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Sport Lisboa e Benfica expands its reach through partnership

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Photos courtesy of Saint Leo University

ST. LEO – Saint Leo University and Portuguese soccer powerhouse Sport Lisboa e Benfica gathered June 13 to celebrate the launch of the first Benfica Residential Academy in the United States.  

Benfica Residential Academy will begin Aug. 15 on Saint Leo’s campus with 100 students. 

Photos courtesy of Saint Leo University

Couto Turf, the turf specialist for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics, is installing two new soccer fields on Saint Leo’s campus that will serve the academy. 

Benfica President Rui Castro and Ed Narain, chair of the college’s board of trustees, took part in a ribbon cutting for the new fields. Narain said the Saint Leo Lions are now “Benfiquistas.”

Three Benfica players joined students on the field while two bald eagles from Tampa Bay Raptor Rescue greeted the Benfica Eagles.

 

PHSC baseball team wins World Series

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NEW PORT RICHEY – The Pasco-Hernando State College Bobcats Baseball Team won the 2025 NJCAA Division II Baseball World Series Championship Game on May 31 in Enid, Oklahoma. 

The World Series win marks the first national championship win in the college’s athletic history.

The Bobcats played against the No. 2 seed, Pearl River, in the championship title game, finishing the game 11-7 after securing two grand slams in the bottom of the seventh inning. 

The first slam was completed by No. 8 Grant Jordan (Jesuit High School), tying the game to 7-7, and then with two outs, No. 20 Brandon Durfee (Land O’ Lakes High School) launched another grand slam to give the Bobcats a four-run lead.

PHSC took control of the game in the seventh, but throughout the game No. 27 Michael Savarese (Hernando High School) held the mound, tallying 8 strikeouts in 6.2 innings, before No. 6 Holden Wade (Sickles High School) closed out the game, throwing 2.1 scoreless innings without allowing a hit or a walk.

After the game, Durfee was named the tournament’s MVP and Outstanding Offensive Player, while PHSC’s recently named athletic director and head baseball coach, Lyndon Coleman, received the Coach of the Tournament Award. The NJCAA also announced the honors for the all-tournament team, naming four PHSC players: Jordan, No. 5 Fano Cruz (Viera High School), No. 1 Bryce Habuda (Canterbury High School) and No. 30 Gavin Zassenbraker (A3 Academy).

“The 2025 Bobcats may have physically won the national championship on the field, but this title belongs to everyone who has ever been a part of our program,” Coleman said. “This victory is for every player, coach, staff member and supporter who helped build PHSC Baseball into what it is today.”

 

PHSC’s baseball team heads to World Series

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The PHSC Bobcats are a tough draw for anyone playing them in a baseball tournament. Tim McClain photo

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco-Hernando State College’s men’s baseball team is set to compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division 2 College World Series on May 24 in Enid, Oklahoma.

The Bobcats qualified for the World Series after winning the Sun-Lakes Conference, Florida College System Activities Association Division 2 Region 8 State Tournament and NJCAA D2 South Division Championship.

PHSC’s men’s baseball team has maintained first place in the NJCAA D2 rankings for the last eight weeks in a row, having come out on top of the qualifying regular season, conferences and tournaments earning multiple recognitions through both the regular and postseason games.

No. 27 Michael Savarese has been awarded seven FCSAA D2 Pitcher of the Week honors throughout the season and was named Most Outstanding Pitcher and Sun-Lakes Conference Pitcher of the Year with a 1.09 ERA.

Other honors include No. 24 Juan Lopez earned Most Outstanding Player; No. 8 Grant Jordan was named the Sun-Lakes Conference Defensive Player of the Year; No. 30 Gavin Zassenbreaker and No. 20 Riley Fisher both earned FCSAA D2 Pitcher of the Week honors as well during the regular season.

PHSC’s recently named athletic director and head baseball coach, Lyndon Coleman, was honored as Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive season after the Sun-Lakes Conference.

“I am excited for our student-athletes to showcase their skills on the national level,” Coleman said. “They have spent many hours practicing and working towards the goal of winning a national championship. Regardless of what happens this will be a life-changing event that they will be able to tell their grandchildren about.”

On the web: bobcats.phsc.edu/fan/news

Bobcats head into tournament play with momentum

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The PHSC Bobcats are a tough draw for anyone playing them in a baseball tournament. Tim McClain photo

 

  • 001: The PHSC Bobcats are a tough draw for anyone playing them in a baseball tournament. Tim McClain photo
  • 002: Michael Savarese shows off his Most Outstanding Pitcher award. Tim McClain photo
  • 003: Juan Lopez shows off his Most Outstanding Player award. Tim McClain photo

 

Juan Lopez celebrates his Most Outstanding Player award. Tim McClain photo

The PHSC Bobcats baseball team won the FCSAA Division II NJCAA Region 8 championship on May 3. 

The team was scheduled to play at the NJCAA regional tournament from May 9 to 12 (after the newspaper’s deadline) at the NJCAA regional tournament. 

PHSC is currently ranked No. 1 in the county for the NJCAA Division II baseball teams.

The Bobcats won their first game 4-3 over Lake-Sumter State College and then defeated South Florida State College 6-5 in the next game, putting them undefeated in the championship game.The Bobcats closed out the championship May 3 with a 2-0 victory of Lake-Sumter State College, who came up from the loser’s bracket.  

Michael Savarese celebrates his Most Outstanding Pitcher award. Tim McClain photo

PHSC head coach Lyndon Coleman was named the Coach of the Year for the FCSAA Division II NJCAA Region 8.

Juan Lopez was named Most Outstanding Player and Michael Savarese was named Most Outstanding Pitcher for the tournament.

 

 

 

NFL star promotes water safety at storytime

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett read “Water Safety Adventures with Slyce” as part of the Glazer Children’s Museum’s Safer Swimming campaign. Photo courtesy of Glazer Children’s Museum
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Shaquil Barrett read “Water Safety Adventures with Slyce” as part of the Glazer Children’s Museum’s Safer Swimming campaign. Photo courtesy of Glazer Children’s Museum

TAMPA – Dozens of children packed into the Glazer Children’s Museum on May 6 to hear Super Bowl Champion Shaquil Barrett read “Water Safety Adventures with Slyce.” 

The storytime kicked off the museum’s monthlong Safer Swimming campaign, created in partnership with Watermelon Swim to mark National Water Safety Month. 

The free event took place during the museum’s popular Free Tuesday, made possible by the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County.

“We had a lot of safety precautions, but the main one we didn’t have was a gate that blocks the pool off from all entry points,” Barrett said. “There were so many steps that we had in place that we failed to make sure they were set that night. I just want parents to make sure every day is like a ritual: to make sure everything is locked, make sure the alarm is on, make sure everything is done. Make sure you triple check because it will save a life.”

Barrett, who lost his 2-year-old daughter Arrayah in a drowning accident in 2023, has since become a passionate water safety advocate through the Arrayah Hope Foundation. His connection to the cause added urgency and inspiration to the day’s message.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 4, and education can save lives.

“At Glazer Children’s Museum, we believe play is powerful, and in Florida, summer play often means water,” said Sarah Cole, president and CEO. “That’s why teaming up with Watermelon Swim is a natural fit. Together, we’re helping families stay safe while making the most of every splash-filled moment.”

The event was co-led by Micha Seal, CEO of Watermelon Swim, which teaches more than 7,000 students weekly across Tampa Bay. Seal and her team have embedded drowning prevention into their core mission, contributing nearly $1 million annually in scholarships, classroom programming and community outreach.

“Formal, continuous swim lessons reduce the risk of drowning by 88%. We are thrilled to partner with community leaders to spread our mission to grow a community full of safer swimmers,” Seal said. “It’s never too early – or too late – to learn how to swim. Everyone deserves access to life-saving water safety education, and we remain deeply committed to our mission of making that a reality.”

Throughout May, families visiting the Glazer Children’s Museum will encounter interactive exhibits, educational signage, themed books, and hands-on activities, all designed to teach kids and caregivers essential water safety skills in a fun and memorable way. 

On the web: GlazerMuseum.org

Pasco commissioners recognize Mustangs soccer title

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NEW PORT RICHEY – The Pasco Board of County Commissioner recognized the boys soccer team at J.W. Mitchell High School on April 22 for winning a state championship this school year. 

Coach Tyler Frick and the Mustangs were there to meet commissioners and pose for photos. 

“What we accomplished this year is very rare,” Frick told commissioners. “From my own research, it’s only the sixth team sports title in Pasco County high school sports history, and we’re lucky to have two of them.

“These guys had a great year. They came together finally at the end in a great playoff run against great competition to accomplish what they did. We’re enjoying all of this for sure.”

After a resolution was read into the record, commissioners took turns congratulating the team. 

“I’m sure all these memories – the bus rides back, the excitement, the bonding, the friendships – will last forever,” Commissioner Lisa Yeager told the student-athletes. “Just take it all in because you know what? You’re going to blink. You’re going to be out of high school. This is the best time of your life right now. Congratulations again. You guys worked hard and you deserve it.”

Commissioner Seth Weightman also acknowledged the parents for their support.

“All the hours, days and weekends probably going to club matches all across the state – they couldn’t have done it without you all, too,” Weightman told them. 

 

RESOLUTION NO. CAO25-5126

A  RESOLUTION  BY  THE  BOARD  OF  COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS  OF  PASCO COUNTY, FLORIDA, CONGRATULATING THE J.W. MITCHELL HIGH SCHOOL BOYS SOCCER TEAM FOR WINNING A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

WHEREAS, on February 22, 2025, the J.W. Mitchell High School Boys Soccer Team beat the second-ranked team in the country and top-ranked team in Class 6A Jacksonville Mandarin Boys Soccer Team 1-0 to capture the Class 6A Boys Soccer State Championship; and

WHEREAS, the J.W. Mitchell High School Boys Soccer Team handed the Jacksonville Mandarin Boys Soccer Team their first loss of the season, withstanding every challenge that Mandarin mounted over the duration of the game; and

WHEREAS, the J.W. Mitchell High School Boys Soccer Team was the only Tampa Bay area school to win a state title this year in soccer; and

WHEREAS, this state championship win marks just the second time a Pasco County boys soccer program has reached the pinnacle of Florida high school soccer, with the J.W. Mitchell High School Boys Soccer Team winning in 2010; and  

WHEREAS, the path to the title game was hard-fought, with the J.W. Mitchell High School Boys Soccer Team showing their resiliency in the semifinal in a back-and-forth battle against Olympic Heights; and  

WHEREAS,  the  J.W.  Mitchell  High  School  Boys  Soccer  Team  is  comprised  of  players  Pantelis Himonetos, Alejandro Acosta, Thomas Lutz, Quentin Hanson, Caden Pappas, Asher Bode, Alexi Anazco, Tyson Wallace, Luke Mclaren, Drew Delaney, Jack Shafer, Jackson Shaw, Kaua Cardoso, Elijah Sanchez, Trent Swift, Caden Beaver, Geo Guerra, Cameron Colyer, Adam Naim, Denton Buchanan, Eduardo Meza-Luna, Dion Shala, Thomas Triglia and David Gillespie; and 

WHEREAS,  the  J.W.  Mitchell  High  School  Boys  Soccer  Team  is  coached  by  Tyler  Frick,  Joe Schulman, Jason Piurowski, Kole McGibbon, Medin Kukuljac and Oscar Ubillus; and

WHEREAS, the J.W. Mitchell High School Boys Soccer Team finished the 2024-2025 season with a remarkable record of twenty-two wins, two losses and two tie games.

NOW,  THEREFORE,  BE  IT  RESOLVED  by  the  Board  of  County  Commissioners  of  Pasco County, Florida, that said Board hereby congratulates the J.W. Mitchell High School Boys Soccer Team for winning a Class 6A Boys Soccer State Championship.

DONE AND RESOLVED in regular session with a quorum present and voting this 22nd day of April 2025.

Foundation works to promote girls’ soccer

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Sun mascot Solé dances with students. Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Sun Foundation

TAMPA – With shots on goal, smiles on faces and surprises from professional female athletes, students at East Tampa’s Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy enjoyed an inspiring Soccer Celebration on April 4. 

Positive role models and examples of dreams being realized surrounded the 400-plus students at the all-girls public middle school. 

The event marked the launch of the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation. 

The nonprofit group will collaborate with the area’s women’s professional soccer team, Tampa Bay Sun FC, on programs that use the power of soccer to build community and character.

Ferrell Girls Preparatory Academy students zipped around cones in dribbling drills and laughed as they did their best to send shots into the back of portable soccer goals.

Volunteer coaches and professional female players from Tampa Bay Sun FC led the activities.

Sun players and team mascot Solé surprised students at the outdoor celebration, then headed inside to join a school pep rally in the gym.

The Soccer Celebration is a small taste of the impact that will be delivered by the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation’s flagship effort: Rise Up Soccer Club.

Rise Up will bring a free, high-quality soccer program to girls who otherwise may not have access.

It is a women-led afterschool curriculum, lasting four to six weeks.

The Rise Up program will focus on Title 1 schools like Ferrell.

“Soccer is one of the most popular sports for kids in the U.S., but youth soccer is almost never free,” said Rachel Jolley, program director for the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation. “To take part and see all the benefits of physical activity, teamwork and positive role models, families face spending hundreds or thousands of dollars per year, per child. We want to help change that dynamic here in Tampa Bay.”

In addition to expanding access to soccer, the foundation will create new opportunities for growth among local youth players and future leaders of the game, and be a hub for community impact that inspires every generation.

“Our players want to get out into the community,” said Christina Unkel, president and general manager of Tampa Bay Sun FC. “They want to show kids that their dreams can become reality. By partnering with the Tampa Bay Sun Foundation, the amazing women on our team now have a new outlet where they can reach out and have a positive impact.”

On the web: TampaBaySunFC.com/foundation

Mouratoglou brings a new era for tennis in Zephyrhills

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ZEPHYRHILLS – The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center has rebranded as Mouratoglou Academy Zephyrhills, integrating the Mouratoglou training methodology while preserving the authenticity and family spirit that have long defined its courts.

To celebrate the transition, Mouratoglou Academy Zephyrhills will host a grand opening on April 18, bringing together tennis elites, local personalities and key partners for a day of competition and celebration.

This transformation marks a new chapter in Zephyrhills’ rich tennis history, bringing world-

class coaching, state-of-the-art facilities and a high-performance training model that has shaped some of the greatest names in the sport. 

“What’s special about a tennis community is that it’s not just built on hard work and

dedication but on passion and friendship,” tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou said. “At Mouratoglou Academy Zephyrhills, we share those same values. Our core principles have shaped generations of champions and I am eager to see what new opportunities we will create for players to grow.” 

Mouratoglou’s resume is impressive with 10 Grand Slam titles, four Coach of the Year awards, 39 singles titles, two Olympic gold medals, and more than 40 players reaching the Top 100 under his guidance. He currently coaches Naomi Osaka and used to coach Serena Williams.

Mouratoglou Academy Zephyrhills will be under the leadership of Pascal Collard.

More than just a tennis academy, Mouratoglou Academy Zephyrhills is a home for players of all levels, from young talents aspiring to go pro to adults seeking to elevate their game.

The academy boasts 15 professional-grade tennis courts, five padel courts, eight pickleball courts and a dedicated country club.

Mouratoglou Academy Zephyrhills also strives to provide a proven coaching system with individualized training and cutting-edge techniques; a community-driven approach; and a desire to connect Zephyrhills to an international tennis network while remaining rooted in its identity.

Mouratoglou Academy Zephyrhills seeks to provide the highest level of tennis training while maintaining the values that have made the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center special for generations.

 

PHSC baseball head coach named athletic director

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Lyndon Coleman

NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco-Hernando State College named assistant athletic director and head baseball coach Lyndon Coleman as its new athletic director, effective March 3. 

Coleman will remain the head baseball coach and become the fourth athletic director in school history, succeeding longtime leader Steve Winterling.

Coleman played two seasons (2009 and 2010) under Winterling, earning All-Suncoast Conference honors and helping PHSC set a school-record 37 wins at the time. He continued his collegiate career at Barry University, where he was part of the Bucs’ 2011 team that finished 20-4, good for first place in the Sunshine State Conference.

Coleman’s coaching experience includes stops at Barry University, St. Petersburg College and multiple collegiate summer ball teams, including Winchester Royals, Keene Swamp Bats and Charlottesville Tom Sox.

In 2016, Coleman returned to PHSC as a recruiting coordinator and assistant baseball coach with Winterling. In eight full seasons, 10 total as a coach at PHSC, Coleman has been part of 317 wins, 214 as a head coach, winning four Coach of the Year titles (2019 NJCAA D2 Southeast District) and three Sun-Lakes Conference Coaches of the Year (2022, 2023 and 2024) awards. 

Under Coleman’s leadership, the Bobcats won three consecutive Sun-Lakes Conference championships. In Coleman’s first season as head coach at PHSC in 2019, he made an immediate impact, leading the Bobcats to a third-place finish at the NJCAA DII World Series. Coleman secured his 200th head coaching win at PHSC on Jan. 28, 2025, and continues to accumulate on-field success at the helm of the school’s baseball program.

Over his 10-year tenure, Coleman has had 10-plus players move on to four-year schools per year on average, many being Division I. He has graduated 10-plus students per year, on average, while maintaining a 3.0 grade point average or higher in every semester over his tenure. 

Coleman has seen three players drafted to Major League organizations: Davian Garcia, sixth round and Jackson Ross, ninth round (Washington Nationals) and Chay Yeager 12th round (Toronto Blue Jays).

Coleman has been crucial in helping with facility improvements, which includes the installation of the all-new baseball irrigation system and field turf in 2020. He was also a part of the installation of the LED Musco field lighting to the baseball field, donated by Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative in 2021.

In his efforts, Coleman and his program have helped raise $300,000 through donations, special events and golf tournaments. 

Coleman has helped set up and run numerous local high school baseball tournaments, including the Larry Beets Classic. Through this initiative, over 50 high-school programs across the state have competed in the tournaments held at PHSC. 

“What Lyndon has done with the baseball program over the past several years is a model for what we would like to see across PHSC Athletics,” said Jesse Pisors, PHSC president. “That, probably more than anything else, is what made it clear to me that Lyndon Coleman was the right person to follow Steve Winterling in this role. He also has been a great coach, and since the athletic director is the ‘leader of coaches,’ his model work as a head coach gives him a particular leadership strength in this aspect of his new job.”

Ace Pickleball Club to open first Florida location in Lutz

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LUTZ – Pickleball has always played a significant role in McKinley Cooper’s life. 

Long before pickleball surged in popularity, Cooper and her family bonded over the game, spending quality time together, especially with their dad. For years, Cooper and her family primarily played on outdoor courts, but the Florida heat can make it too hot to enjoy the game. 

Recognizing the need for a climate-controlled space, she saw an opportunity to provide Lutz and its surrounding communities with an indoor facility where people could play pickleball year-round in ideal conditions. 

Launching the first Ace Pickleball Club in Florida holds even more meaning for Cooper as it allows her to share her passion and give back to her community.

“Southwest Florida is incredibly active and quickly becoming a hub for pickleball, so I knew there was a need to offer the community a place where they could play anytime, in a comfortable and welcoming environment,” Cooper said. “For me, this isn’t just about building a business; it’s about growing the sport of pickleball and fostering a positive impact.”

Cooper will celebrate the grand opening of Ace Pickleball Club on March 31 at 18381 Pasco Business Center Way.

The new Ace Pickleball Club will cater to growing local demand, offering members the flexibility to play whenever their schedule allows for a flat monthly membership fee. Ace Pickleball Club offers open play all day, every day, letting members get their games in without the hassle of coordinating with others or paying additional fees. They can also take advantage of clinics, club-coordinated tournaments, social events and court and ball machine reservations. 

With unlimited paddle demos included, members can test out all of the newest paddles from a wide variety of brands to find their favorite. 

New to the sport? Ace Pickleball Club – Lutz will offer free introductory pickleball clinics to go over the rules of the sport and feel more comfortable as they learn about the game. 

On the web: acepickleballclub.com