![Orlando Sentinel sports columnist Mike Bianchi](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/bianchi-1000x600-1-e1684238574203.jpg?w=85)
Sports Columnist
Mike Bianchi
Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi is one of the foremost sports voices in the Southeast. He covers many teams, including the Orlando Magic, Florida Gators, UCF Knights and Florida State Seminoles. Mike's favorite quote: "The job of a sports columnist is to observe the battle from the mountain top and then ride down and bayonet the wounded." He also hosts the "Open Mike" show weekday mornings from 6-9 a.m. on 96.9 FM The Game.
All Stories
![Late FSU coach Bobby Bowden embraces his former player Deion Sanders in the locker room prior to the 2010 Gator Bowl. This would be Bowden's final game. (Sentinel file) Late FSU coach Bobby Bowden embraces his former player Deion Sanders in the locker room prior to the 2010 Gator Bowl. This would be Bowden's final game. (Sentinel file)](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2017/12/22/2JECD4TJNFBB7NYHKHJXTI4G4M.jpg?w=135)
Mike Bianchi: FSU legend Bobby Bowden would frown upon Deion Sanders’ conduct
As a college football Hall-of-Famer at FSU and a pro football Hall-of-Famer who played for several NFL teams, Sanders certainly lived up to his self-chosen nickname of “Prime Time,” but...
![At least UF's football team raises money it spends whereas former president Ben Sasse was spending millions in taxpayer money to reward his cronies. At least UF's football team raises money it spends whereas former president Ben Sasse was spending millions in taxpayer money to reward his cronies.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2022/10/19/6KXN35APSOKR5SSGEXIPEDSDYU.jpg?w=135)
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Mike Bianchi: Not even Billy Napier spends money as outrageously as outgoing UF president Ben Sasse
At least UF's football team raises money it spends whereas former president Ben Sasse was spending millions in taxpayer money to reward his cronies.
![Lake Mary advanced to the Little League World Series after a dominating 11-0 victory over Tennessee in the Southeast Regional earlier this week. Lake Mary advanced to the Little League World Series after a dominating 11-0 victory over Tennessee in the Southeast Regional earlier this week.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/TOS-L-lake-may-little-league-1.jpg?w=132)
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Mike Bianchi: Lake Mary Little Leaguers, like Apopka a generation ago, is embarking on the journey of a lifetime
Lake Mary advanced to the Little League World Series after a dominating 11-0 victory over Tennessee in the Southeast Regional earlier this week.
![Jim Harbaugh is a modern-day Sgt. Schultz — the character from the old Hogan’s Heroes sitcom whose catchphrase was: “I know nothing! I see nothing! I hear nothing!” Jim Harbaugh is a modern-day Sgt. Schultz — the character from the old Hogan’s Heroes sitcom whose catchphrase was: “I know nothing! I see nothing! I hear nothing!”](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Michigan_Sign_Stealing_Football_39464-13.jpg?w=117)
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Mike Bianchi: Michigan should be stripped of national title for spying, denying and lying
Jim Harbaugh is a modern-day Sgt. Schultz — the character from the old Hogan’s Heroes sitcom whose catchphrase was: “I know nothing! I see nothing! I hear nothing!”
![Despite his first losing season in 2023, UCF coach Gus Malzahn has made all the right moves with recruiting and the transfer portal to restock. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) Despite his first losing season in 2023, UCF coach Gus Malzahn has made all the right moves with recruiting and the transfer portal to restock. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TOS-L-ucf-football-practice-09_e56a65.jpg?w=66)
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Mike Bianchi: UCF fans better appreciate Gus Malzahn — or else
In the upcoming recruiting cycle, UCF is ranked 25th nationally, ahead of every other school in the Big 12 except TCU and ahead of several SEC schools — including Florida.
![Caeleb Dressel gets emotional after receiving his gold medal during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Michael Goulding/ Orange County Register) Caeleb Dressel gets emotional after receiving his gold medal during the swimming competitions at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Michael Goulding/ Orange County Register)](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/12.OLY_.swimming.0808_.jpg?w=81)
Mike Bianchi: Financially strained college programs may soon snuff out Olympic torch
Let us not forget how many Olympians benefit from a collegiate athletic model that is now in financial peril.
![Gunner Holland wrestles in the 175-pound class during the state tournament at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee on March 1. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel) Gunner Holland wrestles in the 175-pound class during the state tournament at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee on March 1. (Willie J. Allen Jr./Orlando Sentinel)](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TOS-L-State-Wrestling-02.jpg?w=121)
Mike Bianchi: Osceola’s Gunner Holland wins Buchalter Spirit Award with pain, power and perseverance
During his four years at Osceola, Holland won two state wrestling championships, finished as a state runner up and had a third-place finish. He also quarterbacked the football team and...
![Pat Williams was the Walt Disney of sports in Orlando. Just as Disney envisioned tens of thousands of acres of Central Florida swampland as a theme-park paradise, Williams visualized a minor-league sports town in the South as an NBA mecca. Pat Williams was the Walt Disney of sports in Orlando. Just as Disney envisioned tens of thousands of acres of Central Florida swampland as a theme-park paradise, Williams visualized a minor-league sports town in the South as an NBA mecca.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/TOS-L-1987-best-photo.jpg?w=123)
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Mike Bianchi: Pat Williams, Orlando’s magical dreamer, passes away
Pat Williams was the Walt Disney of sports in Orlando. Just as Disney envisioned tens of thousands of acres of Central Florida swampland as a theme-park paradise, Williams visualized a...
![As the marijuana laws in this country change, Ricky Williams has gone from Heisman to “Highsman” – the name of his budding cannabis brand and platform he uses to advocate for the therapeutic and wellness properties of marijuana. As the marijuana laws in this country change, Ricky Williams has gone from Heisman to “Highsman” – the name of his budding cannabis brand and platform he uses to advocate for the therapeutic and wellness properties of marijuana.](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2019/09/09/T5ISYOOBLRGW5BQR5X45GXNMRM.jpg?w=135)
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Mike Bianchi: Ricky Williams goes from Heisman running back to ‘Highsman’ cannabis advocate
As the marijuana laws in this country change, Ricky Williams has gone from Heisman to “Highsman” – the name of his budding cannabis brand and platform he uses to advocate...
![Fran Vazquez, taken 11th by the Magic in the 2005 draft, is one of only two lottery picks to never play a minute in the NBA. (Sentinel file) Fran Vazquez, taken 11th by the Magic in the 2005 draft, is one of only two lottery picks to never play a minute in the NBA. (Sentinel file)](https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/migration/2020/05/09/XAZ3EG4DD5DX3OACQRNP42AARU.jpg?w=135)
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Mike Bianchi: Infamous draft pick Fran Vazquez may still help Magic win a championship
Two decades later, the Magic front office had the foresight to keep Fran Vazquez’s rights and turn it into an asset. He retired four years ago after an unremarkable 19-year...