Three veteran Orlando sports journalists headline a discussion on March 25 about the history of sports in Central Florida and what’s to come in the future as part of the Orlando Sentinel’s 150th anniversary.
Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi will be joined by former colleagues Brian Schmitz and George Diaz, and possibly some other special guests, to talk about the evolution of Orlando’s pro, college and amateur sports.
The event will be held Wednesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at Forward/Slash Distillery & Blending House, 650 S. Capen Ave. in Winter Park. Admission is free but you must register in advance at OrlandoSentinel.com/rsvp to attend. The event is being sponsored by the Arnold Palmer Invitational golf tournament, and space is limited.
Schmitz was a sports reporter and columnist for the Sentinel for more than 40 years, chronicling the start of UCF football and the Orlando Magic, among other sports topics.
Diaz covered the Gators, MLB, NFL, NASCAR and the Olympics during his 30-plus-year tenure at the Sentinel.
Bianchi has been a columnist with the Sentinel since 2000 covering every major Orlando sports story during that time and hosting a morning radio at 96.9 FM The Game.
Orlando Sentinel columnists George Diaz (Easter Bunny), Brian Schmitz (the clown), Mike Bianchi (Betsy Ross) and ESPN football analyst Lee Corso help send off longtime sports columnist Jerry Greene with some laughs at memorial service on Wednesday, April 27, 2016 at Orlando Jai-Alai, one of Greene’s favorite hangouts. Greene died on April 20. (Roger Simmons, Orlando Sentinel)
All three have won numerous national and state awards for their reporting and offer unique perspectives on how sports has been such an integral part of Central Florida’s growth. Each will also offer what they think lies ahead for the Orlando sports scene.
A cash bar will be available from Forward/Slash during the event.