Tampa Sports Remembered Recalls Area's Sports Legacy

WFLA 970's Jack Harris

Phil Esposito. Tino Martinez. Don Zimmer. These are just a few of the people who, beginning June 15 at the Tampa Bay History Center, will gather to discuss the history of sports in Tampa Bay.

With sessions moderated by News Radio 970’s Jack Harris, WTSP-TV reporter Grayson Kamm, and former WFLA-TV sports anchor Dick Crippen, Tampa Sports Remembered is a new four-week course covering everything from the Tampa Bay Bandits and Rowdies of the early 1980s, to the 1990s efforts to bring professional hockey and other big-league franchises to Tampa Bay.

The course is part of Sports in Tampa Bay: Through the Eyes of Lamar Sparkman, a new exhibition opening June 18 at the Tampa Bay History Center.

Best known as the creator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ original swashbuckling logo, Lamar Sparkman’s drawings of professional and amateur athletes span more than 40 years. Those drawings, along with trophies, jerseys and memorabilia from Tampa’s professional, collegiate and amateur teams will be on exhibit at the History Center through September 12.

Tampa Sports Remembered is organized by the Tampa Bay History Center and USF’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Classes are held each Wednesday at 10 a.m. beginning June 15 through July 6 at the History Center. Cost is $40 for the series. To register, call (813) 974-2403. For more information about the course or the exhibition and related programming, our website or call (813) 228-0097.