By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer
TAMPA - Lee Roy Selmon will forever be associated with USF athletics and the University celebrated his larger-than-life impact in style Wednesday afternoon.
A USF family of hundreds stood proudly in front of the newly named Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center to hear prominent Bulls - including Selmon's own family - talk about a man who helped make the University and everyone associated with it better.
"His integrity, his faith and his commitment to leadership were extraordinary," USF President Judy Genshaft said. "He continues to be a presence here at USF both in spirit and at the athletics center which will be named in his honor so that every student that comes through these doors will see his name forever and ever. It gives me the chills."
Selmon helped bring football to USF and worked in the athletics department all the way up to his final days in September when he died after suffering a stroke at 56. Wednesday was far from a sad occasion, however, as each speaker took his or her time to share warm memories and a few laughs about Selmon's life.
Linebacker Sam Barrington remembers approaching Selmon during the naming of the Frank Morsani Football Practice Facility late last year and got a taste of the former USF athletic director's humor.
"I made it my business to go up to him and shake his hand. He asked me if I was ready to use the field and I said, 'Yes sir.' He asked me if I was ready to hit and I said, 'Yes sir,'" Barrington recalled. He said, 'You know what I'm ready to do?' I looked at him with the most serious face and he said, 'I'm ready to eat.'"
Selmon was a mentor to countless football players from the program's inception all the way up to the present and quarterback B.J. Daniels will never forget one of his greatest messages.
"I've had numerous encounters with him and one thing I can say is that he's a big motivator, and he does it by example, by the type of person he is," Daniels said. "One thing he always told me is win or lose, make sure you get your degree. Stay strong and hold your head up high because there is a lot to be thankful for."
Head coach Skip Holtz became very close with Selmon after taking the position in 2010 and admitted he was a huge reason why he became a Bull.
"He's made an unbelievable impact on my life in such a short time," Holtz said. "It is with great honor that we're here today to honor a man that has done so much for so many people. I think it's fitting that we're going to have his name on the side of this building for our history."
USF Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Doug Woolard often credits Selmon for giving him career advice while building a close bond as friends. To Woolard, Selmon still has as big an impact on USF now as he did when he was roaming the athletic facility's hallways with a welcoming spirit to anyone passing by.
"He is very present in our hearts and in the minds of all our student-athletes and our staff," Woolard said. "... Lee Roy Selmon is a part of the very fabric of this department and it's hard not to feel that he walks with us today just as he has for the last 19 years."
Lucious Selmon, one of Lee Roy's eight siblings, was elated to be present at Wednesday's ceremony and was appreciative of what USF has and continues to do to pay tribute to his younger brother.
"It's such a great honor, South Florida," he said. "Once you meet him you will never forget him. With this honor, it will give his legacy the chance to live on. When you come here to this wonderful building, you will always remember his name."
Lee Roy Selmon's children also spoke to the crowd that included Bucs co-chairman Bryan Glazer, Les and Pam Muma and Morsani, and each educated listeners about how much the university has meant to their family. Selmon's two sons, Chris and Lee Roy Jr., and his daughter Brandy each earned their degrees from USF.
"USF holds a special place in not only my father's heart, but all of our hearts. It's played such an important part in all of our lives," Chris Selmon said. "Dad truly did love the University of South Florida. He enjoyed his work."
Chris Selmon remembered his father's ongoing retirement plans that started about four years ago. Lee Roy Selmon tossed around the idea each year since, but couldn't find it in himself to leave the program.
"It got to the point where every time he would talk about retirement my mom and I would shake our heads and say, 'Whatever dad,'" Chris Selmon said with a laugh. "One of the reasons my dad couldn't retire is because he was truly committed to the University of South Florida.... He couldn't leave until he felt like his work was completed here and he never left until the Lord carried him home."
Lee Roy Selmon Jr. shared memories of his father tossing ideas off the family about how USF could be improved, including a makeover for Rocky the mascot.
"His passion for this University was so strong, I really believe that if my mom would let him paint the house green and gold he would have," he said. "This wasn't a job. For him, this was something he lived for."
The Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center now bears a bronzed plaque next to its front doors that informs visitors about "the father of USF football," and Brandy Selmon had a sweet and simple request for those who will pass through them.
"What sticks out to me when I look at this building is each time you walk in here and you think about my dad - from the staff, to the students and to the athletes - is know you're a good person," she said. "Regardless of whatever adversities you face, whatever criticisms you receive or whatever you think you might not personally do, you are always a good person and that should always drive you to do the best."
Claybra Selmon was the final speaker and talked about how USF re-energized her husband who was itching to get back into college athletics before he joined the University in 1993, two years before the former Bucs defensive end was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
"He remembered what it was like to be a student-athlete and just had a love for sports," she said. "When presented the opportunity to come here to build the football program he was just ecstatic."
Before the afternoon rain came down in Tampa, Claybra Selmon closed with remarkable words to her husband as if he was standing right next to her at the podium.
"Sweetheart, the fruit of your labor is right here. Well done, good and faithful servant. I will see you soon," she said.
