USF Athletics

USF Gets Super Support From Bay Area at Bulls Kickoff Luncheon

August 15, 2019

By TOM ZEBOLD
USF Senior Writer

TAMPA, AUG. 15, 2019 – With nearly two weeks to go before the highly anticipated season opener, USF football fans filled the ballroom at Tampa Marriott Water Street to show the program tremendous support during the first-ever Bulls Kickoff Luncheon on Thursday.

Shortly after fall camp practice No. 13 ended at the Morsani Complex, head coach Charlie Strong's entire team traveled to downtown Tampa for an afternoon of fellowship with nearly than 540 devoted USF followers ahead of the Bulls' primetime clash with Wisconsin at Raymond James Stadium on Friday, Aug. 30.

"When I started working here a year ago, we kept talking about how we need to engage more and want to engage more with the Tampa Bay community," Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly said. "Fan Fest last week had record crowds and to have over 500 people at this luncheon today was just another great way to engage our program with the Tampa Bay community."

The Bay was definitely represented well at the Bulls' debut kickoff event that was emceed by Bay News 9 anchor Veronica Cintron, a proud USF graduate. Thursday's star-studded guest list included City of Tampa Major Jane Castor, Pro Football Hall of Fame member and Tampa Bay Buccaneers legend Derrick Brooks along with WWE Superstar Titus O'Neil and new USF President Dr. Steven Currall, who made sure to fire up the crowd from the podium.

"At USF, we are the Tampa Bay region's college football team," said Currall, who thanked the tables packed with people for attending. "… I just want to encourage everybody here to come out to the Wisconsin game. Let's beat them in the first game of the season, all right. Go Bulls!"

Before they get to sprint out of the tunnel at Ray Jay on game day, Strong's Bulls were decked out in their new adidas jerseys as they made a grand entrance into the ballroom with the Herd of Thunder pep band and USF Spirit Squad leading the way.

"Our program is getting bigger and better every year," said Bill Wiggins, a die-hard Bulls fan and 1983 USF graduate. "… To bring back the auction (BullsFest) and to bring back more events for life members like myself, it just enhances our program and gets more and more people involved."

Coach Strong made sure to inform the large luncheon group on USF's fall camp progress while introducing his entire staff and telling attendees all about his roster filled with talent.

"I really love this football team and I love what they've accomplished up to now," Strong said.

Supporters who reserved spots for the luncheon even got to dine with the USF student-athletes they'll soon be cheering for during the 2019 season. Numerous Bulls were seated at each table, which made Thursday a truly unique opportunity to really get to know the team.

"Intermingling with the players, it's just the perfect setup," said superfan and 1967 USF graduate Larry Goodman, who loves learning everything he can about the Bulls' roster.

Kelly definitely took notice of interaction between student-athletes and fans at the inaugural luncheon he called a "great first effort for us." USF Athletics' leading man noted the program plans to continue the special experience for supporters in the future following Thursday's buzz worthy event as the Bulls season opener rapidly approaches.

"Starting last week with Fan Fest and now this, it's just going to start a big, two-week momentum cycle for a huge college football game for USF right here at Raymond James Stadium," Kelly said. "We want to pack the place and have great support for our young men."

Reserve your seats for USF-Wisconsin online at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.
 
ABOUT USF FOOTBALL
Having completed just its 22^nd season of football, and 19^th at the FBS level, the USF football program has earned 10 bowl appearances, including a current run of four straight, and owns a record of 6-3 in bowl games. The Bulls have appeared in the national top 25 rankings in each of the past three seasons, including a program record run of 20 straight weeks in the top 25, and in 2018 reached the program's 150^th win faster than any FBS program in state of Florida history. USF has posted a pair of 10-plus win seasons in the last three years, including a program-record 11 wins (11-2) in 2016, and logged 15 winning seasons overall. Since first taking the field in 1997, the USF program has reached as high as No. 2 in the national rankings (2007), seen 30 players selected in the NFL Draft, 14 named All-American and 29 earn first-team all-conference selection.
 
Follow @USFFootball on twitter for all the latest information concerning the USF Football program.