Bull Speed Ahead Podcast: Episode 18
TAMPA, OCT. 18, 2019 – USF Vice President of Athletics
Michael Kelly sits down with USF radio host
Darek Sharp to cover a number of notable program topics during Kelly's 18th
Bull Speed Ahead podcast.
USF FOOTBALL CENTER UPDATE: Kelly answers frequently asked questions about the USF Football Center following a memorable weekend that saw the Bulls make a major gift announcement. USF alumnus Suzanne Ward (class of '86) made a $1.5 million gift to USF Athletics, with $1 million designated to go toward the new football facility that will combine an indoor practice space with a football operations center housing all of the program's needs. Iron Bulls Michael and Darlene Charles made a $1 million gift toward the Football Center, which is slated for construction in the USF Athletics district adjacent to the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center. USF has raised more than $21 million for the state-of-the-art facility. Find out more about the recent gifts HERE and learn about the USF Football Center project HERE.- SPECIAL ROAD TRIP TO NAVY: Kelly looks ahead to USF football's conference road game at Navy that's set for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. (TV: CBS Sports Network). Navy football was Kelly's first football experience as a child. His father graduated from the Naval Academy in 1967 and was stationed there when Kelly was young.
- HONORING RON WELLMAN: Kelly talks about recently attending a surprise dinner honoring Ron Wellman, the longtime athletic director at Wake Forest who retired earlier this year. Kelly worked at Wake Forest from 1995-98 and learned a lot from Wellman. Eleven current athletic directors have worked under Wellman's leadership at some point in their careers.
USF DAY AT THE CAPITOL: Kelly will be traveling to Tallahassee with President Steven Currall, more than 300 students and Rocky for USF Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, Oct. 23. The special day will serve as a great opportunity for the Bulls to speak with legislators about all things USF.
HOOPS SEASON IS ALMOST HERE: Kelly spends the final portion of his podcast talking about Tampa Bay's home for hoops and the goals for both USF basketball programs, with the highly anticipated season quickly approaching. Kelly shares his thoughts on the great value fans can get by purchasing season tickets and some marque matchups they'll see at the Yuengling Center during the 2019-20 campaign.
About USF Athletics
USF Athletics sponsors 19 varsity men's and women's teams that compete in 11 different sports, 18 at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls' athletic program began in 1965 and is in its 53rd season in 2018-19. Nearly 500 student-athletes train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of the campus in Tampa, Fla. The Bulls have claimed 18 American Athletic Conference team titles since joining the conference in 2013, and own 119 conference titles overall. Eleven USF programs reached national postseason competition in the 2018-19 season and six were ranked in the Top 25 nationally. The Bulls posted a combined annual grade-point average over 3.0 for the fourth straight year in 2018-19 and have posted a program record nine straight semesters with a combined GPA over 3.0. USF has had more than 250 student-athletes earn their degree in the last three years.
Follow USF Athletics on Twitter (
@USFAthletics) and
Facebook for all the latest information concerning the USF Athletic program.
- #GoBulls -
