Orange Bowl Committee Honored by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
Hall
Miami Lakes, FL (www.orangebowl.org) – The Orange Bowl Committee (OBC) was honored by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce with a Lifetime Contribution Award in sports, at the 18th Annual Sports Hall of Champions luncheon, October 20. The Sports Hall of Champions honors individuals or organizations for the recognition and esteem they have brought to themselves and the South Florida community through their achievements in and contributions to sports. The event took place at Miami’s Jungle Island.
To be eligible for consideration an individual or organization must have gained or maintained fame in sports as a player, coach or executive; made contributions to the betterment of sports in the South Florida community; and been born in South Florida or participated in sports locally and achieved recognition in the community.
The OBC was created in 1935 with the mission of generating tourism for South Florida through an annual football game and supporting Festival. Since its inception, the not-for-profit, primarily-volunteer organization, which has grown to 330 members, has expanded beyond the Greater Miami area to become a cornerstone of the entire South Florida community. The Committee is aided by hundreds of additional "Ambassadors," community volunteers.
During the most recent Orange Bowl Festival, the Committee provided $200 million in economic impact and media for the community. In addition to bringing tourism to South Florida, as one of the oldest civic organizations in the community, the Committee has maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Over the last 11 years, the OBC has invested more than $4 million in youth through its Orange Bowl Youth Football Alliance, which serves more than 15,000 football players and cheerleaders throughout South Florida. The Committee has also provided hundreds of thousands of dollars in college scholarships to deserving youth.
This past year, as a legacy gift in honor of the organization’s 75th anniversary, the Committee spearheaded a $5.7 million project to rebuild Moore Park in Miami, site of the first Palm Festival, predecessor of the FedEx Orange Bowl. The project, which will be used as a youth sports/high school football stadium and track, consists of a new playing surface with synthetic field turf, running track that will host track and field events, 1,500 aluminum bleacher seats, press box with PA system, electronic scoreboard, field lighting, two restrooms/concession buildings and storage structure. The City of Miami matched the Committee’s initial $2.5 million gift with the additional funds necessary to complete the project coming from community and corporate sponsors.
Also being inducted into the Hall of Champions during today’s event are Janet Guthrie (Indianapolis 500 & Daytona 500 race car driver), Charles Johnson (University of Miami & Florida Marlins catcher) and Jason Taylor (Miami Dolphins linebacker/defensive End).
The 2010 FedEx Orange Bowl, to be held on January 5, will feature the first available pick among the BCS at-large teams against the ACC Champion. For tickets, log on to www.orangebowl.org or call 305-341-4702.