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Brad

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  3. Brad

    Second Box Opening Tonight!

    By Brad,


    Memorabilia
    Yep, it's back here in my man cave, er Bulls cave, getting ready for the season and opening up boxes of memorabilia and merchandise that I always thought I would have in my man cave.  But my travels over the years, due to work, have landed me in multiple towns and houses.  It seems now I am finally in a "forever" home (until I move to Florida in the very near future).  Either way, I'm going through the stuff in storage and determining what is going to be in the short term cave here at site headquarters in Gilbert, Arizona. 
    It's the second time site headquarters have been in Gilbert, Arizona.  After Clermont, Florida (with a satellite office in Owings Mills, Maryland) we established a home base in the rural town of Higley, Arizona before moving to Gilbert, then Chandler, Arizona and then finally back to Gilbert, Arizona.  That probably sounds indecisive and expensive, but for those that know the Phoenix area, you can do all of that and not travel much more than ten miles - you could even add Tempe and Mesa for just a couple miles.  
    Yes, I'm coming home to Tampa.  One of the best outcomes of the pandemic is my 55 hour in-office grind became a 60 hour home office grind instead.  I might do that another year or two but it no longer keeps me in the land of haboobs and javelinas.  I'll miss the weather.
    Anyway, so in preparation for the season and for an imminent move, I am getting this stuff out of storage, sorting it out and deciding what can be displayed back here for the turnaround season, what goes back in storage, what gets tossed and what do I find a new owner for?  For example, the helmet last post.  Signed by Lee Roy.  Display.  Solved.  The box of 10-12 Sun Bowl Game Programs...anyone?  The Notre Dame pins recently mentioned on the board (are somewhere) and I have a lot of stuff that should be in good shape that might have appeal.  A bunch of those Leavitt signed tickets in lucite - a transparent or translucent plastic, any of a class of methyl methacrylate ester polymers.  Signed of course.  Go to the poll of this thread and let me know if you would have interest in buying or donating for any of this stuff.  There is a poll accompanying this post, please vote early and often.
    So I do have a number of game balls.  My fear is that it has been so long since I've had them out of storage, I probably won't remember which is which.  I also have other signed balls and, well, we'll see how that goes.  
    In the box with the LRS signed throwback helmet was a football.  Unsigned and unmarked as a game ball, it seems to be mostly just a handsome football emblazoned with the USF logo.  But it is the famous pre-Under Armour, pre-Adidas Wilson GST ball.  It's in really good shape - logo is sharp and strong.  Love that GST to toss around.  Never played catch with this one, but did buy my kids GST balls from USF for them to play with during that era of USF Football.  Those are now jammed in some sewer drain or left behind in one of the headquarters moves.  The kids were young, loved the Bulls and the balls but they were to play with, not admire. 
    Did I ever tell you I got Roberto Clemente's autograph on a baseball?  Along with Willie Stargell and the entire 1971 World Series Champion Pirates?  Yeah, you guessed it.  I took that ball outside and played with it in the neighborhood.  Thought it was the coolest ball we ever hit from the empty lot into the orange grove, off the dirt mound and into the streets of San Antonio, Florida.  Second dumbest thing I ever did.
    Anyway, nice ball.
    Next item pulled I may need some help on.  I remember buying the jersey from USF and was pretty sure it was a Marlon Mack jersey which delighted me like no other of that time.  Marlon was the only "5" so I was pretty confident.  I bought three different jersey numbers and was surprised this was available.  I was surprised to get this one.  It's been in the box a while, so it's a little wrinkly, but it's an absolute beauty of a SoFlo jersey.  Marlon's iconic 5.  
    I can't believe I have had it in a box this long.
    This should be in a jersey display box.  No autograph.  Just historic.  I loved Andre Hall, his talent and commitment to winning (Hey, I made Andre Hall Heisman bumper stickers).  But, in my mind, there has not been a more talented running back at South Florida than Mack Attack.  Certainly, as expected with these once worn SoFlo jerseys, it's in great shape.  At a minimum, this needs to be on a Lou Hansell garment hanger.  
    Here's a quick shot at what it looks like on its way to the end zone, if you'd sort of forgotten:

    Back in the 90s, I'd have used my knowledge off BBC code to "marquee" that across the page.  Real animation back in the day.  
    Alright, that's all I got right now, but I am falling behind on my box opening schedule.  The Marlon jersey was the first item from the second box.  Looks like another ball is in there and some stuff wrapped in moving paper.  Maybe right after dinner and a check on The Bulls Pen, there'll be more.  Again, don't forget to vote and/or comment, especially if you're a fan of collecting Bulls memorabilia, and so on.  
     
     
  5. Brad
    Hey Members and Bulls fans, 
    I have been in touch with some of the folks in the media that follow and report on our USF Bulls.  Looks like we'll have a handful with interest in being introduced here and getting to know us while we get to know them (better).  
    For the group, it's looking like the range of questions can cover a lot of ground.  I have asked for collaboration with a broad range from beat writers to USF Administrators.  Instead of asking you to provide questions to specific individuals you can ask questions across the range and I can direct them to the best to answer.  If you do have a specific individual, then feel free to name.  If I don't have them joining us for an interview, chat or Q&A, I'll see if they can.
    Please list your questions here in the response box.  Feel free to ask questions if you have any.  Or, offer solutions on who/what you would like to see.  If you remember Jeff Odom, did a Q&A last season around this same time.  I'll be gathering these questions over the next three-four weeks so keep them coming as guests are scheduled to join us.
    Don't be shy, we'll need dozens of questions if we get the collaboration I am expecting.  Ask away.  
    Thank you.
    Brad
     
  6. Brad

    Improving TheBullsPen.com

    By Brad,


    Site Archives
    Since we are still in the slow months and there is time to get ready for the season, I'd like to get some things done around here. 
    We've been on this board software for about three years now.  There is a lot of flexibility and functionality, but I'd say we don't use a majority of it. 
    I've been out of commission with a bad back the last few days and have been looking over some possibilities.  Being immobile left me staring at my screen longer than usual.
    Regarding board applications and functionality:
     What do you like about TheBullsPen.com? Can you tell me what new things you would like to see at TheBullsPen.com?  What would you like to go away? What suggestions to you have to make it a better place?  Sky is the limit.  Not everything will be available or afforded, but why not throw the idea out? 
    Please take time and five me your input.  Together we can catch the wave of 2016 Bulls Football and hopefully get our more fans talking more Bulls.
  7. Brad
    With the continued evolution of the code that supports this site, it can now support smilies from your phones and tablets.  With the upcoming upgrade, the board will expand to a greater number of smilies that are released with the upgrade.  In order to avoid having 17,000 smilies I deleted the non TBP and Bulls related smilies for the time being.  After the upgrade, we'lll decide if we need those sets back.
    Brad
     
     
  8. Brad

    Invite system

    By Brad,


    Site Archives
    I am very pleased to announce that I have purchased a member invite system that is now integrated into the board.  You will see the changes if you look in the upper right section of the screen.  You'll see something that looks like a ticket.  If you click that, you can enter into the app and invite people you know to TheBullsPen.com. 
    You simply enter email addresses and the system sends out an invite (pictured below, looks better live) that allows the receiver to click to go to TBP and automatically includes the invitation code. 
    http://bullsmedia.com/TBPimages/tbpinvite.png
    As your invitees join, they will appear in your invite system.  We will tally the total members "recruited" and it will post in the right hand column on the main page. 
    I will build some type of reward system for those recruiting members.  I'll post that within a few days, but anyone you invite that joins will count in your total.  So don't delay.  You can start inviting today. 
    In fact, the first member to have THREE registrations credited to their account will win a $25 Amazon gift card.  That should get us started.
    I think this can be very helpful in getting other folks involved with the Bulls and the board.
    Please let me know if you have any questions.
     
    Brad
     
  9. Brad
    Well, over the weekend, I was thinking about the other blog I post to and decided to go to the storage center where I have most of my by non-essential belongings after we downgraded to a small ranch near the town's restaurant/bar district.
    I was looking for some of my hard drives, they're probably destroyed by now.  The family doesn't enter the storage unit with the diligence and carefulness that I do.  It's more like their trapped in a fun house and just sort of create a way in and out.   My box separated paths look like overgrown trails in the woods.  Boxes have fallen or are leaning into the way. 
    I'm sure I'll find the hard drives smashed, likely stepped on or crushed under the weight of 5 boxes of books that no one will ever again read.  Not that we don't read anymore, we go the e-book route.  Actually boxes like that probably hold my game programs, Tony Grier's "A Raging Bull: Chasing the Big Time" (three copies, I think) and other bovine related matters of print.
    Anyway, it is literally dozens, maybe 3 dozen boxes of stuff.  I brought ten boxes back here to the man cave since that is where my desk is. 
    I was also looking for a jersey for the chap on our merchandise board that asked about one.  I would estimate I have somewhere between 8-12 jerseys.  My jersey acquisitions really dissipated after I did the Bay Made, Bay Left  foolishness I pulled about 17 years ago.  Man time flies.  I miss home. 
    I was already out of town when the Athletics Department started having those yard sales of Bulls gear.  I lament missing those.  All my stuff had to be acquired one at a time from an online site or that rare and usually unscheduled/unannounced auction on the Athletics site.  I still check that routinely, even though they probably haven't listed an auction in five years or more.  I get attached to tabs on the board index too.  I get it.
    I've made it sort of ceremonious for myself back here.  I haven't cheated and looked in the boxes, but I do know from the sound they make, there may be no hard drives.  Regardless, it's going to be like opening a pack of baseball cards, I am sure there are things in there I have forgotten about.  It'll be new all over again.  I also have collections of vintage golf gear, but I won't bore you with that.  Those items will be on my vintage golf gear blog launching in summer of '23.
    So Box #1 had an awkward, unbalanced feel to it and through the handle slots in the banker's box it seem like it had to be a helmet - a full size one.  I don't have many that I can recall, although in recent auctions I wish I would have picked up some newer ones.  I'm blaming my purchasing slump on the Bulls downturn in football and I'm already paying a fortune for storage.  Add more helmets, add more storage.  As soon as I get relocated it's all coming out for good!  For display.
    Well, it was a helmet, and it did come back to me where I got it.  It is a style many Bulls fans (that have been around) reminisce about. @Triple B probably still thinks privately about it when he's alone.  Also, it has the autograph of one of the greatest ever to be associated with the Bulls.  Certainly the greatest person, Lee Roy Selmon.
     

     
    No sign of hard drives.  So far we can assume they are safe.  But nine and a half boxes to go in this round. 
    There's a lot of history on those hard drives and some pretty damaging comments over the 23 years of the sites.  At this rate, I'll be blackmailing some of you when I'm around 87.  They've been boxed up for some time. So, hang on as long as you can.
  12. Brad

    2001 Article - USF Official Site Problems

    By Brad,


    Site Archives
    In a recent discussion about local coverage of the USF Bulls football program (What’s with Knight and the McNeese State references?) I mentioned some of the involvement of former beat writers Brett McMurphy, Greg Auman and Jeff Odom having interaction with TheBullsPen.com.  In fact, I recalled how the relationship benefited both parties as TBP promoted McMurphy and Auman in the days of USF's rise to national awareness.  Both McMurphy and Auman frequented the board and from it gathered story ideas.   All did chats or Q&A.  In looking back at past interactions, it reminded me of  some of the articles written that mentioned SouthFloridaBulls.com/TBP.  Starting with this blog entry, I'll post those that are available.  Good reading, not just for a TBP reference but to get a better feeling for those days.  
    This first article is pretty eye-opening.  In fact I remember the time period well.  No official site.  I remember talking to the SID at an earlier time about the importance of an online presence.  Back in the early days, communication was typically by fax.  But the web had been around for a handful of years and teams were doing different things.  Ultimately, USF lost its official website.  

    Sun, Aug 19, 2001 – 42 · Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, Florida) · Newspapers.com
     
    Note:  The blog entry cover photo is of the early days of http:/usf.edu/athletics.  Note the story displayed from June 13, 2001.  
  15. Brad
    The calendar function has been around since The Bulls Pen was a forum on SouthFloridaBulls.com.
    It doesn't quite get the community use it could, so I'll invite you to visit and see if it can help manage yours and our Bulls life.
    First of all, there are two calendars that combine as one:
    Bulls scheduled games Bulls events Only the Admin can add scheduled games, but we can all add events - such as BULLRALLY I added a week or so ago.  Events can have RSVPs attached so members here can see which other members are planning on going.
    The feature I wanted to mention is the "Set Reminder" function. 

    A new feature recently added, now you can set that reminder that will keep you informed, even if you are not on the website.  I recently set up a test reminder to share.  It's a nice email reminding you of an event (with however many days lead you need) as well as some recent stories from the Pen at the bottom of the reminder email.  Here is what my reminder looked like for Fall Camp (top of email):

     
    So, whether it's the first football game, fall camp, BULLSRALLY, Block party (to be added) or any other function or game on the calendar or to be entered on the calendar, you can use the TBP reminder email to keep you on schedule.  
    I hope you'll visit the Calendar (tab on main navigation bar) and provide some comment.
    Thank you.
    Brad
  19. Brad
    We had a couple threads on the new "Points" economy, this being the initial one:
    The points collecting has been in place for about a month, there is plenty of experimenting to do, but the possibilities are pretty entertaining.  I don't think it's a good thing to identify what adds points to your count (you'll figure it out), but I can tell you one key source of points is being online everyday, multiple days in a row at the least.  Starting quality topics is rewarding as well.
    Points will be able to be used in the future for a number of things including games (like Rock, Paper, Scissors), board actions (username changes, signature changes, entry into premium raffles) and lotteries and a betting shop.  The latter two will be around towards football season.  Most of all, you can turn in your points earned as a member of this community to buy USF gear, memorabilia and even donate to USF.  
    There will be more to come on this functionality, but there is a version 1.0 of the points store located here:  Points Shop
    If you look on the main menu under "More" you should see this as well as some other helpful stats and information.  Again, get familiar, more to come on this. 
  20. Brad

    New Members To-Do List

    By Brad,


    Site Archives
    I've noticed quite a few members that have joined recently (and some members that have been so for longer periods) have not personalized their profile picture.  Using the default profile image is okay:

    Those are some nice horns, but take a little time and you can break from the herd with your own image. 
    If you look in the upper right corner you'll see your screen name.  Click on the arrow next to it and select Profile, under Content.
    On your profile page, you'll see an icon to change your profile avatar.  I have included a look at mine below:

    The highlighted picture icon is how I added that BRAHMANS logo patch as my avatar.  There are multiple choices to add your own avatar, including the two most popular, adding via a URL (image already hosted on the internet) or uploading from your computer.  Both work just fine.
    Try updating your profile picture and give yourself an image others will come to recognize you by.  If you have any questions or need any help whatsoever, please reply to this blog entry.
  21. Brad

    The early years...

    By Brad,


    Site Archives
    This screen grab of the site about 15 years ago has some memorable meaning for me.  It was around 2002 and the site was beginning to take off a little.  A fan from another site of one of the early pay sites decided to insult the old SouthFloridaBulls.com site - the original host of "TheBullsPen".  So being a smart ass, I went ahead and gave the guy his own front page story.  We were going to seek venture capital to update the site to proper 2002 standards.
    The other memorable part was directly related to the desire to form "The 12th Man Club" - the precursor to the Bull Backers Club.  Not too long after advertising a 12th Man Club, I received a cease and desist order from Texas A&M that I still have lying around somewhere.  We talked about renaming to the "12th Bull Club" but ultimately settled on the Bull Backers in order to support the program.. without jail time.  
     

    Click to enlarge
  22. Brad

    Around the site...

    By Brad,


    Site Archives
    I know a lot of people bookmark the Main Page and reach it directly, often on mobile, but there is more that the site has to offer to our USF Bulls online community. 
    Of course the message boards are heating up with talk of the new season, but there are other pages and links I think you'd enjoy, including:
     
    Gallery set up for season
    Media Guides, wallpapers and other digital downloads
    Consolidated video collection of past games
    Twitter feeds from top beat reporters
    New RSS board gathering USF Bulls news across the net
    Not to mention the chat room, holding up to 250, will be ready to roll at kickoff.
     
    We have a small group including JimUSFSig and JoshuaG that will be providing content updates as the season starts.
     
    We also have the Prediction Contest thread posted for the Bulls vs. Towson.  For the winner?  A $40 dollar decorated USF Bulls artisan pilsner glass.
     
    Off site, we have fantasy football leagues firing up and our first annual TBP office pool for NFL weekly picks.
    Much of this can be reached on your mobile, including photo galleries (uploads too) and the chat room, but everything is available on desktop. 
    I ask that you look around at the various pages linked in the main menu bar at top of the site.  If you see something you like, let me know.  If you think of something that should be added, please let me know.  We have just under three weeks to go before kickoff and I hope to improve the site as its members suggest.
    There is more to come, including a new updated theme.  I appreciate the members of TheBullsPen.com and I look forward to hearing your feedback on this thread.
     
  23. Brad

    TBP Gallery and the 2016-17 Football Season

    By Brad,


    Site Archives
    In the past, I've struggled to get the gallery function working as I would like it to.  I think I have it figured out, and I'd like Bulls fans to help out.  We had permissions issues before, but I think it's ready to work.
    I have already set up the primary events for the 2016-17 season.
    As a member, if you'll look in the top menu bar, select Browse, you'll see a submenu for the Gallery.  Click on that and you will see the first box is titled 2016-17 USF Football.  Click on that and you'll see albums beginning with Bullsrally and ending with the game vs UCF.  Not going to be presumptuous and but a bowl game on there yet. 
    Once you click on the album you wish to add pictures too, you'll see a familiar looking "Add Images" button to the right.  When you click on that you'll now be in the album. 
    You're probably wondering, "why is Brad talking to us like we've never been on the inter webs?".  Well this is the part where one could get lost.  At this page, there is an option to create an album.  I have not tested that part yet, but if you were so inclined to add your album for that particular event you can.  I just added a test album with my test user ID, it was easy and accepted.  You should go look at it, you'll like the test pictures used.
    Back on track, if you don't want your own album and instead wish to contribute pictures to the community album, you'll need to click on "Continue without using an album":

    After you click there, you'll have a chance to upload multiple images and have the option to provide credit to yourself, apply a copyright or add caption and description.
    This is also fully functional from your phone.  Snap a few pictures on the phone of the tailgate and load em up for all to see.  We've done a lot of uploading pregame pictures from road game tailgates so that those at home can get an idea of the atmosphere and facility.
    I'd like to see us build a gallery for each event/game this season.  Feel free over the next couple days to test it out.  I can go in and delete test images before the season starts.
    As always, if you have a suggestion, or another way to do it, please let me know. 
    Do you think you might be able to contribute some images this season?  Let me know.
     
    Thanks,
    Brad
     
  24. Brad

    Member Leaderboard functionality

    By Brad,


    Site Archives
    If you look across the top of the site (desktop mode) in the main title bar, you'll see tabs for "Browse", "Activity", "New & Info" and so through "More".  Some of these have sub-menus with other content or links.  Under "Members" is "Leaderboard" and "Member Map".   For mobile version, click on the three bars in upper right corner to see the menus.
    Leaderboard lists the "top rated members" by content for the day, week month or custom period.  If you look at last week, I Bleed Awesomeness took the award for most voted up content for week ending June 18-25.
    I Bleed Awesomeness thread was the much enjoyed My son already making me proud, even before he's born. featuring the ultrasound of his boy putting up the horns while resting comfortably.

    When members read content and rate with the up or down arrows:

    It becomes feedback for the content poster and feeds into the totals that outline popular threads and popular contributors.
    The Leaderboard awards gold, silver and bronze awards for rated content.  It's something fun to look at.  
    For the last month, NewEnglandBull has been ahead of the pack a seen below:

    Furthermore, under the "Past Leaders" tab you can see the daily winners of the Gold, Silver and Bronze trophy each day, dating back some 300 pages worth!
    Anyway, I encourage your involvement in the community to not only rate others contributions to the board, but look to build your own ratings.  There will be some upcoming changes to the rating system, but it will also be more tied in to a merit system that provides some perks to those that are providing highly rated content.  
    Take a look around the Leaderboard and share your thoughts.
     
  25. Brad
    I know some members tend to bookmark the one page they like to visit on TheBullsPen.com.  If they start on the main page, they always start on the main page and have an opportunity  to see any changes along the way to the thread they wish to read.  Others start on the Topic index page or perhaps even a particular thread.
    I'm always throwing different things out there to see if people like it enough to comment on the main board or via PM.
    Recently, I put a real slick looking enhancement to display the USF YouTube feed in the right sidebar of the Topic index page.  If you go to any board topic listing, you'll see it in the right sidebar just a scroll or two down.
    Another thing that I'm not sure people are aware of is the RSS board.  There, you can read the latest news feeds of other sites like The Oracle, GoUSFBulls.com, TDS and SportsTalk Florida.  Take a glance at the headlines, if something interests you click and read.  All RSS topics can be commented on as well.  I am having a slight RSS duplication problem I am working on, but it's not a big deal.  I also pull in different RSS feeds from time to time depending on what they are publishing.  Don't let the board's post count fool you.  I manually delete anything over two pages unless there is a comment.
    Here's a look at what is on the RSS board right now:

    Any feedback is welcome on this thread.
    Thanks for being a member of The Bulls Pen,
    Brad
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