Mike Alstott, Jim Leyland and Ricky Carmichael Headline 2025 Florida Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class
A stellar mix of athletes and coaches has been tapped for induction into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame as part of the 2025 class. The seven-member class represents four different sports and includes two Super Bowl winners, a World Series winning manager, Women’s College World Series winning coach, a beloved broadcaster and our first-ever Motocross athlete. The seven will be inducted in a ceremony to be held at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in November.
“We are excited to be able to recognize such a talented and accomplished class who have all contributed tremendously to their respective sports,” said Keyna Cory, Chair of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame board. “Their contributions to their sports and their communities make this a remarkable class. We are honored to welcome them as the newest members of the Florida Sports Hall of Fame.”
The Florida Sports Hall of 2025 Class (in alphabetical order):
Alana Maree “Lonni” Alameda has spent 17 seasons at the head coach of the Florida State University softball program, guiding the Seminoles back into one of the nation’s best teams. The Seminoles have returned to the final site of women’s collegiate softball five times in the last nine complete seasons (2014, 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023), including winning the program’s first NCAA National Championship in 2018. l
Mike Alstott played for 12 years for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including the Super Bowl winning 2002 season. At fullback, he was a six-Jme Pro Bowl selection, the most appearances for an offensive player in the team’s history. He was named to the NFL All-Pro team four Jmes. He rushed for more than 5,000 yards during his career. Given the nickname A-Train, he made a career of gaining the tough yards. His bruising style and knack for finding the end zone helped him become the Buccaneers all-time leader in total touchdowns (71) and rushing touchdowns (58).
Born in Venice, FL, Trey Burton attended Venice High School where he was a standout dual-threat quarterback for the Venice Indians. He received a scholarship to agend the University of Florida, where he played for coach Urban Meyer’s and Will Muschamp’s Florida Gators football teams from 2010 to 2013. Originally recruited as a quarterback in Meyer’s spread offense, he played several posiJons for the Gators, including wide receiver, tight end, fullback and quarterback. As a freshman, he broke Tim Tebow’s team record for touchdowns in a game with six during a 48-14 victory over Kentucky.
A 15-Jme AMA motocross champion, Ricky Carmichael is considered the GOAT in the sport of motocross. In 1996, he concluded a record-setting run in the amateur ranks by capturing his ninth AMA Amateur National Championship at the prestigious Loretta Lynn’s Dude Ranch. He accumulated a total of 67 amateur motocross national championships. He got his first taste of professional motocross in 1996 when he earned the AMA Motocross Rookie of the Year award. His 15 Championships are a record as are his 150 career wins.
Jim Leyland led the Florida Marlins to the 1997 World Series championship over the Cleveland Indians, and previously won three straight division titles (1990, 1991, and 1992) with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is one of only eleven managers to lead three different teams to the postseason. With the Tigers’ victory in the 2006 American League Championship Series, Leyland became the seventh manager in history to win pennants in both the National and American Leagues. He managed the United States national team at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, leading the team to its first gold medal finish. On December 3, 2023, Leyland was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
Born in Sarasota, Clyde Metcalf returned to his high school alma mater in 1981 to serve as the head baseball coach. In the 41 seasons that followed, the Florida State University graduate coached teams to a compiled 950 wins. He led the Sailors to 23 District Championships, 14 appearances in the State Final Four of which the Sailors won six Jmes (1987, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2007). His teams were also named National Champions in 1989 and 1993 by USA Today. An astounding 210 of his players went on to play collegiate baseball and 72 have gone on to play professionally. Sixteen former players reached the major leagues.
Dave Wills spent 18 seasons in the Tampa Bay Rays radio booth, partnering with Andy Freed to form a broadcast team that was wildly popular with the team’s fans. Wills created a few signature, instantly recognizable calls when on play-by-play duty, including his roaring refrain immediately following every victory — “Rays win! Rays win! Rays win!” — and his exaggerated “Heeeeee struck him out!” after every K by a Rays pitcher. Wills was particularly known for his “big personality” and his ability to connect with fans off the air. His sudden death on March 5, 2023, was a blow to his entire fan base. On April 14, 2024, Wills was inducted into the Tampa Bay Rays Hall of Fame, the fourth individual to be inducted, after Don Zimmer, Wade Boggs, and Carl Crawford.
Since 1961, the Florida Sports Hall of Fame has been recognizing, honoring and celebrating the state’s greatest contributors to sports in an enshrinement ceremony held annually in different locations around the state. This enshrinement will be the first for the Bradenton area. Two days of celebration are planned. Tuesday, November 18 is the Exclusive Party with the Stars! VIP event at historic LECOM Park, the “southern home” of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1969. On Wednesday, November 19, the class of 2025 will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Bradenton Area Convention Center that includes a pre-party, dinner, and inspiring stories from each of the new class members.
Information on sponsorships and table purchases can be found here: https://flasportshof.org/enshrinement-2025/