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BullsCast: Sun Dome Ribbon Cutting

The voice of USF Athletics, Jim Louk, will routinely put down his radio headset and pick up the pen to share his perspective on the history of USF Athletics.

Louk has been broadcasting games for 27 years and is the resident historian in the Athletics Department hallways ... This week he welcomes back the new and improved Sun Dome.

The Waiting is Over. I'm Back!

I was a little bit of a mess last June when I wrote to you.

Things were being torn down and removed.  Dust and dirt was everywhere.  All of my 10,000 seats, some broken and discolored, were being moved out.  My offices were emptied.  Pictures were taken off my walls.  They were knocking down my Green and Gold room the very day I wrote. Over 30 years of memories were crated up and moved out.

That day in June, I wanted to say goodbye, and to tell you that it wasn't always this way.  I wanted to remind you of my history and my heritage at USF. I wanted to have one last visit with you before they turned my lights out, because I knew it was going to be a long year with no events and none of you visiting.  And, it has been.

But now, less than 12 months after that day, I have another message for you. 

As of 4:00 p.m. today, I'm back.

Sun Dome Interior	Sun Dome Exterior

They've cut a ribbon at one of my entrances.  All the important people were there, including, I hope, you.

Over the past 11 months, I've undergone a remarkable transformation.  I'm still called the Sun Dome, but that's about the only thing that hasn't changed.

You can see some of it from the outside.  My entrances are completely re-done and re-named.  What you used to know as Entry 4 is now Gate A, and that's where most of you are going to come in now.  When you do, you'll find a store filled with USF merchandise, lots of ticket windows, and a pretty amazing entrance way in to the arena.

At the other three gates, you'll find beautiful landscaping and easy access inside.

My main arena still has about the same number of seats, but boy is it different.  Every seat is dark green. There is club seating, where the seats are padded.  And the club itself is really close to the floor.  It'll give you a great, great view.  Say nice things to the officials.  They may be able to hear you from there.

The concourses are wider.  The food options are better.  I even got the loge suites they promised me!

There's a club especially dedicated to USF students.  Kind of proud of that; I might have the only student club in the country.  Those students wear me out at basketball games.  I might have missed them more than anyone this past year.

The best part of all is that I'm going to be busy again.  Really busy.  Concerts, special events, lectures and of course basketball games.   The good old days are back for me.

I'm not even telling you everything.  I want you to walk my halls and be surprised.  I want you to be as proud as I am.

This weekend I'll host my first official event, the 2012 USF Graduation ceremony.  It's one of the most important things I do.

I'll be working all summer, and then in the fall the USF basketball teams will walk through a tunnel that connects me with the Pam and Les Muma basketball practice facility and before you know it, I'll be playing ball again.

I'll be hosting a lot of open houses in May.  Come see me. There's still a few finishing touches being done, but you're going to be amazed.

Your old pal made it through. I'm back, and I can't wait to see you.

Your friend,

The USF Sun Dome