Director of Athletics (2001-04), Administration (1994-2011)
Perhaps the most recognizable figure in the Tampa Bay community, Lee Roy Selmon, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and popularly considered a “gentlemen's gentleman,” spent 19 years as a member of the USF Athletics family and built the Bulls’ football program.
Selmon started as an associate athletics director in 1994 before assuming the role of director of athletics in 2001, a position he held until 2004. He took on a new challenge in 2004 to build financial support for USF's move to the Big East Conference in 2005. Selmon's original USF appointment came in July 1993, two weeks after USF announced a $10 million fundraising effort to begin an NCAA intercollegiate football program. He was instrumental in launching the football program, which played its first season in 1997.
Selmon is remembered at USF for his leadership, warmth and compassion. In addition to being a founding father of USF football, he was a sounding board and mentor to both staff and student-athletes. Following his passing in September 2011, the main USF Athletics building was re-christened as the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center. Also honoring Selmon’s legacy, in 2013 USF Athletics created the Selmon Mentoring Institute, which is a progressive program that prepares student-athletes for the working world.
Selmon's popularity in the Tampa Bay community dates back to 1976, when he became the very first draftee of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL expansion franchise. He was the NFL's No. 1 overall selection that season, following a brilliant career at Oklahoma that included consensus All-America honors in addition to the 1975 Outland and Lombardi Trophies as the top lineman in the nation. Aside from excelling on the field, he earned a degree in special education in four years and distinction on the GTE Academic All-America Team. In 1996, he was named to College Sports Magazine's All-Time College Football Team.
In nine seasons with Tampa Bay, Selmon was selected to the Pro Bowl six times. He was a four-time All-Pro (1979, 80, 82, 84) and the 1979 NFL Defensive Player of the Year when he led what many consider to be one of the NFL's all-time best defenses. On Sept. 7, 1986, his No. 63 Buccaneer jersey was retired and on July 29, 1995, Selmon was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He became one of the few men who could claim membership in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the College Football Hall of Fame and the Verizon Academic All-America Hall of Fame.
Selmon was inducted into the USF Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012. He is survived by his wife, Claybra, and their three children, Brandy, Lee Roy Jr., and Christopher, all USF attendees.
