The Florida Sports Hall of Fame is deeply indebted to Buddy and Dr. Jo Hewell and the A.T.A.P. Companies for their many contributions to The Hewell Family Fame for Fitness Award, our organization’s most cherished annual honor. Buddy Hewell has served for many years on the Board of Directors of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame and his steady support and guidance has been immeasurable. It is only fitting that Buddy, Dr. Jo and the Hewell Family will have their family name indelibly linked to this prestigious award into perpetuity.
“All Things Are Possible!” — Mark 9:23
Throughout history, sport has presented us the opportunity to make our communities and neighborhoods stronger, in particular by supporting initiatives that rise up and encourage our youth to participate in activities that nurture their mind, body and spirit. The health, fitness and well-being of Florida’s youth is the No.1 priority of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame’s charitable mission
We believe that participation in sports can provide a platform for athletes to do great things for our communities off the playing field. Through sport, we are many times able to provide for those in our society who need our inspiration, encouragement and resources to experience growth, health and a path to success.
The incredible power of sport to lift up, to assimilate and to entertain is recognized by the Florida Sports Hall of Fame through the presentation of its annual Hewell Family Fame for Fitness Award. Each year the Florida Sports Hall of Fame honors an individual or organization that closely mirrors its mission of promoting physical fitness awareness, education, and the general health and welfare of Florida’s youth.
2022 – Tyrone Keys
Our 2022 and 10th recipient of the Hewell Family Fame for Fitness Award is Tyrone Keys, founder of All Sports Community Service, Inc.
You may remember Tyrone Keys as a member of the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears. He’s also the one seen playing keyboard in the Super Bowl Shuffle, the song performed by team members which raised thousands of dollars for needy Chicago families. Drawing on the idea of using his success to give back, as well as his personal experience with mentors helping him along the way, Keys created his own foundation to help others.In 1993, Keys founded All Sports Community Service, Inc., a non-profit mentoring and scholarship organization dedicated to helping challenged youth in Tampa achieve their dream of attending college. Keys teaches his students the idea that the skills from the playing field could be parlayed onto the field of life. Since 1993, All Sports has assisted hundreds of students obtain millions of dollars in support toward their college education.
In addition to being supported financially and emotionally toward their goal of obtaining
a college eduction, recipients of All Sports Community Service Foundation help become mentors themselves, returning to the community to assist the next generation, and carrying on the “root to fruit” model that is the basis for the foundation. All Sports is now seeing the “full circle of participation” in action with its students returning to invest time, energy and scholarship funds into the program and the community. This has led to a ripple effect on his students — hundreds are now educators, principals, high school athletic directors, high school and youth coaches and scholarship donors. To date, ASCS alum have assisted over 500 students with college scholarships comprising over $30 million.
Previous Fame for Fitness Award Winners
2021-22 S.I.D.E.S
Our 2021 and ninth recipient of the Hewell Family Fame for Fitness Award is Sydney’s Incredible Defeat of Ewing’s Sarcoma, or S.I.D.E.S.
Sydney Lister was midway through her first quarter of her 10th grade year at St. Thomas Aquinas High School when she went home with pain in her back radiating down her right leg. An MRI performed revealed a mass wrapped around her sciatic nerve.
On September 19, 2011, the Lister family was advised that the biopsy performed was positive for Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare pediatric bone cancer.
In November 2011, Sydney’s Incredible Defeat of Ewing’s Sarcoma (S.I.D.E.S.) was founded at Midtown Athletic Club with a spin-a-thon hosted by Katina Taylor. In June 2012, Sydney was declared cancer-free and has remained so for the last nine years. Sydney has served as the Jr. Captain of The Winterfest Boat Parade, was the featured Wish Child at The 2012 Make A Wish Ball, and was one of eight women recognized nationally in 2014 with The Pandora Hearts of Today Initiative for their contributions to society.
In the summer of 2014, in conjunction with ESPN and The Jimmy V Foundation, the S.I.D.E.S. Childhood Cancer Superhero Bobblehead was created. That year she appeared on the set of Mike & Mike in the
Morning in September, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Since that time over 800 bobbleheads have been delivered nationwide to children battling cancer and childhood cancer advocates. She visited every continent with the Miami Marlins’ team in the 7 Marathons on 7 Continents in 7 Days a few years back.
The mission of Sydney’s Incredible Defeat of Ewing’s Sarcoma is to provide financial assistance for children fighting cancer to ensure access to basic life necessities. S.I.D.E.S. also helps fund cancer research, college scholarships and provides children battling cancer with exciting and fun experiences. The foundation also advocates for and raises awareness of childhood cancer, and collaborates with other childhood cancer organizations throughout the country so that no child fights alone.
2019 Joe Russell, Sr., Winter Park
Joe Russell Sr., a long-time youth sports coach and organizer, was presented with the Florida Sports Hall of Fame’s (FSHOF) Hewell Family Fame for Fitness Award at the organization’s Nov. 12 induction ceremony at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL.
Russell began his volunteer work while still enrolled at the UCF. The former Knight pitcher conducted baseball clinics for young players at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. Upon graduation, Russell became involved in coaching Little League teams at Ward Park in Winter Park, a role he continued for more than 40 years,
He also coached Little League Softball, AAU teams and Pop Warner Football teams, often working with multiple teams at the same time. He serves as a volunteer softball coach at Winter Park High School and was instrumental in the creation of the Florida Collegiate Summer League – a wood bat league for college players. He also coached numerous all-star teams through the years.
Off the field, Russell served many years on the Winter Park Little League Board of Directors, he served a term as President of Winter Park Pop Warner Football, and was a long-time treasurer of WPLL. In all, Russell has mentored more than 1300 youth in his career and has affected the lives of many more through his administration roles with various organizations.
“Each year, we select an individual or organization for the Hewell Family Fame for Fitness Award. In doing so, we honor those who mirror the Hall’s mission of promoting physical fitness awareness, education and the general health and well-being of Florida’s Youth,” FSHOF President Barry Smith said. “For the last 40 years, Joe Russell has made it his life’s mission to do exactly that. There is no one more deserving to be the recipient of our top award.”
2018 Southern Youth Sports Association Pensacola
The Southern Youth Sports Association is a grassroots, non-profit organization whose mission is to respond to the academic, social and physical needs of each child through the involvement of community, students, and staff. Its programs focus on the development of responsibility, cooperation, and acceptance by emphasizing the 4 B’s – Bible, Books, Ball and Balance. The SYSA offers basketball, cheerleading, baseball, football, tutoring, after-school and GED programs.
“My father taught me a long time ago that if you can change your block, or change your neighborhood, you can change the world. That’s the spirit behind SYSA,” said its director Lumon May. “It is an honor for SYSA to be recognized by the Florida Sports Hall of Fame for this award and a testament to the love, passion, and energy that our volunteers pour out every single day for our young people.”
2017 Shriners Hospitals for Children – Tampa
Opened in 1985, the Shriners Hospitals for Children – Tampa has been bringing love to the rescue to almost 60,000 children with orthopaedic conditions. It’s world-renowned specialty care, innovative research and outstanding teaching programs have been turning patients back into kids for more than 30 years.
Innovations are just a part of the Shriners Hospitals for Children – Tampa story. Historical highlights of the facility’s care include:
- One of few facilities to successfully perform surgery to separate the legs of a patient diagnosed with sirenomelia – commonly known as Mermaid Syndrome.
- In 2011, performed the first ever Stanmore expandable endoprothesis procedure described by news media as the “bionic arm.”
- In 2017 became the first hospital in the Tampa area to utilize EOS, a state-of-the-art system that provides 3-D imaging while dramatically reducing radiation exposure.
- In a development related to tonight, it became the first Tampa-area hospital to open a Timmy’s Playroom, which was stocked and supplied through the generosity of the Tim Tebow Foundation.
Shriners Hospitals for Children has evolved into an international system of 22 hospitals recognized for their devotion to transforming the lives of children through expert care and research. It has developed into the destination of choice for parents whose children have orthopaedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries,cleft lip and palate, and other complex surgical needs.
Patients are accepted regardless of their families’ ability to pay, creating no barriers to first class medical care.
For these reasons, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame is pleased announce the Shriners Hospital for Children – Tampa as the 2017 recipient of the Fame for Fitness Award and encourages all Floridians to support this organization and its great works.
2016 Sam Fuld
On behalf of The Sam Fuld T1D Sports Camp in Collaboration with the USF Diabetes Center and USF Athletics
Founded in 2011, the Sam Fuld T1D Sports Camp provides a unique camp experience for children with Type 1 Diabetes. The camp is a result of the vision of current Oakland A’s outfielder Sam Fuld, who has T1D himself.
While visiting the USF Diabetes Center in 2011 as a Tampa Bay Ray, Fuld expressed his desire to start a sports camp specifically for kids with T1D. The guiding mission for the camp has always been to instill in kids living with T1D the belief that diabetes does not have to hold them back, that they can take control of their disease and achieve excellence in sports and in life.
Staffed solely by current and former pro and collegiate athletes who also have T1D, the sports camp offers children ages 8-17 the opportunity to improve their game under the guidance of athletes with whom they can relate. The two-day camp allows them to meet and play with their peers and normalizes the constant vigilance they must practice with regards to managing diabetes while pushing themselves on the field.
While being challenged to rise to their athletic potential, campers hear the coaches’ own diagnosis stories, discuss how they manage their diabetes while playing and witness them check their blood sugars, adjust their insulin, etc., making this camp uniquely special for those who attend.
In collaboration with Florida Diabetes Camps, and SLAM Diabetes whiffle ball tournament, the USF Diabetes Center provides the logistical planning and medical staffing support in partnership with USF Athletics. Campers choose from baseball, softball, soccer, football, tennis, volleyball, basketball, golf, cheer and dance and can participate in up to four different sessions over the two day camp. All sports training sessions are held on the USF campus with the majority taking place on USF Athletics official fields.
While the camp activities and ceremonies center on the kids in attendance, the camp also supports the notion of providing increased parent education as a means to improving T1D kids’ outcomes. Thus, there is also a Parents’ information session each year led by the USF Diabetes Center medical staff, including Medical Director, Henry Rodriguez. During this session, parents receive T1D education but also have the opportunity to Q & A with a variety of diabetes providers as well as with Sam Fuld.
The 2016 Fame for Fitness award winner is truly a hero for kids living with T1D. He is an example of someone who has achieved his dreams by competing at the highest level in his sport, all while managing his diabetes and living an active, healthy life. Meeting Sam is the highlight of every camper’s experience and his story and commitment to improving the lives of kids with T1D is truly inspirational.
2015 Joe and Henry Ostaszewski
Growing up in Boynton Beach, Joe Ostaszewski was an active, athletic child, eventually playing varsity football and earning a full scholarship to FSU. But his weight really increased at age 28, when he began exercising less, but continued to eat like an active football player. At age 43 and 364 pounds, Joe was experiencing weight-related health issues.
It was brother Henry’s challenge to Joe and vice-versa that inspired the duo to try out for the hit TV show “The Biggest Loser.” The brothers, competitors all their lives, decided to get back into shape together and applied to the show that follows the weight loss of a group of overweight contestants and awards one contestant a $250,000 grand prize. Joe was accepted for the show and while he did not win, he lost 147 pounds and got his life back.
Henry began “wearing his soul” at a young age and hasn’t taken a day off since. Prior to founding the Wear Your Soul Foundation in 2009, he was an accomplished account manager at an interior design and architecture firm, a Pittsburgh Steeler, a Florida State Seminole, and a big brother, but feels that he’s finally found his purpose in life. Right now, Henry is on his own path to improve his lifestyle, and is a role model for kids who want to embrace a healthy outdoor lifestyle and seize the spirit of adventure.
Together, Joe and Henry Ostaszewski’s dream is that every child is empowered with the tools and programs they need to become the “Change Agents’ in the fight against childhood obesity.
2013 J. O. Spengler
John O. Spengler, JD, Ph.D. is a Professor in the Sport Management Program at the University of Florida. The current focus of Spengler’s research is on legal and policy issues around sport and recreation safety, obesity prevention and physical activity. Spengler’s research has been funded by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to study policies relevant to community access to sport and recreation facilities in lower-income communities of color.
As an American Heart Association volunteer, his research has informed policy and advocacy efforts at the state and national level to improve community health through physical activity. He has disseminated the results of his research in over fifty journal articles, commissioned research briefs and papers, and through numerous webinars, professional conferences and meetings.
Spengler is the Director of the UF Sport Policy and Research Collaborative (SPARC), the official research partner of the Aspen Institute’s “Project Play.” He also serves on the advisory board of “Project Play”, an Aspen Institute project designed to improve the health of children and communities through sport. Spengler is also the President of the Sport and Recreation Law Association and Associate Editor of the Journal of Legal Aspects of Sport.
In addition to research and outreach activities, Spengler is an enthusiastic teacher, having received two University of Florida teaching awards, as well as national teaching recognition. He is the author of two book chapters and four college textbooks (three as first author) that are used in classrooms across the country.
Honors include selection as a University of Florida Research Foundation Professor in recognition of outstanding research and scholarly achievements, receiving the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, Fame for Fitness Award in recognition of his work on childhood obesity prevention, an invitation from the American Heart Association to serve on a policy statement writing group, receipt of the AAPAR Safety and Risk Management Distinguished Scholar Award, and selection as an AAHPERD Research Consortium Fellow, and Sport and Recreation Law Association Research Fellow.
2012 Ryan Nece
Son of NFL Hall of Fame safety Ronnie Lott, Ryan Nece has spent his entire life in the place where sports and business intersect. Nece received his Bachelor’s Degree in business economics from UCLA, where he starred on the football field as a linebacker for the Bruins in the late 1990’s, when they were nationally ranked and Pac-10 Champions.
After graduation, Nece signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent on April 22, 2002. During his rookie season, Nece was awarded Rookie of the Year honors with Tampa Bay the same year they won the World Championship at Super Bowl XXXVII in San Diego. What followed was seven seasons in NFL, including six years with Tampa Bay and a year with the Detroit Lions. Nece was a three-time team elected captain and served four years as the team elected NFLPA Player Representative while with the Buccaneers.
In Detroit, Nece was the only player in the NFL to be a starter and lead his team in special teams snaps and tackles. Nece has stayed active in business and charity life in parallel with his NFL football career. He sits on the board of the Tampa Bay Sports Authority and Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo. He has also completed NFL Business Management and Entrepreneurial Programs at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Harvard Business School.
In 2006, he created The Ryan Nece Foundation in an effort to better the communities where he lives and works. His foundation strives to provide physical, fianncial and spiritual assistance to those in need through various foundation programs for youth and families. Also, Nece launched the Power of Giving campaign in June 2009 to encourage individuals to become involved in the needs of their community.
2011 Annika Sorenstam
Annika Sorenstam is the greatest female golfer of our generation and often regarded as the best of all time. During her 15-year Hall of Fame career, she rewrote the LPGA and Ladies European Tour record books, won countless awards and changed the way women’s golf was played, viewed and covered. She amassed 89 worldwide victories, including 72 on the LPGA, 10 of which are Major Championships. She has a record eight Rolex Player of the Year awards and holds the record for the lowest scoring average in a season (68.6969 in 2004). She has a record six Vare Trophies for the year’s lowest scoring average. She is the only female to break 60 in an official event, which garnered her the nickname, “Ms. 59”. Annika was the first and only female to cross the $20 million mark for LPGA career earnings and her total of over $22 million is nearly $6 million more than th enext closest competitor. Annica was the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year from 2003 – 2005 and the Golf Writers Association of America Female Athlete of the Year in 1995, 1997, and from 2000 – 2005.
Annika stepped away from competitive golf at the end of the 2008 season to further pursue a family and the ANNIKA brand of business. She authored her second book, Golf Annika’s Way, and partnered with Cutter & Buck to develope the ANNIKA Collection – her very own, high-end female golf apparel line. The collection has done very well and has grown from two to three lines per year. Annika also has a growing Golf Course Design business with eight projects at various stages of development around the world.