Dear Bulls Nation,

As I prepare to begin a new chapter of service at the United States Naval Academy, I want to express my deepest gratitude to our fans, donors, alumni, the greater Tampa Bay community, and, of course, the University of South Florida.

Returning to USF in 2018 was a full-circle moment for me. It was an opportunity to come back to the place where I first served under the legendary Lee Roy Selmon in the early 2000s. To follow in his footsteps and help lead this department has been one of the greatest honors of my professional life. In fact, I have spent more of my career at USF than anywhere else.

Together, we've built something truly special. USF Athletics is defined not only by its competitive success but also by its integrity, innovation and unwavering commitment to excellence. Just last year, we were recognized by Front Office Sports as one of the Best College Athletic Departments in the nation.

We've welcomed the addition of two new sports — women's lacrosse and beach volleyball — while our Bulls teams have captured 21 American Athletic Conference championships, made more than 30 postseason appearances and earned three national championships. We've proudly celebrated 40 student-athletes earning All-America status, accounting for 50 total honors, with many more receiving all-conference recognition and academic accolades. This past year, we were also one of 15 college football programs across the country to win back-to-back bowl or College Football Playoff games.

Our success has extended well beyond competition.

USF student-athletes have continued to shatter academic records, posting the highest cumulative GPA and graduation success rate in program history. They have maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher for the past 21 consecutive semesters. Watching them grow as scholars, leaders and citizens has been a true privilege.

We also witnessed unprecedented support from alumni, fans and donors, raising more than $108 million in philanthropic contributions to enhance student-athlete success, expand our facilities and advance our vision to transform USF Athletics into a modern, elite and innovative department. That incredible generosity laid the foundation for transformational projects, including the indoor performance facility and the on-campus stadium set to open in 2027. It was a dream shared by so many, now becoming a reality thanks to the passion, belief and commitment of this remarkable community. Helping to break ground on the future home of the Bulls was a deeply emotional milestone I will always cherish.

I leave knowing that USF Athletics is stronger than ever, rooted in purpose and led by exceptional coaches and staff. We've benefited from strong alignment with university leadership, the Board of Trustees, and University Advancement. This department is in great hands and well-positioned to continue building on the momentum we've created together — truly a model athletic department for modern times.

Thank you for your unwavering support of our student-athletes. The Bulls are on the rise and the road ahead is nothing but Bull Speed Ahead.

With heartfelt gratitude and admiration,

Michael Kelly