Category → Press Releases
Magic fans can win a luxury suite experience courtesy of Fairwinds Credit Union
Via the Orlando Magic: 
WHO: Any Magic fan who finances or refinances their auto loan with FAIRWINDS Credit Union during the month of March is automatically entered to win.
WHAT: The Super Suite Sweepstakes will award one lucky fan an Orlando Magic luxury suite experience for the winner and 20 friends. Five first-place winners will each receive two tickets to the Orlando Magic’s regular season home finale vs. the Indiana Pacers on April 13, 2011.
WHEN: The sweepstakes is open to anyone who registers at a Central Florida FAIRWINDS Credit Union location through the end of March. Those who finance or refinance their auto loan are automatically entered.
INFO: For more information, visit any FAIRWINDS Credit Union branch in Central Florida.
Orlando Magic dancers in TV spotlight
Gary W. Green, Orlando Sentinel
Via Fox Sports Florida:
Friday night’s (3/25) Orlando Magic game telecast vs. the Nets on FOX Sports Florida will be our final theme night of the season and will give viewers an inside look into how the Orlando Magic Dancers are selected, their game night activities and their outreach into the community on behalf of the team. The Magic Dancers are not only talented entertainers, but many are mothers, wives and have full-time careers outside their role with the team. Former Magic dancer, now one of our Magic TV reporters, Megan Clementi, will give viewers the inside scoop.
Also, our all-new, half-hour “Inside the Magic: The Magic Dancers” television special premieres Friday at 10:00pm ET immediately following the game on FOX Sports Florida.
CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO SNEAK PEAK
The Magic Dancers have been a part of the team since the franchise was founded in 1989 and becoming a dancer is a prestigious honor that requires hard work and dedication. FOX Sports Florida’s sixth episode of “Inside the Magic” profiles the Orlando Magic Dancers and gives viewers behind-the-scene access of the road from auditions to game days.
Dwight Howard named winner of 2010-11 Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award for fifth time
AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli
Via the Orlando Magic:
The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard was named the 2010-2011 winner of the Rich & Helen DeVos Community Enrichment Award (CEA) Saturday night at the 21st Annual OMYF Black Tie & Tennies Gala Presented by FAIRWINDS Credit Union held at the Amway Center. This marks the fifth time and fourth consecutive year Howard has won the award (2004-05, 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11). Other finalists for the award included Ryan Anderson, Chris Duhon and J.J. Redick.
Each year at the Gala, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) honors a player who has dedicated his efforts off the court for the purpose of enhancing others’ lives. An anonymous panel of external representatives selects the player. 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 has consistently volunteered his time off the court and to the Central Florida community supporting the initiatives of the Magic’s community relations department, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation and the NBA. Highlights of his community involvement for the 2010-11 season include:
- Through his D12 Foundation, presented checks totaling $70,000 to four local non-profit organizations as part of his “Gifts from the Heart” Valentine’s day caravan. He also made visits to each organization throughout the day.
- For the second consecutive year, as part of his 2010 CEA Award donated $25,000 to the BETA Center to support the newly developed “Dwight Howard Learning Center” at BETA. Howard also visited the residents at the house. The learning center is a newly designed program that incorporates innovative activities to empower teen moms to achieve academic and vocational success.
- Donated $25,000 of his 2010 CEA Award money to “Blessings in a Backpack” to provide children from Lake Como Elementary with a nutritious meal on the weekends. Howard also made a visit to Lake Como to help “stuff” the backpacks with food for the students.
- Donated and distributed Thanksgiving meals to over 125 families complete with a turkey and all the trimmings.
- Provided 100 youth from the Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida with gift cards and took them on a shopping spree over the holidays.
- Provided 1,900 coats over the holidays to youth from five local non-profit organizations. Took 100 of those youth on a coat shopping spree.
- Active with the Make a Wish program, fulfilling wishes for youth throughout the season before several Magic home games.
- Active with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, serving as an ambassador to assist in their fundraising efforts and meeting with patients from the hospital.
- Participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program in India and South Africa. The program focuses on education, grassroots basketball development and HIV/AIDS education and advocacy.
- Donated gifts and met with families for the Magic holiday party with underprivileged children and their families.
- Participated in two internal autograph sessions, which helps support Central Florida non-profit organizations by raising money through silent auctions.
- While in Los Angeles for All-Star weekend 2011 participated in a KaBoom! playground build as part of NBA Cares service projects.
Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and SIFMA Foundation celebrate youth financial literacy with the Slam Dunk for Financial Education Program
Via the Orlando Magic: 
Orlando Magic guard J.J. Redick, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and the SIFMA Foundation will recognize the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida winners of the Slam Dunk for Financial Education program tonight during the Orlando Magic versus Denver Nuggets game. The youth will be treated to game tickets, a pregame warm-up viewing, an awards ceremony and an on-court halftime presentation for the First Place team.
The innovative Slam Dunk for Financial Education program kicked off on February 14 at the Parramore Boys & Girls Club in Orlando with a visit by basketball great J.J. Redick initiating nearly 60 youth and 20 Bank of America Merrill Lynch associate volunteers in the SIFMA Foundation’s Stock Market Game™ competition. The Stock Market Game, which is widely used by 600,000 students each year, introduces youngsters to the financial markets as they learn math, economics and the importance of long-term saving and investing. As a part of the program, teams of 3-5 participants work together to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in real stocks, bonds and mutual funds, learning cooperation, communication and leadership as they manage their portfolios.
Bank of America and Merrill Lynch associate volunteers brought the content to life for Slam Dunk’s youth participants during the 10-week program, coaching and supporting the youth teams at each of the three selected Boys & Girls Club sites – the Parramore, Universal Orlando Foundation and Walt Disney World Branches. Redick offered his star power to the program, encouraging participants to develop life skills through this experience, including how to set goals and work towards them, how to be a team player and most of all, to always plan for the future.
Dwight Howard to host fourth annual youth basketball camp
Via the Orlando Magic: 
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard announces details for his fourth annual youth basketball camp. The Dwight Howard Basketball Camp presented by Fifth Third Bank is scheduled for August 1st – 3rd, at University of Central Florida Arena.
Dwight will be on site the entire camp to direct activities and provide instruction. He will be joined by several of the top prep and collegiate coaches from the Orlando area. The camp is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 18.
Campers experience various stations, specializing in fundamental skills and the team concept of basketball. Individual groups are small to assure each camper gets maximum personalized instruction.
Campers receive an autographed camp team photo with Dwight, an Adidas camp T-shirt, camp goodie bag and the opportunity to win additional contests and prizes. Cost of the camp is $199.
Additional camp partners include Dex, Ignition, WFTV-9, Star 94.5, Power 95.3, Lake Mary Life, and Southwest Orlando Bulletin.
Spots are limited, campers are encouraged to register early.
Additional information and registration is available at www.DwightHowardCamp.com or call 513-793-CAMP(2267).
Orlando Magic and Amway Center named finalist in Sports Business Journal’s 2011 Best in Sports Awards
Photo by Fernando Medina
Via the Orlando Magic:
The Orlando Magic has been named a finalist in the Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal and Sports Business Daily’s annual Sports Business Awards in the categories of “Sports Team of the Year” and “Sports Facility of the Year.” It is the first time in the history of the franchise that the Magic has been named finalists for either of these two prestigious awards. The Sports Business Awards annually recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the business of sports.
The winners will be announced at a live ceremony on May 18th at the New York Marriott Marquis.
Following are the finalists in the two categories in which the Magic has been named:
Sports Team of the Year
- Orlando Magic
- Chip Ganassi Racing
- New York Jets
- Pittsburgh Penguins
- San Francisco Giants
Sports Facility of the Year
- Amway Center
- Arrowhead Stadium
- Consol Energy Centre
- New Meadowlands Stadium
- Red Bull Park
- Target Field
The Orlando Magic served as the developer of the new Amway Center.
The Orlando Magic unveils ninth reading and learning center
Photo by Gary Bassing
Via the Orlando Magic:
Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan has always believed in providing countless opportunities for underprivileged youth in her district, recently the Orlando Magic helped turn her beliefs into a reality. On Wednesday, March 2 the Magic unveiled a new state-of-the-art Reading and Learning Center for youth at the Colonialtown Neighborhood Center. The newly renovated Orlando Magic Reading and Learning Center presented by Kia Motors features a computer lab with new desks, reading books and book shelves, along with arts and crafts materials for after-school projects. Children from the center were also surprised with a game room equipped with two flat screen TVs, Wii console, a pool table, and much more.
Orlando Magic leadership including Magic President Alex Martins, representatives from Kia Motors and Turner Construction as well as Mayor Dyer and Commissioner Sheehan eyes grew large in excitement as they watched the kids play in their new home.
“Our goal is to create a friendly and safe environment where our community’s youth can take advantage of every opportunity to excel academically and socially. Our corporate partners, Kia Motors and Turner Construction, helped us reach that goal, ” said Linda Landman Gonzalez, vice president of community and government affairs.
The renovation reflects the Magic’s commitment to the advancement of literacy in Orlando, one of the organization’s three charitable focus areas, along with health/wellness and the arts.
The Magic previously renovated the Nap Ford Community School computer lab; Northwest Community Center Reading and Learning Center; Jackson Community Center computer lab presented by Hunt; Hi-Tech Tutoring Reading and Learning Center, Pine Hills Reading and Learning Center, Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center and the New Image Youth Center in Parramore.
Dwight Howard makes a wish come true for one young fan
Photo by Gary Bassing
Via the Orlando Magic:
If happiness can truly heal, Janet Woody is convinced that her 10-year-old son, J-Lon Woody, is well on the road to recovery after meeting his hero, Dwight Howard, Sunday night (February 27) at the Amway Center.
Janet looked on with tears welling in her eyes as J-Lon and the Orlando Magic’s superstar center chatted, slapped high fives and laughed prior to Sunday’s game against the Charlotte Bobcats. Woody, a native of Geneva, N.Y., was diagnosed with globlastoma, a tumor near the central nervous system in the brain last April. He was in Orlando and at the Magic game as part of the Make-A-Wish program.
And J-Lon’s trip to Orlando wouldn’t have been complete without getting to meet Howard, the player he has studied up on and idolized for years.
“We talked about basketball and funny stuff. I can’t wait to tell all my friends about meeting Dwight. He said some inspirational words to me and some things that I can keep in mind,’’ J-Lon said. “He is a giant, but so nice. When it was time to go he gave me a handshake and a wave and that was so cool.’’
Janet Woody said there have been plenty of tough times since her son’s diagnosis, but she hopes the power of positive thinking will help cure her son, who recently lost some of the use of his legs and is in a wheelchair. Considering the way J-Lon was smiling when Howard autographed a basketball and answered his questions, she thinks that the good vibes will mean the world to her son’s recovery.
Orlando’s Dwight Howard named NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Month
Photo by Fernando Medina
Via the Orlando Magic:
The Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard was named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month presented by Kia Motors for games played during February. It marks the sixth time of his career and the second time this season that Howard has earned the league’s top monthly honor (November 2006, April 2006, November 2007, December 2007, October/November 2010).
Howard led the Eastern Conference in rebounds per game (14.8 rpg.) and field goal percentage (.667) and ranked second in points per game (26.6 ppg.) throughout the month of February. Howard also averaged 1.2 assists per game, 1.36 steals per game and 2.00 blocks per contest while leading the Magic in scoring and rebounding in 10 of 11 games (7-4 team record). He recorded a double-double in every game during February, pulled in at least 15 rebounds in seven of 11 games and had three games with at least 30 points and 15 boards.
Howard’s month was highlighted by his performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder on February 25, in which he tallied 40 points (tying a season-high), 15 rebounds and blocked six shots. Prior to Howard’s effort against the Thunder, the last player to finish with at least 40, 15 and six was Dwight Howard on February 17, 2009 (45, 19, 8 vs. Charlotte), while the last player other than Howard to record those numbers was Shaquille O’Neal on November 19, 1999 (41, 17, 7 vs. Chicago). Howard also became only the sixth player in NBA history to have more than one game of 40 points, 15 rebounds and at least six blocked shots since the 1973-74 season; the others to do it were Kareem Abdul-Jabaar, Patrick Ewing, Bob Lanier, Bob McAdoo and Larry Nance.
Here is a recap of the month for Howard:
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Feb. 8 vs. L.A. Clippers: Registered his fifth 20/20 of the season with 22 points to go along with 20 rebounds in a 101-85 victory over the Clippers.
Feb. 9 @ Philadelphia: Recorded 30 points, 17 rebounds and two blocks in a 99-95 win over the 76ers.
Feb. 13 vs. L.A. Lakers: Tallied 31 points, 13 rebounds, three assists and three blocks in an 89-75 victory over the Lakers.
Feb. 25 vs. Oklahoma City: Compiled a season-high-tying 40 points, 15 rebounds and six blocks to defeat the Thunder, 111-88.
Dwight4MVP.com relaunches
Via the Orlando Magic:
In support of center Dwight Howard and his tremendous play during the 2010-11 season, the Orlando Magic have re-launched www.Dwight4MVP.com.
Highlights of the website include:
- Quick facts why Howard is deserving of the league’s MVP Award.
- Howard’s statistical breakdown during the 2010-11 season.
- Highlight videos and action photos of Howard in action.
- Local and national news articles featuring the Orlando Magic center.
- A link to Howard’s website: www.DwightHoward.com.
