The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Tampa Bay Sun home opener

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The Tampa Bay Sun FC will host the home opener of its first USL Super League season on Aug. 18, at the Riverfront Stadium in Tampa, against the newly formed Dallas Trinity FC, according to a news release. Kickoff time and the full season schedule will be announced in the near future. Five members of the Sun roster have been announced so far: midfielder Erika Tymrak, midfielder Jordyn Listro, midfielder Domi Richardson, forward Riley Parker and defender Vivianne Bessette. For tickets and more information, visit TampaBaySunFC.com.

(Courtesy of Tampa Bay Sun FC)

Florida best for golfers

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A golf shipping service called My Baggage has named Florida the best state for golfers, based on a study that “analyzed the distribution of golf courses, driving ranges, tournaments, and golf coaches per 100,000 residents in every state, alongside the number of platinum clubs,” according to a news release. The study reports Florida has the highest number of PGA coaches, platinum clubs and the most amount of courses with 1,131. The rest of the top 10 states are 2. Colorado, 3. Arizona, 4. South Carolina, 5. Wyoming, 6. Pennsylvania, 7. New York, 8. Minnesota, 9. Illinois and 10. Maryland. For more information, visit MyBaggage.com.

Tampa a top hockey city

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The personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on the Best Cities for Hockey Fans in 2024, comparing 76 U.S. cities across 31 key metrics, including performance level of the city’s professional and college teams, minimum season ticket prices and stadium capacity, according to a news release. Here are the top 20 cities: 

  1. Boston, Massachusetts
  2. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  3. Detroit, Michigan
  4. Denver, Colorado
  5. St. Louis, Missouri
  6. New York, New York
  7. Newark, New Jersey
  8. Tampa, Florida
  9. Raleigh, North Carolina
  10. Sunrise, Florida
  11. Buffalo, New York
  12. St. Paul, Minnesota
  13. Washington, D.C.
  14. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  15. Chicago, Illinois
  16. Anaheim, California
  17. Dallas, Texas
  18. Glendale, Arizona
  19. Las Vegas, Nevada
  20. Columbus, Ohio

For the full report, visit WalletHub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-hockey-fans/13283.

Saint Leo men’s tennis advances to semifinals

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(Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

The top-ranked Saint Leo University men’s tennis team defeated Wayne State University 4-0 at the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship quarter finals on May 22, advancing to the national semifinals. Their next opponent had not yet been determined at The Laker/Lutz News’ press deadline. More information and scores can be found at SaintLeoLions.com/sports/mens-tennis.

Top spots for outdoor workouts

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Fitness website Lift Vault released a poll of fitness enthusiasts that ranked the top 150 outdoor fitness spots in the country, which they describe as “destinations offering breathtaking views that elevate the fitness experience,” according to a news release.

The top five spots are:

  1. Chautauqua Park, Boulder, Colorado
  2. Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park, Nevada
  3. Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island, Maine
  4. Olympic Discovery Trail, Olympic Peninsula, Washington
  5. Glacier National Park, Montana

Three Florida spots made the list:

  1. Fort De Soto Park, Tierra Verde
  2. Everglades National Park, South Florida
  3. Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne

The full list can be found at liftvault.com/scenic-sweats.

Best soccer cities

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The personal-finance website WalletHub released its report on the Best Cities for Soccer Fans in 2024, comparing 300 U.S. cities with at least one college or professional soccer team across 52 key metrics, including minimum season-ticket price and performance on the pitch, according to a news release. Here are the top 20 cities:  

  1. Los Angeles, California
  2. Seattle, Washington
  3. Portland, Oregon
  4. Salt Lake City, Utah
  5. Orlando
  6. Washington, D.C.
  7. Kansas City, Missouri
  8. New York, New York
  9. Atlanta, Georgia
  10. St. Louis, Missouri
  11. Miami
  12. Cary, North Carolina
  13. Cincinnati, Ohio
  14. Houston, Texas
  15. Nashville, Tennessee
  16. Columbus, Ohio
  17. St. Paul, Minnesota
  18. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  19. Boston, Massachusetts
  20. San Jose, California

For the full report, visit WalletHub.com/edu/best-worst-cities-for-soccer-fans/14207.

NBA Scholastic Coach of the Year

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Jessica Hontz (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools/Facebook)

Jessica Hontz, a Starkey Ranch K8 teacher and Special Olympics basketball coach, has been named the 2024 Orlando Magic Jr. NBA Scholastic Coach of the Year, according to a post on the Pasco County Schools Facebook page. She won the award for her role in “the development of young people on and off the court, and providing a safe and positive basketball experience for them,” per the post.

Become a Florida angler

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission is inviting the public to become a Florida Friendly Angler by completing a free online course at flseagrant.org/fisheries/florida-friendly-angler-certification-program. This self-paced program teaches new and experienced anglers about the best fishing practices, protecting fish habitat and marine fisheries management, according to a news release. Those who complete the course will receive an electronic certificate and a mailed weatherproof  Florida Friendly Angler decal, the release says. The course also is offered in Spanish.

National Archery Tournament winners

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The National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament was held on April 6 at the Alachua County Sports and Events Center in Gainesville, hosted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). NASP is an in-school program sponsored by the FWC that is designed to teach international-style target archery in physical education classes for grades four to 12, according to a news release.

The top-scoring male and female received a $5,000 scholarship from the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and NASP. They were Daniel Thompson from Choctawhatchee High School who scored 286 and Adrienne Rambis from Tampa Bay Home Education Activities Team who scored 289, per the release.

USF’s new stadium

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A rendering of the planned new stadium for the University of South Florida. (Courtesy of University of South Florida)

The University of South Florida will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for its new on–campus stadium during the university’s Homecoming Week, Oct. 14 to Oct. 19, according to a news release. The university has selected Manhattan Construction Company, H.J. Russell & Company, and DuCon LLC to oversee the construction. The new stadium is expected to open in time for the fall of 2027.