DAWKINS EARNS NATIONAL COACH-OF-THE-YEAR HONOR
UCF men’s basketball head coach Johnny Dawkins was named the recipient of the 2026 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year Award, announced Thursday morning.
The Jim Phelan Award is presented annually to the nation’s top Division I head coach. The recipient is selected by a 10-member voting committee consisting of current and former head coaches, along with two senior staff members from CollegeInsider.com.
“I don’t think enough has been made about the job Johnny Dawkins did this season at UCF,” said Angela Lento Vice President of College Insider, Inc. and member of the Jim Phelan Award voting panel. “He assembled a roster that included some good players from mid-major programs and had a terrific season in the best conference in college basketball. If UCF won just a few more games, Johnny Dawkins would have been a finalist for every head coaching award.”
Dawkins guided the Knights to one of the most successful seasons in program history in 2025-26, as UCF finished 21-12 and earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2019. The 21 victories secured back-to-back 20-win seasons for the Knights.
In just its third season in the Big 12 Conference, UCF posted a program-best nine conference wins, finishing 9-9 in league play.
The Knights had three wins against AP Top 25 teams, with victories over No. 17 Kansas, No. 11 Texas Tech and No. 19 BYU. They swept Texas A&M in a home-and-home series and won at Colorado to win a total of five Quad 1 games.
UCF was one of only two teams, joined by Miami, to make the tournament without any returning scoring production from last season. Since 2007, UCF is now one of only three teams to make the tournament without bringing back any scoring production (UCF and Miami 2026, and Kentucky 2025).
The award is named in honor of Jim Phelan, a legendary coach who spent his entire career at Mount St. Mary's University. Phelan led the Mountaineers to the 1962 NCAA Division II national championship and retired in 2003 after 49 seasons with 830 career victories and a 830-524 overall record. He coached 19 teams that recorded 20 or more wins.
ORLANDO SPEEDWORLD
Coming up at Orlando Speed World Dragway:
* Today: Wheels Up Wednesday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 6 p.m. and racing from 6 p.m.-to-10:30 p.m.
* Full Throttle Friday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 6 p.m. and racing from 6 p.m.-to-10:30 p.m. $20 General Admission or $30 to race. Kids 10-and-Under free.
* Saturday _ Bigfoot Grudge Brawl 2. Gates open at noon, track hot at 2 p.m.
* FUNDAY Sunday _ “All Welcome Test and Tune and Grudge Racing” with gates opening at 10 a.m. and racing from 10:30 a.m.-to-5 p.m.
The Dragway information Hotline is at (407) 568-5522 and the website is at _ www.raceosw.com/dragway/.
SpeedWorld is located 17 miles east of Orlando in Bithlo at 19164 East Colonial Drive, between Orlando and Titusville on Highway 50 at the 520 Cocoa Cutoff.
SANFORD ADULT SOFTBALL
Here is the schedule for this week in the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department Adult Softball Spring League.
The Semi-Co-Ed/Fun League on Wednesday has Fedup vs. The West End Trading Company at 6:30 p.m.; Parkway Punishers vs. Throwbacks at 7:30 p.m.; and Pat's Liquor vs. Bucks at 8:30 p.m. Longhorns will have the Bye.
The Men’s League on Tuesday (April 14) will have The West End Trading Company playing the doubleheader against Celery City Gamecocks at 6:30 p.m. and the Bokey Batters at 7:30 p.m. and Venezolanos en Sanford facing the The Handicapps at 8:30 p.m.
Everyone is invited to watch the games for free at Pinehurst Park on West 24th Street.
For more information contact Dominic Pascuzzo, City of Sanford Recreation Supervisor, at the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department at 407-688-5120, extension 5004; Fax _ 407-688-5121; facebook.com/SanfordFLCityGovt; instagram.com/cityofsanfordfl; visit the city website _ www.sanfordfl.gov _ or email: [email protected].
UCF BASEBALL
Following its successful 2-1 Big 12 trip to West Virginia, the now No. 12 ranked and Bi 12 leading UCF Baseball team (20-9, 10-2 in Big 12) had its Tuesday scheduled game with Stetson canceled because of inclement weather and will head back on the road to Lawrence, Kansas, to take on the Big 12 second place Kansas Jayhawks (23-10, 9-3 Big 12) in a 3-game Big12 Series at Hoglund Ballpark on Friday (7 p.m.), Saturday (3 p.m.) and Sunday (1 p.m.) before returning to Orlando to host Jacksonville at 6 p.m. next Tuesday. All of the games will be on 96.9 FM The Team and ESPN+.
UCF SOFTBALL
The red-hot UCF Softball team (30-10-1, 8-6-1 Big 12) moved up to No. 19 in the national rankings and will travel to Arizona State on Friday for a 3-game Big12 series at Alberta B. Farrington Stadium in Tempe at 9 p.m.
The series will continue on Saturday (7 p.m.) and Sunday (3 p.m.) and all of the game will be on ESPN+.
ORLANDO PRIDE
The Orlando Pride (1-1-2, 5 points) played to a scoreless draw against Gotham FC (1-1-2, 5 points) on Sunday night at Sports Illustrated Stadium. With the result, the Pride returns home unbeaten and with four points from a two-game road trip following a 3-0 win over Chicago Stars FC on Wednesday.
Next Match:
The Pride returned home to take on league leaders Angel City FC (3-0-0, 9 pts) at Inter&Co Stadium on Friday and are now on a two-week break.
SANFORD YOUTH SPORTS
The City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department Youth Spring Flag Football and Soccer Leagues will be in action at The Jeff Triplett Community Center @ Tim Raines Sports Complex on Saturday.
* The Youth Flag Football Fall League _ 5-to-8 year olds: 8:30 a.m., Cart N Go Bills vs. Alaskan Ice Patriots; 8:30 a.m., Card My Yard Packers vs. CPH Ravens; 9:20 a.m., Gravity Roofing Dolphins vs. Steak n' Shake Steelers; 9:20 a.m., Waste Pro Commanders vs. Del-Air Eagles; AFC 9-to-11 year olds: 10:10 a.m., Culver’s Dolphins vs. Rita’s Jaguars; 11 a.m., Chopes Ravens vs. Alaskan Ice Patriots; 11:50 a.m., Cart N Go Bills vs. Steak n' Shake Steelers; NFC 9-to-11 year olds: 10:10 a.m., Harrell & Beverly 49ers vs. Jess’s Lemonade Cowboys; 11 a.m., Climate First Bank Vikings vs. Thermotane Propane Giants; 11:50 a.m., Versus Games and Events Eagles vs. Collis Roofing Panthers; Powered by: Del - Air 12-14 year olds _ 12:40 p.m., Del-Air Dolphins vs. Del-Air Cowboys; 12:40 p.m., Del-Air Jaguars vs. Del-Air Lions; 1:30 p.m., Del-Air Patriots vs. Del-Air Giants; 1:30 p.m., Collis Roofing Colts vs. Del-Air Buccaneers.
* The Youth Soccer League _ 4-to-6 year olds: 8:30 a.m., Waste Pro Turbo Turtles vs. Stallion Heating & Air Young Strikers; 8:30 a.m., Alaskan Ice Blue Jays vs. Harrell & Beverly Pink Tigers; 9:20 a.m., Sanford Elks Lodge 1241 Purple Panthers vs. Del-Air Fireballs; 9:20 a.m., Cart N Go Krush vs. Culver’s Beehive Ballers; 7-to-8 year olds: 10:10 a.m., Cart N Go Krush vs. Collis Roofing Stingrays; 10:10 a.m., Harrell & Beverly Blue Sharks vs. Rita’s Ruby Raiders; 11 a.m., Versus Games & Events Wolves vs. Del-Air Lions; 11 a.m., Card My Yard Falcons vs. Gravity Roofing Dolphins; 11:50 a.m., Stallion Heating & Air Tornadoes vs. Alaskan Ice Black Mambas; 11:50 a.m., Steak n' Shake Alpha FC vs. Climate First Bank Blasters; 9-to-10 year olds: 12:40 p.m., Del-Air Clutch Cobras vs. Waste Pro Flamingos; 12:40 p.m., Stallion Heating & Air Seminole Strikers vs. Alaskan Ice Hornets; 1:30 p.m., Versus Games & Events Lions vs. Collis Roofing Stingrays.
VOLUSIA SPEEDWAY PARK
Volusia Speedway Park in DeLeon Springs/Barberville will be hosting the “Short Track Showdown" this Saturday.
The 3/4 Modifieds, 602 Late Models, 604 Late Models, DIRTcar Factory Stocks and DIRTcar UMP Modifieds will all be in action.
Pit gates opening at 2 p.m., the Grandstand gates opening at 4 p.m. and Hot Laps at 6 p.m., followed by racing.
Please check with the track for ticket information. The racing will also be broadcasted LIVE on DIRTVision!
Please check our Facebook and website _ VolusiaSpeedwayPark.com _ for updates or changes. The office phone is 386-985-4402.
The track is located at 1500 East State Road 40 in DeLeon Springs. Take either FL-11 North or Highway-17 out of DeLand and go to SR-40 and turn left (West) if using 11 or right (East) if using 17.
NEW SMYRNA SPEEDWAY
New Smyrna Speedway will return from a 2-week break with one of the most popular events of the season: $5 Family Fun Night, headlined by the exciting Easter Hop 60 for the Sportsman division.
The E-Mods, Midatlantic Marketing 602 Tour Type Modifieds, Black Jack Seal Coating Bomber A, Stephen Smith Inc.com Bomber B, ReCon Mod Minis and Spectator Races are also on the car.
Plus, even more fun has been added with a special Easter Egg Hunt for the kids.
Ticket booths and grandstand gates open at 4 p.m. Heat Races are at 6 p.m., followed by Feature Racing at 7:30 p.m.
Admission is $5 (reserved seating is $20, the top six (6) rows of the Main Grandstand). Kids 11 years of age and under are free of charge (MUST be accompanied by paying Adult to qualify for Free Admission). Pits - Members ($30), Non-Members ($40).
The track is located at the corner of SR. 44 and CR 415, between New Smyrna, DeLand and Daytona.
For information on New Smyrna Speedway, visit _ www.newsmyrnaspeedway.org _ or call the track office at 386-427-4129.
VALKYRIES HIT THE ROAD
The Orlando Valkyries were on the road to face the Atlanta Vibe at the Georgia State Convocation Center on Saturday.
Up Next:
The Valkyries will remain on the road, heading to California to take on the San Diego Mojo on Saturday at Viejas Arena at 9 p.m. on Samsung TV Plus.
SANFORD ADULT VOLLEYBALL
Here is the schedule in the City of Sanford Parks and Recreation Department Adult Spring Volleyball Season that plays on Sunday’s at the Westside Community Center, located at 919 South Persimmon Avenue across from Crooms Academy.
In the B-Recreation Division _ at 2 p.m., Gus Bus vs. Benchwarmers; 2:50 p.m., Island Time vs. Derby Smashers; 3:40 p.m., Ovo vs. Island Time; 7:50 p.m., Big Tippers vs. Up In The Air.
In the A-Competitive Division _ at 4:30 p.m., Iron Wall vs. Volley Vibes; 5:20 p.m., Set It Off vs. Sand & Sweat; 6:10 p.m., Ringers vs. Ball Busters; 7 p.m., Ringers Setters Alliance.
Everyone is invited to watch the games for free.
ORLANDO CITY
Orlando City SC (1-4-0, 3 points) returned to action following an FIFA international window, traveling to California to take on LAFC at BMO Stadium last Saturday and will remain on the road to take at the Columbus Crew on Sunday, April 12, at 7 p.m. at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus, Ohio, on Apple TV.
For more information on Orlando City SC, visit OrlandoCitySC.com or follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.
