Category → Press Releases
Orlando Magic continues to support the Blessings in a Backpack program
Photo by Gary Bassing
Via the Orlando Magic:
As the school year winds down, the Blessings in a Backpack program will take a brief hiatus. However, the program was a huge success because of Magic All-Star Dwight Howard, school staff and Magic volunteers. Through their collective efforts the program assisted students at Lake Como and Kaley Elementary. The Blessings in a Backpack program is designed to provide food and nutrition to children on weekends when school is not in session so come Monday they return ready to learn. Each week, the Magic staff through the Magic Volunteer Program (MVP) would fill backpacks to go home with hundreds of students for the weekend.
“Studies show that children who do not have enough to eat have a difficult time staying focused,” said Magic Vice President of Community Relations/Government Affairs Linda Landman Gonzalez. “Thanks to Dwight’s generosity and through the Magic Volunteer Program, these students had nutritional choices on the weekend and came to school on Monday ready to learn.”
“The Blessings in a Backpack program allowed our students to put learning first and taken hunger out of the equation,” said Lake Como Elementary Guidance Counselor Sandy Glaize. “Any program or intervention that mitigates the devastating effects of hunger on children is invaluable to the community. Dwight Howard and the Magic’s generous contribution of funds and volunteer time has made that possible for our Lake Como students. Since the program began in 2008, the Magic’s contribution has provided over 50,000 weekend meals to our students.”
Magic volunteers stuffed backpacks twice a week during the school year for the students. The Blessings in a Backpack program at Lake Como and Kaley Elementary became a reality due to the generous support of Howard, who donated $25,000 to this project as part of winning the 2009-10 Rich and Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award. Each year, the Orlando Magic honors a player who has dedicated his efforts off-the-court for the purpose of enhancing others’ lives at the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation Black Tie and Tennies Gala. In addition to receiving the award, the player is granted $50,000 from the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation to donate to the charity of his choice. Howard donated the other $25,000 to BETA Center in December.
Magic “Postseason Special” to air on Sun Sports on Monday, May 23
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Via the Orlando Magic:
The 2010-11 Orlando Magic Postseason Special will premiere on Monday, May 23 at 6 pm ET on Sun Sports. The 30-minute show, hosted by Paul Kennedy, takes a look back at the Magic’s 2010-11 campaign.
President of Basketball Operations/GM Otis Smith, Head Coach Stan Van Gundy and several Magic players help relive some of the best plays and moments from the past season, as well as discuss a variety of other topics.
Other highlights include:
- A look back at ‘10/10/10’ and the franchise’s first game in the Amway Center.
- Profile of All-NBA center Dwight Howard’s remarkable season.
- Dante Marchitelli and George Galante from ‘Magic Overtime with Dante and Galante’ recall some of the year’s stranger moments.
Orlando’s Dwight Howard highlights 2010-11 All-NBA First Team
Photo by Handout/Getty Images
Via the Orlando Magic:
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, the recipient of the 2010-11 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, highlights the 2010-11 All-NBA First Team, the NBA announced today. Joining Howard on the First Team are Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and LeBron James of the Miami Heat.
Howard, an All-NBA First Team selection for the fourth consecutive season, earned the 2010-11 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, becoming the first player to win the award three straight seasons. He led the league with 66 double-doubles, while ranking second in rebounds (14.1 rpg) and fourth in blocks (2.38 bpg). Howard also averaged a career-high 22.9 points.
The All-NBA Second Team consists of guards Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, forwards Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, and center Amar’e Stoudemire of the New York Knicks.
The All-NBA Third Team includes the San Antonio Spurs’ Manu Ginobili and the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul at guard, the Portland Trail Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge and the Memphis Grizzlies’ Zach Randolph at forward, and the Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford at center.
The All-NBA Teams were chosen by a panel of 119 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. The media voted for All-NBA First, Second and Third Teams by position with points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis.
Orlando Magic Youth Fund surprise three local high school students with $30,000 in scholarships
Photo taken by Gary Bassing.
Via the Orlando Magic:
Imagine sitting in a high school class – for instance an elective like TV Production or Psychology – and your teacher delivering the lesson of the day when unexpectedly a raucous crowd storms through the door with party poppers, blow horns, pom poms and other commemorative noisemakers.
Or even more enthralling: Picture being informed that you must return to your previous classroom for mystifying reasons before the same enthusiastic assembly marches in to convey some exhilarating news. Some reactions and emotions may include jubilation, delight and perhaps even some disbelief.
For three high school seniors in the Central Florida community, a moment of shock and curiosity promptly evolved into total elation and happiness when they learned that they were Orlando Magic Youth Fund scholarship winners on Wednesday.
Jessica Taylor (Freedom High School), Louvens “Laron” Louis-Jeune (Dr. Phillips High School) and Roscelin Figueroa (Lake Mary High School) expressed a variety of emotions when they were startlingly presented with scholarship checks of $10,000 each.
For the last six months, students across the area competed for scholarship money to any in-state college of their choice. After gathering all of the requirements, which included test scores, grades, a written essay and a comprehensive interview with the decision makers, it was decided that Taylor, Louis-Jeune and Figueroa were the perfect aspirants.
Let’s take you through each of these invigorating presentations from what turned out to be a day none of these students will ever forget:
Magic fans appreciated throughout Central Florida
Photo by Fernando Medina/Orlando Magic
Via the Orlando Magic:
Friday, May 6, was no ordinary day for Magic fans. Whether fans were driving their children to school, heading to work or grabbing some breakfast, Magic fans across the city of Orlando couldn’t get far from their house without receiving a big THANK YOU for all their support and dedication to the Orlando Magic. A number of “Thank You Fans” banners, posters, T-shirts and a giant billboard seemed to MAGICALLY appear out of thin air all over town. Banners were seen hanging on overpasses, Lady Liberty, near Lake Ivanhoe, was wearing a “Thank You Fans” T-shirt and a billboard on I-4 near Lake Mary gave a special shout out to Orlando’s strong fan base.
Orlando’s Dwight Howard headlines 2010-11 NBA All-Defensive First Team
Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images
Via the Orlando Magic:
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard, winner of the last three Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards, headlines the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced today. Howard totaled 56 points overall, including 27 First Team votes.
Howard earned the 2010-11 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, becoming the first player to win the award three straight seasons. He led the league with 66 double-doubles, while ranking second in rebounds (14.1 rpg) and fourth in blocks (2.38 bpg). He recorded at least 1,000 rebounds and 100 blocked shots for the sixth straight year; since blocked shots were officially tracked in 1973-74, only Moses Malone has done it more (seven seasons). With Howard manning the middle, the [Orlando] Magic allowed 93.5 ppg, ranking fourth in that category.
Also selected to the All-Defensive First Team are guard Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics (39 points), forward LeBron James of the Miami Heat (38 points), forward Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics (33 points) and guard Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers (33 points). Garnett and Bryant each earn All-Defensive First Team honors for the ninth time, tying Michael Jordan and Gary Payton for the most in NBA history.
The NBA All-Defensive Second Team consists of guards Tony Allen of the Memphis Grizzlies and Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets, center Tyson Chandler of the Dallas Mavericks, forward Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers and forward-center Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls.
The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams by position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote.
Blue & White Ignite: Magic host Official Watch Party for Game 6 of first round
Via the Orlando Magic: 
As Blue and White Ignite for the 2011 NBA Playoffs, the Magic are encouraging the entire Central Florida community to show their spirit and support the Magic at the Official Playoff Watch Party for Game 6 of the First Round on Thursday, April 28. The Magic will host an Official Playoff Watch Party at Mojo Cajun Bar and Grill (129 West Church Street) at 7:30 p.m.
Highlights of the Official Playoff Watch Party will include:
- Drink Specials ($7 32 oz Domestic Drafts, $4 Bacardi Drinks, $3 Magic Shots)
- Appearances by the Orlando Magic Dancers
- Giveaways
- Opportunity to win tickets to Game 7
- Near Amway Center
Visit orlandomagic.com for full playoff details.
Blue & White Ignite: Magic fans have opportunity to win playoff tickets for Game 5
Via the Orlando Magic:
The Amway Center has turned into the Blue Zoo, presented by MetroPCS, with the Magic offering fans the opportunity to win home game playoff tickets for Round 1. The Blue Zoo was designed to engage the Magic’s most passionate fans during the playoffs. The only way fans can obtain tickets to be part of the Blue Zoo presented by MetroPCS is to demonstrate how much they love the Orlando Magic at Fan Fest (located on Church St. outside Amway Center) prior to select Magic home games. Fans should be geared up with their best Orlando Magic outfits, face paint, hair dye and other fun items ready for their chance to earn their way into the Blue Zoo. Fans can get up-to-date information on how to get into the Blue Zoo through the Magic social media outlets (twitter.com/orlando_magic; facebook.com/orlandomagic).
Marvel Comics and New Era fitted cap for the Orlando Magic
Via DKC:
Ever wonder what it’d be like if Dwight Howard and the Orlando Magic paired up with the likes of Captain America, Wolverine and the Incredible Hulk to dominate the hardwood? Now, with the Magic locked in a tough series with the Hawks, you can do just that.
New Era, in affiliation with Marvel comics, is set to release brand news caps to commemorate six NBA playoff teams. Orlando’s hat has the iconic Magic logo with the comic book characters on the brim. These caps are available for purchase at New Era flagship stores, national and regional sporting goods retailers, specialty stores, additional NBA arena stores, mid-tier channels sports apparel departments, and online at www.neweracap.com.
Blue & White Ignite: Magic host Official Playoff Watch Parties for Games 3 & 4 of first round
Via the Orlando Magic:
As Blue and White Ignite for the 2011 NBA Playoffs, the Magic are encouraging the entire Central Florida community to show their spirit and support the Magic at the Official Playoff Watch Parties for Games 3 & 4 of the First Round on Friday, April 22 and Sunday, April 24, respectively.
Official Playoff Watch Party for Game 3: On Friday, April 22, the Magic will host an Official Playoff Watch Party at Waterford Lakes (near Barnie’s) at 8:00 p.m.
Official Playoff Watch Party for Game 4: On Sunday, April 24, the Magic will host an Official Playoff Watch Party at Colonial TownPark in Lake Mary (near Liam Fitzpatrick’s and Dexter’s) at 7:00 p.m.
Highlights of the Official Playoff Watch Parties will include:
- Large Outdoor Screen
- Appearances by the Orlando Magic Dancers
- Giveaways
- Opportunity to win tickets to Game 5
- Bring a chair to enjoy the game!
