The Board of Directors of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame have announced the opening of their new location in the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Event Center in Port St. Lucie, FL. The attraction features more than 60 displays exhibiting sports memorabilia from renowned Florida athletes, sports celebrities and historical events. The memorabilia was previously displayed in Davenport, FL.
The grand opening event, led by Play Treasure Coast Tourism, was held March 4 and was attended by members of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, including past presidents Barry Smith and Rick Dantzler, and Port St. Lucie Mayor Gregory J. Oravec. The evening also featured a special presentation from Wayne Witczak of the Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch and St. Lucie County Sheriff Ken Mascara.
Tim Ramsberger, President and Chairman of the Board of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, was on hand to welcome visitors to the new facility. “This is an exciting day for our organization and such a tribute to the members who have donated these treasured items over the years. We are so thankful for both the City of Port St. Lucie and the MidFlorida Credit Union Event Center who pulled this project together and made it happen. Their enthusiasm for our members and their stories has been inspiring, and we are excited to partner with them.”
Ramsberger continued, “This could not have happened without the leadership and vision of our board’s vice-president Rick Hatcher. As president and CEO of Play Treasure Coast Tourism, Rick was instrumental in bringing together the City and the Event Center to move, re-home and create the exhibits that are now on display.”
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame includes exhibits from some of Florida’s most well-known sports starts, including legendary golfer Jack Nicklaus; Coach Bobby Bowden; National Hot Rod Association legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits; golfer Andy Bean, tennis great Chris Evert, football legend Bob Griese and many more. Exhibits will be updated each year as new classes are inducted. Tiger Woods, Pat Riley and Alex Rodriquez are among the names to be inducted as part of the 2020 class. The date and time for that enshrinement event is still to be determined. For more information, visit www.FlaSportsHOF.org
The new Florida Sports Hall of Fame is located at 9221 SE Event Center Place, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952. The attraction is open from 10 am to 5 pm Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free.
About the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Events Center
The MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Events Center is a versatile and elegant meeting, convention and special event destination featuring two grand ballrooms, an outdoor stage, festival grounds and a gymnasium. The full-service venue hosts banquets, meetings, conferences, trainings, expos, trade shows, concerts, performing arts, fundraisers, festivals, sporting events and more.
About the Florida Sports Hall of Fame
The Florida Sports Hall of Fame recognizes and honors Florida’s greatest sports figures and events and leverages this collective celebrity to promote fitness awareness, education and sports activities among our state’s youth and adults. Equally important is the promotion of the qualities of discipline and honor among sports participants.