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On the heels of the FIFA World Cup, nearly 200 elite youth soccer teams from around the world, including the Haitian National Women’s Under 17 team, will compete in the Disney Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, July 12-17.

Clubs featuring boys and girls (ages 9-17) from countries such as Brazil, Great Britain, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Malaysia, the United States and others will be joining the Haitian team in creating the largest field in the tournament’s 12-year history.

More than half of this year’s field comes from outside of the continental United States with Puerto Rico leading the international team count with 18 registered clubs. Canada is next (16), followed by Brazil (11). In all, 18 countries are represented.

This year’s field is one of the most diverse and largest we’ve had in our tournament’s history. The Disney Cup continues to be a great opportunity for teams from around the world to compete against other top young athletes while also getting to relax and enjoy a vacation at Disney.
Mark Luster event’s tournament director

Each team will play at least four games before advancing to a single-elimination tournament format. Championship games in various age divisions from under-9 through under-18 take place July 17.

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Since 1999, the tournament has attracted teams from more than 20 countries giving participants a unique opportunity to compete on the same fields as teams from the English Premier League and Major League Soccer. For instance, Celtic Football Club, Blackburn Football Club, the MLS Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls and Real Salt Lake have all competed or trained at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Soccer fans in Central Florida can get swept up in the fever of 2010 FIFA World Cup through unique viewing opportunities at Walt Disney World Resort.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill at Disney has been designated as an official viewing location for the month-long global soccer tournament.  Soccer fans can watch live World Cup matches televised on ABC, ESPN and ESPN2 from South Africa involving their favorite soccer national teams on the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill’s many large high-definition screens.

In addition, the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill will offer special viewing parties running for the Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and third-place match (June 26-July 10), which will include guaranteed seating to view the matches and an all-you-care-to-eat buffet featuring Buffalo wings, hot dogs, seasonal fruit, build-your-own salads, a nacho bar, desserts and non-alcoholic drinks – all for $19.99/per person, per game (plus tax).

The beautiful game kicks off on the world stage June 11, with open seating for breakfast and lunch available at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill for the group stage of play running through June 25.  A special viewing area will be available for the championship match July 11.
Reservations can be made starting May 27 by calling 407/WDW-DINE or by visiting espnwwos.com.

The official FIFA World Cup viewing location designation builds on the long-standing soccer tradition at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  The 220-acre complex, the leading multi-sports venue in the nation, hosts nearly 300 sports events each year, including the Disney Cup International Youth Soccer tournament (July) and the coveted Disney Soccer Showcase (December), which features the most decorated youth soccer players in the nation.

For more information on soccer events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, please visit espnwwos.com.

What launched with a single cable network on Sept. 7, 1979, is now ESPN, Inc., the leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring the broadest portfolio of multimedia sports assets, including six domestic networks, 46 international networks and more than 50 business entities. Today, ESPN delivers sports programming to more than 200 countries and territories on all seven continents across a variety of platforms – television, wireless, interactive, print, radio, broadband, event management and consumer products – all with the hopes of fulfilling its original mission of serving sports fans.

In 1996, The Walt Disney Company, under CEO Michael Eisner, acquired Capital Cities/ABC, Inc., which included 80 percent of ESPN.  In 2005, Robert Iger was named CEO of The Walt Disney Co. – after serving as president and COO since 2000 – and continues to oversee ESPN today. In one momentous deal, Disney and ESPN changed the entire landscape of sports and entertainment, combining the sport expertise of ESPN with the creativity and the guest-experience capabilities of Disney.

A Field of Dreams Fully Realized

© Copyright Disney | Jimmy DeFlippo, photographe

Today, the newly renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort represents the perfect intersection of sports and entertainment – Disney’s sports complex as the leading multi-sport venue in the nation combining with ESPN’s stature as the preeminent sports entertainment media outlet in the world.

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex marks the latest collaboration between the two powerful brands. The two companies have worked together successfully in the past on such events as the X Games Trials, the Old Spice Classic NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament and ESPN RISE Games. Most notably, ESPN and Walt Disney World Resort together stage ESPN The Weekend, the sports-themed special event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios that has been a virtual “Who’s Who” of celebrity athletes and personalities. In all, ESPN televises dozens of events from Walt Disney World Resort each year.

ESPN Designates ESPN WWoS Complex Official 3D Development Center

Recognizing the need for a real-world testing ground to continue the development of ESPN 3D, ESPN has designated the ESPN Innovation Lab at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex as the hub for developing 3D technology. ESPN will invite various technology companies to utilize the site for emerging technology enhancements focused on 3D television. In addition to the resources at the Innovation Lab, ESPN will bring online a new production center that can be used for producing live sporting events for multiple ESPN platforms.

The Innovation Lab and the new Production Center based at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex gives ESPN a designated testing ground to continue creating a robust ESPN 3D network. This complex provides ESPN access to more than 300 sporting events which means 3D production testing can occur throughout the year.  The research ESPN gathers through these facilities will set the pace for innovation and provide fans the best 3D on-air coverage of sporting events.
Chuck Pagano, executive vice president, technology, ESPN

The new Production Center will also serve as a training facility for production personnel to gain experience in telecasting 3D events. This facility houses eight edit rooms which will feed highlights into the main server system based in Bristol, Conn. Also, the Production Center controls 42 robotic cameras scattered throughout the complex which will capture highlights from the various playing venues. The facility also has 10 ENG cameras and four EFP cameras. The production control room has 16 channels of bi-directional video along with audio ingest, play-out capabilities, graphics building and more.

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ESPN’s Innovation Lab opened in October 2009. It has produced two innovative production elements, Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom. Ball Track is a Doppler radar hit-tracking system that has the ability to track home runs showing the distance and height of the ball in-flight, updating continuously during the ball’s flight. It debuted on the 2009 MLB Home Run Derby telecast on July 13. ESPN Snap Zoom debuted on Monday Night Football on Sept. 28 and is a freeze-frame technology that brings the fan closer to the play by zooming in an area of interest and providing insight to a current action on the field thus giving the viewer a different view on a particular focus of play.

ESPN 3D, the industry’s first 3D television network, will showcase a minimum of 85 live sporting events during its first year, beginning with the first 2010 FIFA World Cup match on June 11 featuring South Africa vs. Mexico. Other events to be produced in 3D include up to 25 2010 FIFA World Cup matches, NBA, X Games 16, college basketball and college football, which will include the BCS National Championship game in Glendale, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2011. Additional events will be announced at a later date.

About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 300 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States, accommodating 60 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries.  Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 220-acre facility features: The Fieldhouse, a 165,000-square-foot field house which seats 5,500 for basketball; Champion Stadium ballpark (cap. 11,500); Hess Sports Fields, which include multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields; Jostens Center, an 80,000-square-foot multi-sport fieldhouse; and Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology group to develop ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom.  In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 handheld and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, that can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex.  The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through a state-of-the-art Production Center that features eight edit bays and links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles. Follow Disney Sports on Twitter at @DisneySports.

ESPN WWoS Complex Expands Diversity of Events in 2010

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Already distinguished for its unparalleled diversity of sport, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex has added an even wider variety of events in 2010 and beyond, highlighted by the debut of its first-ever Major League Gaming Pro Circuit tournament and the expansion of events that are part of the ESPN RISE Games.  New and expanded events range from traditional sports (baseball, softball and soccer) to up-and-coming sports (lacrosse and rugby) to non-traditional sports (Major League Gaming and VEX Robotics).

The ESPN RISE Games in July is expected to expand considerably, with more than triple the number of athletes from last year.  In its second year, the event includes seven sports, with new events involving AAU basketball, U.S. Lacrosse and USSSA softball.

This year, the complex will serve as a 2010 tournament stop on the Major League Gaming Pro Circuit, bringing together the nation’s top professional and amateur video gamers for a three-day competition at the complex.  In all, the tournament plans to attract more than 250 teams, comprised of nearly 2,500 gamers, with competitors facing off in a variety of popular games.  Major League Gaming is the largest professional video game league in the world, targeting the approximately 40 million North American consumers who have a passion for playing video games as a competitive social activity.

The famed Harlem Globetrotters returned to the facility for a special performance on Feb. 25 as part of the official re-launch of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.  The clown princes of basketball played the Washington Generals in a special performance featuring sports celebrities, ESPN personalities and Disney characters, in a game that aired on ESPN2 on Feb. 26.  The Globetrotters have entertained fans around the world for more than 84 seasons and have won more than 23,000 games.

Capitalizing on the excitement of the upcoming FIFA World Cup in South Africa, Walt Disney World Resort will host viewing parties across the resort, including at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, for guests looking to follow the action of their favorite countries while on vacation.

There are also a number of other traditional, up-and-coming and non-traditional sports events taking place at the complex:

TRADITIONAL:

Varsity Brands has extended its relationship with Walt Disney World Resort through 2014 and will look to add to its list of national cheerleading championships and events that currently includesthe College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship, theNational High School Cheerleading Championship, the National All Star Cheerleading Championship, the National Dance Team Championships and the Cheerleading and Dance Worlds Championship.  These championships are broadcast on ESPN and ESPN2 to more than 90 million homes each year.  More than 40,000 cheerleaders and 80,000 fans attend these events annually.

Those events join several other recently announced events such as the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend, Oct. 1-2, which culminates with a 13.1-mile nighttime race and after-hours party inside the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival.  And the inaugural Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic (Feb. 25 and 27), a four-team exhibition event featuring two-time MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo, the New York Red Bulls, who reached 2008 MLS Cup Final, FC Dallasand Toronto FC.

USSSA, a longstanding partner of the complex, has expanded its event offerings to include a new 64-team elite baseball national championship, and two additional girls fast pitch softball national championships.  Additionally, the USSSA Pride, a pro women’s softball team, will be playing two four-game homestands at the complex in the summer of 2010.

Another new event is the Rawlings Gold Glove baseball tournament, an invitational tournament with players (ages 10-18) from around the country, scheduled for fall 2010.

Pop Warner Little Scholars, the parent organization of the Pop Warner Super Bowl and National Cheerleader Championships, has expanded its event lineup to include Pop Warner-branded flag football tournaments.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex will be hosting the NIKE Football Combines, providing SPARQ testing to thousands of high school athletes wanting to measure and track their athletic capabilities.

UP-AND-COMING:

The national governing bodies (NGB) for USA wrestling, judo, gymnastics, fencing and lacrosse have extended their relationships with ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and will host several new and expanded events between 2010 and 2013.

The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) has extended its involvement through 2014, with the complex hosting the 2011 MAAC Men’s Soccer Championships, the 2012 MAAC Cross Country Championships, the 2013 MAAC Women’s Soccer Championships and the 2014 MAAC Volleyball Championships.  The MAAC has hosted conference championships at Walt Disney World Resort since 1998.

In September, the complex will host the Touch Rugby USA Nationals, an international rugby tournament with limited physical contact.  The event features some of the best adult touch rugby athletes from around the world.

Disney’s Soccer Showcase, which features the top youth soccer players in the nation, will add a fourth college showcase tournament to its popular lineup of events in the summer of 2010.

AAU is expanding its national championship events at the complex with the addition of three more girls’ basketball championships and showcase tournaments, and the addition of a boys and girls national cross country championship in December.

The high school and college spring training program, presented by Champion, at the sports complex, which involves baseball, softball, lacrosse and track & field teams from around the country training at the sports complex, will expand to include golf this year.

A volleyball summer camp in June, hosted by Kaylee Scholarship Association, will become the first-ever high school team camp offering.

NON-TRADITIONAL:

In November, the VEX Robotics competition returns for the annual VEX Robotics All-Star Challenge Tournament.  The Vex Robotics Competition, the largest secondary school robotics program in the world with more than 2,500 teams in 20 countries, features middle school and high school teams competing against each other with their student-built robots in a game that tests their science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills.

The Iron Kids Triathlon has been added to the Iron Man 70.3 Florida Triathlon Weekend, held at Walt Disney World Resort.  Similar to the Iron Man event, the Iron Kids Triathlon involves swimming, biking and running.

New and Expanded Events for 2010 and Beyond

• ESPN RISE Games
• Major League Gaming
• Harlem Globetrotters
• Major League Soccer
• FIFA World Cup Viewing
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend
• Rawlings Gold Glove Baseball Tournament
• Pop Warner Flag Football
• Varsity Brands
• AAU Girls Basketball Championships and Showcase
• Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships
• USSSA Baseball and Softball
• VEX Robotics
• Touch Rugby USA Nationals
• Kaylee Scholarship Association Volleyball Summer Camp
• Iron Kids Triathlon
• New Events Tied to National Governing Bodies for Wrestling, Judo, Gymnastics, Fencing and Lacrosse
• Disney Soccer Showcase
• Disney High School Spring Training Program

ESPN WWoS Complex Key Annual Sporting Events

The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is home to more than 300 events each year, accommodating 60 different sports, and drawing athletes from more than 70 countries. Competitors range from the young to the old, from the amateur and highly skilled to the Special Olympian and the weekend warrior. Below are a handful of signature events:

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Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend presented by CIGNA (January)

The Walt Disney World Marathon began in 1994 and takes runners along a magical 26.2-mile journey through all four Disney theme parks (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney’s Animal Kingdom).  Known as one of the top family-destination races, marathon weekend attracts more than 55,000 runners and their families (more than 100,000 people total) to enjoy the weekend’s activities – Kids Races, a Family 5K, half marathon, marathon and Health & Fitness Expo.

Tom Shaw Performance Camp (February)

Since 2006, renowned speed and conditioning coach Tom Shaw has trained some of the top NFL players at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. Notable athletes include Deion Sanders, Super Bowl XLIII MVP Santonio Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers), 2008 NFL Defensive Player of the Year James Harrison (Pittsburgh Steelers), Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions), Glenn Dorsey (Kansas City Chiefs), Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans) and Devin Hester (Chicago Bears).

Atlanta Braves Spring Training (February-March)

On March 27, 1997, the Atlanta Braves exhibition game versus the Cincinnati Reds marked the grand opening of the sports complex. Led by manager Bobby Cox and perennial all-star Chipper Jones, the Braves enjoyed a string of nine straight division titles while at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, and now feature one of the most promising young teams in baseball.

Cheerleading Worlds Championship (April)

Considered the Super Bowl of cheerleading events, the Cheerleading Worlds Championship features the globe’s best cheerleading squads. Participation in the event has grown dramatically from three international teams representing two countries to more than 100 teams (8,500 cheerleaders) from 40 countries.

AAU Boys Basketball National Championships (July)

The tournament features some of the top high school-age players from across the country. Known as a breeding ground for future NBA stars (Lebron James, Dwight Howard, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade), the event attracts NCAA coaches from the top basketball programs, making it the premier collegiate recruiting event in the nation.

ESPN RISE Games presented by Target (July)

The multi-sport festival anchored by several elite high school sports events including the AAU 17-under Boys Basketball Super Showcase, the Under Armour High School Softball All-American game and the Gridiron Kings, an elite 7-on-7 football event. The event also includes an open division for baseball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse and track & field competitions.

Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend (debuts October 2010)

The Disney Wine & Dine Fall Half Marathon Weekend will make its debut Oct. 1-2, 2010. The nighttime race will take participants through multiple theme parks and will culminate at the Epcot International Food & Wine Festival for an exclusive after-hours party. The weekend will include Mickey’s Halloween Family Fun Run 5K, Kids Races and the event’s first-ever half marathon two-person relay.

Children’s Miracle Network Classic (November)

Since 1971, the PGA TOUR’s most magical stop has taken place at Walt Disney World Resort. The Palm and Magnolia golf courses play host to the final tournament of the PGA TOUR Fall Series. Notable winners of the event include Jack Nicklaus, who won the first three Classics (’71-’73), Payne Stewart (’83), Tiger Woods (’96, ’99), Vijay Singh (’04), Davis Love III (’08) and Stephen Ames (’07,’09).

Old Spice Classic (November)

The premier pre-season Division I event is an eight-team, 12-game men’s basketball tournament that takes place over Thanksgiving weekend and features some of the top collegiate teams in America. Past winners include Arkansas (2006), North Carolina State (2007), Gonzaga (2008) and Florida State (2009).  Competing this year will be Notre Dame, Temple, Boston College, California, Georgia, Manhattan College, Texas A&M and Wisconsin.

The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards/Disney Spirit Award (December)

The star-studded awards show features the live presentation of nine of college football’s most prestigious awards, along with Disney’s Spirit Award. The event takes place at Atlantic Dance Hall at Disney’s BoardWalk. Disney’s Spirit Award has been presented annually to college football’s most inspirational figure since 1996, including Tim Tebow in 2008 and Mark Herzlich in 2009.

Pop Warner Super Bowl (December)

Sixty-four of the top youth football teams in the nation compete in this week-long Super Bowl after advancing through regional competitions. National crowns will be won in four divisions based on size and age – Jr. Pee Wee (ages 8-11 yrs.), Pee Wee (9-12 yrs.), Jr. Midget (10-13 yrs.) and Midget (11-15 yrs.). The Pop Warner National Cheer & Dance Championships also takes place, bringing together thousands of cheerleaders from across the country.

Disney’s Soccer Showcase presented by Chelsea Football Club (December)

Widely regarded as the leading elite youth soccer tournament in the nation, this event annually attracts the top high school-aged boys and girls soccer players from across the country. The tournament features more than 500 teams (roughly 9,500 athletes). More than 800 college coaches attend, making it the place where top college prospects are recruited.

ESPN WWoS Complex Breakdown

ARCHITECTURE (Overall Facility)

Architect: David Schwarz (Washington, D.C.). Schwarz also designed The Ballpark at Arlington, home of Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers.

Design: “Florida Picturesque” style embodies a Florida- or Mediterranean-flavor design with Spanish-style roofing, blue and green accent tiling, vibrant yellow colors and symmetrical tower-like structures.

Venues: Champion Stadium, The Fieldhouse, Jostens Center , Hess Sports Fields, Baseball Quadraplex, Softball Complex, Tennis Complex, Track & Field Complex, including cross country, covered training facility, Production Center and Welcome Center. A state-of-the-art bowling center is coming in 2012.

Other amenities: Expanded retail pop-ups (four locations), ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill, PlayStation Pavilion, a welcome center and a parking lot with more than 5,000 spaces.

CHAMPION STADIUM

The centerpiece of the sports complex, Champion Stadium is a retro-style Major League Baseball ballpark that annually hosts MLB spring training (Atlanta Braves) and numerous amateur tournaments. With permanent seating and existing infrastructure, the facility can also host concerts, corporate hospitality functions, event opening ceremonies and other large gatherings.

Maximum capacity for 11,500 guests, including 9,500 permanent upper and lower deck seats (80 percent are located between first and third base), plus a grass berm in left field that offers seating for an additional 2,000+ guests.

Four luxury suites (all include indoor and outdoor seating areas), plus an additional suite that features a large conference room; two upper-level outdoor suites; and two mezzanine-level outdoor terraces.

Display booth equipped with state-of-the-art production equipment for managing in-stadium entertainment, including a 33’ 7” wide by 21’7” high jumbo screen which can display ESPN programming, customized videos, daily highlight reels and interviews from the sports complex.

PRODUCTION CENTER

2,500 square foot state-of-the-art facility with eight edit bays and uplinks to ESPN in Bristol, Conn., Los Angeles and New York.

56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 handheld and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including 3 jumbo screens that can capture and display footage, event highlights and interviews that will broadcast throughout the complex and on various Disney and ESPN platforms.

THE FIELDHOUSE

Versatile indoor arena includes high arches and trusses and other architectural and design elements reminiscent of a classic 1950s style fieldhouse (capacity: 5,500). This multi-purpose facility can accommodate virtually any indoor sport that does not require ice, including basketball, wrestling, gymnastics, volleyball, martial arts, team handball, roller hockey, cheerleading and dance, trampoline and tumbling, indoor tennis, etc., in addition to concerts and conventions.

Room for six full-size collegiate basketball courts (four on main level and two upstairs on auxiliary court).

JOSTENS CENTER

A state-of-the-art multi-sport fieldhouse, Jostens Center includes space for six college-size basketball courts, or 12 regulation-size volleyball courts, or two roller hockey rinks, and four locker rooms, two conference rooms and two officials’ rooms.

HESS SPORTS FIELDS

The Sports Fields venue, sponsored by Amerada Hess Corporation, are large enough to accommodate a variety of outdoor sports — soccer, football, lacrosse, baseball, field hockey, rugby, softball, cricket, etc.  The seven grass playing surfaces and four fields may be used collectively for one large event or multiple events may take place simultaneously on various fields.

Permanent bleacher seating is available at each field and additional bleachers may be added for larger events (capacity: 10,000).

BASEBALL QUADRAPLEX/ SOFTBALL COMPLEX

The Baseball Quadraplex includes four professional baseball fields and a half field (used for infield drills). The quad annually hosts MLB players during spring training and minor league players during Rookie League (Gulf Coast League) and Fall Instructional League seasons, as well as camps, clinics and tournaments for amateur and youth players.

The Softball Complex includes six fields that can accommodate fastpitch and slowpitch softball, as well as youth baseball (12 and younger).

TENNIS COMPLEX

Tennis complex includes 10 “HAR TRU” green clay courts, including a stadium court, and can accommodate events ranging from youth clinics to major professional tournaments. Formerly hosted U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships on ATP Tour (1997-2000).

TRACK & FIELD COMPLEX

World-class 400-meter polyurethane Track & Field Complex meets IAAF world governing body standards and measurements, and is consistent with Olympic T&F venues throughout the world.

The Track & Field Complex features an adaptable Cross Country Course.

ESPN WIDE WORLD OF SPORTS GRILL

An enlarged and enhanced sports-themed fast casual restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating located across from Champion Stadium. The restaurant contains a full bar and menu items include burgers, pizza, signature sandwiches and salads, along with a variety of desserts and beverages.

Includes high-definition TV screens, live radio remote capabilities and a SportsCenter desk.

ESPN INNOVATION LAB

New home for the Emerging Technology group at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Facility develops various broadcast-related technologies that eventually may make their way to air on ESPN Networks.

ESPN has utilized the sports complex and its numerous sporting events to build and test future on-air applications, such as player and object tracking and player game simulation.

UNIQUE EXTRAS

Retail facilities: Three sports-themed merchandise locations reside at the sports complex, while customized merchandise vehicles are located throughout the other venues during individual events.

The Welcome Center provides assistance to sports complex guests during their visit to Walt Disney World Resort, including planning for theme park visits, dining and golf reservations.

The PlayStation Pavilion features 17 state-of-the-art PlayStation 3 systems, including a SingStar stage, and a collection of just-released game titles.

ESPN WWoS Complex Quick Facts

The complex incorporates the signature elements of ESPN for a one-of-a-kind experience that is designed to take youth sports to the next level and make athletes, coaches and fans feel as if they made it to the “big time” and on to ESPN.

The complex features a 20-zone audio system, 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 handheld and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, that can capture any competition at the complex and display live action, game highlights, player interviews and ESPN programming.

A new 2,500-square-foot state-of-the-art Production Center with eight edit bays and uplinks to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles provides competition footage to various ESPN media platforms such as ESPN, ESPNRISE.com and ESPN3.com.

The ESPN Innovation Lab, where new ground-breaking on-air products are developed and tested utilizing the athletes and events taking place at the complex.  Additionally, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex was recently designated as ESPN’s development hub for 3D telecast technology.

A redesigned and renamed ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill, a sports-themed eatery with high-definition TV screens, live radio remote capabilities and a SportsCenter desk.

The PlayStation Pavilion features 17 PlayStation 3 systems, including a SingStar stage, and a collection of just-released sports-themed games and other titles.

The Welcome Center is an information hub for sports complex guests looking for sports event information as well as theme park information, dining reservation, golf tee times, etc.

About ESPN, Inc.

ESPN, Inc. is the world’s leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company featuring a portfolio of over 50 multimedia sports assets.  The company is comprised of six domestic television networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Classic, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, ESPNU), ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS and ESPNU HD simulcast services, ESPN Regional Television, ESPN International (46 networks, syndication, radio, Web sites), ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Enterprises, ESPN PPV, ESPN Zones (sports-themed restaurants), and other growing new businesses including ESPN3.com (Broadband), ESPN Mobile Properties, ESPN on Demand and ESPN Interactive. Based in Bristol, Ct., ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc., which is an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company. The Hearst Corporation holds a 20 percent interest in ESPN.

About ESPN Technology:

ESPN Technology develops the ideas and applications that bring the fan closer to the game with new, innovative production enhancements.  ESPN’s technology team designed and supports two of the most technologically advanced production centers in the world, the Digital Center in Bristol, Conn., and the Los Angeles Production Center which is the first 1080p-capable production facility. In addition, the Emerging Technology Group has developed many on-air advancements over the past 30 years, including virtual graphics applications, Huck-O-Meter and the Emmy-winning EA Virtual Playbook.

The widely acclaimed sports facility at Walt Disney World Resort was officially re-launched as ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Thursday, Feb. 25, in an elaborate Hollywood-style “turf carpet” event that featured celebrities, Florida’s governor, ESPN on-air commentators and sports stars from the NFL, MLB, LPGA, Olympics and more.

Shawn Johnson (Olympic gold medal gymnast), Chad Ochocinco (Cincinnati Bengals), Jennie Finch (Olympic softball gold medalist), Santonio Holmes (Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl MVP) and Annika Sorenstam (LPGA) were among the star athletes who joined popular ESPN on-air personalities on the red carpet that was painted green with yard lines to resemble a football field.  Florida governor Charlie Crist and senior executives from Disney and ESPN officially re-launched the 220-acre sports complex as Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints kicker Garrett Hartley booted a football over the re-designed complex entrance amid fireworks and a sea of confetti.

Immediately afterwards, Mickey Mouse led a throng of youth and pro athletes – representing the 60-plus sports held at the complex – through a huge ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex banner draped over the entrance.

Afterwards, the celebrities, athletes and ESPN personalities attended a special reception at the complex’s re-themed ESPN Wide World of Sports Grill, followed by a special performance by the Harlem Globetrotters that featured Hartley, Sorenstam, Maurice Jones-Drew, Brandi Chastain and ESPN radio personalities Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic, who served as honorary assistant coaches.  The game, called by ESPN’s “SportsNation” co-hosts Colin Cowherd and Michelle Beadle, airs Friday on ESPN2.

At ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, we are giving America’s youth athletes a one-of-a-kind youth sports experience that leaves them feeling as if they have reached the big time and made it onto ESPN. Our goal is to ensure that the millions of athletes, coaches and fans who come through this sports complex at Walt Disney World Resort will walk in loving sports and walk out knowing that sports loves them back.
Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises

The re-imagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is taking youth sports to the next level by providing an immersive sports experience for the more than 2 million athletes, coaches and fans who come to the complex each year, while also connecting them to their favorite ESPN programs, personalities and elements.  It also provides advertisers a new platform to reach the youth sports market.

As part of the project, Disney and ESPN have added many technological and experiential enhancements designed to replicate the signature elements of ESPN throughout the complex, including 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 handheld and four studio), 40 high-definition video screens at 17 locations (including three jumbo screens) and a 2,500-square-foot Production Center with links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles.  Also, there is a 20-zone audio system, a welcome center, a huge complex marquee and the Innovation Lab where the ESPN Emerging Technology group is testing and developing innovative new on-air applications.

This complex embodies the ESPN and Disney commitment to excellence, ensuring that athletes and their families have the best possible experience. It is our hope that, win or lose, every athlete who competes at the complex will walk away with lifelong memories.
George Bodenheimer, president, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports and co-chairman, Disney Media Networks

The re-imagining of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is the latest initiative in the growing sports business at Walt Disney World Resort.  In late 2007, the sports complex added additional outdoor playing fields for football, soccer, lacrosse and field hockey competitions.  And in 2008, the sports complex opened Jostens Center, a state-of-the-art fieldhouse that allows Disney to accommodate twice as many indoor sports events each year.  Additional expansion plans are in development, including a planned 100-lane bowling facility.

Disney Sports annually stages more than 300 events and has accommodated approximately 60 different sports involving athletes from more than 70 countries.  Among those events are Atlanta Braves spring training, Chelsea Football Club events, the Pop Warner Super Bowl, AAU National Championships, Varsity Cheer events, the World Cheerleading Championships, the ESPN RISE Games, USSSA events and the Walt Disney World Marathon, one of the top marathons in the nation.  ESPN televises dozens of sporting events from the complex, and Walt Disney World Resort and ESPN also annually work together to host the popular ESPN The Weekend presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the complex.

About ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, which hosts more than 300 events a year, is the leading multi-sport venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States, accommodating 60 different sports and athletes from more than 70 countries.  Designed to take youth sports to the next level, the 220-acre facility features: The Fieldhouse, a 165,000-square-foot field house which seats 5,500 for basketball; Champion Stadium ballpark (cap. 11,500); Hess Sports Fields, which include multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields; Jostens Center, an 80,000-square-foot multi-sport fieldhouse; and Innovation Lab, a real-world testing ground for the ESPN Emerging Technology group to develop ground-breaking on-air products like Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom.  In addition, the complex features 56 high-definition cameras (42 robotic, 10 handheld and four studio) and 40 high-definition video screens, including three jumbo screens, that can capture and display footage from any event taking place at the complex. The camera and video screens, as well as a 20-zone audio system, are controlled through the state-of-the-art Production Center that features eight edit bays and links to ESPN facilities in Bristol, Conn., New York and Los Angeles.  For more information, visit www.wdwnews.com for releases, photos and videos.  Follow us on Twitter at @DisneySports.

Variety of Sports/Competitions

Adventure, Racing, Archery, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Bass Fishing, BMX Racing, Bowling, Boxing, Canine Agility, Cheerleading, Cricket, Cross Country, Dance, Dodge Ball, Dragon Boat, Fast Pitch Softball, Fencing, Field Hockey, Flag Football, Foot Bag, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Ice Hockey, In Line Hockey, In Line Skating, Judo, Jump Rope, Karate, Lacrosse, Marathon, Martial Arts, Paintball, Powerlifting, Robotics, Rugby, Running, Soccer, Softball, Surfing, Table Tennis, Tae-Kwon-Do, Team Handball, Tennis, Track & Field, Trampoline & Tumbling, Triathlon, Twirl, Video Gaming, Volleyball, Wake Boarding, Walking, Water Skiing, Weightlifting, Wrestling

And more…

ESPN and the Walt Disney World Resort are again offering fans the opportunity to see and hear many ESPN personalities, including “Mike & Mike in the Morning” co-hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg, who are celebrating their 10years together next week.  In addition, current and legendary athletes on hand include Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia and former Heisman Trophy winner and current University of South Carolina football coachSteve Spurrier.  ESPN The Weekend presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods, Feb. 25-28, is a one-of-a-kind sports-themed special event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park and the newly re-imagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

Additionally, ESPN personalities John Anderson, Tedy Bruschi, Colin Cowherd, Ron Jaworski, Karl Ravech, Sage Steele, Dick Vitale and Trey Wingo are scheduled to participate, along with more than 30 athletes, including running back Maurice Jones-Drew, tight end Jason Witten, kicker Adam Vinatieri and safety Brian Dawkins; New York Yankees CC Sabathia and Joba Chamberlain; MLB legends Curt Schilling, Bernie Williams and Hall of Famers Andre Dawson and Jim Palmer; NFL Hall of Famers Jim Kelly, Thurman Thomas and Darrell Green; former LPGA golfer Annika Sorenstam; and U.S. Olympic gold medalists Shawn Johnson and Brandi Chastain, among many others.  The ESPN personalities and sports celebrities expected to attend the sixth annual event are listed at www.espntheweekend.com (Click on Who’s Coming).

ESPN The Weekend will feature on-site telecasts of popular ESPN programs (beginning Thursday, Feb. 25), including “Baseball Tonight,” “First Take,” “Mike & Mike in the Morning,” “NFL Live” and interview segments on “SportsCenter”; motorcades and Q&A sessions with athletes and ESPN personalities; Inside ESPN sports shows with commentators and athletes; live ESPN Radio broadcasts; and the ESPN Sports Zone interactive area. Dick’s Sporting Goods will serve as presenting sponsor of the event for the fourth consecutive year.

This year, the event branches out to the soon-to-be relaunched ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, formerly Disney’s Wide World of Sports, for a special performance by the Harlem Globetrotters (Feb 25) and two days of Major League soccer action, which help kick off the grand opening of the 220-acre multi-sport venue.

To find the latest updates on Twitter for ESPN The Weekend, go to @DisneySports and search #ESPNWKND.

Live On-Site ESPN Telecasts

ESPN will present live telecasts – including “First Take” and “NFL Live” from a set in front of Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat on Hollywood Boulevard at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.  Park guests will have a chance to appear on-air via crowd shots while watching the programming on video screens. Popular ESPN Radio shows “Mike & Mike in the Morning” and “The Herd”with Colin Cowherd will be broadcast live from the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Feb. 25-26. As Major League Baseball Spring Training games get underway in Florida, ESPN’s on-site program lineup will feature a special two-hour “Baseball Tonight” with host Karl Ravech and analysts John Kruk, Bobby Valentine and Chris Singleton from the theme park Feb. 28 at 4 p.m. ET as ESPN’s popular baseball news, information and highlights show kicks off its 21st season.

Mike & Mike Celebrate 10 Years Together

ESPN Radio’s “Mike & Mike in the Morning”will celebrate the show’s 10th anniversary at the newly re-imagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort on Wednesday, Feb. 24 (6-10 a.m. ET). ESPN Radio’s popular morning-drive show hosted by Mike Greenberg and Mike Golic launched in January 2000.  Today the show is heard (and seen on ESPN2) by more than 12 million listeners each week on more than 350 stations nationwide.

Inside ESPN

Live stage shows will bring fans and guests behind-the-scenes of some of the network’s most popular programs, including “SportsCenter,” “Baseball Tonight,” “First Take,” “NFL Live” and “Stump the Schwab.” The shows will provide an inside look at favorite athletes, teams and ESPN programs. Fans can get into the action themselves by asking questions directly to ESPN personalities and athletes.

Dream Job – The Experience

Guests who think they have what it takes to be on “SportsCenter”can experience what it’s like to audition for ESPN. Select contestants will go through a series of on-air tasks and the audience will select the best sportscaster during each show. ESPN personalities and sports celebrities will help mentor contestants as part of the experience.

Motorcades and Conversations

Periodically throughout each day, sports stars will motorcade up Hollywood Boulevard to the stage at the base of Mickey’s Sorcerer’s Hat and join ESPN commentators for conversations about their careers and Q&A sessions with park guests.

ESPN Sports Zone Interactive Area

The ESPN Sports Zone will give guests of all ages the opportunity to test their skills at a wide variety of sports. MLB-, NBA-, NFL- and BASS-themed interactive areas within the Zone will have fans swinging for the fences, shooting baskets and throwing passes, as well as Dick’s Sporting Goods’ Sports Caravan, a multi-sport interactive area.

ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex Re-Launch Event

ESPN innovation and entertainment joins the magic and hospitality of Walt Disney World Resort when the gates open with a special grand opening event at the newly re-imagined ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on Feb. 25.  Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver ChadOchocinco, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall, and a number of other popular athletes and ESPN personalities are expected to be in attendance, along withGeorge Bodenheimer, president, ESPN, Inc. and ABC Sports and co-chairman Disney Media Networks, Meg Crofton, president, Walt Disney World Resort, and Ken Potrock, senior vice president, Disney Sports Enterprises. From a state-of-the-art digital center to professionally kept fields and courts, there will be no other sports facility like this on Earth.  Key festivities include a special grand opening ceremony, live ESPN Radio broadcasts and a variety of sports competitions. Opened originally as Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in 1997, the multi-sport complex annually hosts more than 300 events a year, including Atlanta Braves Spring Training at Champion Stadium. 

Harlem Globetrotters

The world-famous Harlem Globetrotters take center court to help tip off the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex relaunch Thursday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m.  The clown princes of basketball, including Globetrotter stars Special K Daley, Flight Time Lang and Big Easy Lofton, have entertained fans for more than 84 seasons and boast over 23,000 wins. This special performance will feature Greenberg and Golic as honorary coaches, along with a number of other popular athletes and ESPN personalities joining in on the fun at The Milk House. The game will air on ESPN2 the following day, Friday, Feb. 26, at 7 p.m., and ESPN’s Emerging Technology Group will use the game as a test for the company’s planned ESPN 3D network launch this summer.

5K Road Race and Fun Run

The Champion 5K returns for its second year at Disney’s Hollywood Studios on Saturday, Feb. 27, at 7 a.m., challenging runners along the course with ESPN and sports trivia and will feature athletes and ESPN personalities, including John Anderson, Dana Jacobson andTrey Wingo.  The 5K will benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research, and all participants will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal.  There will also be a Fun Run for kids at 8 a.m.  To register, visit www.disneyenduranceseries.com.

Major League Soccer at ESPN Wide World of Sports

Helping kick off the relaunch at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, four Major League Soccer clubs, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC, will compete in the inaugural Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic Feb. 25 and 27.  On Thursday, Feb. 25, the Houston Dynamo faces the New York Red Bulls at 6 p.m., followed by FC Dallas versus Toronto FC at 8:30 p.m.  On Saturday, Feb. 27, the two losing teams will kick off at 6 p.m., with the two winners playing in the championship game at 8:30 p.m.

Ticketing and Admission

Event activities are included in regular admission to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. The Walt Disney World innovative ticket pricing system, Magic Your Way, provides guests with the opportunity to customize their vacations and Florida residents can save on tickets all year long. Separate tickets must be purchased for events at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

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ESPN has cooked up a Thanksgiving weekend basketball feast so big that even if a match-up or two turns out to be a proverbial “turkey” the event still will provide roundball junkies with a memorable holiday treat.

The fourth annual Old Spice Classic at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex will feature eight teams – six of which reached the postseason last spring – in 12 games over three days, Nov. 26-27 and Nov. 29. Alabama, Baylor, Creighton, Florida State, Iona, Marquette, Michigan and Xavier will compete, each playing a game per day through a bracket-tournament format at Walt Disney World Resort.

First-round games on Nov. 26 (all times are ET): Creighton vs. Michigan, 12 noon (ESPN2), Marquette vs. Xavier, 2 p.m. (ESPN2), Alabama vs. Baylor, 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2) and Florida State vs. Iona, 9 p.m. (ESPNU). The two teams that remain undefeated through the first two days of play will face off in a championship match on Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2).

Each of the three previous years, the Old Spice Classic has produced a champion from a different conference, including Gonzaga (West Coast Conference) last year with a championship game win over Tennessee (Southeastern Conference). Arkansas claimed the inaugural title in 2006 and North Carolina State won the Classic in 2007.

Tickets for the 2009 Old Spice Classic are on sale at Ticketmaster.com or by calling 407/839-3900. Fans also can purchase travel packages to the tournament. Information is available at AnthonyTravel.com or by calling 800/736-6377.

The ESPN Innovation Lab officially opened today at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The Innovation Lab provides ESPN a real-world testing ground to continue developing new ground-breaking on-air products.

© Copyright Disney

The ESPN Innovation Lab is an extension of ESPN’s commitment to being a leader in technology. This cutting-edge production house will foster creativity and the development of new tools to provide fans the best on-air coverage of sporting events.
Chuck Pagano, executive vice president, technology, ESPN

The mission of ESPN’s state-of-the-art facility is to enhance the viewer’s experience by utilizing the world-class playing fields and the 250,000 youth and pro athletes who use them annually to develop new products during actual game conditions. This working research facility will also be open at certain times of the year for visitors to view the company’s emerging-technology staff at work and get a sneak peak at upcoming technological advancements.

© Copyright Disney

This past summer, the lab produced two innovative production elements, Ball Track and ESPN Snap Zoom. Ball Track is a Doppler radar hit-tracking system that has the ability to track home runs showing the distance and height of the ball in-flight, updating continuously during the ball’s flight. It debuted on the 2009 “MLB Home Run Derby” telecast on July 13. ESPN Snap Zoom debuted on “Monday Night Football” on Sept. 28 and is a freeze-frame technology that brings the fan closer to the play by zooming in an area of interest and providing insight to a current action on the field, thus giving the viewer a different view on a particular focus of play.

© Copyright Disney

The ESPN Innovation Lab is the first major piece of a re-imagining project involving ESPN and the Disney sports complex, which is already the leading multi-sport venue in the nation. The project aims to create an immersive and entertaining sports experience for athletes, coaches and fans by incorporating the signature elements of ESPN in ways that will connect athletes and coaches with their favorite ESPN programs, personalities and elements. The project is expected to be completed early next year and will provide a one-of-a-kind experience that athletes, coaches and fans can’t get anywhere else except Walt Disney World Resort.

The versatility of the complex and the enormous diversity of sports events we have there make it the perfect place for ESPN or any company to develop and test their latest product innovations. We are thrilled to provide our athletes and coaches with the opportunity to potentially be a part of the development of ESPN’s newest and most exciting on-air products. It’s just one of the many ways this ESPN re-imagining project will help take our youth sports experience to a new level.
Ken Potrock, senior vice president of Disney Sports Enterprises

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The Disney sports complex has hosted more than 200 annual events in 60 different sports involving athletes from more than 70 countries since opening in 1997. Among those events are the Atlanta Braves spring training season, Chelsea Football Club events, the Pop Warner Super Bowl, AAU National Championships, Varsity All-Star Cheerleading competitions, USSSA events, ESPN RISE Games, Old Spice Classic and the Walt Disney World Marathon, one of the top marathons in the nation. ESPN televised 20 sporting events from the complex in the last year. Walt Disney World Resort and ESPN also annually work together to host the popular ESPN The Weekend event at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. To download photos of Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex, please visit http://photos.wdwnews.com/espn/.

Did you know?

• ESPN’s Active Player Tracking for the Arena Football League was first tested at the Wide World of Sports. The technology debuted during the 2007 Arena Football season but has also been implemented at the Summer X Games enabling ESPN to capture heights achieved by athletes in the BMX and Big Air event which are then displayed on the ESPN “Huck-o-Meter.”
• The ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex was the testing bed for ESPN’s Ball Track technology that debuted at the 2009 MLB Home Run Derby. This was the first time that radar had been utilized to track a baseball in real-time in a broadcast environment.
• At ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, ESPN has access to 16 baseball fields, 25 football/soccer fields, two indoor basketball arenas, one baseball stadium and four tennis courts for real-world testing. Just a short distance from the facility there are lakes and golf courses also used in testing scenarios. Over the past three years, ESPN has taken full advantage of these facilities testing technologies for tennis, golf, baseball, basketball, football and even BASS fishing.
• The Emmy-winning EA Virtual Playbook was first tested at ESPN Wide World of Sports during the summer of 2008 in preparation of the 2008-09 NFL season. Its overwhelming success led the team to develop an NBA version utilized during the 2009 NBA playoffs.

About ESPN Technology:

ESPN Technology develops the ideas and applications that bring the fan closer to the game with new, innovative production enhancements. ESPN’s technology team designed and supports two of the most technologically advanced production centers in the world, the Digital Center in Bristol, Conn., and the Los Angeles Production Center which is the first 1080p capable production facility. In addition, the Emerging Technology Group has developed many on-air advancements over the past 30 years, including virtual graphics applications, “Huck-O-Meter,” and the Emmy-winning EA Virtual Playbook.

About ESPN Wide World of Sports:

Opened in 1997 at Walt Disney World Resort, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex is the premier sports venue for amateur and professional sports in the United States. The sprawling 220-acre state-of-the-art complex features The Milk House, a 165,000-square-foot field house which seats 5,500 for basketball; the 10,000-seat Champion Stadium ballpark; the Hess Sports Fields, which include multiple baseball, softball and soccer fields; and Jostens Center, a multi-sport field house that opened in 2008. In addition, the complex has a tennis compound, including a stadium court, and a track & field complex. Please visit www.disneysports.com for more information.

The Fifth Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney kicks off Thursday,Sept. 3 with a fun-filled weekend of activities leading up to game day. The events include a career panel for local high school students followed by three separate competitions including an exciting match-up on the gridiron, a southern-style feast off the field and an entertaining performance on the stage.

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The MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney pits South Carolina State University, the current defending champion of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC), against Grambling State University, which is the 2008 title winner of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). This is the second consecutive year that the Florida Citrus Bowl has hosted the MEAC/SWAC football rivalry.

We are excited to celebrate this rich college tradition that gives enthusiastic football fans from throughout the eastern seaboard another reason to visit Central Florida. We are proud to sponsor this game as a way to not only support the African-American community and the 25 Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Mid-Eastern and Southwestern Athletic Conferences, but also as an opportunity to grow this event into another highly ranked national football game that will have a positive economic impact on Central Florida.
Eugene Campbell, vice president of Community Relations and Minority Business Development for Walt Disney World Resort

The weekend highlights include:

Thursday, Sept. 3

ESPN 101 Career Panel, 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Approximately 600 local high school juniors and seniors interested in pursuing careers in sports and entertainment will attend the ESPN 101 High School Career Panel at the Disney-sponsored Boys & Girls Club in Pine Hills. Students from Edgewater, Evans, Jones, Oak Ridge, Wekiva and Ocoee High Schools will learn about the wide world of job opportunities within the sports business from a panel of industry professionals. This year’s panelists include ESPN SportsCenter co-host Jay Harris; Robert Vowels, NCAA vice president of educational affairs; Gerald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers business development manager; Valerie Royal, manager of Minority Business Development for Walt Disney World Resort, and more.

Friday, Sept. 4

MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff Banquet, 8 p.m.

Disney’s Hollywood Studios serves as the back drop for coaches, student-athletes, team representatives, community leaders and sponsors as they celebrate the Fifth Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney college football game. The highlight of the evening includes the presentation of the Walter Payton award, which will honor a deserving player from each school. This year’s keynote speaker is Pro- Bowl Hall of Famer Kellen Winslow. SportsCenter anchor Jay Harris will emcee the banquet.

Saturday, Sept. 5

Disney STEP Classic, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.

The Disney STEP Classic offers a full day of exhilarating musical entertainment and choreography at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Dozens of high school and college teams from the eastern United States take center stage on Saturday to showcase their best step routines and compete for top prizes totaling $20,000 in cash and scholarships. The top three winners will be showcased on the Pre-Game Stage before the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney and will be recognized during halftime.

Magic Music Days Performance, 2:45 p.m.

As part of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney “Fan Day,” South Carolina State University’s Marching Band will parade down Main Street, U.S.A. at Magic Kingdom just prior to Celebrate a Dream Come True Parade.

Legends Dinner, 6 p.m.

Several notable legends, including athletes and musicians from the MEAC and SWAC will be honored during an evening tribute to their legacy at the Atlantic Dance Hall at Walt Disney World Resort. Grammy award-winning gospel artist Smokie Norful (University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff) and former NFL cornerback Everson Walls (Grambling State University) are among those who will be recognized.

Sunday, Sept. 6

The Heart and Soul Tailgate, 10 a.m.

The Heart and Soul Tailgate party features the best in gospel talent, games, fun and food. Fans can start the day at McCracken Field, located just outside the Florida Citrus Bowl, with the best collard greens in the south from the winner of the Collard Green Cook-off along with soul food from some of the best restaurants in Central Florida. ·

Fifth Annual MEAC/SWAC Challenge presented by Disney, 2 p.m.

This year’s event features the MEAC’s South Carolina State University against the SWAC’s Grambling State University. The game will be televised live to a national audience on ESPN2 HD and ESPN360.com. This will be the first time these two teams have met since 1994. The MEAC leads the series 3-1. ·

Battle of the Bands – Florida Citrus Bowl (Halftime)

South Carolina State and Grambling State bands will hit the turf during half-time to entertain football fans with their innovative and upbeat routines in hopes of winning their own on-field battle.

Sponsoring this annual football game is part of Walt Disney World Resort’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, which helps drive growth, creativity and innovation. Evidence of that commitment is seen through the company’s involvement with such organizations as the FAMU Law School, Bethune Cookman’s Hospitality College, Disney Entrepreneur Center, African American Chamber of Commerce, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando, Florida Minority Supplier Development Council and Hispanic Business Investment Fund of Florida.

If you like running, riding and getting muddy, than the folks at Disney’s Wide World of Sports has the endurance event for you.

The Muddy Buddy Ride and Run returns to Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex on May 9 for its 10th Anniversary.

Dates and times:

• Muddy Buddy Ride
  Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 6:45 AM – Disney’s Wide World of Sports® Complex
• Mini Muddy Buddy in 2009!
  Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 9:45 AM – Disney’s Wide World of Sports® Complex

The event includes two-person teams that alternate running (a total of three miles, one mile at a time) and mountain biking (also three miles, a mile at a time) through five separate obstacles.  The “partners in grime” meet at the last obstacle, the infamous mud pit, and crawl to the finish together.

The event is expected to draw 3,500 participants (1,750 teams) after recording the largest field in Muddy Buddy history last year (2,800 participants/1,400 teams).  Registration is now open at their website.