Catering Greatness: From the WNBA Bubble to the Gators’ Championship Run

A Local Catering Company with a Courtside View

Here in St. Petersburg, Florida, we take pride in our community, our cuisine, and yes—our college basketball. As the Florida Gators prepare to face off against Houston in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, the excitement in the air is impossible to ignore. And for those of us at A Fresh Connection Catering, this moment feels even more personal.

We’re more than just fans. We’re a local business with a unique connection to the game—from catering nationally televised sporting events to cheering courtside (or couch-side) with Gator gear on. In fact, back in 2020, during one of the most unprecedented seasons in basketball history, our team catered for the ESPN crew inside the WNBA’s isolated playoff “Bubble” at IMG Academy in Bradenton. That experience showed us what it means to support greatness from behind the scenes.

Now, five years later, we’re watching the Gators chase a national title, and the pride runs deep. Between our role in basketball’s bubble era and Florida’s incredible 2025 March Madness run, it feels like the full-circle moment we didn’t know we were waiting for.

Gator Glory, Duke Disappointment, and a Dad’s Missed Moments

Saturday night’s Final Four matchup between Florida and Auburn was one for the books—and as a Gator fan, I couldn’t have been more thrilled. Every shot, every stop, every timeout had me pacing the room. When the final buzzer sounded and the Gators had punched their ticket to the national championship, I was ready to celebrate. I was already imagining the next showdown.

Why? Because over 1,000 miles away, my daughter—who lives in Delaware—is a die-hard Duke fan. And as fate (or March Madness) would have it, the Blue Devils were up next, facing Houston. A Florida vs. Duke final? It was shaping up to be the ultimate father-daughter faceoff. I had the friendly trash talk loaded and ready to fire. Let’s just say the next couple of days were going to be fun.

So, like any devoted basketball (and competitive) dad, I stayed up late to catch the end of the Duke game. With just over two minutes left, Duke had a solid nine-point lead. Confident they’d close it out, I let myself drift off to sleep, already smiling at the thought of the teasing texts I’d be sending come morning.

And then… I woke up.

Houston had stormed back in dramatic fashion, pulling off one of the most jaw-dropping comebacks of the tournament. Not only was Duke out, but my chance to revel in a Florida vs. Duke finale—and lovingly tease my daughter—was gone, just like that.

Sure, I’m disappointed for Duke. But mostly, I’m just soaking in the joy of watching Florida fight their way to the title game. Monday night, it’s Gators vs. Cougars—and whether or not I get my bragging rights, I’ll be proudly wearing orange and blue, ready for one more thrilling ride.

The Gators’ Road to the Championship: A March Madness to Remember

The Florida Gators haven’t just made it to the national title game—they’ve fought, clawed, and earned every second of it. This 2025 March Madness journey has been a highlight reel of grit, depth, and clutch moments that have reignited pride across the state and especially here in the Tampa Bay area.

It all started with a dominant opening round win over Norfolk State, but things got real in the Round of 32. That’s when Florida met UConn—the defending two-time national champions. Most teams might have flinched, but the Gators rose to the challenge. Walter Clayton Jr., who’s been nothing short of spectacular throughout the tournament, hit a pair of massive three-pointers in crunch time. The Gators held on for a 77–75 win and officially became a team no one could overlook.

In the Sweet 16, Florida squared off against a confident Maryland squad, but it was the Gators’ senior leadership and deep bench that made the difference. Clayton, Alijah Martin, and Will Richard led the charge, while role players like Denzel Aberdeen stepped in with poise. The 87–71 win sent a loud message: this team could beat you in more ways than one.

Then came the Elite Eight. If there was ever a moment that defined this team’s heart, it was their comeback against Texas Tech. Down nine points with just under three minutes to go, Florida refused to fold. Clayton and forward Thomas Haugh ignited a rally for the ages—Haugh knocked down back-to-back threes, and Clayton hit a go-ahead fadeaway triple that had Gator Nation out of their seats. Final score: 84–79. A trip to the Final Four was sealed.

And they weren’t done yet.

In San Antonio, the Gators faced a familiar foe—Auburn—in an all-SEC Final Four matchup. It was physical, intense, and filled with high-pressure moments, but Walter Clayton Jr. was once again the heartbeat of the team. He poured in 34 points (his second straight 30+ performance), controlling the pace and delivering big-time buckets when it mattered most. The 79–73 win sent Florida to its first national championship appearance since the back-to-back title teams of 2006 and 2007.

It’s been a run filled with late-game heroics, senior poise, and a whole lot of Florida toughness. Now, one more challenge remains: the Houston Cougars.

Hoops Pride in the 727: St. Pete’s Connection to the Final Four

Here in St. Petersburg, we may be a few hours from Gainesville, but you’d never know it during March Madness. The Florida Gators’ championship run isn’t just a state story—it’s a hometown story too. From former Gator legends with St. Pete roots to packed local watch parties, the excitement has been building all tournament long.

🐊 Hometown Heroes with Gator Pedigree

Ask any long-time Gator fan in Pinellas County, and they’ll tell you about Marreese Speights—a proud son of St. Pete who went from Gibbs High School to Gainesville, where he helped lead Florida to the 2007 NCAA title. He later went on to win an NBA Championship with the Golden State Warriors, but his Gator legacy still shines bright here at home.

And before Speights, there was Dametri Hill, a Dixie Hollins High School alum who played a huge role on Florida’s first Final Four team in 1994. Nicknamed “Da Meat Hook,” Hill’s physical post play and steady scoring made him a fan favorite—and a local legend. These are the kind of players that made kids around here dream of playing in March Madness, and they laid the foundation for the team we’re watching today.

🎉 Tampa Bay Turns Orange and Blue

As the Gators have battled their way through the bracket, St. Pete and Tampa have been right there with them. Alumni clubs, sports bars, and backyard patios have turned into mini Gainesville watch zones. Whether you’re downtown at Ferg’s, on Central Ave, or hosting your own viewing party with friends and family, the buzz is undeniable. It’s not just Gator grads getting loud—basketball fans all over the region are leaning in, recognizing that this team is something special.

🏀 And Just to Sweeten the Story…

While the Florida Gators are making noise on the men’s side, the women’s Final Four is actually happening right here in Tampa this year. That’s right—Amalie Arena is hosting the biggest weekend in women’s college basketball. Between fan fests on the Riverwalk, concerts, and national media coverage, the Bay area is already in the basketball spotlight.

It’s serendipitous that while all eyes are on Tampa, the Gators are surging toward a title. For sports fans around here, it feels like we’re living in the epicenter of college hoops—and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Behind the Scenes in the “Wubble”: Our Role in Basketball History

While we’re cheering on the Gators and basking in this incredible March Madness moment, we can’t help but reflect on our own unexpected brush with basketball history. Back in 2020, during one of the most uncertain times in modern sports, A Fresh Connection Catering had the honor of playing a small—but meaningful—role in keeping the game alive.

That was the year the WNBA created its own version of a bubble, dubbed the “Wubble,” at IMG Academy in Bradenton, just a short drive south of St. Pete. The league brought all 12 teams together in a fully quarantined environment where they could train, live, and compete safely throughout the pandemic. No fans. No travel. Just basketball—and a whole lot of logistics.

One of those behind-the-scenes details? Feeding the ESPN broadcast crew stationed on site for the playoffs.

That’s where we came in.

🍽️ ESPN Called. We Delivered.

In the midst of strict protocols, daily testing, and an unprecedented operating environment, we were tasked with catering for ESPN’s on-site production team. These were the camera operators, directors, analysts, and techs responsible for broadcasting the WNBA season to millions of fans across the country—fans who couldn’t attend the games in person, but were tuning in from their homes, clinging to a sense of normalcy.

We brought in fresh, creative, locally inspired meals—packaged with care and delivered with caution. There were no buffet lines or catering spreads during that time. Everything was designed to be safe, sealed, and satisfying, even under the most restrictive conditions. Our team rose to the occasion, crafting menus that were both comforting and energizing—because when you’re working 12-hour shifts inside a bubble, what you eat really matters.

🏀 Part of Something Bigger

Looking back, we realize that moment was more than just a job—it was a testament to our flexibility, commitment, and belief that food can keep people grounded, even in the middle of chaos. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was deeply rewarding. We felt connected to something historic, something important. And when we hear stories about how successful the WNBA season was—zero COVID cases, smooth broadcasts, a platform for players to speak out and inspire—we feel proud knowing that our food helped fuel that mission.

It’s not every day a St. Petersburg catering company gets to say they helped support a national sports broadcast inside a pandemic bubble. But we did it. And we’d do it again.

From the Court to the Kitchen: Fueled by Passion, Driven by Community

As the Florida Gators prepare to take center stage in the NCAA Championship, we find ourselves reflecting on what it means to be part of something bigger—whether it’s the roar of a crowd in a packed arena or the quiet dedication of a catering crew behind the scenes.

For us at A Fresh Connection Catering, moments like these remind us why we do what we do. We’ve had the honor of serving incredible people at weddings, corporate events, community fundraisers—and even historic sports moments. And through it all, we’ve stayed rooted in the same values: excellence, adaptability, and a whole lot of heart.

Watching the Gators rise to the top this season, with grit and teamwork, echoes everything we believe in as a local business. Whether we’re feeding a hungry ESPN crew in the Wubble or helping clients create unforgettable events here in St. Pete, we know that every plate we serve is a chance to be part of someone’s story.

So this Monday night, as we gather to watch Florida battle Houston for the national title, we’ll be cheering with pride—not just as basketball fans, but as a team that understands what it means to show up, hustle, and deliver under pressure.

To the Gators: we’re with you all the way.To our Tampa Bay neighbors: thank you for letting us be a part of your lives—on game days, and every day.

Ready to plan your next big event?Let A Fresh Connection Catering bring local flavor, creativity, and championship-level service to your table.

📞 Call us at 727-308-1256 or

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Let’s create something great—together. 🐊🎉