UCF Athletics has placed finalists in five categories of the 2023 SPORTYS sponsored by the Greater Orlando Sports Commission (GO Sports).
Here are the UCF finalists:
--Executive of the Year
- Terry Mohajir, Vice President and Director of Athletics
--Best in Business Operations
- Terry Donovan, Senior Executive Associate Athletics Director/CFO
--Best in Social Responsibility
- Chris McFarlane, Deputy Athletics Director
--Sponsorship Activation of the Year
- UCF Athletics & Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute: "UCF Football Space Game"
--Best in Venue Operations
- Robert Sample, former director of sports turf and grounds
Another finalist--among the 67 representing 25 organizations across 11 award categories--is UCF team physician Dr. Michael Jablonski of Orlando Health. He is nominated in the Best in Gameday & Team Operations category.
In addition, UCF Board of Trustees chair and Orlando Magic chief executive officer (CEO) Alex Martins has been selected for the Chairman's Award of Excellence. He also is a finalist in the Executive of the Year category.
"Alex Martins is a visionary leader and one of Central Florida's greatest champions. His leadership in the Greater Orlando sports ecosystem has been integral to the health, well-being and prosperity of our community," said Sharon Line Clary, vice president of strategic marketing & communications for AdventHealth and chairman of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission board of directors.
The SPORTYS honor sports business professionals whose contributions and impact are vital in making Greater Orlando one of the country's premier sports destinations. The finalists were selected by a voting committee made up of members of the GO Sports board of directors.
"Greater Orlando's Night of Champions presented by Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute" will air at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 17, on WKMG-TV News 6 and stream online, with the winners being revealed during the broadcast.
Tickets are now on sale for the watch party and industry reception that will take place the same night at the Orlando Health Fortress at Full Sail University. Registration opens at 6 p.m., followed by the live watch party at 7 p.m. and the Orlando Sports Industry Reception at 8 p.m.
Here is the full list of finalists in the five categories featuring UCF representation:
--Best in Venue Operations presented by Florida Citrus Sports: Julie Baca, Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride; Sade Battle, Andy Frain; Kelly Day, ESPN Wide World of Sports; David Painter, Orlando Magic; Robert Sample, former UCF Athletics; Jo Wallen, United States Tennis Association
--Best in Social Responsibility presented by Withum: Lainie Fox Ackerman, Orlando Health; Steve Hogan, Florida Citrus Sports; Sari Kitelyn, Full Sail University; Chris McFarlane, UCF Athletics; Jordan Serio, Orlando Magic; Danny Trosset, Sports 4 The Kids
--Sponsorship Activation of the Year presented by Mission Inn Resort & Club: Florida Citrus Sports & Cheez It – Feelin' The Cheeziest; Orlando City SC & Orlando Health – Kicking Childhood Cancer Fantasy Camp; Orlando Magic & Mtn Dew – MTN DEW Local Artist Poster Series; Orlando Magic & AdventHealth – AdventHealth PROformance Lab; Special Olympics Florida & Orlando Health – Moments with Malcolm; UCF Athletics & Orlando Health – UCF Football Space Game
--Best in Business Operations presented by OUC The Reliable One: Mary Burd, Osceola Heritage Park/ASM Global; Cesar Cesareo, American Diabetes Association; Terry Donovan, UCF Athletics; Scott Herring, Florida Citrus Sports; Aurusa Moosani, Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride; Jorge Senior, ESPN Wide World of Sports
--Executive of the Year presented by Visit Orlando: Martin Blackman, United States Tennis Association; Jarrod Dillon, Orlando City SC & Orlando Pride; Drew Donovan, Arnold Palmer Invitational; Kurt Esser, Seminole State College; Steve Hogan, Florida Citrus Sports; Jon Hughes, Track Shack; Robb Larson, Osceola Heritage Park/ASM Global; Alex Martins, Orlando Magic; Jo Mirza, Amateur Athletic Union; Terry Mohajir, UCF Athletics; Pennie Parker, Rollins College Athletics; Aaron Stewart, Hilton Grand Vacations; Ricardo Villar, Florida Citrus Sports/FC Series
Here is the list of previous SPORTYS winners representing UCF Athletics:
--2020: Best in Communications & PR--Eric DeSalvo
--2021: Best in Sports Media--Marc Daniels, Best in Sales--Brooke Smoley
--2022: Best in Venue Operations--Kathleen Murphy, Executive of the Year--Terry Mohajir
GO Sports is a private, non-profit organization established to attract and manage sports-related events, conferences and activities that drive positive economic development in the City of Orlando, Lake County, Orange County, Osceola County, and Seminole County. Founded in 1992-93, the organization has hosted or co-hosted more than 1,600 events in the Greater Orlando area with a total economic impact exceeding $2.6 billion in spending within the community.