ATHLETES STARS OF SPACE COAST SPORTS MEDIA DAY

By  //  July 30, 2012

Hundreds Turn Out To Participate

[dopwgg id=”88″]

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – As hundreds of athletes began tuning up for an exciting fall season of prep and youth sports on the Space Coast, they had an opportunity to be treated like celebrities at the 1st annual Space Coast Sports Media Day at Space Coast Stadium.

Florida Tech football coach Steve Englehart speaks to the crowd attending Space Coast Sports Media Day on July 22 at Space Coast Stadium. (Image by John M. Egan)

Billed as the largest-ever gathering of area high school and youth sports athletes in Brevard County, the July 22 event was a perfect way to launch a new season of action for a variety of sports.

“We are proud to be sponsoring Media Day,” said Giles Malone, vice president and partner with Maverick Multimedia, publisher of SpaceCoastDaily.com.

“SpaceCoastDaily.com also took great pride in providing everyone who participated in Space Coast Media Day with a ticket to attend the Brevard County Manatees game that night against the Palm Beach Cardinals.”

Guest speakers

Participants arriving at Space Coast Stadium were able to hear Florida Tech coach Steve Englehart talk about his new college football program in Brevard County and told athletes, coaches and families what it would take to make it to the college level.

“There is no substitute for academic success,” Englehart said. “It all starts in the classroom and if you want to eventually have a chance at playing college football, you have to work hard at getting good grades and make it a priority.”

Merritt Island Youth Football players arrive at Space Coast Stadium on July 22 for Space Coast Sports Media Day. (Image by John M. Egan)

Rockledge Youth Football Association President Michael Cadore, who played on two state high school championship football teams in Titusville and later competed in college and as a professional player, echoed Englehart’s sentiments when he addressed the crowd on hand for the event.

“As athletes, personal responsibility really does  matters no matter what level you play at,” Cadore said.

“That means listening to your teachers, your coaches and most of all, your parents. You can’t be a great football players or cheerleaders without doing that first.”

Patience

He also said he wished young players would be more patient.

“For those of you who think you’re not getting enough playing time, and I hear this all the time, know that your time will come at some point,” Cadore said. “Enjoy every minute of your time as a youth athlete. Your time goes by fast.”

Spacious Space Coast Stadium made a perfect backdrop for the event, allowing amply space for media and athletes to interact.

Space Coast Daily sportswriter Thomas Carrigan interviews Holy Trinity football coach Mark Ainsley at Space Coast Media Day at Space Coast Stadium. (Image by Derek Suomi)

“The Brevard County Manatees welcome Space Coast High Schools and Youth Sports Media Day to Space Coast Stadium and we are honored to be the venue for this historic event,” said Brevard County Manatees General Manager Kyle Smith.

The media day event was sponsored by Bright House Sports Network and Space Coast Sports Magazine.

It was a one-stop shop for media to interact, interview and photograph youth and prep athletes and coaches for the fall season.

Also on hand to greet the athletes was Bon Anderson, who grew up in Cocoa and went on a stellar football career at West Point, earning All-American status before closing out his career playing for the New York Giants.

Athletes and coaches from prep football,  volleyball, cross country, swimming & diving, golf and bowling were invited to media day, along with youth football and soccer players, cheerleaders and coaches.

Players and coaches wait their turn for photos and media interviews during Space Coast Sports Media Day on July 22 at Space Coast Stadium. (Image by John M. Egan)

Media on hand

Media attending the event included Space Coast Golf magazine, Bright House Sports NetworkSpaceCoastDaily.com, Space Coast Sports magazine, Hometown News, WMEL 1300, the Friday Night Locker Room and ESPN Sports Radio 95.9.

Each player that participated was photographed and interviewed. There also were special video interview segments filmed with coaches, athletes and dignitaries from the upcoming prep and youth sports seasons.

Brevard Community College also manned a table at the event for prospective college athletes and their families to learn more about the array of new athletic programs available at the school.

Ryan Riemer of West Melbourne, a prep football player for Florida Air Academy, was honored to throw out the first pitch at the Manatees vs. Palm Beach Cardinals baseball game following the Space Coast Sports Media Day.

 

Here are links to videos filmed at Space Coast Stadium during Space Coast Media Day:

1 Comment

  1. Ed – you did a phenomenal job covering every single sport – loved the Coach Disney/Satellite High interview, keep them coming!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*