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Tampa Bay Sprinters History!

 

The Hinton Family Breaking Ground on Skate Odyssey

The picture above is the Hinton family breaking ground for the start of Skate Odyssey. Mr. & Mrs. Hinton are at the shovel in the middle of the photo, with Paul Hinton (beard) in the back and Dennis Hinton to the right along with his sister.  The gentleman to the left was a business partner of the Hinton family.  The young boy is the Hinton’s Grandson, Michael Johnson.

 

Skate Odyssey North 

 

Tampa Bay Sprinters is a team name which evolved from the "Skate Odyssey North" legacy originally established in 1977 by The Hinton Family in Tampa, Florida.

The original team name from the Hinton Family Legacy was "Odyssey Speed" and they proudly wore the team colors of Orange and Brown.  Odyssey Speed went on to build champions from 1977 – 1995 and had a couple of name changes along the way.  Among the names were Tampa Bay Skating Academy and Tampa Bay Sprinters.  

During the period of 1985 to 1990, Virgil and Sue Dooley (USARS Hall of Fame Coaches) - under the team name "Tampa Bay Sprinters", churned out champion after champion with their proven training program.  This team name and champion producing tradition was continued through 1995 with USARS Hall of Fame Coach, Linda Dorso-Pena at the helm.

In 2008 the team was revived under the Name of "Team FAST" by former Odyssey Team Member, Roy G. Paz.  In 2011, with the blessing of the Hinton Family, the name of the team was changed back to its original name “Odyssey Speed” and operated under this name until the end of 2013.  

In January of 2014, Tony Cabral (former Tampa Bay Sprinters Team member), modified the team name to honor one of it's former glory names established and maintained by Virgil, Sue, and Linda.  Once again the Hinton Family legacy is ready to continue building champions through the "Tampa Bay Sprinters" name.

One unwavering fact is that through the years, the same historical spirit, values and dedication to the sport continues to live on!

 

Past coaches were: 

  • Roy Hernandez (First Odyssey Coach / 1977 - 1982)
  • Dennis Bell (Odyssey / 1982-1983)
  • Bill Casselberry (Odyssey / 1983 – 1985)
  • Virgil & Sue Dooley (USARS Coaches Hall of Fame) (TB Skating Academy / Tampa Bay Sprinters / 1985 – 1990)
  • Linda Dorso-Pena (USARS Coaches Hall of Fame)  (Tampa Bay Sprinters / 1990 – 1995)
  • Roy Paz & Tom Smith (Odyssey – Tampa) (Team FAST / Odyssey / 2008 – 2013)



  • Tony Cabral (Current Coach)  (Tampa Bay Sprinters / 2014 - Present)

 

An overwhelming sense of gratitude goes out to the Hinton family for starting "Odyssey Speed" and being such a major influence in the sport of speed skating.  They have touched so many lives in a positive way, and their dedication to roller sports will always be remembered.