TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 17, 2007) ? ESPN, the national television outlet that is airing the USF-Rutgers football game Thursday night, will have a camera at the USF Sun Dome for the student watch party, “Bulls Frenzy,” and do live cut-ins throughout the ESPN broadcast.
The Sun Dome will open at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, with kickoff set for approximately 7:45 p.m., for the ESPN nationally televised game in Piscataway, N.J. Bulls Frenzy will feature two events in one. In addition to watching the USF-Rutgers game, the event will include participation from the 2007-2008 men's and women's basketball teams throughout the game. It will feature the introduction of the men's and women's teams, interactive games on the basketball court with both teams and students, free t-shirts and other giveaways. Students must present a valid USF ID for admission.
The USF football team debuted at No. 2 in the initial Bowl Championship Series standings released on Sunday afternoon. It is the first ever BCS ranking in a season of firsts for the Bulls, but more importantly it places USF as a major player in the national championship picture. The No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the BCS standings at the end of the regular season will play in the BCS National Championship Game on Jan. 7, 2008 in New Orleans, La.
“We really wanted to provide a unique event for our students by having them watch the Rutgers vs. USF game on the video boards in the Sun Dome and wanted to tip-off the men's and women's basketball seasons with a midnight madness type of event,” said Ayo Taylor-Dixon, Assistant Athletic Director for Marketing & Event Management. “Our students have provided tremendous energy and spirit so far this fall and have showed strong support for all of our sports and we wanted to keep that energy.”
The men's team opens with an exhibition game vs. Saint Leo Wednesday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m., at the Sun Dome. The regular-season home opener is Friday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. against Cleveland State as part of the Glenn Wilkes Classic.
"We're extremely excited about being a part of the watch party for our students next Thursday in the Sun Dome,” said men's head coach Stan Heath. “It's a great opportunity to intertwine our basketball programs with a great football matchup between our Bulls and Rutgers. It will not only allow the students a great atmosphere to watch the game but also give them the opportunity to interact and get to know our teams.”
The women's team opens the 2007-08 campaign on Nov. 4 at 2 p.m. in their lone exhibition game of the preseason against the Miami Sun at the Sun Dome. USF will then open the regular season on Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. when it butts heads with in-state foe Bethune-Cookman.
"I think it will be a great atmosphere and a way for our fans and student body to connect with both programs,” said women's basketball coach Jose Fernandez. “It will give us an opportunity to feed off of the excitement of football season and our football team's success. As basketball season approaches, this type of excitement and student support for our university will carry over to basketball season."
Season and group tickets for USF home basketball and football games can be purchased by calling 1-800-GoBulls. Single-game tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com or via Ticketmaster phone at 813-287-8844. Schedules for all the USF athletics teams are available on the USF website at www.GoUSFBulls.com.
