Jimmy Hewitt announced as next member of Orlando Magic Hall of Fame
Jimmy Hewitt played an integral part in the effort to bring an NBA franchise to Orlando. (courtesy Orlando Magic)
ORLANDO MAGIC PRESS RELEASE
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Orlando Magic will induct Orlando Magic “founding father” Jimmy Hewitt into its Hall of Fame on Wednesday, March 29 at 4:15 p.m. in Amway Center, near the Nutrilite Magic Fan Experience. Hewitt becomes the sixth inductee into the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame.
In addition to the induction ceremony, Hewitt will be honored that night during the Magic’s contest vs. the Thunder. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. and tickets to the game are available through OrlandoMagic.com or by calling 1-800-4-NBATIX.
Hewitt, an Orlando native, was the architect for the Magic -- he dreamed it, believed it, conceived it, and nurtured it into a reality. The idea blossomed in 1985 a year after Hewitt met Magic Senior Vice President Pat Williams when he heard the then-Philadelphia 76ers general manager speak at a Texas function. Becoming fast friends, Williams reached out to Hewitt when he was in Orlando a year later speaking at a local basketball clinic and it was on that drive back to the airport that Williams presented the question to Hewitt – “which location in Florida would be the best location for a potential NBA franchise – Miami, Tampa or Jacksonville?” Hewitt uttered the proud, passionate words that would forever change Central Florida, “Orlando is the place to be.”
When Hewitt convinced Williams to leave the 76ers and lead the charge to bring an NBA franchise to Orlando the team was on its way. On July 27, 1986 Hewitt, Williams and then-Orlando Mayor Bill Frederick presented NBA Commissioner David Stern with a $100,000 check, a set of Mickey Mouse ears and the Magic was born. On April 22, 1987, the NBA Board of Governors granted an expansion franchise to Orlando, and on December 22, 1988, the Magic sold their 10,000th season ticket, thus fulfilling their commitment to the NBA. The Magic tipped-off its very first NBA game in Orlando on October 13, 1989 and the city was electric. Professional sports in Orlando had arrived.
“No one person or player had a greater impact on the future of sports in Orlando than Jimmy,” said Orlando Magic CEO Alex Martins. “He is the reason we are here and we are forever grateful to him for his vision, perseverance and belief that ‘Orlando is the place to be.’ He truly is the ‘founding father’ of the Orlando Magic. We are honored to induct Jimmy Hewitt into the Magic Hall of Fame.”
“It wasn’t me,” Hewitt says humbly. “It was the people of this city coming together for a common cause. I am just blessed to have been a part of the effort.”
The Magic unveiled its inaugural Hall of Fame class on April 9, 2014 naming the first two inductees, Magic co-founder and Senior Vice President Pat Williams and the team’s first-ever draft pick and current Community Ambassador Nick Anderson. In 2015, Shaquille O’Neal became the third member inducted, while Senior Chairman Rich DeVos joined the Orlando Magic Hall of Fame last season and Penny Hardaway was the fifth inductee in January.
The Orlando Magic Hall of Fame honors and celebrates the great players, coaches and executives who have had a major impact during the team’s illustrious 28-year history. The HOF bridges the past with the future of Magic basketball, and the exhibit, located in Amway Center on the terrace level near Nutrilite Magic Fan Experience, provides Magic fans an opportunity to learn some Magic history while in the building. The inductees are selected based on their overall on and off the court contributions to the team and organization, years of service, impact in the community and general character of the individual.
