Where Bidding Farewell to Amway Arena Happens

by Evan Dunlap on Apr 14, 2010 2:00 PM EDT in News

The Orlando Magic play their final regular-season game tonight at Amway Arena. - OrlandoSentinel.com
Brian Schmitz of the Orlando Sentinel lists his favorite Amway Arena memories and explains what the building means to him.
Here's what the arena represents to me: Sports civilization and sophistication for Orlando. The city finally joined the majors. Fans had a pro team to call their own, celebrating and commiserating at office water coolers. Who knew it would be basketball intruding on football country?
Amway Arena: 21 years of Magical memories
Paul Kennedy of Sun Sports/Fox Sports Florida also shares his memories. The blog post includes a fantastic photo of him and Pat Clarke covering a UCF/Rollins game in 1989.
Twitter / Tania Ganguli
Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, in his third season with the team, isn't big on mourning buildings, reports Tania Ganguli via her Twitter page.
"It's a building, it doesn't have feelings." the nostalgic stan van gundy on amway arena
Goodbye O'Rena
OPP user UNFNOLE invites us to share our favorite Amway memories in this FanPost.
MAGIC: Magic to Host Fan Appreciation Night
The Magic announce the details of the last Fan Appreciation Night at Amway Arena.

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Comments

Vintage Stan. He probably had an unspoken “WTF” in there that he was thinking but not saying.

"When you make your final stand
I'll be right there
I'll never leave
And all I ask of you is
Believe"

by The Dark on Apr 14, 2010 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

I hate that SVG is such a sarcastic idiot...

by Dome of the Rock on Apr 14, 2010 2:06 PM EDT reply actions

He would probably say something similar

like I hate all those people who are sentimental idiots…

by Eric9321 on Apr 14, 2010 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Hate all you want, doesn't matter to him.

I hate Varejao.

by slickw143 on Apr 14, 2010 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions

And SVG would show it by giving an indifferent shrug

That’s what makes the man downright cuddly.

Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek

by funny80sguy on Apr 14, 2010 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions

...and I hate you, Dome guy

Time to get that finger bling-bling

by 44792212 on Apr 14, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions

I find it hilarious...

That when I say a negative comment about SVG, everyone here takes it to heart. As if I insulted their father. I hate you too btw 4490343535

by Dome of the Rock on Apr 15, 2010 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions

~love is in the air~

I'm a girl.

by TheGiantSquid on Apr 15, 2010 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions

I wouldn't characterize SVG as my father per se . . .

But more as my Lord and Savior. I’m not Jesus you know, and only he could probably call SVG, “Pappy.”

Even though the Hippopotamus lacks a stinger for a tail, a truly wise man would rather be sat on by a bee. ~ Banacek

by funny80sguy on Apr 15, 2010 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions

It seems to me that this article should be articulated after the post season. We are going to play there in the playoffs right? Just seems the wrong time to dwell on memories while the present is so exciting. Save the memoirs for the off-season. Hopefully we can reminisce on our first championship was won at “the old Amway”…

by Eric9321 on Apr 14, 2010 2:40 PM EDT reply actions

23 year ago thought the idea of an NBA team in Orlando was a joke.

Pat Williams considers the arena’s groundbreaking one of the most crucial elements to the franchise’s birth, and one of the biggest thrills in his 42 years in the NBA.

The Magic co-founder and senior vice-president remembers when many thought the idea of an NBA team in Orlando was a joke. Miami was more glamorous. Tampa was bigger, and other cities bidding around the county were seemingly better markets.

But not everybody could provide an arena.

Williams helped energize Orlando residents. City officials took to the idea, and the entire community rallied around the proposal. The building, publicly funded at a cost of more than US$100 million, soon became reality.

The arena’s lasting legacy will likely be that it helped bring the NBA to Orlando. Construction began in January 1987, three months before the league approved the expansion franchise along with Miami, Charlotte and Minnesota.

“The arena was the key to getting the team,” Williams said. “There had to be a building. She was our saving grace.”

by Nick Pirce on Apr 14, 2010 5:06 PM EDT reply actions

Biggest regret in life (and I have many lol) is never getting to go to the O-Rena. Ever.

Seen the Magic play live a couple of times on the road, but having never lived in Orlando and only visited, I wish I could have seen the team play there.
Look it may not be MSG, or the Forum or the Garden in terms of history. But for someone who followed this team since early 94, seeing some games on tv there, the place holds a lot of special memories for me (also as a Wrestling fan it had some special matches there too)

That 1995 Playoff run was the best though.

"To my Hustlers, heres some motivation: He who has begun is half done, why you waiting?"-NaS

Certified Kristin Kreuk obsessive.

by Wasabi Steak on Apr 15, 2010 3:21 AM EDT reply actions