Tampa Bay Rowdies
Emily Rickerson is an experienced professional in community engagement and event coordination, currently serving as the Community Engagement Coordinator at Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida since January 2024. Rickerson has a diverse background in event management and promotions, holding roles with the Tampa Bay Rowdies, Tampa Bay Rays, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, among others. Previous positions include Associate Director of Student Services at Keiser University and Project 180 Program Coordinator at Project 180 Reentry. Emily's career also includes experiences with Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and IMG Academy, along with freelance stage management for FOX Sports. Rickerson holds a Master of Family, Youth and Community Sciences and a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management, both from the University of Florida.
Tampa Bay Rowdies
The Tampa Bay Rowdies are the professional soccer team in St. Petersburg, Florida, a part of the United Soccer League Championship (USL). Home games are played at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. The Rowdies were the first professional sports franchise in the area and remain one of the most recognizable and well-loved brands in soccer. Originally established in 1975, the team won the NASL Soccer Bowl championship in its inaugural year and created a unique, entertaining and memorable franchise with the Fannies, Wowdies and unforgettable Kick in the Grass theme song. In 2008, a group of investors announced the purchase of rights to a professional soccer franchise and the newly established team began play in 2010. In 2012, the Rowdies won the NASL Soccer Bowl Championship after a thrilling shoot-out victory in front of a sold out crowd at Al Lang Stadium in downtown St. Petersburg. In December of 2013, St. Petersburg philanthropist Bill Edwards announced he acquired the controlling interest of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. In October of 2018 the Tampa Bay Rays and Stuart Sternberg purchased the Rowdies.