CFSM Press Releases

Sports Stars Set to Shine as New Florida Sports Hall of Fame Building Debuts June 22

6/16/2010 - Several Hall of Fame Members to be on Hand for Grand Opening in Auburndale

Auburndale, FL (June 1, 2010) The Florida Sports Hall of Fame is coming to Polk County and it will open in grand fashion on June 22 as the building at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale that will house memorabilia from some of the biggest stars Florida sports has ever known officially opens. The Grand Opening and ribbon cutting of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame will take place on Tuesday, June 22 at 10:00 a.m. at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale and will be followed by the induction of the 2010 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Class that evening at The Lakeland Center. The hall of fame will be open until 2:00 p.m. that day, closing in preparation for the induction at 6:15 p.m. that evening. Hall of Fame members scheduled to appear at the event include: Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Doug Sanders, Charlie Owens, Don Garlits, Fran Curci, Jimmy Carnes, Roger Strickland, Hubert Green, Pat Borders, Catie Condon and Ruth Alexander. "We are so excited to be able to share this grand opening with the Hall of Fame members, the people who make this new building what it is," said Florida Sports Hall of Fame Chairman, Rick Dantzler. "This promises to be a star-studded, memorable event for everyone who attends," Dantzler added.

Following the grand opening, four new members will be inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. The 2010 Florida Sports Hall of Fame class consists of Lake Wales native and baseball standout Pat Borders, Olympic gold medalist Catie Ball-Condon, long time sports columnist Jack Hairston, who will be inducted posthumously, and professional golfer Hubert Green. The induction ceremony, which will also feature the Polk County All Sports Awards, will be aired live on Bright House Sports Network.

For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Polk County Tourism and Sports Marketing at 863-551-4750.

An initiative of the Central Florida Development Council and the Polk County Board of County Commissioners, PCTSM is responsible for recruiting sporting events to Polk County and marketing the county as a venue for competitive sporting events and recreational sports such as golf, tennis, bicycling and water skiing/boating.

During the past year, more than 225 PCTSM-assisted events generated in excess of $125 million in economic benefits for Polk County. PCTSM is Florida's only sports commission to have earned both the Florida Sports Foundation's coveted “Sports Commission of the Year” and the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports "Organization of the Year". General information on sports in Polk County can be found by visiting the PCSM website at www.centralfloridasports.com.