishments. As you will learn tonight, the special programs of the Warrick Dunn Foundation, the Tim Tebow Foundation and the Jones Family Foundation have had special effects, on not only their local communities but also on a national and world wide stage. Under the leadership of Tim Finchem, PGA Tour and PGA Charities have raised tens of millions of dollars for local and national charities. Prior to her untimely passing, Colleen Walker used her position as a major golf winner to raise awareness of breast cancer. Without question, these inductees are not only sports heroes, but community heroes and role models for all and we welcome them into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame family. I want to thank our wonderful partners who have been so engaged and helpful in making our series of enshrinement events a success. In particular, our presenting sponsor FANATICS played a major role in making tonight possible. Please take a moment to review the full list of partners listed in this commemorative publication. Thank you again for your attendance and support of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. Your support of events like the induction ceremony, celebrity golf outings and other events held throughout the year, allows the Hall to in turn support worthy organizations like the Shriners Hospital for Children, the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches, and many other organizations. When you are in the Central Florida area, I would like to encourage you to visit the Florida Sports ® LEGOLAND Hall of Fame Museum and Preview Center located in Davenport, at the intersection of I-4 and U.S. 27. Stay in Central Florida’s Polk County. Home to Please enjoy your evening with us. Want to squeeze more play out of your Florida getaway? Florida Resort, 554 sparkling lakes and outstanding outdoor recreation, this is the affordable and opportunity-rich Barry Smith paradise you’ve been searching for. And with Tampa and Orlando less than an hour away, you can add white-sand President beaches, heart-racing roller coastersYour and wallet-wise the most magical vacation place starts on earth at VisitCentralFlorida.com to your “must-do” list—because when your Florida Sports Hall of Fame dollar goes further, so can you. in 800-828-7655 twitter.com/VisitCentralFL CHoose Central Florida Visitor Information Center Very†hing facebook.com/VisitCentralFlorida at the E 101 Adventure Ct., Davenport, FL 33837 Today’s Order of Events Welcome Wayne Hogan, Executive Director Florida Sports Hall of Fame Introduction of Presenting Sponsor & Master of Ceremonies Wayne Hogan Hall of Fame’s History and Mission Frank Frangie, Voice of the Jacksonville Jaguars Message and Invocation Former Florida A&M and Oakland / Los Angeles Raiders’ Star Henry Lawrence Dinner This is Your Florida Sports Hall of Fame Recognition of Partners and Sponsors Barry Smith, President Florida Sports Hall of Fame Introduction of Attending Hall of Fame Members and Dignitaries Barry Smith President’s Message Barry Smith Fame for Fitness Award Presentation Shriners Hospitals for Children Acceptance by: Richard Radecki, M.D. Medical Director, Rehabilitation Services Founder, Rebound Advanced Concussion Center Special Recognition 1967 Coral Gables Cavaliers “Team of the Century” Acceptance by: Craig Curry Enshrinement of the 2017 Class Colleen Walker, Golf (represented by Ron Bakich) Warrick Dunn, Football Tim Finchem, Golf Chipper Jones, Baseball Tim Tebow, Football Special Announcements Regarding Partnerships and Future Events Closing Remarks Frank Frangie Master of Ceremonies Frank Frangie While with the Times Union, Frangie also became a broadcaster serving as a sports talk show host at several stations, including WQIK and WCJR. He left his post at the Florida Times Union in 1993 to become a full-time broadcaster. Frangie worked at WNNZ for four years, before leaving to help launch 1010 XL / 92.5 FM, Jacksonville’s first all-sports radio station to air local originated programming from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. In his current position, Frangie hosts the “The Frangie Show” during afternoon drive. In addition to his work with the Jaguars, the newspaper, and sports talk, Frangie also did work for the Florida Gator Radio Network, and served as the host for numerous football and college basketball programs for Fox Sports, Sun Sports, Comcast, and Southeast. For many years he was the primary play-by-play voice for the Touchdown Radio Network. Frangie joined with Ben Balke to create and launch GridironNow.com, a football website specializing in coverage of the SEC. “On an evening when we are inducting five honorees A long-time pillar of the Jacksonville sports scene, with strong ties to the Greater Jacksonville area, it’s only Frank Frangie will serve as Master of Ceremonies for fitting that Frank Frangie, who many consider the voice of tonight’s induction ceremony. He is the radio voice of the sports in Jacksonville, serve as our Master of Ceremonies,” Jacksonville Jaguars, assuming that position in 2014. Florida Sports Hall of Fame President Barry Smith noted. A graduate of Jacksonville’s Englewood High School and the University of Florida school of communications, Frangie began his media career as a sportswriter for the Florida Times Union / Jacksonville Journal newspapers, where he covered preps and colleges – eventually becoming the Florida Gators beat writer. Board of Directors Wayne Hogan, Executive Director David Feder Madeira Beach, Florida Miami, Florida Barry Smith, President* Rick Hatcher Palmetto, Florida Port St. Lucie, Florida Dean Baker, Vice President* Robert “Buddy” Hewell Ft. Lauderdale, Florida Longwood, Florida Gordon Sprague, Vice President* Keith Hoskins Gulf Breeze, Florida Pensacola, Florida Ginger Kane, Secretary* Matt Morrall Orlando, Florida Ft. Lauderdale, Florida John E. Kearney, Treasurer* Chris Nicolas St. Petersburg Beach, Florida Tampa, Florida Paul Anderson Clemmie Perry Tampa, Florida Tampa, Florida Scott Bates Steve Perry Orlando, Florida Orlando, Florida Ron Book Gary Pyott Aventura, Florida Boca Raton, Florida Jack Boyle Tim Ramsberger Jacksonville, Florida Treasure Island, Florida Keyna Cory John Reger, Jr., PGA Tallahassee, Florida Gainesville, Florida Rick Dantzler (Past President) Larry Wahl Winter Haven, Florida Coral Springs, Florida Neal Duncan Auburndale, Florida * Executive Committee Sponsors PRESENTED BY Florida Sports Hall of Fame NOT RUTH, MISTER ED WOULD BE PROUD BY SPORT THE OTHER “BABE” Membership in the Florida Sports Most Florida Sports Hall of Fame Hall of Fame does include one inductees by sport… One of equine member. “Needles” was the Football (84) the most first Florida-bred horse to win the interesting Kentucky Derby and also won the Baseball (37) individuals in the Florida Sports Belmont Stakes in 1956. Only a second Hall of Fame is Babe Didrickson place finish to Fabias in the Preakness Golf (24) Zaharias (1911-1956, elected to Stakes kept Needles from the Florida Sports Hall of Fame 1966). immortality that comes Auto/Boat Racing (15) She certainly could have been named with a Triple a Hall of Famer in two different Crown. Media 13 sports (track and golf), having won two gold medals (80-meter hurdles Basketball (12) and javelin), and a silver medal (high jump) in the 1932 Los Angeles Tennis (12) Olympic games; while also winning 41 LPGA tournaments, including HE IS (OUR) MAN Swimming/Diving (11) 10 majors. Listed as the greatest women’s athlete of the 20th century Although it is not a lock for admission Administration/Officiating 10 by the Associated Press, ESPN also to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, listed her at the ninth greatest it is never a bad thing to have athlete in North America history. Heisman Trophy winner on your resume. A total of six Heisman winners (Steve Spurrier , Vinny Testaverde, Gino Toretta, Danny DUAL ENROLLMENT Weuerffel, Charlie When the Florida Ward and Tim ALL IN THE FAMILY Sports Hall of Tebow) are also Fame decided to The Florida Sports Hall members of the of Fame includes: induct the only perfect 2 Florida Sports Hall team in NFL history (1972 Miami Two sets of father/sons of Fame.