Lakewood Ranch's MVP Sports and Social hits the high seas

By Liz Ramos
| 3:45 p.m. February 25, 2024

MVP Sports and Social members go all-out for the pirate costume contest. Photos of the members were posted on social media so members at home could vote for best costume.

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While the rest of the cruise passengers were dressed up for the ship’s formal night, the 250 MVP Sports and Social members had a different idea — they wore pirate costumes.

Lakewood Ranch’s Kelly Harmon said they weren't just talking about t-shirts and eye patches for those representing Lakewood Ranch's primary sports and social group. They went all-out.

Leading the way were MVP Sports and Social founders Chris McComas and his wife, Jessi McComas. McComas wore a 10-foot pirate mascot costume while Jessi McComas brought Mr. Smee from Disney’s “Peter Pan” to life.

Harmon said the photos of members dressed up were posted on MVP Sports and Social’s social media so members not making the trip could vote on best costumes and still feel like they were part of the event.

Whether it was Pirate Night, Karaoke Night, Comedy Night, the Super Bowl Watch Party, or even during the excursions around Cozemel, those who attended the Royal Caribbean cruise on Feb. 8-12 said it is one they’ll never forget.

McComas said he and his wife always are looking for ways to provide new opportunities for Lakewood Ranch residents to connect. The cruise was an immediate hit.

Lakewood Ranch’s Melissa Hueser said she got to know other members of her cornhole league as well as those who play other sports in the social group. For example, she said she met those who played in MVP's volleyball, cornhole, disc golf, and mini golf leagues all in one trip to a Jacuzzi.

Through much of the trip, those with the MVP group carried cutouts of Chris McComas’ face during their their various adventures whether it was swimming with dolphins, snorkeling, touring a distillery or drinking at a local bar. McComas joked he was able to see all of Cozumel without actually being there.

Although MVP organized games and events, Hueser and Harmon said the beauty of the cruise was that none of it was required but no one wanted to miss out on the activities.

On the first day, all 250 members wore their MVP Sports and Social cruise shirts. They gathered on the helipad of the ship for a group photo. McComas said the group photo brought him an “incredible feeling of community.”

Chris McComas and his wife, Jessi McComas, who are the founders of MVP Sports and Social, take the pirate costume contest to the next level.

Nick Duval has plenty of fun bringing Chris McComas, the co-founder of MVP Sports and Social, along with him on his adventures around Cozumel.

MVP Sports and Social members represent their favorite teams during the Super Bowl watch party.

Bob Verhelst and Ken Harpley participate in a game of cornhole on the cruise.

Daryl Haworth and Chris McComas splash around the pool.

Andrea Ohmes and Kristina Calvin play mini golf together on the cruise. The different activities gave members an opportunity to create new friendships and make deeper connections with those they already knew.

The cruise ship's helipad is covered in a sea of blue as 250 MVP Sports and Social members gather for a photo.

Chelsea Brown and Freddie Vincenti hit the mini golf course.

MVP Sports and Social members cheer as loud as possible as their own Cesar Sandoval is crowned Sexiest Man Alive on the cruise.

Amanda Radcliffe, Jessi McComas, Chris McComas, Becky Tolson and Kelly Harmon take on the responsibilities of team captains and ensure all MVP Sports and Social members are having a great time on the cruise.

Tony Bartolus dresses in a purple pirate costume to show his team spirit.

author

Liz Ramos

Managing Editor Liz Ramos previously covered education and community for the East County Observer. Before moving to Florida, Liz was an education reporter for the Lynchburg News & Advance in Virginia for two years after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.