UCF says the benefits of Hawaii Bowl appearance outweigh hefty price tag

A giant charter plane, six nights in a hotel, seven days of food, tours of local sites and — oh, yeah — daily football practice. Cost: about $1 million.

Playing in Hawaii for your first college-football bowl game: priceless.

The tab for the University of Central Florida’s football team to spend next week in the Aloha State and play in the Christmas Eve Hawaii Bowl could reach $1 million — more than the bowl pays its teams.

But UCF players, who endured last year’s winless season, are exhilarated about a Hawaiian holiday, and school administrators think those emotions, plus other benefits, make the trip valuable, despite the steep cost.

“It’s worth it in several ways,” UCF President John Hitt said, mentioning the national television appearance on ESPN and the impact on recruiting future Golden Knights. “I just think it’s all pluses, except for the financial side.”

UCF’s Hawaiian travel party numbers 253 — exactly the number of seats on the United Airlines charter that leaves Sunday morning.

Included is every player on the football roster — 103, or about 40 more than the Knights are permitted by their conference to take on league road trips. Even injured players, such as senior Glenroy Watkins and junior Mike Walker, will make the trip.

Also flying are university and athletic-department administrators and secretaries plus some of their wives and families; coaches’ families; and donors invited by UCF President John Hitt. Filling out the rest of the seats: eight cheerleaders, their coach, and Knightro — the school’s mascot.

“It’s a reward,” defensive end Paul Carrington said. “Everybody on the team has played a role. If they didn’t play in a game, then they helped us get ready for games through practice.”

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Is it worth it?

You know, as much as I am a non-sports fan besides the occasional Magic game, I kind of feel that it is worth it. Sure I am biased because I go to UCF but damn, this team busted its ass after years of ridicule at its continuing losing streak. Even if those kids weren’t playing in a bowl game there I think they deserve some sort of accolades for their hard work. Being that the football team is one of the major public faces of a University this team aided in saving some of the institutions integrity and reputation. Still, a million large is quite a bit.

It’s been over a year I first blogged here, but — folks — I’m back in town.

I’m not staying long, but I hope I can blog a little bit about my vacation and the stuff I’m doing around Orlando.

Season’s Greetings!

I heard yesterday a fleeting comment on TV about Howard’s exit from broadcase radio as he transitions over to satellite… but then … and I must confess that I was only half listening and didn’t catch it all… I thought I heard something about Drew Garabo taking that time slot or something.

C’mon Drew… we have a celebrity in our midst. Tell us about your new gig and fill us all in on the details! Did I hear that correctly?

Also wondering who’s going to pony up and get satellite radio now in order to listen to Stern? I know my brother is going to. Any other takers?

Display Shows Bleeding Rudolph Hanging From Tree (WFTV.com)

ORLANDO, Fla. — A holiday display is getting some negative attention from neighbors. A homeowner’s display in the Hunter’s Creek subdivision features Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer hanging from a tree.

One red light represents its nose and the rest appear to be blood draining from Rudolph’s body. The display represents a hunting technique called field dressing, which is what hunters do to a deer they kill, but many neighbors say it disgusts them.

“It’s just kind of sad for the kids, ’cause they see that and it’s just not a very good example,” said neighbor Kathleen McMahon.

“I don’ think it’s very nice at all. It’s Rudolph and I think that’s really nasty,” said neighbor Bree McMahon.

The homeowner wouldn’t talk to Channel 9 Wednesday night. Neighbors said they just want the display taken down.

Okay this is little bit in bad taste, but it’s still kind of funny. Plus, everybody knows that Rudolph would not be so easily caught and strung up, that nose shoots beams.

Does anyone know who penned the Wikipedia article on downtown Orlando? They did a decent job but this article is just begging to be beefed up. There is so much we could include about downtown Orlando in this article. Is there anyone who frequents Metblog Orlando that is a Wikipedia moderator?

Regardless, the fact that someone took the time to write a slice about our downtown is cool enough. Let’ fluff it up if we can though peeps.

Just got this email from my sister-in-law, now all you fine folks have the option to do something a bit different than the usual holiday hub-bub that happens around this time of year.

Spherical Wonderland

I would like to invite you to spend an evening with nature inspired music
and poetry. There will be performances by Omiza River (very nice music)
and open mic readings or music. The Featured Thinkier is Theodore Geisel:
“Dr. Suess”, so bring one fish or two fish, a red fish or blue fish, and
I’ll put my 5 cats in cute tiny hats… or just bring photos of them.

There will be tea and vegan baked goods provided. This is at Langford
Park downtown. The cost is $2 (or more) donation to the City of Orlando
to show support for the Simple Living Institute, Inc. - a non-profit
organization which creates opportunities for sustainable living in our
community.

A membership or donation would make a lovely gift for the holidays!

Wed. December 14 at 7:00pm

Langford Park
1808 Central Blvd
Orlando, FL 32803

Did you catch Jeffrey C. Billman’s article in this week’s Orlando Weekly? The article, titled Deception, details how the city of Orlando is using a third party company to buy up property to make way for city projects. While not illegal, I find it a little distasteful that our fair city would use such a sheisty practice in order to save some money. They are denying money the propoerty owner deserves by not informing them that they are dealing with the city.

Considering the benevolent goal of the project, the Parramore makeover, it is great to see them shit on the citizens they are displacing.

Sheehan says saving money trumps any concern about using deceptive practices. It simply enables the city to buy property for the price anyone else would pay. If sellers know the city is involved, Sheehan said at the May 17, 2004, council meeting, “the price skyrockets.”

Tell me something isn’t wrong with that statement. Saving money trumps any concern about using deceptive practices? Are you kidding me? Sellers beware, if you see a road project pop up near your house and suddenly there’s a suit on your door with a check, you might want to do some homework before you sign the deed over.

In case all of you hipsters and college students were in a hangover stupor the last 50 times you logged into MySpace today, you might not have noticed that Tom is having a party here in Orlando. That’s right, the guy that helped you gain 200+ friends that you thought you’d never meet is coming to our humble little burg.

The party will be this Friday, Dec 9 ^th at Club Metropolis in Pointe Orando. Doors open at 10PM and ticket prices are $10. There will be several DJs and acts that are worth the price of admission alone. All mocking aside I think it is pretty cool that Tom has included Orlando on his MySpace promotion/appreciation tour, I feel so special. So if you are one of the many MySpace addicts out there (you know who you are) and want to have some awkward face-to-face meetings with people you’d hope you wouldn’t have to meet, and some you hoped you would, then get on down to Metropolis tomorrow night and check out the jam.

Tom’s MySpace Blog for DJ lineup and details. Or click here to buy tickets.

The THIRD ANNUAL GLOBAL PEACE FILM FESTIVAL is set to kick-off at the Universal Cineplex at CityWalk on December 7th and at DMAC on December 8th. Film selections will screen at both venues through December 11th. In 2006, The Global Peace Film Festival explores the way forward, with an overall theme of