USF Athletics

Bull Speed Ahead Podcast: Episode 27 - COVID-19 Crisis Update 6

April 24, 2020

TAMPA, APRIL 24, 2020 – USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly and USF radio host Darek Sharp cover USF Athletics topics surrounding the COVID-19 virus pandemic and much more. Via his podcast, Kelly will keep fans updated every Friday on the latest information regarding athletics.

• USF FOOTBALL EMBRACES TOUGH 2020 SCHEDULE: Kelly comments on this week's big news about USF football's 2020 season schedule strength being ranked No. 2 nationally by college football analyst Phil Steele on ESPN.com. USF's 2020 schedule features eight bowl teams and five opponents that won 10 or more games in 2019. New head coach Jeff Scott's Bulls are slated to start their 2020 campaign at preseason top-15 pick Texas on Sept. 5.
• EXCITING TIMES IN TAMPA BAY: Kelly talks about Jeff Scott's positive #US2F approach and vision for the football program that's fully supported by his staff and USF Athletics. Kelly also shares his excitement about potential pro Bulls continuing to prepare for the next step in their careers during NFL Draft week. Kelly reminds listeners about #TeamTampaBay serving as the host of the next Super Bowl.
• CONGRATS, KIT: Kelly congratulates former USF basketball superstar Kitija Laksa on recently being selected 11^th overall by the Seattle Storm in the WNBA Draft. Laksa played for USF from 2015-19 and helped lead the Bulls to three straight NCAA tournament appearances. The two-time WBCA All-America Honorable Mention became the sixth player in program history to be selected in the WNBA Draft and the third Bull chosen in the first round. Learn more HERE.
• MORE WOMEN'S HOOPS NEWS: Kelly congratulates former USF assistant coach Jesyka Burks-Wiley on her huge opportunity as the new head coach of FIU women's basketball. Burks-Wiley spent the past three seasons on head coach Jose Fernandez's staff and helped the Bulls win 64 games and make two postseason trips.
• STAYING CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY: Kelly looks back on another successful week for USF Athletics, which continues to connect and engage with supporters across the country through virtual meetings. One "unbelievable" Zoom session included USF women's head coaches meeting with more than 70 members of the Bulls Club, WISE Tampa Bay and USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy.
• KELLY'S CONVERSATIONS: Kelly shares more thoughts on his getting to visit with special guest Paul Griffin, USF's Director of Athletics from 1986-2001, during this week's episode of the "Kelly's Conversations." Kelly's new weekly podcast series features USF standouts, coaches and administrators of the past, reliving their exciting moments in Bulls history and informing listeners on what they're up to now.

• KELLY INTERVIEWS ATTERBURY: Kelly spends the final portion of the podcast interviewing offensive lineman William Atterbury, who has been an outstanding student-athlete for the Bulls. The Clearwater, Fla., native is preparing for the pros after starting 39 games for USF football from 2016-19 and helping to pave the way for Bulls rushers to post three 1,000-yard seasons. Atterbury will graduate in May with a Master of Science degree in entrepreneurship & applied technologies after being recognized by the USF Muma College of Business 25 Under 25 program.

 
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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