TAMPA, Fla., July 9, 2026 — Tampa Bay Sun FC President and General Manager Christina Unkel, a dynamic force in the fields of soccer, law and broadcasting, will serve as emcee for the Tampa Bay Soccer Hall of Fame’s second annual induction and awards dinner on Thursday, Aug. 13.
“We are so excited to be involved because we believe the mission of the Tampa Bay Soccer Hall of Fame is so important for all of us,’’ Unkel said. “The importance of preserving history is paramount because we’re celebrating the past people and organizations that created the framework many of us are building upon.’’
Unkel, J.D., M.B.A., an attorney, entrepreneur, and sports analyst, has distinguished herself as a highly sought expert after working at the highest levels of soccer, law, and business.
As a former NCAA athlete and FIFA referee, Unkel has extensive on-field experience that has translated to the courtroom and the broadcast booth. She specializes in Football Law and has advised on high-stakes officiating and legal matters, earning a reputation as an authority in her field. She has provided expert analysis for premier networks such as ESPN, CBS Sports, Apple TV, ITV, and Fox Sports.
Unkel helped establish the Tampa Bay Sun FC as the area’s first women’s professional sports franchise during its 2024-25 inaugural season. In 2025, under Unkel’s direction, the Sun became USL Super League champions.
A graduate of Palm Beach Atlantic University and Stetson University, Unkel serves on the Tampa Bay Sports Commission board of directors and the Advisory Committee for the Tampa Bay Chapter of Women in Sports and Events (WISE).
The TBSHOF’s nine-person induction class includes former Tampa Bay Rowdies owner Cornelia Corbett and goalkeeper Winston DuBose, women’s soccer champion Danielle Fotopoulos, state-champion high-school coaches Bob Bauman and Ray DiPompo, former St. Pete Kickers championship coach Steve Gogas, referee Bob Heilmann and Dick Crippen, the longtime Tampa Bay area television sports anchor.
Tom Fitzgerald, former University of Tampa coach, will be inducted posthumously.
Additionally, the University of Tampa’s 1981 NCAA Division II national championship squad will receive the Team of Distinction Award. Longtime Rowdies fan and supporter Nancy Bataille will be presented the Passion Award, while the Pioneer Award will be given posthumously to Dan Holcomb, the inaugural head coach for men’s soccer at the University of South Florida.
The ceremony and dinner (Thursday, Aug. 13, 5:30 to 9 p.m.) will be held at Higgins Hall 5225 N. Himes Ave., on the campus of Tampa’s St. Lawrence Catholic Church.
The event is open to the public. Individual tickets are $90. Tables of eight are available for $1,000 (including prime location, table signage, and program/video recognition). For more information, call (813) 467-6916 or log onto TampaBaySoccerHallOfFame.org.
