EXBULL21

Announced growd just under 30K (say 28,500). Actual butts in seats 18,000. If the lower bowl seats 40K+, then no way we had even close to 30K last game.

I don't think we will have more than 2,000...let's just say that is from a good source. No further comment.

What the hell is wrong with these kids....can't they just think about what their actions and how they "might" affect themselves, their school, and their teammates?? Now I'm not saying I was a saint while at USF, but for dame sure I wouldn't have been out at 3:30 in the morning during the season getting drunk. If this story is completing true...what a said thing to happen to someone who is a senior and should know better.

It also said under his name, "just a hunch". So I wouldn't take this seriously. We will all just have to wait till gametime. My bet is on Pat. He has game experience and being that he is a senior, I expect better things from him and so should all of us. The only way Grothe sees the field this year on a consistant basis is if Pat just completly sh_ts the bed and Grothe can move the offense and not make mistakes. I just haven't seen enough arm strength from Grothe to be a deep threat...hopefully he proves me wrong!

FYI: For any baseball alumni and/or support personel, there will be an alumni tailgate party located in lot 6D starting at 2:00 pm Saturday. ÂÂ

I'd say we have underachieved at the QB position when it comes to recruiting. With regards to the program as a whole...I'd say we have overachieved. Not many programs have had to grow as fast as USF. I think a lot of people forget that each time you jump division levels that creates challenges for not only the coaches but the program in general. We go from recruiting I-AA players to CUSA type players to recruiting BIG EAST/BCS calibar players. Many will say we should have been recruiting for the BCS calibar player all along but we know that won't happen when you are playing in CUSA. I think the program is on solid ground and believe we are just a "decent" QB away from being a top 30 program and a star QB away from top 25 type team (with the talent we have). Give USF 8 - 10 years (2 full recruiting classes from freshman to senior) in a BCS conference and let's see where we are. I bet we win a few conference titles along the way and that isn't bad for a program this young.

I actually like the white uni...not too bad! The rest of 'em are pretty ugly.

Turtle Thomas (fired along with Laval at LSU) would be another name I'd throw in there. He was the main assistant for many outstanding UM teams and has a lot of recruiting power. He is a great salesman and comes across as very professional. Not really sure why Laval was fired...although those boys down in the bayou expect championships in baseball and nothing less.

You have to wonder...if Shouppe came to USF and say in the near future Martin retires, I would have to think that he would also be a favorite to return back to FSU??

Just curious out of all the people on this board who have made comments about wanting to replace EC have actually ever been to a game at the Red! Funny how people can critisize a program when they themselves have never really supported it to begin with. How about the days when we were ranked #1 in the county ('86) or in the top 15 (early to mid 90's) and we would have under 1,000 there for a game against another in state ranked opponent. Why can't people see that until the university makes a real committment to the program, no coach will be able to maintain a high level of success when so many other schools, not includeing UF, FSU, and UM have far superior facilities. Do I feel that EC has lost some of his edge...sure Do I feel that EC can do better...of course However, I just don't think you can evaluate him the same as other D-1 coaches in this state who have more options when it comes to recruiting. And I know that everyone says...well look at what coach Erickson has done with the softball program. True...but not everyone on the baseball program gets a full ride! You only have 11.7 (unless it changed from my days) full scholies for around 27-30 players. That is the reality and when you don't have the "goods" to attact higher quality athletes...it makes a difference. It used to be that USF, Stetson, UCF, FIU, FAU were somewhat equal when it came to recruiting ball players. USF could always say that you can play in a great conference #1 and #2probably get more playing time than you would at UF, FSU, UM. And you didn't really have to worry about out recruiting UCF, Stetson, etc. because we were on the same level. Now those schools have new stadiums, etc. and it does make a difference. Hate to keep harping on that but unless the school makes a solid committment to improving the facilities (all facilities not just baseball) than we will have a hard time trying to dominate the Big East.

I personally think it's a bunch of ******** that these current players actually spoke to Brett. If we had a guy on the team back when I played that spoke out on his own like this and disrespected EC, we would have carried his ass out behind left field and made sure he didn't do it again. Yes I do think EC has lost some of his edge...but some of facts just don't make sense (points made from a former player): EC is the 13th lowest paid D-1 baseball coach and the guy has the 13th longest tenure at any D-1 school > We have the worst facilities other than FAMU and we haven't had a top notch recruiting class since Myron Leslie's class in 2000, ironically the same years that UCF and Stetson got new stadiums. We don't have a dedicated recruiter as many other top programs due (not enough $$). I think a lot of the comments on this topic are coming from guys who don't know EC or his character. I can't believe that kid in the article was crying like a baby about getting chewed out about EC letting him know he is "the" manager and noone needs to be doing his job. I just can't believe these kids...we've down a few alumni functions for them and the only kids that said thanks was EC's...the rest of 'em didn't say one f'ing thanks. If I was EC, I would have taken all of them behind the woodshed a few times by now...what a bunch of *******.

I think we need someone to come in and sell this program or at least spike interest in the community. We need someone with ties to hillsborough county. There is too much talent in this area and we have consistantly lost out on much of that talent in the past 5+ years. I'm just throwing some names out but what about the old UT coach Lelo Prado who is the head coach up at U of L. I've also heard good things about the current head coach at UT (who is #1 in 1AA again this year). If we go outside the area, than I say we need someone from a proven conference, the SEC, ACC, etc. to take over. Why wouldn't anyone want to coach at USF. We have one of the best recruiting areas in the state if not country for college baseball players, we are in the Big East which should give us a chance to be one of the top teams year after year, and we will get improved facilities soon. We also have got to get a dedicated "recruiter". Many of the top programs in the country have a dedicated recruiter who has the ability to travel and monitor players throughout the year and isn't tied down by any game schedules. This may be a long shot to accomplish but needs to be given some thought. The fact is that I think EC has done a great job with what he had but it's time for the University to move in another direction. If the school doesn't look for someone to replace EC, than they need to make a new committment to EC and the program and make some serious upgrades to the facilities and make them "soon". Either way I think the USF baseball program has a lot to over and I'm sure we would have a large list of highly credible applicants.

I wouldn't discredit the talent level in the Big East. From speaking with EC and coaches, ND, Uconn, Pitt, and St. Johns are very good teams. It only takes one good pitcher to beat a team and from what I have heard all of these teams have strong starters this year. I really didn't think we would struggle like this with our OOC schedules. We start out the year by beating a very good Big Ten team in Northwestern, get swept by JU (who will be a NCAA regional team), a hiccup against N. Florida, and then we look good against a very talented W. Carolina team (probably NCAA team), beat Illinois (who is picked to win the Big Ten and won it in 2005) and then turned right around and got swept by them at the Red. This team is young, has good pitching but the bats better come around quick are it's gonna be a long year.

There goes our chances of landing Garcia next year! Either way, guilty or not, what a jackass. You gotta be smarter than that.

I agree with most that the team have not faired well the past 3-5 years. However, EC has done some very good things with his teams with mediocre facilities. The new athletic facility is a huge upgrade from the locker rooms in the Sun Dome and that will help. However, for the basebulls to compete with every other D-1 program in the state they have got to upgrade the ball field. Granted the surface and lights are good but the stands, etc. are below average. We will have to see what happens here in the short term with the improvements that are scheduled to happen to all of the sports facilities. Take it from someone who knows EC and has played for him...he is a good person with good intentions but will need to prove that we are the team to beat in a weaker Big East (compared to CUSA). However, I do feel that Woolard won't put up with too many more 30-30 type seasons. Too much talent in this area to have records like that. I still think the worst thing that happened to USF baseball was the departure of Mike Trapasso (left USF after 93' season for GT and now HC at Hawaii)

Anyone know what happened to Holmes?? Looks like we may have lost another player based on the way they carried him off the court.

So the student package was $130 for 2 nights hotel, game ticket, and transportation?? **** that is a good deal. Wish I was still a student :-( I'm sure the bus rides would be a lot of fun, especially if they are coed :

Not that I'm trying to show my true colors but most of those professors are too **** liberal for me and could probably care less about athletics in general. Tell them that the football and athletic programs they hate so much will one day subsidize most if not all of there compensation! Do whatever it takes to promote the game to students...it will make "you" feel important and that you did the right thing.

Wow...great article!! It's about time someone in the papers rights something to "try" to invoke some emotions from this community to get behind this school. Now, we need JL, Woolard, Genshaft and crew to get out there and promote this game. Get on the phones and sell some tickets.

Very disappointing but honestly it doesn't surprise me from this community. We all that there is a pretty good die hard base of Bulls fans (mostly from this website and few others). Besides that it's all Gators, Noles, Bucs fans. On another note, has anyone heard any local advertisments (via radio, paper, etc) to try to sell tickets to the game besides what you would read from Brett's articles in the Trib or in the Times? You know, the school might have to step up and purchase a large block of tickets just to make things look good for the school. Selling only 3K in tickets isn't going to make us look very good and would honestly be an embarrassment to the school.

Crap...$120 for travel and 2 nights in a hotel is a **** good bargin. That is a crap value and sure wish I was a student :-)

Just got mine!! The rep told me that Option 4 is the only package left. Wonder how many brokers have bought up packages...don't really want to sit next to any NC State fans!!!

I just booked 2 nights at the Courtyard Charlotte SouthPark for $89 a night. I believe this is the same hotel that is listed as the hotel for Option 4. Not sure why they are charging $169 per person for double occupancy when the hotel rooms are only $89 per night. I guess they are factoring in the ground transportation, etc. which I think is a bit high. Anyone else booked a room at this hotel?

CFO for venture capital group in S. Tampa. I too just changed jobs so I have to watch my internet usage for a while :-)

Montani, I wasn't trying to be PC! Just trying to get a question out there. I guess it was more of a geographical typo than anything else...W VA :-) Instead of WVU.