SPORTS Outdoor Sportsman's Report By Richard Muga Hoops Now Shine in o Is Michael Lionel? Football-Crazed State W ho Is M iel Li nel As those of us who live in in national title games, and the State of Florida well know, one national championship, Michael William Lebron, Radio Network and WCBS morning drive show, Lionel footballis a religion dwn here. as Florida dominated UCLA Florida attorney and super NewsRadio in New York. While went on to set records for rat- The Gators, Seminoles and nearly two weeks ago. radio and television personal- attending law school in his ings for WABC in that time Hurricanes have won eight na- Donovan has turned the ity in New York. Stage name native Tampa in 1980, Lionel slot. In the fall of 1996, Lionel tional championships between University of Florida into a "Lionel." discovered talk radio station moved to the afternoon drive them and are among the fierc- basketball powerhouse, which, After many successful years WFLA and soon became a spot, offering a new audience est rivals in all of sports. USF over time, has the potential. in local talk radio and on regular caller. His formula a taste of his unique brand of and UCF have their football to gain a tradition the likes of television, Lionel has realized was simple: "Be the first caller, radio. He had just achieved programs on the rise as both Kentucky, UCLA and North one of his dreams. He began never talk about what the host the highest ratings in that made it to bowl games last sea- Carlina. The Gators' success his nationally syndicated pro- is discussing and, wherever slot since taking over for Bob son. While football will likely may very well open the doors gram on January 3, 2000. The possible, insult the host and Grant when, in their infinite always be the number one for other Florida teams to suc- show, airing Monday through his family." In his "other" wisdom, the management at sport in the sunshine state, ceed on the court like they do Friday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. career, Lionel went on to be- WABC decided to move him basketball has now made its on the football field. Florida and Saturday from 5 to 8 come a noted prosecutor and back to mornings in December claim to greatness as well. This State and Miami both had p.m. (both Eastern Time) is criminal defense attorney. of 1997. is thanks to the Florida Gators decent seasons in the always an eclectic mixture of current Dominating the conversation Lionel's form of radio is winning their first ever national tough Atlantic Coast Confer- events and off-the-wall topics became Lionel's forte. topical, dynamic and funny. title in basketball, thus becom- ence. USF's first season in the infused with Lionel's special His media career began A raconteur and master of the ing the first collegiate team to Big East was a disappointment brand of humor. in 1988 when the wife of the English language, he engages bring a Division 1 basketball when it came to wins and loss- Before that, Lionel was the WFLA operations manager his listeners daily with his national championship to the es, but there is certainly reason host of Snap Judgment on suggested to her husband that rapid-fire delivery and offbeat State of Florida. to hope for better things ahead Court TV. The program was Lionel would be a great host. takes on the day's top issues. Throughout a long number for Bulls basketball, given that consistent with Lionel's per- He was given a weekend shift Lionel has been named one of ofyears, college basketball has South Florida played some of sona, offering an irreverent and and within a year was pro- the 100 Most Important Talk meant the world to schools the nation's best teams down intelligent look at the lighter mnoted to fternoon drive. The Show Hosts in the country in North Carolina, Indiana, to the wire. side of, what he calls, "The president of ABC radio heard by Talkers Magazine. He ap- Kentucky, and California. Even those who are not train wreck they refer to as the Lionel's show and made him pears regularly on a variety of Florida was never considered Florida Gator fans should American judicial system." an offer he couldn't refuse. In national television programs a hotbed for basketball, even be happy that UF won the Lionel was the morning 1993 Lionel left Florida, hap- and networks including CNN though both Florida and Jack- basketball national title. It's drive host on WABC TalkRadio pily abandoning his law career, and MSNBC. sonville had played in national going to make many great in New York City for five suc- and moved to WABC radio in Thanks to Lionel for his con- title games. There was never high school basketball players cessful years. He also hosted New York. Eventually taking tributions to this column a consistently good team in strongly consider coming to special reports for the ABC over the highly competitive BE A GOOD SPORT! the sunshine state until Billy schools in the sunshine state. Donovan took over as coach This means that when football in Gainesville. Donovan has season is finished, there will now led the Gators to eight still be plenty of excitement straight NCAA Tournament left for sports fans who live in The rates you want. appearances, two appearances this area. e E INVITATION TO BID SSealed bids for EXTERIOR STAIRWASY REPAR / REPLACE- MENT AND PAINTING AT SCHWARZKOPF SCHOOL will be Sreceived by the School Board of Hillsborough Count, Florida S'in the Office of the Supervisor of Purchasing, Third Floor, School Administrative Center, 901 East Kennedy Boulevard, S|Tampa, Florida until 3:00 PM, Tuesday, May 16, 2006. (The mailing address is P. O. Box 3408, Tampa, Florida 33601). Bids will not be accepted after 3:00 PM of the above date. Bids wi be opened and read aloud in the Purchaing Depar ment, located on the S thd floar of the School Adminis, tra- Offcial Bank of the Supervisor of Purchasing, Third Floor, Contractors desiring to bid this project are subject to an En- Scouragement Affirmative Action Plan as identified within the mabidding documents. oei Bids will not.be accepted after 3:00 PM of the above date. Bids right CD wille be opened and read aloud in the Purchasing Depart- 4ince. Balac $5r early MAXSAVER~1, ment, Iocated on the third floor of the School Administra- a o s ....h Contractors desiring to bid this project are subject to an En- 0 There will be a mandatory Pre-Bid Meeting on Friday, April 21, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at Schwarzkopf Elementary School located at 18333 Calusa Trace Blvd., Lutz, FL 33549. IT IS THE BIDDER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO SEE THAT BIDS ARE DELIVERED TO THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AS DA REFERENCED ABOVE. BID SECURITY MUST BE SUB- MITTED WITH BID. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS. NOTICE TO ALL BIDDERS: The School Administrative eSto in e e e Financia eCenter is a "security" building, therefore, visitors will be required to obtain a Visitors Pass prior to entering the or cafl at 813-30-2512 727-298-12 1 V I w U e building. A photo identification will need to be presented at this time. Plans and specifications may be obtained from the architect at a cost of (Fifty dollars) $50 non refundable a set per site. Com- plete information regarding bidding documents and other infor- F Ih h d Bmation may be obtained from the Architect/Engineer: Wcrn-king H-ard To Bc The Only Bank You'll Evcr Nccd: John J.McKenna Architect P.A. 1005 West Cleveland Street *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of 04/01/06. $500 minimum required balance. Pnalty for early withdrawal. Accounts Tampa, FL 33606-1913 must be opened with funds not cuirrently on cleposit with Fifth Third Bank Fifth Third reserves the right to refuse any deposit: Not Phone (813) 258-5559 available for commercial and non-profit accounts. **Annual Percentage Yield (APY) accurate as of 04/01/06. Rate may change afte account is opened. Fes rnay reduce eamings. $50 miniimum opening balance. $25 ice if account is losed within 180 days of No bidder may withdraw his bid for a-period of thirty days after opening. Offer applies to new savings accounts opened with money not on deposit with Fifth Third Bank. Fifth Third reserves the date set for bid opening. right to refuse any deposit. Not available for commercial and non-profit accounts. **Annual PercentageYield (APY) accurate as of THE SCHOOL BOARD OF 04/01/06. $500 rninimum required balance. Penalty for early withdrawal. Accounts most be opened with funds not currently on HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA deposit with FifthThird Bank. Fifth Third reserves the right to refuse any deposit. Not available for comrnnercial and non-profit accounts. Fifhb Third and Fifth Third Bank are registered service marks of Fifth Third Bancorp. Member FDIC. MARYELLEN ELlA LG SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS 4/7-4/21/06 3T LA GA .A/Frlidl y,, Aprjl!' I, '2!06,a.ge,,l