BrahmanBullzzz

indeed. If i lived in Tampa still, I would be at as many bball and baseball games as I could attend this spring with a #FireWoolard sign. I challenge those on this forum who are in the area to do such a thing as often as possible. If you still have undergrad connections with the school, get the students to join in. I think our displeasure with the status quo has not been vocal, and the bad decisions of the AD and department in general have subsequently gone unpunished. We were vocal enough about the Holtz regime and who knows us fans and donors could have helped effectuate that change. Maybe more public outcry may prompt action by Judy herself.

In a completely preposterous idea I have concocted, I believe the program became cursed once Jim was let go. The facts: his departure divided the fan base into the #TeamLeavitt and #TeamWeHavePlateaued camps; the Holtz new era cratered everything that was built (and this was a then proven conference championship winner who was up and coming); Greg Schiano was hired by the Glazers a year later and he has seemingly cratered the Bucs (the guy who ruined 2007 now taints our home field...); UCF has risen and in many respects and evened the playing field with USF, and has surpassed USF in some areas; the Big East has collapsed; USF has lost for the first time to an FCS team, FAU, and sadly UCF; I don't know the exact stat, but one of the beat writers has said USF hasn't won on ESPN since like 2007 (so that trend, coupled with the Thursday night trend, has continued); USF wins even less conference games. (4 wins over the last three seasons). The upside? At least USF got the aforementioned losses out of the way, so going forward they will not have those hanging over thier heads. Skip's gone, and while CWT has been underwhelming so far, at least he is more charismatic and calls his players out, so that's an upgrade (not to mention the improved recruiting efforts). The Big East has transformed into a very *sp* dominate-able *sp* conference. Now being two coaches removed from Jim has seemingly reunited (at least to some degree) the fractured fan base. Jim has finally returned to Ray Jay (as a member of the 49ers), and in a nice piece written by GA, he seems to have buried the hatchet against USF. Finally, this seems to be happening for the betterment of all those who play at Ray Jay (http://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/index.ssf/2013/12/politi_greg_schiano_going_to_penn_state_would_be_rutgers_worst_nightmare.html). Thoughts? Is the #CurseofJimLeavitt real.

For an Athletics program strapped for money already. http://footballrumormill.com/2013/12/16/rumor-mill-college-football-coaching-news-rumors-bowl-ticket-sales/

A winning team that fills the stadium will make Ray Jay feel like what you want. respectfully disagree (sort of). Do to USF's current conference situation, even if USF was able to start to pull ahead of the rest of the competition in the AAC, we will not be plying meaningful games. That was not the case in 2005-2010 when the Big East was intact and we traded blows with with Louisville and West VA and suffered heart breakers at the hands of Rutgers and UCONN. These are what made Ray Jay an exciting place. It was only recently (and in our decline) did we start to schedule home and aways with decent non-con opponents. These games will have to substitute for our meaningful games, and well I was at FSU in 12 and Miami in 09 and 13, and those environments were decidedly not exciting or meaningful (for us anyway). Attendance will continue to drop and students will rather go to other on-campus events, which are readily available in the new Athletics District, instead of driving to Ray Jay and risking arrest, DUI's, ect. Sure Ray Jay is a great venue for alumni (especially those that live in South Tampa and St. Pete), but it doesn't necessarily pander to the target audience (students). As an undergrad I attended USF at the right time. My freshman year was 2007. After that it was a no brainer to attend FB games as a student, despite the inconvenience of leaving the Temple Terrace/USF area. Hell, those were the social events of Fall semester. Attending the Miami and SMU games this season showed me that this was no longer the case for the student body. Our old staple of "win or lose we (will have fun)" was lost. Now I have no doubt that winning at any level will bring students back to games, but this is only a facade. In order to make fans for life, USF needs to connect with the casual fans, and the best way to do so is to create an environment on-campus which compels students to essentially participate every Saturday in the fall. Times have changed, and USF should too. That said, and again, my OP was not that USF should or will eventually get an OCS, but rather that IMO such an announcement is immanent based on a confluence of recent events and the history of the Genshaft/Woolard regime.

If its good enough for Miami and Pitt... USF needs to be competitive on the field. Period. Both Pitt and Miami have terrible atmospheres at their NFL stadiums. Talk to many, and they hate it and would love to have and OCS. With the money that they are going to contiune to rack in with the new system. They will be fine. USF no longer has that luxury of being in a power conference. We are in a low and could be heading even lower as long as we are paying to rent out a RJS that will get about 12K. Don't forget that the Univ of Tampa shut their program down due to lack of interest. USF may get into that danger if we continue this downward spiral. It would not surprise me now the way the landscape has changed. LOL Miami has no room anywhere for an OCS that campus is small and surrounded by Coral Gables which has nazi like city ordinances. The only location UMiami could have an OCS relatively close to their campus was the site of the old Orange Bowl, and the Marlins...well that story is history. Believe me UMiami would love an OCS if their was room, especially since their cross town regional school competition, FIU, has one and all the room in the world to expand. The money is their too to build such a thing, but again no room. Thank you Urban Sprawl...

I'm glad there aren't more people who think like you... But, man, he can defend the cripes outta Skippy, UCF, and recruiting Elijah Ironside! I can't wait until USF has a quality, Minnesota-esque OCS. Ah yes, more 'humor', with some delusion thrown in! but money isn't made from ticket sales anymore (if that was the case then why have any varsity sports). It is about tuition (increasing the overall appeal of USF to incoming students); it's about TV money; it's about creating an environment conducive for alumni support. Perception is king. I mean this 2008 ESPN ish suggests that USF only made $6.7 million in ticket sales during 2008 (http://espn.go.com/ncaa/revenue/_/type/expenses/page/1).

is this your site usfocs.com? Unfortunately no lol, just bored the other day studying for law school exams

Brock said the next two were must wins. The team didn't give up for the first one, and I hope they ride that attitude into 'Bama on Saturday. Go Bulls! \m/

on the bright side we have the benefit of this discussion. I live in Miami now and listening to my UMiami friends discuss this topic is sad, especially when FIU has such a facility on campus.

Attach the stadium to the new indoor facility. IMO, based on the recent renovations to athletics, the construction would be staggered or in stages with ipf being built first, but the overall project and plan will be announced at one time.

Dunno if these words have been uttered but...Chris Cosh.

lol, but in fairness to the thread you have to start spinning webs somewhere

zach benjamin is a tall jump ball threat who red shirted this year too. I am really interested to see what JUCO recruiting nets this year for all facets of the team because it seems coaches are hitting those trails hard.

That's looking way down the line but I wouldn't have a problem with it, as long as they had a good seat distribution plan for season ticket holders .... Beats the heck out of a 1-1 where your "home" game is played in Ireland. Agreed, though to add to my previous post, there would only be a select handful of schools I'd take a 1-1 with playing at RJS. Probably less than 3-4. (Noting that Michigan did go to UCONN of all places this year) It's also foolish to think that a contract cannot be worked out to play individual games (based on demand) at RayJay if the OCS is constructed. It would be a more neutral sight and more favorable for "more" marquee games, all the while USF grows into a new home.

Just sayin', what better way to celebrate 20 years of bulls football than opening that OCS in 2017 (coincidentally the first season after the current rayjay lease ends).

I'm new to the forum but I take it the topics been discussed before lol. Sorry to upset anyone geez. However, my original post was not really about the necessity of an OCS which apparently has been discussed to death. Rather my post was more about (based on history of Woolard era expansion and a confluence of other things - unstoppable 2, rayjay lease expiration, coach to build with, recent expansion to other athletic facilities, Ect) how I believe an OCS announcement could be imminent.

I tried to do my part lol. Although I am completely unqualified for the position, I applied for that vacant Bill McGillis position. Still has yet to be announced to my knowledge...smh

I'm no T Boone Pickens, but if they announce a stadium I'll help with what little I can. My donations, as meager as they may be, will help more than your sarcastic comments will. I'm no T Boone Pickens, but if they announce a stadium I'll help with what little I can. My donations, as meager as they may be, will help more than your sarcastic comments will. get over yourself and while you are at it-- get a freaking sense of humor Y'all play nice. However, the T-Boone analogy may not be so far fetched. I used to work at Avila Golf and Country Club where the elite of Tampa live. A for instance of the money still waiting to invest in Tampa: **** Corbett (who Corbett soccer stadium is named after on Campus) is a kook, but he's a kook that owns international mall and is married to a Vanderbilt. Another for instance, Ed DeBartolo (former owner of 49ers) is doing nothing but throwing philanthropies these days. I mean I know Woolard knows this stuff already, but **** the money seems so right for the picking if the right idea is presented.

I don't think the majority of Tampa residents would take solace in potentially funding such construction during the tail end (and who knows possible resurgence) of the recession. This is especially so given the uncertain state of the Rays and their potential relocation. I believe it would have to be primarily though private fundraising. That being said, some sort of massive reinvestment into the area surrounding a potential OCS for USF could be the sort of P3 that is workable. That would include widening roads, general beautification of pedestrian walkways, improvements to business frontage, ect. So if the actual campus construction can be primarily funded through Phase II of Unstoppable, I could see the city getting behind the project and reinvesting in the general USF area.

That's actually quite a beautiful stadium as well. I could go for something like that, but how much would it run us? I believe between 90-100 million, and they also tore down the old stadium with that money (http://newballpark.org/2006/09/24/how-to-build-a-nice-stadium-on-the-cheap/)

I'm new to the forum, but i was posting thinking aloud based on my observations on recent actions taken by the university. Namely, the recent announcement of renewing the Unstoppable campaign really piqued my interest. They have a lofty goal of $1 billion and seemingly no where to put the Athletics portion of that sum.

USF has 1500 acres, FSU 400 How much of that 1500 acres is not currently being used and of that not currently being used is it big enough to build a 40,000+ capacity football stadium with parking? Doubtful. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe there are two locations the University had already set aside for expansion of such facilities. The 1st and optimum spot is where the current varsity tennis courts, jogging trail, and recreational fields are located (bordered by Holly and Sycamore). The 2nd and alternative spot are the wooded "Meadows" are just east of Greek Village (bordered by Fletcher, Holly, and 50th). There are other spots as well, but I think the University has other plans for them (Research Park, and The Claw).

I don't know if they are making money (and I can't find the sound bite), but Woolard has "prided" himself on operating a balanced budget for like the past 6 years. Now that may have come at the cost of rising tuition, but I wouldn't think he would lie about that. I would love to see an accurate balance sheet for Athletics just to see what they are truly working with. I am just spit balling numbers in my boredom here, but it could be financially sound for USF to make such an investment at this current juncture. I would think based on passed attendance numbers and USF's habit of providing a large student section (at the expense of rising tuition), USF would be able to both service the massive loan needed to finance such a purchase but also turn a profit. Plus, such a facility could be managed by Global Spectrum, who currently manages the Sun Dome. Thus, Global Spectrum would have a larger outdoor facility to provide offseason entertainment, and in so doing bring in more $$$.

I have been trying to piece together the state of the program, as I am sure most of you have as well. My thinking is the time is now for USF and Woolard to announce an OCS. We can all agree this season has been a reboot. CWT has stuck to his guns and forced a regime change, and for that I respect him. Next year may be rough as well, as the last stains of the Holtz era are washing away. However, by 2015 we should be poised to be competitive once again, especially in the diluted AAC. So as CWT grows here at USF, I feel the university is poised to make a move to place a stadium on campus (where the Tennis courts are or east of Greek Village). I have a limited understanding of the Genshaft regime, but everything up to know seems to point in this direction. My time in Greek during undergrad allowed me to understand the Universities plan for Greek organizations, and it would seem to parallel all other facets of the Genshaft Regime. For Greeks, housing was to be designed in stages, or phases. Phase I saw the construction of the current Greek housing on the North-East side of Campus. However, this was to be temporary. Phase II would see the construction of improved Greek housing on a predisposed Greek Row located just north of Pizzo Elementary School on campus. There is even a long road and cul de sac located there in anticipation of the expansion. I’ve seen the blueprints, it would have been glorious (for Greeks). Now in this same line of thinking Genshaft recently announced Phase II of the Unstoppable Fundraising Campaign. (http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/college/usf-increases-fundraising-goal-to-1-billion/2152763). Phase I saw the University raise $630+ million. Only around $100 million of that was used for athletics. From that we saw the Sun Dome renovations, as well as improved facilities for all other varsity sports. This leaves football as the only sport which was essentially unaffected by Phase I money (save for the re-purposed old IM fields). Further, and more importantly, the renovations to athletics were done without using State money. If a similar proportion of Phase II money is given to Athletics then we could see between $150-250 million available for ______. In 2012, USF executed it's five year option with Raymond James Stadium to remain there through 2016. (http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/bulls/content/usf-extends-raymond-james-lease-through-2016) Raymond James clearly wished to lock USF **. This leaves USF without a home for 2017. Also the terms of the lease are not that demanding, as USF pays $150,000 a game, plus $2.50 a ticket to Tampa Sports Authority who manages Raymond James. USF also has to give a share of concessions up to $2,000,000/season to the Buccaneers. Should USF decide to terminate the lease early, it shouldn't be hard to offset the damages (provided USF Athletics has the Phase II money to play with). Now our athletic department has been operating in the green for years, but such management has come at a price. (http://www.wtsp.com/news/local/article/248640/8/Athletics-taxing-USF-students-heavily). However, rising tuition is not keeping new students from USF. This is evidenced by the fact that the USF systems total student population is north of 48,000. (http://usfweb3.usf.edu/infocenter/?silverheader=&report_category=STU&report_type=SMAJS&reportid=211193) Further, it is conceivable that such a high commitment straight from tuition may be a better model for a young athletic's department like USF. All sporting events are essentially free to those who wish to go. We are not the likes of FSU and UF where we have the luxury of being a storied program to point where students will pay large sums of money to secure game tickets. This approach has not cost USF and has kept Athletics solvent. This is more than can be said for the likes of Maryland, or even our friends to the East (http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-27/sports/os-ucf-athletics-increasing-cash-big-east-062712_1_ucfaa-ucf-athletics-association-conference-usa). I bring this up to show, (Woolard's faults aside) our Athletic Department is operating in the green and in a position to make make such a capital investment as an On-Campus-Stadium and bear the brunt of possibly breaking the RayJay lease early. From the horses mouth, just this past summer Woolard expressed optimism about an OCS. (http://tampa.cbslocal.com/2013/06/06/audio-justin-pawlowski-with-usf-ad-and-coach-willie-taggart/) This also was not the first time Woolard expressed interest in a 50,000 person facility at USF. In 2012, when the Sun Dome reopened Woolard mentioned how great it would be to have a 50,000 person OCS. (http://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/post/sun-dome-reopens-campus-football-stadium-usfs-future) I hate playing a psychologist, but he has said it twice. I would think then that he, Genshaft, and the board of trustees have just such a facility in mind. Also, for those of you that believe winning is a prerequisite to constructing an OCS, look to UCF and FAU. UCF went a combined 12-24 in the three seasons preceding Bright House Network Stadium. FAU went 6-6, 5-7, to 4-8 in the three seasons preceding the completion of FAU Stadium, and that team went on to go 1-11. Further, Minnesota, who many suggest USF needs to emulate in order to get competitive facilities, went 14-24 in the three years preceding their $300 million facility. We currently sit at 10-25 over the past three seasons. It has been miserable, but it is also a perfect time to make a move and improve USF's situation. Woolard also feels that he has a coach to build with in CWT. Is Woolard going to build with him. 45,000 to 50,000 seat OCS opening 2017. What do you all think?