Big_Hairy_Bull

these 5 programs are currently ranked higher than us in the recruiting rankings:

http://scout.scout.com/a.z?s=359&p=9&c=14&view=1&yr=2007

i think we need to start picking up the slack if we plan on winning the Big East in the next 5 yrs or so..

I wouldn't worry about that at this time. Those are not updated. Plus these rankings don't mean a thing!

I know Smazza stated it was a good pickup, but will he finally give Leavitt some kudos for bringing in a 5 star recruit. I for one have never cared about how many stars a kid has but this is the reason Smazza has always been against Leavitt. Stating he will never get us any 5 star recruits in here!

haha

usf basketball is embarassing and has been embarassing since seth left

It was just as embarassing when Seth was here too. No tournaments nor any wins against top 25 teams. At least we knocked off a couple last year! And we also have a much better nucleus of potentially good players.

Got a room in Opeleika last night for $41 a night for 9/14 and 9/15

You might want to check that rate. It says $141 when I checked. And just so you know this is like a motel. Hotel room doors open up to the outside.

Just a little FYI in case you didn't know.

Did anyone attend the Icehouse Party Court the other day?  How was it?  I'm probably going on Sunday and want to know if its worth getting there an extra hour or so prior to the game.

It was pretty nice. It is out side of Entry #2. They had music playing, tables and chairs, Basketball hoop, Philly Cheese Steaks for $6, Pizza for $3 slice, $3 16 oz Ice House bottles & Miller Lite. The first 100 people get a free beer. Nice atmosphere cause it is outside and nice to mingle with other Bulls fans.

I think it opens 2 hrs before game and you can enter from Dome 1hr from game time.

Hope that helps.

Go Bulls

Not sure why everyone is staying in Columbus. There is a few hotels in Auburn/Opelika. The reason that its shows no availablilty when you do a search is because they haven't started reserving rooms for football season yet. I suggest calling some of the hotels on the phone and inquiring about when they are going to open up reservations for football season.

I did and now know the date to call back to reserve my rooms.

Just a little FYI.

Hope that helps!

Go Bulls

It is truly sad that a place that's touts themselves as the "Official Bulls Headquarters" is selling Gayturds merchandise.

This is a slap in the face to all the Bulls fans that are trying to get this community to back the Bulls!

We cannot have a community that is going to support Bulls and Gayturds. The community needs to support only the Bulls!

We will never get to the level that this program deserves if people like this cater to the Gayturd fans!

They lost another customer after hearing of this!

Go Bulls!

At times it sounded loud in that place tonight.  Imagine if we put another 4000 people in the seats.  What a great college basketball environment that would be...........

It's funny you say this. I got some inside scoop from an Iowa basketball player that played here in 92 when we beat Florida State and Iowa that year at home. He stated, that the Sun Dome was the craziest and scariest place he ever played! That is all their whole team talked about. Pretty impressive seeing the places that Iowa has to play!

Win and they will come!

Go Bulls!

When Howard was in the game, he showed he had full court vision... true pg ability.  He broke the press almost every time, something Bozeman struggles with.

Anyone that says he looked like crap is full of crap.

He is at 50% right now and he is already looking better as a PG than Bozeman, and everyone here says bozeman is a brightspot.

Velcro you and i agree for once.  iChris Howard was the best player that was on the floor tonight.  he didnt show it because he is still tentative.  From what i hear from insiders of usf basketball athletics he is a true gym rat.  If out coach cant coach him at least he can train himself.  Chris will be great for usf.  Court vision was there he was making passes no one on usf would have the confidence to make.  give him time, he is not our worries it is our inabilty to play as a team, which falls on one mans shoulders.  you know who/  

I agree as well. There was just something different about him than anyone else on the court. He has a certain confidence, cool manner that a point guard really needs. He is something we have lacked for many years. I thought he played really well tonight considering it was his first action in 2 yrs. Especially seeing the way Louisville had a full court press the entire game. Its hard to imagine but if CH was not playing we would have lost by over 50!

Go Bulls!

Where is Smazza? He only comments on recruits that we lose to the big schools! Say something now Smazza how good a job that Leavitt did on out recruiting the big dogs!

Actually, stay away Smazza! It is much nicer here without you!

Go Bulls!

What was the reason he committed Alabama first place? school or Shula?

Does Marve like the spreading offense system?  

If not, will CJL and Rod Smith be willing to adjust the offense system for Marve?

Will Marve have more opportunities with Saban who like running plays than passing?

Which is better chemistry Saban or CJL for Marve?

Which has more opportunities USF or Alabama?

If he is not interested in USF then I am wondering why?

Because 17 yr old's are gullible! Just like all the fans here in the Tampa area who still do not support the Bulls because they think we play in a different league!

If I recall from last year, the Alumni tent basically gave away green and gold pom poms, beads, face painting, etc. for all of the Bulls fans.  It isn't any kind of tailgate just so you all are aware.  

Yes,

  But this would be a great place to meet and bring your own tailgating supplies.

Guys,

     According to Vicki, there will be a large USF tent set up near the stadium for Bulls fans to gather. Also see that there is no cost for this!

The rest of the schedule:

Friday night:

Five Points Reception:  The Alumni Association is working on a fan reception similar to what we did last year in Charlotte.  It will at least be a gathering place for Bulls fans, and a place to get started.  They'll let us know more soon as plans become finalized.

Bull Bash ($100, B&A Warehouse):  Huge buffet & open bar from 7 til midnight; live band.   Limited tickets left.

Saturday:

Brunch ($50, $15, free 3-0, Sheraton Ballroom):  Pre-game brunch from 9-10:30

USF will also have an 80x100 tent at the Stadium Saturday morning, and will let you know soon what will happen there.   There won't be a cost.

More details soon, but hope that helps.

Vicki

Everyone should be going to the Bull Party on Friday night. I know some of you might think that the $100 is steep. But trust me. It is a blast. Full Buffet spread, open liquor bar and live band. This is part of the reason of going to Bowl games.

I already bought 6 tickets for this event!

A bowl only happens once a year!

$100 gets you a full all you can eat gourmet meal, full open bar, live band, and the opportunity to hang with 300 other Bulls fans in a great setting.  For those that went to the New Years Eve party last year same type of thing.  We are limiting it to 21 and over crowd.

For those with kids, we are also setting up a gathering similar to what we did after the pep rally in Charlotte last year.  This will happen Friday night as well.

With the pregame, kids 12 and under are only $15 and children 3 and under are free.

Eric

Where will the tailgate be hosted? In relation to the field.

USF beats FSU or UM in the Doak in the OB or Ray Jay

: :

Even as bad as they are, do you really think they are worse than Kansas? seriously...

Are they better than Pitt? seriously....

Older than 3, kids need a seat:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueinfo/106526/

Children Rules:

FOR TAMPA BAY BUCANEERS:

Everyone must have a ticket to enter.

FOR USF FOOTBALL, STADIUM JUMPING EVENTS, & OUTBACK BOWL:

Ages 0-3 are free if on lap (no ticket is required). If child has reached their 4th birthday, they must have a ticket to enter.

OTHER EVENTS: policy varies

Do they check ID?

No, its an honor system.

Just a little hint that seems to work. If you put the child on your shoulders as you are entering, they never say a word about the child.

Will that work with my 5' - 4", 11 year-old?  

Worth a try! Let me know so I can see that!

Older than 3, kids need a seat:

http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueinfo/106526/

Children Rules:

FOR TAMPA BAY BUCANEERS:

Everyone must have a ticket to enter.

FOR USF FOOTBALL, STADIUM JUMPING EVENTS, & OUTBACK BOWL:

Ages 0-3 are free if on lap (no ticket is required). If child has reached their 4th birthday, they must have a ticket to enter.

OTHER EVENTS: policy varies

Do they check ID?

No, its an honor system.

Just a little hint that seems to work. If you put the child on your shoulders as you are entering, they never say a word about the child.

don't forget his one missed field goal was blocked, which is the lines fault for not keeping the d-line in check, not his fault on that one.

The problem is bigger, CJL shouldn't be the special teams coach.  He doesn't have time to focus and train. For example, there have been opportunities for the freshman punter to punt from the middle of the field, say in the NC game or UConn game, but Leavitt chose not to give them that experiece.  Every player needs a position coach to act as a buffer between he and the head coach, especially neurotics like kickers.

Just a bad plan design, in my opinion, that will never work.

In reference to giving the punter's a chance during a game is a tough one. If they can't do it in practice, what makes you think they can do it in the games. I have an inside source that says these kids are continuing to not be able to catch the hikes in practice. For some reason they both have butter hands.

Hopefully another off-season of fielding hikes will help. Lets cross our fingers! (Pardon the pun)

Stanford Shrinking Football Stadium to Boost Ticket Sales

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By JONATHAN D. GLATER

Published: March 1, 2006

PALO ALTO, Calif.  The rationale behind Stanford University's $95 million project to shrink the campus football stadium is not intuitively obvious.

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Jim Wilson/The New York Times

Ray M. Purpur of Stanford discussing the renovation in January. Seating will fall to 50,000 from 85,000.

But athletic department officials think it will help the university make more money.

"It looks funny, but we hope to increase our income, twice at least," said Ray M. Purpur, senior associate athletic director at Stanford and a major fund-raiser for the project, which was begun almost immediately after Stanford played its last home football game in November. The project is to be completed for the fall season.

The idea, Mr. Purpur explained, is that shrinking the supply of seats  to 50,000 from about 85,000  will make people buy more season tickets. That way, they can be sure they can attend the games they want, like hugely popular rivalry games against the University of California.

Consultants who advise sports teams say there is method to the Stanford plan. Reducing capacity can increase sales, said Marc Ganis, president of Sportscorp Ltd., a Chicago sports consulting firm.

"When people feel like they wouldn't be able to get a ticket to any game they want to go to, they tend to get season tickets," he said, adding that it improves attendance over all.

But at Stanford, the idea of spending more than $100 million to reduce the size of the 85-year-old stadium for the team's five or six home games drew the ire of Henry E. Riggs, a 1957 Stanford graduate and a former vice president for development at the university. The alumni magazine printed a letter from him criticizing the economics of the project and in an opinion article he wrote for The Palo Alto Weekly, he asked, "Is there no end to the foolish extravagance lavished on big-time college football?"

Few graduates have joined Mr. Riggs in arguing against the project, which was originally budgeted for between $25 million and $85 million. One was Loren D. Smith, class of 1955, of Mountainside, N.J.

"My interest in it was why," Mr. Smith said. "It's not as though it's falling apart."

But other graduates said that the stadium was not comfortable, and that the field, separated from the stands by a running track, was too far away from spectators.

"It definitely needed to be remodeled," said Dr. Robert O. Dillman, class of 1969, the medical director of the Hoag Cancer Center in Newport Beach, Calif. "I was just surprised that in doing it they were going to downsize it that much."

The university has mounted Web cameras for Stanford football fans to monitor the renovation project (stanfordstadium.com). Construction work has proceeded for 16 hours a day, to make sure that the new stadium is ready in the fall.

The project has also stirred little controversy on campus, students and faculty members said, perhaps because not many seem to attend the home football games.

"I haven't heard any" discussion of the stadium, said Leah S. Sawyer, a junior on the school's track team. She said she had not heard the price tag attached to the renovation project, either. When told the amount, she said, "I can't imagine too many students would be excited" about spending that amount of money.

But several faculty members said graduates who donate to athletics would not have given money to rebuild any other part of the university, and so there was no downside to spending so much on the stadium.

"These people, their connection to the university is much more through athletics than through the academic" side, said Roger G. Noll, an economics professor at the university, referring to the graduates whose donations were financing the stadium project. He said he had heard few complaints from colleagues about the project, while he had heard concerns about the school's business endeavors, including real estate and intellectual property holdings.

At least one other school, Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., is weighing a similar plan to reduce stadium size. But for Dartmouth and Stanford, the example of Princeton, which reduced the size of its stadium to 27,800 from 45,000 in the 1990's, may offer a cautionary tale.

In the first seasons after the construction project in New Jersey, and after the price of a ticket was cut to $5, attendance soared, rising to more than 20,000 people a game from fewer than 10,000 a game in the old stadium, said Jerry Price, associate athletic director at the school.

By last season, attendance had fallen nearly to its old levels, he said.

"We had bad weather for a couple of games," he said.

A few Stanford graduates said low attendance at games  about 36,000 people attended each game last season, on average  will not be cured by a renovation. Last year the team won five games and lost six, and that is the problem, they say.

As Mr. Smith put it, "It's what's on the field that makes a difference."

Show us the results! Wasn't this completed already?

Should we secretly be rooting for Louisville on Nov. 18th ?  Seriously,  I'm as big a Bulls fan as any of you, but I wonder if sacrificing our game with them this year will benefit us more in the long run than a win over them on the 18th.  A win by us over Louisville and the media's position of the Big East being soft is strengthened, a loss by us to them and a Louisville sweep of the remaining schedule= an invitation to the N.C. game, and a win over Mich/OhioSt by Louisville puts too rest forever the legitimacy of the Big East.  

What say you Bulls fans?

That is a tough question! I have thought about it for the last couple of days. I think my view on it is that I still want USF to beat Louisville. There is no way I can ever not root for us to not win. Just think of the media USF would get if we were the one's that ruin UL's title run. Might make up for the disappointment for the Big East. But I think my final feeling on this will be that I will not be as disappointed as usual if the Bulls do not pull out the upset.

That 35K+ may have been tickets sold, but I saw too many empty seats (on both sides of the house for that to have been the actual attendance figure.

To be honest with you. I thought it was one of the most attended games ever at Ray Jay. Just seemed like a lot more people than usual. Regardless of what you people think on what it looked like on TV.

Excuse me, but I was at the game and also watched the replay on TV.

Does anyone here have access to the TSA figure for the actual number of people in attendance?

So did I. You gave your opinion and now I gave mine. I am just going by what I saw in the sections around me. Fewer empty seats than ever before!

That 35K+ may have been tickets sold, but I saw too many empty seats (on both sides of the house for that to have been the actual attendance figure.

To be honest with you. I thought it was one of the most attended games ever at Ray Jay. Just seemed like a lot more people than usual. Regardless of what you people think on what it looked like on TV.

What are the chances of landing these two ?

Elvis Fisher St. Petersburg Catholic School 6-4 310 lbs.

Micah Grimes Fort Meade 6-5 285 lbs.

Looks like we are #1 on Grimes list now!!!!!!!!!!!

which is why Ray Jay will never have great home field advantage for the Bucs...... Much of the crowd noise just flows out the open ended endzone.

Are you joking? Ask the players if it isn't one of the louder stadiums in the league.