Florida Sports Hall of Fame Brings Star-Studded Enshrinement to Manatee
By Lisa Neff
The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau will roll out the red carpet for sports royalty this month when it hosts the Florida Sports Hall of Fame’s 2025 enshrinement ceremony, marking the first time the prestigious event comes to Manatee County.
The two-day celebration — Nov. 18-19 — will honor seven new inductees — including Super Bowl champions, a World Series-winning manager and the sport of motocross’s first-ever Hall of Fame representative — at the newly renovated Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto and historic LECOM Park in Bradenton.
“We are absolutely thrilled to host our largest event of the year in the Bradenton area — and for the first time ever,” said Keyna Cory, chair of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame board.
Cory added, “The whole area is simply stunning and a beautiful backdrop for our enshrinement ceremony.”
The BACVB is serving as presenting sponsor for the events, which organizers expect will showcase the region’s attractions to inductees, their families and fans.
“Coveted ceremonies like these allow us to showcase the Bradenton area’s unique characteristics, including our world-class beaches as a popular destination for meetings, conventions and events,” said BACVB executive director Elliott Falcione.
Festivities kick off Nov. 18 with a Party with the Stars VIP event at LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., the spring training home of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1969.
The official induction ceremony follows Nov. 19 at the convention center, 1 Haben Blvd., featuring a pre-party, dinner and personal stories from each inductee.
The 2025 class represents four sports and includes the following Florida legends:
• Mike Alstott earned the nickname “A-Train” during 12 bruising seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The six-time Pro Bowl fullback helped deliver the franchise’s Super Bowl championship in 2002 and remains the team’s all-time leader in total touchdowns with 71.
• Jim Leyland led the Florida Marlins to the 1997 World Series title and became one of only 11 managers to guide three different teams to the postseason. The three-time Manager of the Year is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
• Ricky Carmichael, considered the greatest of all time in motocross, captured 15 AMA championships and 150 career wins — both records. The sport’s first GOAT had two perfect seasons and was named AMA Rider of the Year five times.
• Lonni Alameda has transformed Florida State into a softball powerhouse during her 17 seasons as head coach, winning the program’s first NCAA national championship in 2018. She’s guided the Seminoles to five Women’s College World Series appearances in nine complete seasons.
• Trey Burton, a Venice native, starred at the University of Florida before winning Super Bowl LII with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he helped execute the famous “Philly Special” play.
• Clyde Metcalf compiled 950 wins in 41 seasons coaching baseball at Sarasota High School, leading the Sailors to six state championships. Some 210 of his players went on to college baseball and 72 played professionally.
• Dave Wills spent 18 seasons as the beloved voice of the Tampa Bay Rays, creating signature calls including his triumphant, “Rays win! Rays win! Rays win!” He was inducted into the Rays Hall of Fame in 2024, one year after his death.
The public, along with current members, can make nominations to the Florida Sports Hall of Fame, which is located in Port St. Lucie. The institution’s board decides the final slate.
“We are honored that this is the first major event at the newly expanded and renovated Bradenton Area Convention Center,” Falcione said of the ceremony.
The convention center has been the focus of a $53 million renovation and expansion project that includes a grand ballroom accommodating up to 800 guests.
The adjacent 252-room Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa will serve as host hotel.
Tables for the enshrinement ceremony remain available at flasportshof.org.
About the Florida Sports Hall of Fame
Since 1961, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in Port St. Lucie has honored the state’s greatest sports contributors while using proceeds to support youth sports programs in underserved areas.
Visitors can view more than 60 memorabilia exhibits from some of Florida’s most well- known sports stars, including Jack Nicklaus, Bobby Bowden, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, Andy Bean, Chris Evert and Bob Griese. For more information, go to flasportshof.org.
