Sports

The grandstands of Florida’s Daytona Speedway sporting venue will officially be smoke-free starting Friday night, July 6th. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Stephanie Denardo spoke with Lenny Santiago, Senior Director of public relations of Daytona International Speedway about how a tobacco free speedway will impact NASCAR and the fans. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/SantiagoDaytonaQA.mp3]  

40 years ago, the face of intercollegiate athletics changed as title IX was enacted. This legislation forced colleges to give women’s sports the same benefits as men’s. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Corey Brooks spoke with the athletics director at the College of Central Florida about the effects of this legislation, and the growth of …

Gainesville’s H. Spurgeon Cherry Westside Pool was a host location as part of a Guinness World Record attempt.  As Elle Newbold reports, the goal was to have the World’s Largest Swim Lesson. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/LargestSwimLesson.mp3]

Dreams came true this week for a small town baseball player in north Florida, when his name was called in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Blake Alderman says this was a big step in the life of Williston’s  Max White. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/06/Max-White-Wrap.mp3|titles=Max White Wrap]

There’s evidence that stickball, the Native American precursor to lacrosse, orginated in the 17th century. A little bit closer to the present, the Gator lacrosse team plays in the NCAA tournament tomorrow afternoon. Florida’s 89.1, WUFT-FM’s Jillian Baach reports on how one of the oldest team sports in North America …

The Babe Ruth Softball league is one of the premier softball programs in the country for girls aged 5 to 18. The highlight of the Babe Ruth softball season is its annual World Series tournament. As Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’S Robert Lopez reports, that showcase event will be coming to North …

The last few days have been busy and exciting for Eisaman Equine in Williston.  That operation broke and did the initial training for Kentucky Derby winner I’ll Have Another.  Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Chip Skambis reports on the training that helped pave the way to that Derby win. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/05/EISAMANWEB.mp3]

The recent suicide of a University of Florida student at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium has raised questions about whether the stadium should remain open for public use.  Florida’s 89.1 WUFT-FM’s Brittany Bassler says many students aren’t keen on the idea of shutting the bleachers down. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/news/files/2012/04/BRITTANYVOICER1.mp3] Bleachers around Florida Field …

Tennessee Volunteers Head Coach Pat Summitt announced yesterday she’s stepping down after 38 seasons. Summit has been battling early on-set dementia.  WUFT-FM’s sister station WRUF Sports Radio 850’s Steve Russell spoke with Florida Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Amanda Butler, for her insights on the coaching legend. [audio:http://www.wuft.org/media/audio/ButlerQnA.mp3]

Standing at seven-feet-two, former Florida Gator Basketball star Dwayne Schintzius was a standout on and off the court. Through the high and lows of his career at Florida, Schintzius helped lead the Gators to their first three appearances in the NCAA tournament. Schintzius passed away from complications of leukemia Sunday afternoon at …