The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Michael Murillo

Blowing up: Jonathan Fudge’s business vision takes shape

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As a balloon artist, Jonathan Fudge has to be able to field all kinds of requests like dogs, swords and hearts. And recently, a fire alarm.

“I said, ‘Tell me what’s important about a fire alarm to you,’” recalled Fudge. And after hearing what elements clients wanted to see — a round shape, place for batteries, test button — he got to work immediately.

With around 20 years experience, Jonathan Fudge isn’t afraid to tackle any balloon project.
With around 20 years experience, Jonathan Fudge isn’t afraid to tackle any balloon project.

“I made it happen for him,” he said. “That’s my job.”

Fudge, who attended Land O’ Lakes High School and lives in Lutz, has been creating balloon art for most of his life.

“I used to be the best, youngest balloon artist in the world. But then I got older,” he said with a laugh.

Now 28, Fudge started making shapes 20 years ago, and has been working events since he was 16. It’s taken him to places like Belgium, China and Japan. He’s also turned his love of entertaining into a larger, thriving business.

His company, YTE Events, boasts a stable of more than 130 performers who entertain at parties, celebrations, school programs, and corporate and charity events.

One upcoming charity on YTE’s schedule is the Cheval Cares 5k & Family Fun Day, Sept. 20. Now in its third year, the event — at the Cheval Athletic Club in Lutz — benefits the Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

YTE — which stands for Your Total Entertainment — participates in a number of charitable events that benefit groups like Metropolitan Ministries and Suncoast Hospice. For Fudge, it’s just part of helping others in the community, his entertainers, and the people who enjoy them.

“I got my start through charity,” he said. “Someone taught me for free. But I’m not the only one who’s been touched by that.

“When I can give my entertainers an outlet to do something they love, and to share what they love with other people, that skips over all kinds of boundaries.”

Even non-charitable events allow his performers to get the satisfaction that comes with entertaining others with their special skills and abilities.

Fudge’s stable of performers includes superheroes and princesses (some might bear a resemblance to famous names, but aren’t specifically representing characters who would cost a lot of money to license) as well as mermaids, magicians, ninjas, jugglers and face-painters. He works out of his home, matching the right entertainment to specific events, as well as performing balloon art himself.

The company handles around 50 different events each month, he said.

Fudge himself heads out to his own gigs making balloon shapes. The art form has changed a lot over the past few years, he said. In the past, one could get away with making basic shapes using just one balloon. But people expect more definition and complexity today, and that means staying on top of trends, learning new styles and being creative on the fly.

Fudge has fielded unusual requests like lawnmowers and vacuum cleaners, and participated in creating a dress made out of balloons.

Running his business isn’t easy, either. In addition to the 20 to 25 hours he spends doing balloon art, he can invest as much as 80 hours a week keeping things running smoothly, and making sure the right entertainment is placed with the right event.

Finding high-caliber talent is a challenge as well. It’s one thing to run across someone with a nice costume and the right look, but entertaining at an event takes more than that. And Fudge doesn’t let just anybody join the team. He’s very picky, and is looking for performers who have a natural ability to interact with people in an entertaining and positive way.

“What’s really more important, and what I can’t teach, is personality,” he said. “They have to be good with kids, they have to be charismatic, they have to be fun, they have to be high energy.

“And someone who really loves what they do. If they’re in love with the character they’re trying to portray, then they’re going to portray them in a much more realistic and believable way.”

Fudge’s team is filled with performers quick on their feet, and who are willing to do a bit of acting to really adopt the image they’re displaying at the event.

The end result is a strong group of handpicked performers who share passion for their craft and appreciate the opportunity to share it with the public. And beyond the costumes, balloons and other props, Fudge considers that passion to be his company’s biggest asset.

“There are other agencies in the area and elsewhere,” he said. “But I think what sets our agency apart is the fact that everyone in my company loves what they do.”

For more information about YTE Events, visit YTEEvents.com.

Published September 10, 2014

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Labor Day domination: Travel ball team wins Fort Myers tourney

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When a baseball team goes to a tournament and scores 40 runs while only giving up five, you’d expect them to win the tournament handily.

Ryan Glass, left, C.J. VanEyk and Cam Coakley were part of the Carrollwood Gators’ 6-0 run at the Perfect Game Labor Day Classic in Fort Myers. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Ryan Glass, left, C.J. VanEyk and Cam Coakley were part of the Carrollwood Gators’ 6-0 run at the Perfect Game Labor Day Classic in Fort Myers.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

And when the Carrollwood Gators competed in the Perfect Game’s World Wood-Bat Association Labor Day Classic in Fort Myers, that’s exactly what happened.

The Gators’ 16U team — for athletes graduating high school in 2017 — went through the tournament with a perfect 6-0 record, claimed the title, and earned Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Pitcher honors as well.

Performing well at a Perfect Game event is a big deal, according to Danny Rodriguez, general manager and founder of the Carrollwood Gators.

“It’s the organization to go to in order to get your boys seen on a college and a pro level,” he said.

In addition to the victory at the recent 16-team Perfect Game tournament, the Gators also finished in the top 16 of the organization’s 100-team Memorial Day tournament, and in the top eight of its 86-team Fourth of July tournament.

While the Gator athletes also play on their high school teams — several attend Steinbrenner High School, and most live in Lutz or Land O’ Lakes — the travel ball team offers them extra opportunities to get noticed by college scouts. The Perfect Game system is extremely competitive, Rodriguez said, and good performances in tournaments will get the club — and its players — noticed by colleges around the country.

The 16U team should have a national ranking after the victory; the general manager is hoping for a top 10 spot when they’re released in a couple of weeks.

That kind of recognition is essential for players looking to extend their careers beyond high school, Rodriguez said. In addition to playing in high school, a quality travel ball team experience is essential to helping athletes take that next step.

“It’s a must,” he said. “If they want to go to the next level, they need to go to the college showcases that they want to go to, and they need to be a part of something that’s going to get them seen, that’s going to be right there in front of the college coaches.”

Rodriguez tries to help get his athletes noticed by colleges, and said the tournament win will only increase the stature of the program. Athletes playing for the Carrollwood Gators have gone on to play in schools like Pasco-Hernando State College, the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Alabama State University. Some students attend on full scholarships as well.

While all the teams in the Perfect Game system are talented, the Gators do things differently. Instead of large-scale tryouts that draw athletes from different cities, or even states, and multiple teams representing each club, the team prefers to draw from local talent, mostly hand-selected athletes who play different positions.

That keeps the traveling team small: The Gators brought just 11 players to the recent tournament. And according to head coach Pete Mocny, there are significant benefits to their philosophy.

“They all know each other from previous travel teams,” Mocny said of the players. “The team chemistry is big in helping us do a little extra to beat the sometimes more-talented teams. We can still really compete, and many times beat them.”

C.J. VanEyk, a Steinbrenner student whose pitching was instrumental in the team’s only close game at the tournament, a 5-3 semifinal win, agrees.

“Everybody knows each other really well. We have good chemistry and everybody gets to play more with a smaller team,” he said. “We hit the ball really good, and we had the pitching to back it up. And when you do that, you can’t really be beat.”

Strong fundamentals were another reason why the Gators weren’t beaten at the tournament, Mocny said. The team committed no errors in the first five games, and shut out their opponent in the final by a score of 7-0. As a result, it was one of the best performances the coach has seen from the team.

“It’s easy to coach them,” Mocny said. “I’m proud of them. They did a great job out there.”

And Rodriguez believes the team that achieved so much is full of players who can achieve even more in college.

“Every single one has the talent,” he said. “If they play it right and they keep their grades (up), there’s a place in college for each one of those players.”

Published September 10, 2014

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Rebels fall to Miami in FBA title game

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The Tampa Bay Rebels, a semi-professional basketball team that plays its home games at Freedom High School, always seem to finish their seasons the same way: In the Florida Basketball Association championship game.

Hard work during training camp led to another strong season for the Tampa Bay Rebels, which fell just short of the title for the second year in a row. (Courtesy of Tampa Bay Rebels)
Hard work during training camp led to another strong season for the Tampa Bay Rebels, which fell just short of the title for the second year in a row.
(Courtesy of Tampa Bay Rebels)

For the third year in a row, the Rebels were one of two teams left standing. But while they took the title in 2012, the last two years have ended with a loss — this time a 98-82 defeat to the Miami Midnites on Aug. 10.

While it was a disappointing end to the year — it was the first time they were held to under 90 points all season, and just the second time they were held to under 100 — it was still another impressive campaign. A 10-2 record meant they’ve compiled a 31-4 mark over the past three regular seasons.

Finishing with a loss to the Midnites was a tough-but-familiar feeling for the club. Miami was the only team that beat them all year: The Rebels lost two home contests to Miami while winning one against them on the road during the regular season.

Add in a third loss to the Midnites in the title game, and those setbacks mean Tampa Bay had a successful 2014 season, but finished runner-up to Miami in 2014.

The Rebels’ 2015 season will begin next spring. For more information, visit TampaBayRebels.com.

Published September 10, 2014

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Double feature for cheap at Capitol Theatre

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Most of us don’t take enough opportunities to spend time with friends and family. Busy schedules and money always are obstacles to breaking our routines and doing something different.

So when something comes up that looks like fun, I want to tell you about it in this column.

The Capitol Theatre in Clearwater is a beautiful place to watch a movie, and this month they have double features for one low price. (Courtesy of Capitol Theatre)
The Capitol Theatre in Clearwater is a beautiful place to watch a movie, and this month they have double features for one low price.
(Courtesy of Capitol Theatre)

But it’s not for everybody.

If you have an unlimited budget and money is no object, this isn’t the place for you. You’ll have no trouble finding fun things to do on your own. And if you have nothing but free time and can go anywhere at a moment’s notice, you don’t need to read this column.

In fact, why are you even reading this column right now? Just board your private jet and head to Paris or Barcelona, and enjoy your weekend.

But if you’re like most of the rest of us, you have to fit things into a tight schedule — and it has to fit a tight budget, too. It needs to be worth your time and go easy on your wallet.

There aren’t too many things like that, but there are still a few out there. And it’s my job to find them for you.

This week I’m going to tell you about an opportunity to go to the movies. Sounds boring, you say? Movies today are usually overpriced and underwhelming?

Well, this isn’t a typical night at the theater. These are movies you already know you like. And it’s a double feature, so you’re seeing two great movies for one price. And that price is cheaper than a regular movie.

Oh, the venue is much more interesting than a normal movie theater, too.

Sound better? Great. Then let me introduce you to Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., in Clearwater. It’s probably been around longer than you have: It opened in 1921 with a Mediterranean Revival facade that really helped it stand out. And after nearly $10 million in recent renovations, it maintains its classic style with modern upgrades.

So it’s a fun place to see a movie. Or two movies. On select dates this month, they’re showing double features of popular modern classics. For example, one night they’re pairing up “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Alien.” On another, it’s “Grease” and “American Graffiti.” Then they’re showing “Rocky” and “Rocky II” together.

And each night, it’s just $7 to see them both.

Now, some of you might be thinking, “Hey, I can watch some of those movies at home for free. Sometimes they’re even on television.” Well, have you ever seen these movies on the big screen? If you have, you know it’s not the same. And if you haven’t, this is a chance to finally see the original versions the way the filmmakers intended.

That kind of atmosphere makes great movies even greater.

Besides, where’s your sense of adventure? Why sit at home when for $7 you could take a friend or a loved one to a historic theater and see something you know you’ll enjoy?

Two somethings, actually. It’s a double feature, remember? That’s a great deal, and cheap enough that it justifies a little drive time to get there.

By the way, this is a pretty cool date idea, too. You could spend a lot more money seeing one movie you might end up hating, or you could see two films you like, and keep some cash in your pocket. I bet your date will notice your creativity and wise financial decisions. That’s how you make a good impression in my book.

But there are only a few chances to catch this deal. “Close Encounters” and “Alien” are showing Sept. 6., “Grease” and “American Graffiti” are scheduled for Sept. 19, and the Rocky movies will be shown on Sept. 27.

The first film starts each night at 7.

For more information, call (727) 791-7400 or visit AtTheCap.com.

If you know of an inexpensive, fun thing to do, let me know at . But please, keep it cheap. We’re on a budget here.

Published September 3, 2014

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Bulls hope to raise big money with funny fundraiser

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Wiregrass Ranch High School believes comedy and cross-country means some cash for their sports program.

Tommy Johnagin, a ‘Last Comic Standing’ runner-up, performs at Side Splitters on Sept. 7. The show also is a benefit for Wiregrass Ranch High School’s boys and girls cross-country teams. (Courtesy of TommyJComedy.com)
Tommy Johnagin, a ‘Last Comic Standing’ runner-up, performs at Side Splitters on Sept. 7. The show also is a benefit for Wiregrass Ranch High School’s boys and girls cross-country teams.
(Courtesy of TommyJComedy.com)

On Sept. 7, the school’s cross-country teams will benefit from a comedy show at Side Splitters Comedy Club, 12938 N. Dale Mabry Highway. The weekend’s headliner, Tommy Johnagin, will perform at the 7 p.m. show, with 70 percent of admission receipts going to the school.

According to Side Splitters general manager Brian Thompson, having a comedy fundraiser is a good way to raise money and have a good time doing it.

“It’s a nice way for the parents to get out and generate some money for whatever event they’re raising for specifically,” Thompson said. Wiregrass Ranch has had fundraisers at Side Splitters in the past, and the comedy club has also had events benefiting other groups.”

The audience can seat 250, and has the potential to bring in thousands of dollars in fundraisers, he said.

Those funds would be welcome, since maintaining good teams can be expensive. It can cost between $4,000 and $6,000 each season to meet all expenses and maintain adequate funds in reserve, according to boys coach Chris Loth. Several rounds of T- shirts and meet entry fees can add up, with an awards ceremony thrown in as well.

Wiregrass Ranch also charters a bus for one meet each season. The school will use it this year to compete in Tallahassee.

As a result, Wiregrass Ranch must get creative with their fundraising, and pairing up with a comedy club seemed like a good fit.

“We have very supportive families and friends and alumni who are going to come out,” Loth said. “So we thought it would be a good night to get some of the families together without the kids, and have a good time and raise some money as a result.”

A fan of stand-up comedy, Loth is familiar with the club and the headlining comedian. He saw Johnagin at a local stop a few years back, and thought his style would be a good fit for the event. Johnagin is a regular on late-night talk shows, and placed second in an earlier season of “Last Comic Standing” on NBC.

If the event does well for the school, Loth said it could become part of their regular fundraising efforts. The Bulls already host a 5-kilometer run, sell advertising space on their T-shirts, and partner with a merchandiser to raise money.

It’s important to stay creative with fundraising and not fall into a routine, he said.

“Our philosophy is we don’t want to do the same thing every single year,” Loth said. “We want to give lots of different people the ability to participate and reach a lot of different folks.”

Loth is hoping for a sellout on Sept. 7, and could see doing a similar event every other year if it’s successful.

The school would be happy to see the event match the success of the teams themselves. Wiregrass Ranch is known to have successful cross-country programs for both boys and girls. They’re considered one of the top teams in Pasco County, and have a number of top 10 finishes at the state meet to their credit.

The parents have been very supportive of the team and they expect to have a successful fundraising evening at the comedy club, Loth said. As a close-knit group, he feels like everyone does their part of make sure the teams, and the program in general, maintain a level of success.

“We ask a lot of ourselves, and in turn ask a lot of our parents and they always come through for us,” Loth said. “We try to make it a family, and family supports each other with whatever you’re trying to accomplish.”

Comedians Alex Stone and Krishna Reddy also will perform.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit SideSplittersComedy.com. Tickets purchased on the website also benefit Wiregrass Ranch’s cross-country teams.

Published September 3, 2014

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Program, expectations on the rise at Freedom

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According to the record books, Freedom High School finished with a 3-7 record last year.

But head coach Tom Donohoe doesn’t see it that way.

“The program was 8-8,” said Donohoe, now entering his third season at the helm. “That’s the way we look at it, because we coach varsity and JV. Our goal is to improve as a program.”

Structure and organization are key words at Patriots’ practices under coach Tom Donohoe. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Structure and organization are key words at Patriots’ practices under coach Tom Donohoe.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Including junior varsity records, instead of back-to-back 3-7 campaigns, Freedom improved from 6-10 to 8-8 over the previous year. At least from the coach’s perspective.

Rebuilding from the ground up — the varsity team hasn’t had a winning season since 2009 — means looking at improving all aspects of the Patriots’ football program. Installing discipline, structure and stability at all levels of play is important, Donohoe explained.

Practices are more organized, and the program as a whole has a clear understanding of what they’re trying to do. The same coaches lead both teams, so the transition from junior varsity to varsity should be a smooth one for players as they advance in the system.

While that focus didn’t translate into more wins over the previous season for the Patriots, there were bright spots and areas of improvement. Freedom was involved in a number of close games, including two road losses by a total of 10 points to Strawberry Crest and district foe Steinbrenner.

Freedom plays both of those teams at home this year, and Donohoe is looking forward to seeing year-to-year improvement as they tackle familiar opponents throughout the schedule.

The Patriots’ defense also was a bright spot in 2013, providing solid play and keeping the team in many games. Eight starters are returning from last year, which provides stability at what already was a strong point for the team.

Defensive backs and linebackers should be particularly effective this season, Donohoe said.

The defense understands that they’ll be expected to continue their solid play and help the team turn the corner in 2014.

“It’s going to be on us to step up and score points defensively,” said linebacker Lee Carabali.

The team has been hitting the weight room over the summer, and is now stronger as a result. He’s even seen improvement in the offense as the defense faces them in practice.

That improvement would be welcome in 2014. While the defense was doing their part to help the team win last year, the other side of the ball wasn’t as effective.

“Our offense was sputtering,” Donohoe admitted. The Patriots only reached the 20-point mark once all last year, and failed to score 10 points four times.

But Freedom closed the year with two straight wins, including a 33-13 win over Wiregrass Ranch in their home finale.

The team is returning six starters, has talented weapons at skill positions and had strong performances in seven-on-seven competition over the summer, Donohue said. A new offensive coordinator should provide fresh perspectives as well, giving the coach plenty of optimism for the coming season.

“It’s definitely going to be a better year in terms of offensive productivity,” Donohoe said. “No doubt about it.”

The attitude change has made an impact on experienced players like defensive back Aaron Cox.

“A lot of people, since I was a freshman, were playing around and not really disciplined,” Cox said. “But now that we have better coaches, they’ve been working with us and we’ve been working real hard.”

The players have come together and bought into the system, he said.

With so many returning starters, the Patriots are feeling good about improving their fortunes in 2014. But Donohoe also is excited to see how newer players perform.

He expects athletes who played junior varsity to step up and contribute immediately. They should be comfortable with the system and ready to perform, which Donohoe hopes will lead to some better numbers for the varsity squad.

“A lot of these guys played with us for the last couple of years,” he said. “They’re a product of what we’ve been doing, and they know the expectations. It should be their time to shine.

“We feel like we’re finally getting to that point where we should be successful a little bit more in varsity now, too.”

Freedom Patriots
LAST YEAR: 3-7
1-4 in the district
fifth place in Class 7A-District 7

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS
Johnny Rodicio, slot back
Lee Carabali, linebacker

PLAYER TO WATCH
Sayff Saed, wide receiver, quarterback
“He can do a number of different things. He has a lot of talent and can go into a lot of different positions.” — Coach Tom Donohoe

Patriots 2014 Schedule
8/29 — at King
9/5 — Middleton
9/12 — at Wharton
9/19 — at Gaither
9/26 — Strawberry Crest
10/2 — at Sickles
10/17 — Tampa Bay Tech
10/24 — Steinbrenner
10/31 — at Wiregrass Ranch
11/7 — Riverview

Published September 3, 2014

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System update: Saint Leo unveils cybersecurity masters program

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Providing personal information on the Internet can save time and offer convenience, but it also carries well-known risks.

Hackers, identity thieves and malicious software can jeopardize someone’s financial and personal well-being with just a few clicks of a mouse.

Vyas Krishnan will oversee Saint Leo University’s new cybersecurity masters program, which was 18 months in the making. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)
Vyas Krishnan will oversee Saint Leo University’s new cybersecurity masters program, which was 18 months in the making.
(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Even if you try not to share your information online, companies that have your data and store it on their computers can make you susceptible if they become a target of hackers.

As a result, cybersecurity — the efforts of organizations to thwart attacks on networks and sensitive data — has become an important focal point for information technology professionals.

At Saint Leo University, it’s about to be a masters degree program. And according to Vyas Krishnan, a professor with the department of computer science and information systems as well as the lead academic technologist, it couldn’t come at a better time.

“You hear in the news about so many data breaches, and hackers getting onto corporations’ networks and stealing either customers information or stealing their proprietary information,” Krishnan said. “This problem has been worsening over the past five years.”

Because of increased demand, the industry is seeing a shortage of trained cybersecurity professionals, he said, making the program valuable to prospective students.

Krishnan will oversee the new 36-credit hour program beginning this fall. The first offerings will be on-campus only, with online availability coming early next year.

A combination of five existing courses offered at the university and seven new courses make up the program, which attempts to cover the areas of vulnerability that exist in systems run by corporations or government agencies. And those systems, Krishnan said, are getting more complicated and more vulnerable as time goes on.

“A lot of the complexity of information technology infrastructure has resulted in multiple points of weakness,” he said.

As a result, a professional in that field needs to know the various areas where threats can manifest, how to defend against them, and how to maintain the integrity of the entire system.

Class subjects include database security, risk management, cloud computing security, systems security management, network security, strategic planning, and legal and compliance issues. The latter is important because different business sectors such as health and finance have different requirements, and a skilled cybersecurity professional needs to know the nuances of their particular industry, Krishnan said.

Graduation results in earning a master’s degree, but there’s more to it than that. Industry certifications are an important part of the information technology field, Krishnan said, and the program is designed to help graduates qualify for them.

The new program, which is open to students with some previous information technology education or work experience, was 18 months in the making. The university already is pleased with the initial interest, officials said. Around 20 students will take part when the degree is first offered, which exceeds Saint Leo’s original goals.

The online offering in 2015 will allow them to increase capacity as well.

Krishnan, who has been with the university for five years and played an integral role in getting this program off the ground, also is satisfied with the program’s development and course offerings.

“I feel very good about it,” he said. “I think we’ve done a great job in putting together a very sophisticated, technically advanced, state-of-the-art program.”

Protecting yourself from cyber threats
While no system is 100 percent safe, there are some common sense steps individuals can take to keep themselves better protected from threats, said Vyas Krishnan, who oversees the new cybersecurity masters program at Saint Leo University.

• Make sure your computer has an antivirus program and firewall installed. These tools help identify existing threats and prevent them from getting through to your computer.

• Keep your operating system up to date, and let it update automatically if possible. ‘It’s a complex piece of software, and when it’s initially released in the market, there could be some vulnerabilities that they may not be aware of,’ Krishnan said. Updates allow the company to close potential holes in the system, but they can’t fix the problems if the user doesn’t allow it to be updated.

• Make sure any website where you give personal information is secure. A website where you have to type in personal information should have ‘https://’ instead of ‘http://’ in the address bar. That extra ‘s’ means the information is encrypted and better protected.

• Be careful about responding to emails that look like they’re from companies you know. Legitimate correspondence from a company won’t ask you to provide sensitive information. If it does, it could be a scam designed to look like a real email from a known company.

Published August 27, 2014

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Land O’ Lakes looking to build on last year, reach playoffs

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Nobody can accuse Land O’ Lakes High School of having a poor season in 2013.

They went 8-2 and held half their opponents to 14 points or less — including two shutouts — while scoring more than 30 points in each of six games. In many respects, they were a dominant team.

An improved offensive line is giving the quarterback more time to make plays in practice, Land O’ Lakes’ James Pensyl said. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
An improved offensive line is giving the quarterback more time to make plays in practice, Land O’ Lakes’ James Pensyl said.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

For most schools, those results might be good enough for a district title, or at least a playoff berth as district runner-up. But the Gators stayed home for the postseason because their two losses were to district foes Springstead and Sunlake, who finished ahead of them in Class 6A-District 6.

Head coach Brian Wachtel expects his team to remember what happened and apply some of those lessons from last season.

“It’s like being in a 100-meter race and the last 20 yards just not being able to kick it in,” Wachtel said. “And I think they’ve grown from that and worked hard and learned a lot from it. And they’re going to put a lot of that into this upcoming season.”

And the upcoming season should feature a good number of those players back in the huddle. Land O’ Lakes will return eights starters on offense from last year, including several skill positions. Having that many players return on one side of the ball is an asset for a team looking to build on last year, the coach said.

“I think it’s great for consistency when you have guys back that know what they’re doing, they’ve been in the system, they’ve got game experience, they’re more seasoned,” Wachtel said. “I think that definitely helps you when you’re going into the season.”

One of the returning players is quarterback James Pensyl. He was one of the area’s top passers last year with a nose for the end zone and a knack for limiting turnovers.

Pensyl, who has made an oral commitment to Oregon State University, can tell the offensive line has improved just by having more time to execute in practice compared to last year.

“Going against our defense in practice (last year), I barely had any time to throw the ball,” he said. “This year I have time. I have the time I’m supposed to have. I can make my drops and make the reads.”

The receivers also are showing more experience, with good knowledge of the routes and where they’re supposed to be on the field, Pensyl said.

Wachtel, now in his fourth year coaching the team, acknowledges that they play in a competitive district with difficult opponents. But the Gators already have proven they can win games, and are looking to finish stronger than last season, when they went 2-2 over their final four contests after beginning the year with six straight wins.

How they finish will once again be critical to their playoff fortunes, but right now the team is more focused on how they’ll start their 2014 campaign. Their schedule is back loaded with district games — they don’t face a team that defeated them last year until mid-October.

But the Gators aren’t looking past Week 1. Wachtel doesn’t want his team worrying about future opponents when they have other teams to face first.

“There’s no sense in looking down the road because you’ve got to take care of everything in the beginning,” he said. ”We just go week by week.”

The players have bought into the system, aren’t looking ahead, and are making progress toward the kind of focus and consistency required to be successful, Wachtel said. He also credits the coaching staff with helping build a strong foundation for a winning program.

But in the end, it’s not the assistant coaches nor Wachtel himself who will determine the team’s outcome in 2014. For all the preparations, game plans, workouts and practices, it’s the players who will have to take care of business when the games count.

“Those are the guys who’ve got to pull it off out there on Friday night,” Wachtel said. “We can put them in a position to be successful, but they’ve got to pull the trigger.”

And Pensyl is eager to do just that, by leading a team that will try to limit mistakes and play up to its potential.

“We’re definitely a playoff-caliber team,” he said. “We’re the only team that can keep ourselves from the playoffs.”

LAST YEAR: 8-2
2-2 in the district
third place in Class 6A-District 6

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS
James Pensyl, quarterback
Ethan Weilant, wide receiver
Anthony Hendrix, safety

PLAYER TO WATCHConor Heaney, defensive line
“He’s a talented kid. When he cranks it up, he moves well. It’s a matter of getting out there on the field on Friday night and going 100 miles an hour.” — Coach Brian Wachtel

Gators 2014 Schedule
8/29 — at River Ridge
9/5 — Anclote
9/12 — at Ridgewood
9/19 — Mitchell
9/26 — Gulf
10/10 — at Hudson
10/17 — Sunlake
10/24 — at Fivay
10/31 — at Springstead
11/7 — Lecanto

Published August 27, 2014

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Funny business: Local graduate returns to headline comedy show

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Working comedians — the ones who aren’t famous yet — tend to take whatever gigs they can get. Sometimes that means half-empty bars, or coffee shops or off-nights in a tiny comedy club.

In Steven Lolli’s case, it meant a clothing-optional resort in Land O’ Lakes 10 years ago.

Comedian Steven Lolli performed at Caliente Resorts 10 years ago, and he’ll headline a show at the Carrollwood Cultural Center on Aug. 30. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Comedian Steven Lolli performed at Caliente Resorts 10 years ago, and he’ll headline a show at the Carrollwood Cultural Center on Aug. 30.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“It was one of the worst shows I’ve ever had in my life,” he said, recalling the scene at Caliente Resorts off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, with a smile.

Lolli had been doing comedy about eight years at the time, and the Gaither High School graduate had returned to Tampa to set up some shows. Not one to turn down work, he tried a nicer, more approachable style to his comedy. And the crowd wasn’t buying it.

“The crowd was bad and I was bad,” Lolli said. “I should have been my angry self.”

What a difference a decade makes.

Lolli’s back in town, but he’s not trying to win over any skeptical crowds. Instead, he’s bringing his own following to the Carrollwood Cultural Center at 4537 Lowell Road, for his “High Class Poverty Comedy Tour” on Aug. 30. And he’ll be his angry self on stage, because it’s taken him pretty far in his 18 years as a stand-up comedian.

Lolli didn’t give anyone there the impression he would eventually make a career out of telling jokes when he graduated high school, and he headed to the Orlando area soon after to attend the University of Central Florida before making his way to Los Angeles. It was there in the California sun he gained a reputation for fitting in at venues where he’d look out of place.

Lolli began frequenting comedy clubs where the performers and audience were overwhelmingly African-American. He might be one of the only white people on stage — and the only Jewish person in the room — but he was something else, too. He was funny, and the crowds responded to him.

Nationally known comedian Katt Williams helped develop Lolli’s moniker, “The Urban Jew,” and eventually hired him as a writer.

Minority audiences appreciated his honesty and responded to his earnest delivery, Lolli said.

“I started talking about race. I started talking about Jews and blacks,” Lolli said. “One thing about the black crowd is they really respond to true emotion, when you’re really being honest.”

That response was a pleasant contrast to other clubs he visited, where politics and social relationships dictated who got to perform, and too many comedians wanted to mold their act into a television-friendly package. Lolli wanted to protect his edge rather ingratiate himself to the people who were the gatekeepers and could deny him stage time.

Performing in African-American clubs might not have looked natural at first glance, but it was a natural fit for his style and philosophy.

Cutting his teeth in tough rooms, and gaining acceptance from what could be considered challenging audiences, made Lolli more fearless in his comedy and more confident in his abilities. And while the 38-year-old could pass for a young executive on the street, it’s a different story on stage. His material is adult-oriented, salted with the kind of language that gives his rants emphasis.

But Lolli doesn’t simply rely on dirty words for shock value. His language is an extension of his thoughts and perceptions at that particular moment. While he has plenty of prepared material, he allows himself to veer off track frequently and create something original out of unscripted moments from earlier that day or while he’s on stage.

There’s a lot of risk with that method, and grabbing the microphone in front of a packed house without a clear idea of what you’ll say beforehand can be scary. But his real fear is not being true to himself.

“I’m more afraid to not say what I mean,” Lolli said. “It’s the most gratifying feeling to be yourself.”

It also can provide a career boost if things go well. Lolli once performed at an event honoring a cable executive, with many important agents and actors on stage and in the audience. It would be a perfect time to play it safe and not make fun of their industry, but that isn’t his style.

He came out aggressive with his material, got the audience on his side, and has received a lot of work as a result of that edgy performance. That included a 2012 guest appearance on the NBC comedy sketch show “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers.”

He’ll deliver more of the same at the Carrollwood Cultural Center, though he’ll have a lot more time to explore his thoughts and expand his material. He’ll also have his parents, Joy and Gerald, in the audience. They’re proud of his success and have taken note of his rising notoriety as the venue promotes his show.

They also haven’t seen him perform in years, but that doesn’t mean they’ll get the easy treatment from their comedian son on Aug. 30. In the end, they know he has to be himself.

“They’ll be all right,” Lolli said. “I might make fun of them, too.”

Published August 27, 2014

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‘Concept College’ helps make college dreams a reality in Pasco County

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In some Pasco County families, attending college after graduating high school is almost a given. There’s money, opportunity and plenty of options for a student to continue their education.

But in others, college seems like a far-fetched dream. Even before they graduate high school, those students know that the opportunity isn’t there, and that makes it hard to focus on good grades and pursuing whatever options might exist.

Lauren Rowold, a Sunlake High School graduate who is registered for classes at Pasco-Hernando State College later this month, credits the school’s Concept College program for answering questions and making the transition to college easier. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Lauren Rowold, a Sunlake High School graduate who is registered for classes at Pasco-Hernando State College later this month, credits the school’s Concept College program for answering questions and making the transition to college easier.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“Their parents are like, ‘Well, we don’t have money for this,’ so they’re like OK, there’s no point,” said Lauren Rowold, who graduated from Sunlake High School earlier this year.

Rowold wasn’t one of the students who had given up hope. Unlike some of her peers, she made sure her senior year was spent getting her grades up and preparing for a college career. She also took part in Concept College, a program implemented by Pasco-Hernando State College, designed to help at-risk youth and disadvantaged high school students explore and obtain college opportunities.

Rowold was one of about 600 students per year who participate in the program, which takes them on campus, gives them a firsthand look at college life, answers questions, helps with applications, and explores scholarship opportunities.

Concept College provides some optimism for young people who think college is beyond their grasp, said Maria Hixon, PHSC’s director of development.

“This is really targeting students who need assistance to help make them believe that college is possible for them,” Hixon said. “Sometimes without that direct outreach and personal attention, they kind of fall through the cracks.”

Guidance counselors at the high school level identify juniors and seniors who might be in danger of falling through those cracks and could benefit from the program. Students who are disabled, pregnant, or have discipline problems or economic disadvantages, are among those who might qualify. An advisor from the college then visits the high school to provide confidence-building exercises, and those who join the program schedule a visit to either the Dade City or New Port Richey campus that normally lasts more than two hours.

On campus, students tour the school, ask questions and take assessment tests. They also learn about the admissions process, degree paths and financial aid.

Concept College also helps students take their first steps toward attending college, HIxon said. The program helps them with the application process, including paying their $25 application fee. It’s a small amount, but it can make a difference, she said.

That’s not the only financial assistance, however. Participants can apply for scholarships, which vary each year based on how many students enroll and apply, and how much financial support the program gets.

The dollar amount usually ranges between $500 and $1,000 per year, Hixon said. At a school where a 12-credit, full-time schedule costs around $1,100, it can make a transition into college smoother for those who see the cost as a significant obstacle.

Over the years, the program has reached every high school in Pasco County and a couple in Hernando County as well. And it’s all done on a budget of around $10,000 per year.

The program relies on private donations to keep going, Hixon said, with Wells Fargo and the Tampa Bay Rays standing out as major contributors this year. The baseball team presented the school with a $5,000 donation this summer as part of their Rays Baseball Foundation Community Grant Program.

“For what it costs, we do a lot with very little, and it yields a lot of impact for the students,” Hixon said. “It’s a wonderful program.”

And Rowold agrees. After participating in Concept College, she enrolled at PHSC, and will begin pursuit of her associate’s degree in just a couple of weeks. After graduation she plans to enter the medical field.

The program was helpful, Rowold said, and could impact even more students by reaching them earlier so they can be motivated to improve their grades and prepare for a chance they didn’t know they had.

And while she’s excited about starting college, she’s not really nervous. Rowold said she was prepared well by Concept College, and everything was explained to her before she enrolled.

“It answered all my questions,” Rowold said. “I always had questions about it, but I didn’t know who to ask. I felt like I learned a lot.”

Published August 20, 2014

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