Orlando had a lot going on in 2015 with changes coming to several teams, the debut of Orlando City and the arrival of UFC. Here are the top stories of 2015.
The 2015 year has come and gone and what a year it was in Orlando.
Aside from this blog starting, it was truly a wonderful year for teams in Orlando. Sure, UCF football and the Orlando Magic struggled, but even they seemed to set themselves up for the future with their play and some personnel decisions in 2015.
Really 2015 was a year of successes for the city. A new pro franchise moved in and ignited the passion within the city, showing it off to a new audience and proving Orlando was a great sports town.
There were playoff appearances from the Orlando Solar Bears and Orlando Predators and a state championship. Not to mention some fantastic sports events for the visitors to the city and residents to enjoy.
This year was truly great for Orlando as a whole.
Here are the top-five sports stories of 2015:
5. Bishop Moore wins first State football title since 1970
Nearly 5,000 fans were at the Orlando Citrus Bowl to see Bishop Moore win its first state title since 1970.
Ray Lewis’ son, Rayshad, finished with 239 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns as the Hornets (14-1) outlasted Crawfordville Wakulla 37-34 in the Class 5A championship game.
Bishop Moore needed a late touchdown to secure the surprising win for the Hornets and snap that 45 years drought without a championship.
4. UFC Returns to Orlando Which Turns into a Big Success
UFC on FOX 17 at the Amway Center drew an announced attendance of 14,459 and a live gate of $1.71 million. Orlando holds the top two spots for most money made at UFC Live Gates at a non-PPV UFC event in the United States.
Florida was once seen as a dead market for mixed martial arts, but back-to-back years with successful national broadcast events from the Amway Center for UFC could mean bigger and better events for the city in the future.
3. Scott Skiles Returns to Orlando to Coach the Magic
The Orlando Magic hired former point guard Scott Skiles as Head Coach to help turn around the franchise he once played for from 1989-1994.
The Magic had won just 25 games the season before, but end the 2015 calendar year with 20 wins in the 2016 season. Already Skiles has positioned the Magic to make the Playoffs in a very competitive Eastern Conference.
2. UCF Football goes 0-12 ; George O’Leary resigns, Scott Frost Hired
It was a stunning fall for UCF, as the Knights struggles on the field going 0-12. UCF coach George O’Leary, who was also serving as the interim athletic director, resigned on Oct. 26, signaling major change throughout the program.
UCF hired Danny White to be the new athletic director in November. That was quickly followed by a splashy head coach hire in football. Oregon offensive coordinator Scott Frost would be hired by UCF on Dec. 1 to become the new head coach of the Knights, bringing along the offensive innovations of the Northwest.
I discussed the year that it was at UCF with UCFSports.com’s Brandon Helwig.
1. Orlando City debuts in MLS
Orlando City jumped from the USL to the MLS. Orlando City 1st ever game came at the Citrus Bowl on March 8th against New York FC. The game drew 62,000 fans and began a wild season for the Lions.
I discussed the year in Orlando sports with Orlando Sports Daily’s Philip Rossman Reich:
