Tampa Sports History, 9/28/80

Thirty years ago this week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took their 2-1 record into a game at Tampa Stadium against the 1-2 Cleveland Browns. The victor of this game would go on to the playoffs, while the loser would finish with only 5 wins on the season. Can't remember how this one turned out? 

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the September 24 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Leland Hawes Returns for ‘History Highlights’

After selling out last year, Tampa History Highlights returns this October with a new line up of topics and presenters. The Tampa Bay History Center, together with USF’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, presents a new six-week course covering a wide range of topics.

Course leader and retired Tampa Tribune columnist, Leland Hawes, has assembled an impressive line-up of local historians and guest lecturers including USF's Gary Mormino, retired judge E.J. Salcines, historian Doris Weatherford, artist Hermann Trappman, and the History Center's Saunders Foundation Curator of History, Rodney Kite-Powell. Each will touch on a different topic, including women’s suffrage, Tampa’s role in Cuban Independence and Florida maps from the 16th century.

“Last year’s class was filled to capacity,” said Hawes, who has authored hundreds of articles on Tampa’s history. “It’s a rare opportunity to assemble such a great collection of historians and local experts in one place,” he said.

Other presenters include Tom Touchton, Bob Snyder, Larry Elliston and Todd Spear.

The six-week course will be held each Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. beginning October 6th through November 10th at the Tampa Bay History Center. The fee for the course is $50.00. Pre-registration is required and seating is limited. Register on line or contact the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at 813.974.2403.

Tampa Sports History, Interview with Mike Connell

Mike Connell, an original member of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, played with the team from 1975-1984 and became one of the most popular players in franchise history. Joining the squad as an 18-year-old from South Africa in 1975, Connell earned the nickname "Iron Mike" for participating in over 25,000 minutes of play over the course of a career spent entirely in a Tampa Bay uniform. He saw it all as a member of the Rowdies, and recently took some time to reflect on his playing days and thoughts on Tampa as a potential World Cup host city.

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the September 17 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Tampa Sports History, 9/13/80

This week 30 years ago, the Florida Gators came to Tampa Stadium for a season-opening game against the University of California Golden Bears. Coming off a disastrous 1979 campaign, the Gators needed to get off to a good start and erase the memories of that winless season. Would a game in Tampa do the trick?

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the September 10 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Tampa Bay History Center Set for 'A Little History'

A Little History returns this fall with a new line-up of activities for your little ones. During each weekday class, the History Center's early childhood educators will entertain and enlighten with stories, songs, crafts and other age-appropriate activities related to the History Center's exhibits.

September 15 - Little Ybor
Little ones explore Ybor City's rich Hispanic heritage by playing games young immigrants loved as well as embarking on a scavenger hunt for Ybor's artifacts. Kids will even practice making a pretend Cuban sandwich! Story time, music, and crafts add to the fun.

October 13 - Museum Mysteries
Enjoy a spooky (not scary!) adventure as you solve the case of the missing artifact. Fingerprints may be taken as we search behind-the-scenes and through the galleries to find the culprit. Age appropriate crafts and games add to the exciting mystery.

November 15 - Big Movers: Trains, Planes and Ships
Planes, trains, and ships abound here at the History Center. See how many you can spy in our galleries and get a glimpse of a real cruise ship only a few feet away. Check out our new train exhibit in addition to games, songs, and crafts.

December 18 - A Pioneer Holiday
Have an old-fashioned holiday this year as you learn the many traditions of Florida's first pioneer kids. Make old timey decorations, then mosey on into our Cracker cabin and decorate it for the season. Dress up in pioneer clothes and even make butter the old fashioned way.

A Little History is open to children ages 3 to 5 with an adult companion. One adult must accompany every two children. Programs are held one weekday per month from 10:30 -11:30 a.m. Each program is $10 per child and $6 per adult. Members of the History Center will receive a $2 discount for both children and adults. Gallery admission is included. Space is limited, pre-registration is required. For more information on A Little History, contact our Assistant Curator of Education, Jennifer Tyson, at (813) 675-8960 or visit our website.

Why do they call it that? Publix and Winter Haven

Tampa Sports History, 9/5/70

This week 40 years ago, the Washington Redskins came to Tampa for an exhibition game against the Miami Dolphins. Nearly 1,000 miles away, however, their head coach, Vince Lombardi, lay dying in a hospital bed. Would the news around Lombardi's health overshadow the game itself? 

To read more, check out the Tampa Sports History blog, or the September 3 print edition of La Gaceta newspaper.

Today in History- Sept. 1

Labor Temple, 9th Ave. & 16th St.
Tampa-Hillsborough Public Library System

September 1, 1936 – A committee of the Popular Front political organization in Tampa cables $1,800 ($24,242 in today’s dollars) to the loyalist Spanish government through the Spanish ambassador in Paris. The committee had previously sent $2,000 and $1,600 in weekly contributions, and as long as the need existed, vowed to send as much as $10,000 or more per week. Headquarters for the war chest were located at the Ybor City labor temple and collections were made in Ybor City and West Tampa outside cigar factories on payday. Paul Ubarri, the Spanish consul in Tampa, went to the telegraph office to “add the dignity of his presence” and express the appreciation of his government.