USF Athletics

Steve Walz enters his 28th year overall at the University of South Florida and 23rd year overseeing Sports Medicine for the USF Athletic Department. Steve oversees all day-to-day aspects of healthcare for the student-athletes at USF. Additionally, he oversees medical coverage of the Men’s Golf program.

The Sports Medicine program has evolved over the years and in 2019, became a part of the Morsani College of Medicine as their own division of Athletic Medicine housed in the Department of Family Medicine.  This independent healthcare model for USF student-athletes allows for greater access to some of the best healthcare providers in the country.  In addition to athletic training and physician coverage, Athletic Medicine provides mental health and nutrition services as well. Steve oversees 19 Athletic Trainers, two mental health professionals, and two registered dietitians.

A native of Jefferson City, Missouri, Steve graduated from the University of Missouri in 1992 before moving to Tampa to earn his Master’s Degree at USF while also serving as the Head Men’s Basketball Athletic Trainer.  In 1996, Steve became the first Football Athletic Trainer in USF history with the startup of the USF Football program.  In addition to his stints at USF, he has served as Head Athletic Trainer of the Tampa Bay Storm and Outreach Program Director at Shawnee Mission Medical Center in the Kansas City area. He also has served the NFL in the role of Injury Medical Spotter since 2012.

Steve, a fixture in USF Sports Medicine, has served on the Executive Board of the Athletic Trainers Association of Florida, President and co-founder of the Big East Sports Medicine Society, President of the American Athletic Conference Sports Medicine Society, and is currently the coordinator of the annual AAC Sports Medicine Symposium since 2012.  Steve was named Athletic Trainer of the Year for the state of Florida in 2006, and has been named USF Outstanding Employee in 2004, 2013, and 2020. Most recently, Steve was inducted into the 2022 class of the Athletic Trainers Association of Florida Hall of Fame and received his Doctoral degree in Athletic Training from Florida International University in December of 2022.

Steve enjoys golfing, hiking, and snow skiing in his spare time.  He resides in Tampa with his wife Shelley of 29 years.  Shelley and Steve have one son, Henry, who is a senior at the University of Lynchburg and is a student-athlete for their men’s swimming program. You can follow Steve on Twitter @stevewalz1