Eric_Soncrant

Well you are close on one, in high school the nickname was "crant". In college, this was somewhat after Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, it migrated to So-Crates, as pronounced in the movie. Then that got shortened to just "crates" by some. So those are names I already respond to. Think they'll let me change my USF business cards?

Eats It is correct. Those are parking garages next to the Sun Dome, not an OCS. At least some one is paying attention to some of the things I say. That's always good to know. ;D Eric

Hey Bully: Yes, I wasn't reall clare in my email. I mentioned the SunDome and picking up day of game but wasn't clear that you can pick them up at RJS the day of the game. Don't pay the fee. We'll have plenty of tickets then. Eric

The spring game is free to the public. Season ticket holders were mailed tickets but you can pick them up at the SunDome ticket office or the day of the game. I believe some will also be distributed through Chick-fil-a. But it is FREE TO ALL! Eric

Where do all these rumors get started about being on vacation. I'm not even sure what that word means. I'm here, we've just been busy as usual. They will start moving people around in about two weeks, once the renewal deadline has passed and any lingerers have been taken care of. It takes them a few days to put everything in order before they do it. If you have any other speficic questions, please don't hesitate to ask. I'll let everyone know when I take a vacation, right now tentatively July 4-11 after Around the Horns is done. Eric

Actually, we get requests daily for autographed footballs, helmets, jerseys, etc. We will be happy to have coach's sign something but ask that the charity donate the football otherwise it would cost us several thousands of dollars each year. That's how many requests we get. RTB is going about this the right way and we will do whatever we can to help from that standpoint. Eric

We don't have any formal watch parties in any other areas but here is what I would suggest. In Pinellas County, we've had other watch parties at Capogna's. I'm not sure how late they are open on a Sunday night. In Sarasota/Manatee, I would call Gecko's on 64 and make sure they are open that late. Those establishments have been great in hosting watch parties in the past. I'll see if I can confirm that they will be open and get back to everyone if I'm able to. Eric

The USF Bulls Club will be hosting a watch party for the USF Women's Basketball first round NCAA Tournament game on Sunday, March 19th. Game time will begin at approximately 9 p.m. The watch party will once again be held at the Clubhouse Sports Cafe on Fowler Ave. Please come out and join USF Athletic staff and friends as we root for the USF Bulls. Eric

Sheriff: Call 1-800-GoBulls to order them. You can still order them as we are making some extras for those who still want them. Eric

Cashcow: You'll receive your season ticket renewal first. The commemorative tickets are delayed but the acrylic piece is in production. My apologies to everyone for the long delay. This is certainly not how we had planned it. We hope to get them out to you as soon as possible but until then, please be patient. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to shoot me an email. Thanks. Go Bulls!

The helmets that our damages and can longer be used our used for various promotions, auctions etc. We don't ever have a couple hundred laying around to do a sale like what Louisville is doing. If you want a USF jersey or helmet, perhaps you should come to the Bulls Club annual auction on May 20th in the SunDome. All Bulls Club members will be getting their information soon. Eric

BullsFans: It is a nice video although I think a little too long for what it's trying to do. A majority of people won't watch the whole thing. This is hardly a new idea. It is typically used for campaigns and not for annual giving. We may have somthing along this line with our upcoming campaign. Thanks for the link. Eric

Both men's and women's basketball have game on Tuesday night. The women's game is on CSTV and we will be hosting a watch party at the Clubhouse Sports Cafe on Fowler Ave. The game begins at 7:30 p.m. The Clubhouse will have drink specials during the game. The men's game is being televised on ESPN 360, which is an internet only feed. Go to ESPN360.com for more information. Thanks everyone. Eric

Hey everyone: The Italy tour begins on August 11th. We are currently putting together packages for those interested in traveling with the team. This trip is being funded from contributions and the proceeds from their annual golf tournament. No state funds. This type of trip is very imporatnt for a young team. It gives them an extra couple weeks of practice which could help winning games in the BIG EAST Conference. That's about 12 extra practices before everyone else can begin. Once the packages are done I'll let you know and see if anyone is interested. Eric

Mr. Selmon currenlty has the four restaurants that have opened with plans for one in Sarasota and Brandon as well. Eric

Just a reminder that the watch party is at 2 p.m. today at The Clubhouse on Fowler. The game is being broadcast on Brighthouse 47. Collin Sherwin will be your host, always worth the price of a couple of beverages. Hope to see a nice group out there. Eric

When I get invited to the planning meetings, I'll bring Joe along. ;D As I've said before, your guys ideas and thoughts are always appreciated as long as they are constructive and not personal attacks. I'm on this site so much because it gives an idea of what are fans, donors, alumni and students are thinking. So Joe's comments as well as the rest of yours are welcome in this regard. Keep in mind, all these plans depend on one thing, being able to raise enough money to build them. I think we'll be able to do it in a relatively short amount of time, but if the market crashes or something, you just don't know. Eric

Hey Guys: Great arguments both ways. BEB, their are some conference policies that frown upon that. The BIG EAST requires the first three rows behind the visiting team bench be reserved for the visiting team. We have gone against putting student behind them as that could cause potential problems. Yes we want to creat atmosphere, but a safe atmosphere. I'm not sure that would happen. As for the renovations, we have a committee set up to explore this and some primitive conceptual drawings have been created. The top priority now that the scoreboards are done will be new lower level seating. We hope to enclose the corners to creat an additional 500 or so lower level seats. We are looking at suites and potentially an XO Club style area in one of the endzones. Total net seating loss won't be 2,000, it will be less, but we will have created more premium seating which everyone wants. There is somewhat of a demand for suites, but you won't see us putting 18 suites in like UCF, probably more like 6-8. Hope this helps and as plans develop, we'll make sure to keep you all posted. Eric

The letter was just sent to the account holder from ordering tickets. So if someone else ordered your tickets for you, in all likely hood you won't receive a letter. But it is a genuine thank you from Mr. Woolard and the whole athletic department to all those that went to Charlotte. And for those that went and don't get a letter, Thank you too! Eric

If you already ordered one, just call the 1-800-GoBulls number and make your request. It should not be a problem to accomodate that. Eric

Following up on a couple questions posted above. Coach Leavitt is a Bulls Club member as our most of our staff and other coaches. It would be difficult for us to ask for all of you to write checks if we don't do it ourselves. As far as the parking question goes, you don't receive free parking but you do get better parking then non-donors based on your giving level. Thanks everyone. And the more of you that call Merrill the better. That will keep him from calling me. ;D

Hey Everyone: The tickets have not been shipped yet and are slightly delayed. We hope to have them soon and send them out by the end of February. Coach is signing all 1,000 of the tickets in the middle of recruiting season and then we have to send them to the manufacturer. My apologies on the delays and I will continue to update as we make progress. We are still taking orders though so if you would still like one call 1-800-GoBulls! Eric

Katie: What are you talking about. Our women's team has been winning most of the year and won earlier in the week as well. They've got a very tough road trip this week at Notre Dame and at UConn but after that could conveivable win out. Jose Fernandez is doing a great job and Jessica Dickson will be an All-American this year. If you haven't checked them out yet, please make sure to come see them. Their bench is about as deep as the men's team but they are having a pretty good year. Eric

Wow Wooly, thanks for minimalizing the importance of being a member of the Bulls Club, which raised $1.5 million last year and we hope to increase that this year. Too many of our members look at it that way as opposed to looking at it as supporting the University. If you don't want to make your gift, there are season tickets available that don't require an annual gift. We aren't holding a gun to anyone's head when they make their gift. I strongly encourage every alumnus to support the university in whichever way they feel the most comfortable. Whether writing a check, volunteering, getting a USF license plate, etc. The entire University needs your help. Join the Alumni Association, make a gift to the your college, or make a gift to the Bulls Club. It all helps. Wooly let me know if you want to look into moving your seats, I can certainly help you with that.

We don't have cheerleading or sundoll or Rocky scholarships because no one has stepped up to endow any.  That is how most other schools create spirit squad scholarships.  A few might come from the athletic budget but then how do you decide if you have 5 scholarships which of the 60+ students involved in these groups get them. It's just another step in the maturity of our athletic program.  But this is why when you see the SunDolls and Cheerleaders out selling calendars or asking you to sponsor them, or to send your kid to their clinic it is important that you do it.  This is how they raise their money for competition and their small stipend (I can't call the $100-$200 they each get a scholarship, it's more like gas money to get to all the events they are at). Now keep in mind I certainly have a bias with my wife being the coach and my comments are my own and should not reflect on our athletic department.  I just get to see a little more closely than most how much time these kids put in and have great admiration for each of them, because god knows I can't dance, flip, stunt or yell like any of them.  If you would like to help either group, you can make gifts made payable to the USF Foundation by sending them to the Bulls Club.  It is a tax deductible gift but can not count towards your priority seating....those gifts must be unrestricted.  But it's amazing how much $50 or $100 helps these programs.  The cheerleaders and sundolls are separate financially so if you decide to help them, indicate which group you'd like your gift to go to or if you'd like to split it between the two. Go Bulls! Eric