USF Athletics

Bull Speed Ahead Podcast: Episode 22 - COVID-19 Crisis Update 1

March 20, 2020

TAMPA, MARCH 20, 2020 – USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly and USF radio host Darek Sharp discuss USF Athletics topics surrounding the COVID-19 virus pandemic and its impacts. Kelly will update fans every Friday via his podcast on the latest information concerning athletics.
 
A Letter From Kelly
In addition to listening to his latest podcast, please read Kelly's heartfelt letter to the USF community that provides insight and hope during the COVID-19 virus pandemic HERE.

"There is no time like a crisis to witness the power of family and community, and ours is very strong and we at USF Athletics will do everything we can to both help curb the spread of the virus and support our collective return to normal. Our first priority is the health and safety of our student-athletes, staff and community at large."

 
Athletic Competition, Practices on Hold

• As of March 16, the American Athletic Conference canceled all competition and championships for the remainder of the academic year.
• All conference teams have suspended practice activities and the NCAA has instituted a nationwide recruiting "Dead Period" through at least April 15 as well as a moratorium on the issuing of any financial aid agreements through that date.

 
What USF Athletics Is Doing Now

• Kelly, the USF Athletics staff and coaches continue to support student-athletes by communicating often and offering a source of stability as the mission of serving the Bulls marches on in the coming weeks.
• Access to the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center and USF's other athletics facilities, including all outdoor fields, has been closed until further notice. USF has been actively sterilizing those facilities in preparation for future opening. 
• USF Athletics staff members are meeting daily over the phone or via the internet and working diligently to keep the department moving forward.

 
Spring Football Update

• The USF Spring Game, previously set for April 18, and USF Pro Day have been canceled.
• USF continues to evaluate whether resuming spring practice is prudent or possible in the future.

 
Info on Other Important Events

• BullsFest presented by R.R. Simmons, originally scheduled for May 16, will not take place until 2021. The premier auction event, which successfully returned last year, raises funds for the Selmon Mentoring Institute, a progressive program providing one-on-one mentoring opportunities for USF's nearly 500 student-athletes to develop as people and professionals.
• The USF Football Golf Tournament with Jeff Scott, initially set for April 17, is being pushed back to a to-be-determined date in late July.
• USF volleyball's annual golf tournament, another popular program fundraising event, has been rescheduled to Aug. 1.

 
More Football Thoughts

• On a more uplifting note, Kelly talks about Team Tampa Bay and the program's excitement for the upcoming Bulls and Bucs home games at Raymond James Stadium.
• "I'm thrilled for our folks at the Buccaneers," Kelly said after the official news broke about Tampa Bay signing quarterback Tom Brady. Read the Buccaneers' team release HERE.

 
Kelly's Agenda
Kelly provides insight on what he's doing during this difficult time to help keep things moving forward for USF Athletics.

• Through technology, Kelly meets each weekday morning with his senior staff to handle crucial program matters.
• Kelly also is a part of continuous university leadership meetings and gets the most updated information possible from the medical fronts.
• Kelly plans to have meetings with USF's head coaches every Wednesday through Microsoft Teams.

 
NCAA Eligibility Update

• Kelly shares his happiness about the NCAA Division I Council leadership recently agreeing that eligibility relief is appropriate for student-athletes competing in spring sports due to the cancelation of their championships and remaining season.
• American Athletic Conference athletic directors are meeting regularly via conference call to discuss how they will work through providing these opportunities and handling the challenges of returning to normal functioning presented by the current COVID-19 crisis.

 
Stay Tuned for More Podcasts

• Kelly plans to keep listeners updated on the program every Friday with more Bull Speed Ahead podcasts.
• Kelly also will be starting a new weekly podcast called "Kelly's Conversations," which will feature former USF standouts.

 
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 54th season in 2019-20. Nearly 450 student-athletes train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of the campus in Tampa, Fla. The Bulls have claimed 19 American Athletic Conference team titles since joining the conference in 2013, and own 120 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 10 straight semesters with a combined GPA over 3.0. USF has had 309 student-athletes earn their degree since 2016-17.
 
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