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Brad

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Blog Entries posted by Brad

  1. Brad
    Hey, part of our community has been the fun of prediction contests and other things....most recently, raffle style giveaways and bracket contests.  In order to make it a more easily manageable situation for your humble host, I am asking that you complete the Name and Address profile fields added to your Profile. 

    This will make it much easier for me to get winnings out on time.  It's all private, but saves me from having to ask and then being delayed because I do not want to make multiple trips to the Post Office.  Much like the ticket giveaways require you to have a good email address in your profile, you will need a good shipping name and address to successfully participate in giveaways, contests and some newer things we have coming up for 2018.
    You can get to these fields to complete by clicking on your username in upper right hand corner of screen, select profile and then click on the "Edit Profile" text. 

     
    Then, scroll down and enter name and address.  These fields are viewable to you and me.  Permissions are set to private.
    Please let me know if you have any questions.  
    Thanks,
    Brad
  2. Brad

    Menu Change

    By Brad,

    As you can see above, the menu operation has changed.  Instead of clicking on the main topic like Clubs, Browse, Activity and being presented with a secondary row of options, I've opted for the traditional drop down.  I'm interested in your thoughts, if it works better for you.  I think there was confusion with the old menu, hopefully this makes more sense.
  3. 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
     
     
  4. 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
  5. Brad
    It's a rebuilding season for The Bulls Pen.  Each year, when possible, I look at the upcoming changes, enhancements and apps that can be added to the board.  I  am looking for the right mix of cost vs. impact and try to find things that make you want to hang out here more.  More hanging out = more talking about the Bulls.  Yes it helps pay the bills, but also attracts more Bulls fans.
    As some are aware, as this boldly posted topic indicated,
    we are going to have our own "economy" where members earn points through different actions that can be used to purchase items, donate, "bet" and more.  There is a lot more to come so stay tuned.  
    I also have collected a few more customizations that hopefully improve your time on the site.  I really like one added today - the current YouTube feed for USF Football - all packaged up nicely, displaying the last three USF Football videos uploaded, including today's Pro Day video.  No more having to check YouTube and create a thread.  We can all find this on the USF Bulls Athletics topics page - in the sidebar - after the countdown to the 2018 kickoff (on desktop or mobile).
    In addition to this sleek, simple YouTube widget and the points economy, there are some other changes upcoming including a board-wide upgrade.   The upgrade will force some changes to how the board emails, its smilies system, the blogs, and more, so I'll get as much of it posted here in advance as possible.
    All "technical" board changes will be addressed on this blog.  Please feel free to ask any questions and make suggestions on how you think the board could be improved.
     
  6. 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
     
  9. 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.
     
  18. Brad

    OT: Summer Fun - 2017 Edition

    By Brad,


    Summer Fun
    Was it really three years ago?  Out of boredom, I decided to be politically incorrect and attempt to get the attention of our board members by displaying pictures of scantily clad bikini babes.  My devious plan was to grab their attention and then test their NCAA logo knowledge.  
    The fun lasted from June 2 - August 29, featuring 14 different attention grabbing logo discussions.  The eye-straining effort concluded just two days before the season kicked off with an embarrassing 53-21 beat down by McNeese State.  McNeese State just happened to be in the series a couple weeks before:
    Three years later, it's time to revisit this Summer Fun theme.  Instead of on the main board, we'll tuck the potentially offense images (babes and logos) into the blog here. 
    But beware ... the Stony Brook Seawolves come to town September 2.  
  19. Brad
    Looking through the archives of pictures taken, scanned or saved from the internet, I came across at least three right away that are worth re-visiting.  First we'll start with a very long tenured coach, Ken Eriksen, flashing back to his days on the USF Baseball team:
     

     
    Per GoUSFBulls.com: In four seasons (1981-84) as a player on the USF baseball team, and while playing five positions, his career batting average topped .315 and he had an ERA of 2.48 on the mound. In 1982, he was named to the NCAA All-Region Tournament Team on a team that just came short of reaching the College World Series. 
    In 1995, Jim Leavitt joined USF to head up its newly approved football team.  Leavitt retains the highest winning percentage of all USF coaches and sits atop the the career wins list.  Oft-maligned for his combination of Pepsi-fueled excitement and passionate competitive nature, Coach Leavitt occasionally found other outlets for his love for USF, including this game against UAB - in basketball:  
     

     
     
    GoUSFBulls.com still has some pictures of Leavitt painted up for that game in December, 2007, you can see them here .  Here's a sample:
     

     
    Lastly, from the Winter 2001 edition of the USF Magazine (I just happened to have it on hand because our long forgotten original site, SouthFloridaBulls.com, published ads in it) a picture of the highly successful Jose Fernandez in his "rookie" year at the helm of USF Womens' Basketball.  Jose has reached meteoric success compared to other USF Sports and did that as WBB was about to crater at USF.
     

     
    I know I have some great Seth Greenberg images stored somewhere (none when he had hair).  If I find them I'll add them.  I hope you enjoy these slightly rare images of Bulls coaches.  
  20. Brad

    Jim Leavitt on new QB Matt Grothe

    By Brad,


    USF Athletics
    I'm not sure Coach Jim Leavitt knew exactly what he had when Matt Grothe arrived on campus.  But one thing he got right, was Matt's confidence.  It carried him.  Take a quick listen to Jim Leavitt discuss Matt Grothe as recorded at Bulls Media Day by board member Gene Haines.
     

  21. Brad

    Tampa Tribune and the Bulls

    By Brad,


    Bulls Media
    Thought some would enjoy this, especially in theses times of wishing the local reporters cared a little more.  This is quite a committment by the now defunct Tampa Tribune, but could you imagine the excitement to see this today with the Tampa Bay Times?

     
    At least two on that billboard were active on TBP back then.  Either way, it was a nice billboard and an embrace of the program by the local paper.
    Any chance will ever see the Bulls embraced like this from the remaining paper?
  22. Brad

    Andre Hall and The Heisman Hope

    By Brad,


    USF Athletics
    It's been a long time since the word Heisman and Bull was mentioned in the same conversation.  In 2017, Quinton Flowers has been referred to as a candidate for the honor, even if just a "dark horse".  The first ever chatter around a USF Bulls player breaking into that club was with RB Andre Hall.  Hall was an offensive MVP and 9th in the nation in yards per game as a junior.  He was hyped as a potential All-American and yes an outside shot at the H trophy.  USF never took that leap, but many South Florida fans did.  Below is a limited edition, unofficial and unlicensed, bumper sticker that was distributed to help hype Andre Hall in his senior year:

    ESPN felt a little of the Hall excitement as the Bulls made a historic move to the Big East:

     
    Hall did not get Heisman consideration, but he went down in history as one of 10 Essential Bulls as compiled by Jim Louk in 2014.  What's more, I had a chance to select him in my fantasy football league when he was with the Denver Broncos!

     
    16,026 ADDS
  23. Brad
    A while back when the site was spending some dollars to help rally the USF Bulls community, we put out a radio ad to attract additional members.  Initially, I used the Google radio advertising service that allowed access to dozens of stations across Florida.  I remember UCFers posting on the board they heard an ad for TBP in Orlando and it grinded on them a bit.  Ultimately Google closed down that part of the business.  I later worked with a local Tampa station to run the ads - I think it may have been 1010.  The site, TheBullsPen.com, was well known and spent time on the radio with Mike Pepper and Jim Lighthall.  
    Anyway, I paid for a "professional voice" to do the ad.  It turned out okay I guess.  But here it is...I'm guessing it was from around the mid 2000s.
     

     
  24. Brad

    BullsGallery.com is back

    By Brad,


    Site Archives
    I have been working on restoring the latest version of BullsGallery.com.  Not yet finished, but you are welcome to take a look.
    BullsGallery.com

     
    Right now, there are nearly 12,000 images ranging from 1997 to 2014.  There are still many to enter including Bulls @ Penn State and sets from 2015 and 2016.  There are sets taken back in the 1999-2002 era.  Granted the image capabilities are much better now, but it gives you a look at some of the older, early games of the Bulls.
     

     
    So, not only are is there or there will be coverage over 21 years of Bulls Football, but you'll also find WBB, Soccer and some great moments in MBB.
     
     
     

     
    Now, even though there are nearly 12,000 loaded, there is still work to do in culling out some pictures and uploading remaining full sets.  I also hope to get the 2015 and 2016 sets here soon.  For 2017, our site photographer will be able to upload an unlimited amount of photos per game.  The navigation also needs a little work, but we'll get there.
    If you like a picture or two, please use the built in twitter, Facebook, etc social buttons to share and invite more Bulls fans.  Again, the BullsGallery.com is documenting the history of the Bulls dating back to the 1997 football album vs. Kentucky Wesleyan.  
  25. Brad
    Occasionally I look through some of the hard drives and find some old memories.  When you think about this site being around for almost 18 years there has to be good stuff, right?  The board, when it was young, had a lot of great posts lost in the great crashes of 2005- 2007 (I think).  We lost some great stories by @TheSheriff and probably more.  I had a couple hard drives die.  One resuscitated briefly and I retrieved some board images as well as some tax returns.  
    I came across remnants of the firs South Florida athletics themed Hall of Fame.  It was run on SouthFloridaBulls.com, the original home of TheBullsPen.com.  Of course, since SFB was a Fans' site, it had to include fans.  Below is the inaugural Hall of Fame class, appropriately inscribed and your typical 1970's plaque:
     

     
    I think we had one more class follow the 2002 class, but I haven't found the sweet engraved plaque.  Candidates were voted on by members.  Attached below, you'll find a word document that led to the page members could vote for the Hall of Fame inductees.  I'm not even sure if this was final, but have a read and you can see who the community voted in 15 years ago.
    Here are the official nominees:  SouthFloridaBulls.doc
     
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