So far, 2024 has been a great year for sports enthusiasts. From global soccer and tennis tournaments to record setting audiences for the Super Bowl to the Olympic Games in Paris to Little League World Series champions right here in Central Florida, 2024 has had it all.
The sports industry is not just a source of entertainment; it generates significant economic impact. According to Statista, the worldwide revenue reached approximately $403.08 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to $680.74 billion by 2028.
The Valencia Voice talked to students and staff about their favorite sports. Here are some of their thoughts:
Safia Alkhub, a 25-year-old Instructional Lab Assistant, shared that her favorite sport is F1 racing. “I like how fast the car goes and the cars are cool. I also enjoy all the things that happen in the background,” Alkhub said.
On the other hand, Gary Montero, 28, a student in BAS Software Development, revealed that soccer is his favorite sport. “I played it when I was little,” Montero explained.
Josh Gwynn, a 32-year-old Programming Tutor, expressed his enthusiasm for tennis. “It’s high action, there’s always something going on, and it’s a lot easier to keep track of,” Gwynn noted.
Tennis was also a favorite for Valeria Garcia, a 25-year-old Plant Science student. “My favorite sport is tennis because it relaxes me a lot. I drain so much energy trying to guess where the ball is going to be so I can position myself and move accordingly,” Garcia explained.
Carolina Solano, 28, an AS Major in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) described her passion for cycling. “I’m an outdoor person who enjoys nature and adventure. Biking makes me feel happier,” Solano shared.
Running was also on the list. Esaú Hernández, a 20-year-old CyberSecurity student, explained, “I’m able to get distracted while exercising, observing my surroundings and thinking about other things. Also, I can listen to music while I’m doing it,” he said.
Outdoor sports were more common in the student responses. Kiara Salazar, a 21-year-old AA in Engineering, talked about her passion for blade skating. “It combines speed, balance, and excitement. I love the feeling of gliding smoothly, and it challenges me both physically and mentally. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy the outdoors,” Salazar noted.
Daisy Robles, a 19-year-old Nursing student, shared her enthusiasm for soccer. “It’s more fun, and I like watching it,” Robles said.
Freddy Clavijo, a 19-year-old Sports Management student, is more into individual sports. He highlighted his appreciation for golf. “All the time you play against yourself to try to beat your own previous record. This pushed me to do better than the last time I played. Also, when I play golf, it helps me mentally and creates connections with wonderful people,” Clavijo explained.
Kay Zin, a 21-year-old Biomedical Science student at Valencia, shared her enthusiasm for volleyball. “My favorite sport is volleyball because it is exciting and something which I am good at,” Zin said.
Football was also mentioned. Tridung Bui, a 20-year-old Information Technology student at UCF, highlighted his passion for football. “My favorite sport is American football because I like the strong and powerful playstyles from its players,” Bui noted.
According to the Valencia College Student Clubs and Organizations website, intramural sports such as basketball, bowling, dodgeball, flag football, racquetball, rock climbing, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball have been offered at Valencia. However, no leagues are currently running at this time. But that does not mean students cannot get involved; there are other opportunities to engage in cheering for teams, physical activities and staying active through different programs.
On Wednesday October 2, Student Development will be hosting “Orlando City Group Night,” where participants will experience a behind-the-scenes tour of the stadium, have the opportunity to interact with the staff working at Orlando City, and watch the soccer team in action. For more information or to register for a ticket, visit the Valencia “Engage” page.
Orlando also has many opportunities for people who enjoy different sports or wish to join an intramural team. For more information about upcoming soccer, cornhole, kickball, volleyball, softball leagues check out Orlando Club Sports.
Students can participate as well in Adult Sports, where they can meet new people, develop their skills, and enjoy some friendly competitions. Leagues are available for soccer, volleyball, basketball, and pickleball, providing a great way to stay active and connect with others at the YMCA.
