The renewal reaffirms the organizations’ commitment to join forces in the implementation of initiatives to positively impact families in Central Florida.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando Magic and Florida Technical College, the official technical college sponsor of the NBA team, have agreed to strengthen their multi-year partnership though the 2022 season, the sports organization announced today. The announcement solidifies their shared commitment to providing opportunities for undeserved communities to succeed, especially young children and families.
In 2022, FTC is expanding its commitment to the community by hosting the Magic Mentoring Youth Summit, an initiative developed to help reduce the achievement gap for local minority youth by exposing them to careers in sports, access to college tours, incentives for academic achievement and mentoring.
“The new agreement is built upon FTC and the Orlando Magic shared commitment to ensuring that the next generation of leaders has the support needed to reach their full potential,” stated FTC’s President Dr. James Michael Burkett. “We are thrilled for the transformational impact it represents.”
“The Orlando Magic are excited to partner with FTC on these very important initiatives,” said Magic Vice President of Global Partnerships J.T. McWalters. “A large part of our focus as an organization is our work in the local community and providing opportunities for those who need it most. We look forward to continuing these efforts with FTC and together making an even greater impact in Central Florida.”
Additional partnership elements include the continuation of a job shadow program with the Magic, providing students the opportunity to learn from the Magic’s “team behind the team.”
About FTC: Founded in 1982 to provide private, post-secondary education in specialized fields, NUC University – Florida Technical College is an academic unit of NUC University (NUC), which is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) www.msche.org. The MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). NUC – FTC offers diploma, associate and bachelor’s degree programs in a range of professions, including Healthcare, Construction Trades, Hospitality, Beauty, Information Technology and Business. NUC – FTC campuses are located in Orlando, Kissimmee, Lakeland, DeLand, Pembroke Pines, Cutler Bay and Tampa. Program availability varies by campus.
About the Orlando Magic: Orlando’s NBA franchise since 1989, the Magic’s mission is to be world champions on and off the court, delivering legendary moments every step of the way. Under the DeVos family’s ownership, the Magic have seen great success in a relatively short history, winning six division championships (1995, 1996, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2019) with seven 50-plus win seasons and capturing the Eastern Conference title in 1995 and 2009. Off the court, on an annual basis, the Orlando Magic gives more than $2 million to the local community by way of sponsorships of events, donated tickets, autographed merchandise and grants. Orlando Magic community relations programs impact an estimated 100,000 kids each year, while a Magic staff-wide initiative provides more than 7,000 volunteer hours annually. In addition, the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation (OMYF) which serves at-risk youth, has distributed more than $26 million to local nonprofit community organizations over the last 31 years. The Magic’s other entities include the team’s NBA G League affiliate, the 2021 G League champion Lakeland Magic, which began play in the 2017-18 season in nearby Lakeland, Fla.; the Orlando Solar Bears of the ECHL, which serves as the affiliate to the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning; and Magic Gaming, of the NBA 2K League, which began play in the spring of 2018. The Magic play their home games at the award-winning Amway Center, honored with The Stadium Business Awards’ 2013 Customer Experience Award and named SportsBusiness Journal’s 2012 Sports Facility of the Year. For ticket information log on to OrlandoMagic.com or call 407-89-MAGIC.
