Tampa is located on Florida's western shore of the Gulf of Mexico. There are several large cities other than the city of Tampa that make up the region commonly known as Tampa Bay: Clearwater, Bradenton, Largo, St. Petersburg, Dunedin, Pinellas Park and Tarpon Springs.
This particular portion of Florida cuts out into a huge body of water which extends over 400 square miles and is named “Tampa Bay.” In fact, the Port of Tampa is currently the 10th-largest port in the United States.
“Tampa Bay” is not an actual city but simply a label commonly used for the region it represents, as well as the bay’s actual title.
Thus, with so many cities in such a compressed area every sports team has simply called themselves Tampa Bay, such as the NHL’s Lightning, the Arena League’s Storm or the Rowdies of the defunct North American Soccer League.
The Buccaneers got their nickname from pirate invasions of long ago.
Florida’s western coast (including Tampa Bay) was invaded almost annually during the late 18th and early 19th centuries by a Spanish captain named Jose’ Gaspar, commonly called Gasparilla.
When Tampa was awarded an NFL expansion team in 1976, the team held a “name-the-team” contest. From there, an advisory board selected “Buccaneers” from over 400 nickname possibilities based on the local pirate legend.
Today, the "Gasparilla Pirate Festival" held in January is celebrated every year and draws almost 500,000 partiers.
This team has won one NFL title: Super Bowl XXXVII.
Origin Facts:
Established: 1976
Original Owner: Tom McCloskey
Original Colors: Red, orange and white
First Stadium: Tampa Stadium, seating 74,301
Retired Jerseys: No. 63 Lee Roy Selmon, No. 40 Mike Alstott
I'm sad Tom Brady isn't with the Patriots anymore!!!!
Need something that's classically Italian? Try our Spinach and Cheese Stromboli. Refrigerated pizza dough is our shortcut to making this tasty meal in less than 15 minutes. It's a quick and easy vegetarian stromboli recipe that's guaranteed to fill you up. We're sure you'll agree, this simple Italian dinner is unquestionably tasty.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (10-ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and well drained
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 (13.8-ounce) package refrigerated pizza dough
- Preheat oven to 425º. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add spinach and garlic and sauté 3 to 5 minutes, or until garlic is golden. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, the oregano, and salt. Add spinach mixture and stir until well blended.
- Unroll pizza dough and with your fingertips or the heel of your hand, spread dough out to a 10- x 15-inch rectangle. Cut in half lengthwise to make two 5- x 15-inch rectangles. Spread half the spinach mixture onto each piece of dough, leaving a 1/2-inch border around the edge. Fold each piece of dough over and pinch the edges to seal securely. Place on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden brown.
Also celebrating is Cydney Polley, wife of the infamous Terry "da Pully" Polley. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CYDNEY!!
1908 – Carole Lombard, American actress (d. 1942)
On October 6th, National Coaches Day honors the men and women who inspire us to work harder and do our best.
Across the country in every community, a coach organizes teams, plans practices and training, motivates players to strive to be the best they can be. At the same time, coaches pinpoint areas for improvement and supply guidance. Every sport or competition requires a leader. More importantly, a leader who knows the game and how to drive athletes to work together as a team.
Many coaches maintain a schedule for training, conditioning, and preparing athletes. Not only do they create these schedules for competition but also for their best health. Injuries sideline athletes and upset team dynamics. Although a coach’s final goal is winning, they do so through a wealth of knowledge. Coaches work to build teams that bond well, too. They develop work ethics and set standards for their athletes that many carry with them throughout their lifetime.
For many athletes, coaches teach them to focus and how to reach a goal – which sometimes is not about winning. Sometimes the achievement is an improvement, playing by the rules or learning respect for others, themselves, or the game.
Coaches represent leadership, mentors, and inspiration. Often, a coach’s words will echo through an athlete’s mind for years to come. During difficult times, the words motivate them forward. Rarely do these coaches even know the impact they’ve had on an athlete until many decades pass.
Inspirational Coaches
John Madden – Coach of the Oakland Raiders, he led his team for ten seasons and a Super Bowl victory in 1977.
Kathryn Smith – As the first full-time female coach for the NFL, she inspires by sheer achievement. However, her background offers a unique perspective coaches and players both benefit from.
Herb Brooks – The NHL hockey coach who led the United States a win against the dominating Soviet Union in what became known as the Miracle on Ice.
Tony La Russa – With three world Series titles and a long list of wins, the manager for the Athletics and St. Louis Cardinals dominated the AL and NL during his career.
Cheryl Miller – The one-time basketball coach for Cal State LA, she led her team to two NCAA tournaments. She now reports to TNT as a sports broadcaster.
HOW TO OBSERVE
Celebrate a coach who inspired you. Share a transformational memory with your coach. No matter how many years have passed, contact coaches who impacted your life and thank them.
Organize a celebration for your coach. Bring the team together and let your coach know how much you appreciate all they do. Invite former coaches to be honored at schools and organizations.
NATIONAL COACHES DAY HISTORY
In 1972, President Richard Nixon issued proclamation 4157 naming October 6th as National Coaches Day. He encouraged activities and ceremonies honoring coaches for the friends and counselors they become.
