Bull Speed Ahead Podcast: Episode 15
TAMPA, JULY 19, 2019 – USF Vice President of Athletics
Michael Kelly sits down with USF radio host
Darek Sharp to talk about numerous notable program topics during Kelly's 15th
Bull Speed Ahead podcast.
- KELLY FAMILY VACATION: Kelly kicks things off by telling listeners about his vacation plans before the upcoming USF sports season begins. After visiting family in Wrightsville Beach, N.C., during Fourth of July week, the Kelly will be headed Ocean City, Md., to visit with more loved ones. Both vacation locations are an annual tradition for the Kelly family.
AAC MEDIA DAYS: Kelly looks back at the Bulls' memorable experience in Newport, R.I., during the American Athletic Conference Summer Kickoff and Media Days that took place Monday and Tuesday. Kelly and head coach Charlie Strong were joined by USF football seniors Blake Barnett, Kirk Livingstone, Greg Reaves and Mitchell Wilcox. Check out the AAC Media Days recap HERE.
FUN EVENTS BEFORE FOOTBALL SEASON: Kelly previews upcoming events where fans will have an opportunity to meet the Bulls and get fired up for football season. USF Fan Fest is set for Saturday, Aug. 10 from 2-4 p.m. inside the Yuengling Center and admission is free. The first-ever Bulls Kickoff Luncheon will take place on Thursday, Aug. 15 at Tampa Marriott Water Street. Reserve your spot HERE for the event that begins at 11 a.m. Individual tickets cost $30 and you can reserve a table for eight ($300) and sit with two USF football players.- BULLS ROAD RALLIES: Kelly tells listeners all about another new series of events called Bulls Road Rallies. The program will be throwing parties that supporters can attend at designated locations throughout the Bay area the day before USF football home games. Stay tuned for locations and more info about Bulls Road Rallies.
- YBOR BLOCK PARTY: Mark your calendars for Saturday, Aug. 17, when the USF Alumni Association hosts the Ybor Block Party from 1:30-9 p.m. The event features access to special guest speakers, free giveaways and entry to participating locations offering food and drink specials. Money raised goes to support the USF Alumni Association Greater Tampa Area Chapter, USF Athletics, and scholarship endowments. Get more info HERE.
KELLY TALKS MORE ABOUT JENKINS: Kelly reiterates that USF "found a star" in Erik Jenkins, who takes over as the new head coach of the USF men's and women's track and field/cross country program. Kelly takes listeners through the hiring process and talks about what Jenkins, a Florida native, will bring to the program.- MORE CONFERENCE TOPICS: Kelly shares his thoughts on more hot topics at American Athletic Conference Summer Kickoff and Media Days, including UConn leaving the league and how it will affect scheduling. Kelly also talks about the growth of the War on I-4 rivalry with UCF, the Power Six campaign and more.
FUTURE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE ADDITIONS: Kelly is excited about the most recent additions to future USF football schedules. Last month, USF inked agreements for three visits from Florida A&M and a pair of visits from Bethune-Cookman to Raymond James Stadium. The Bulls will renew the series with FAMU starting on Sept. 18, 2021 and the Rattlers also will visit Tampa on Sept. 23, 2023 and Sept. 18, 2027. The Bulls will meet Bethune-Cookman for the first time ever on Sept. 12, 2020 and the Wildcats will return to Tampa on Sept. 26, 2026.
USF MEN'S BASKETBALL FOREIGN TOUR: Kelly looks ahead to USF men's basketball's foreign tour of Canada that is set for Aug. 3-9. The Bulls will play four games against great competition and bond as a team after capping off their record-breaking 2018-19 season with a College Basketball Invitational title victory. Learn more about the Bulls' foreign tour of Canada HERE.- GET READY FOR THE FOOTBALL SEASON OPENER: Kelly finishes up the podcast with a preview of USF football's highly anticipated season opener against Wisconsin that's set for primetime. Action begins at 7 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 inside what should be a rocking Raymond James Stadium as ESPN broadcasts the game nationwide.
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. Nine USF programs reached national post-season competition in the 2017-18 season and six were ranked in the Top 25 nationally. The Bulls posted a combined annual grade-point average over 3.0 for the third straight year in 2017-18 and have posted a program record eight 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.
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@USFAthletics) and
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