Following the wake of Lightning, Buccaneers, Sun’s boat parade on the Hillsborough River delivered a perfect ending to historic season
TAMPA, Fla. – The last time there was a championship boat parade up Tampa’s Hillsborough River, Tampa Bay Fun FC captain Jordyn Listro and defender Vivienne Bessette were on the waterfront, celebrating as the Tampa Bay Lightning paraded the Stanley Cup before their fans in 2021.
On Wednesday afternoon, the duo and their teammates were front and center with a trophy of their own as the boats set sail again to celebrate the Sun’s inaugural USL Super League title.
For both, it was a remarkable role-reversal.
“I’d seen the Lightning parade [in 2021],” said Bessette. “I never thought that that would be me one day. It was very emotional and exciting.”
“To be on the boat this time is really special,” added Listro. “We’ve had a bunch of celebrations. But, I mean, it’s so nice to unwind and celebrate such a season where we put so much work in, day-in and day-out.”
On the dockside at Armature Works, a large contingent of fans who had celebrated with the team on Saturday night at the nearby Riverfront Stadium were waiting to greet the players, coaches and staff.
Sun mascot Solé was joined by fellow mascots Thunderbug of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Raymond of the Tampa Bay Rays, and Pinnie Pelican from the Tampa Bay Rowdies, a sign of how quickly the new professional team in the region has connected with its more established predecessors.
And among the celebrators were numerous local dignitaries led by Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, each of whom were cheered on by the players and supporters as they took their turns drinking from the Super League trophy on stage before giving their address.
Amid the festive atmosphere that featured a wide variety of beverages and cigars from historic local manufacturer J.C. Newman, there was a sense of accomplishment at what the Sun had delivered.
“I just feel like it’s a historical moment that you can never repeat,” said Sun Head Coach Denise Schilte-Brown. “You know, there can never be a first again, like [midfielder] Jade Moore said. It just felt like historical is the best way for me to put it, right? It’s the inaugural season, and we captured that title, and we’ve maximized it, so, really excited.”
What’s more, it was a title that was celebrated by the city as an equal of that to the Lightning and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before them. As Tampa Bay’s first professional women’s sports organization, it was recognition that was important for Sun President Christina Unkel.
“Knowing that women’s professional soccer needed to be treated as professional soccer [was crucial],” said Unkel. “So, now that I have the opportunity and the place and the platform to be able to do that, to deliver it for my community, for them to see what it is that I’ve always known should have existed, it’s just very… I wouldn’t say, surreal, but very purpose driven.”
It’s been a whirlwind few days for the Sun since they claimed the Super League title on Saturday night. While the party continued for the players, on Tuesday morning the club unveiled its vision for the Sun’s permanent 15,000-capacity home at Ybor Harbor, an announcement that resonated strongly around the broader American soccer community.
The club’s afternoon on the water and in the sun as the community that has formed around Tampa Bay came together one final time before the offseason, though, was exactly the note to end on.
“It’s honestly a dream come true,” said Listro. “It’s still surreal for me to be in the city that I love most, I went to college in, to win a championship with my college coach and some of my former teammates, I mean, I couldn’t have written it better. I’m just very thankful.”
“Honestly, it took me a few to actually realize that we did it and we made it,” added Bessette, “but I think today really seals it and makes us realize that we actually went through and won the championship.
“Now we can get a little break from the crazy season, but, yeah, it’s amazing.”