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The Tampa Bay Rowdies were honored on Wednesday for the club's 2012 NASL Soccer Bowl Championship at the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners meeting at County Center in downtown Tampa. BOCC Vice Chair Sandra Murman started off the meeting reading a commendation to the Tampa Bay Rowdies for their 2012 NASL Soccer Bowl Championship.

Rowdies President & General Manager Andrew Nestor then thanked the BOCC for their continuous support of the Tampa Bay Rowdies, as well as introduced Rowdies Owner David Laxer, Chief Operating Officer Lee Cohen, midfielder Keith Savage, midfielder Stuart Campbell and forward Mike Ambersley.

"The entire Rowdies organization is thankful for this commendation and continued support over the years that we have received from the members of the Hillsborough County BOCC,” said Nestor. “We look forward to continuing our work with Hillsborough County to build a successful future for the Rowdies -- Tampa Bay’s iconic soccer club -- and also continue our commitment to being active, positive members of the community enriching the daily lives of Hillsborough citizens.”

The ceremony continued as Laxer spoke in front of the BOCC, thanking Hillsborough County for all the contribution they had in making the Rowdies a successful franchise and the importance of Rowdies players being positive role models to the area’s youth.

BOCC members then spoke about the importance of the Rowdies involvement in Hillsborough County, as well as their commitment to helping the Rowdies in the future.

"I want to thank you all for what you have done in the community,” said District 7 Commissioner, Mark Sharpe. “My mom worked for the Rowdies back in the 70’s and I remember going to game where there were 40,000 people in the stands, and there is no question that we can do it again. We look forward to working with the organization.”

"It was very exciting to receive the commendation from the Hillsborough County BOCC," said Savage. “The front office, staff, and players deserve it for all of their hard work. I am very proud to be a part of the Rowdies organization.”

The Rowdies players that were in attendance finished off the meeting by presenting Commissioner Murman an autographed official NASL soccer ball, as well as a Rowdies jersey signed by all the members of the 2012 NASL Championship team, which will be proudly displayed in County Center.