aragingbull

Thanks Bullwark...You made it through:-)...I hope someone steps up and documents the football history one day...I think Leavitt has a compelling story...It's so nice to have Football and Basketball unlike the early days...We're so young and knocking on big doors... Our unique history evolves with every dunk and punt... Go Bulls!

Had the pleasure of meeting "BasketBull" at the Book signing...Your passion for USF was real evident and I'm so happy I can now put a face to the name!! Was pleased to see people I had not seen in 15 to 20 years...Booster **** Wittcoff showed up with son Ken along former Bulls Club president Mike Charles and others...Although we missed a few players some did show up...That was nice... It was fun talking to Steve Goldstein who saw the first game ever in 1970, the first Sun Dome game in 1980, and the first Big East game in 2006... Now that's a guy who's been around...Some BULL fans are about to be awaken!!....Gators we're coming back to get you!!! Tony Grier... GO BULLS!!

Bulliever--You know me well...What an exciting day for USF basketball history...I walked in to the athletic training center and I met Romona his wife and their two young boys right away... Handed a signed copy to Coach Heath for the plane ride back...By now he should have thrown out the first pitch for the baseball game...The buzz in the room was the real deal gang!...I spoke with a few players and they are ready to represent...We move on...And yes, my editor called me today Bulliever and she's so pumped she lowered her rates!!....Second edition will start today and end in the 200__ Final Four where USF will play!!! Go Bulls!!!

I can't begin to tell you how much "USF Bull" love was evident last night at the book signing. Thanks are in order to all who attended, thought about it or may attend future signings...We really have a wonderful support community in place... It is my hope that "A Raging Bull" might help tap into new territory by having some history documented...Bob, Fontana did not have the study lounge during your time:-) It was later on they decided to create a "study" environment for students...Thanks for all the posts and Doug Hatch you have to sign a copy for me. Bulliever, thanks for believing..Go Bulls!

One point we have never spoken much about is the support and understanding needed to succeed at this level: In 1980 USF was not ready for Lee Rose. How could we have been. Just ten years into basketball and the gaps showed early and it wasn't pleasant... Fast forward to Seth Greenberg and it was painfully evident he was so far ahead of 'us' that he struggled with basic things to promote the program...This is not a knock on our USF administration family, but, what DW does, matters, what boosters think matters, and what fans and students think matters, but the next coach has to arrive and never have a feeling that the work that needs to be done is in the community or to educate fans about basketball... This time we need to be ready!! The new coaches only concern should be what happens on the court (minus a few speaking engagements)...Some loyal USF supporters have decided football is the answer to fill their needs. That's OK...In the past we tried the "build a building" plan, we tried the "get a name coach" plan, and recently we tried the "best conference" angle... The hardest thing to determine is do we need the pub of a "big name' again? or can DW see through the cracks and bring on a guy that in 3 years has us in the sweet 16!...It's been done before with no names and big names...This is the most important hire in the history of USF athletics...

The USF book store has copies. Actually, Mr. Woolard bought his copy there....It's never easy getting past coaching changes...Regardless of which side of the fence you're on it has an effect on the University in ways much more than you think... The rebooting process has begun...For those of you new to the recent issue, A Raging Bull, (48 Hours & Forty Ninth Hour) chapters may give you a view into the events leading up to where we now stand...Let's hope for the best with our next campaign. With any new staff we must support them...Another chapter in our history is about to begin....

It was actually mentioned that it might be a good venue. As I told Brad I'd rather have something in the Sun Dome maybe at a table as you enter for "all" who may be interested...A delay in communication killed that deal...Anyway, the book can be ordered via any of the book sites like B & N, Amazon and I believe here and of course www.aragingbull.com has a link to the publisher as well...I'm on my way to visit with our first head coach Don Williams who is 86 years old....I enjoy my sits with him and today he and Mrs. Williams will read some of A Raging Bull for the first time....Now that's what it's all about!...Go Bulls!

We beat Catholic 71-68 in what would be our only "two" game winning streak of the season. Our next opponet was Central Connecticut, who we beat 82-69. Both were home games in our "Pre-Sun Dome" days of multiple home arenas. The Auburn game we came up short and lost 74-56 going away. On the Auburn team was a point guard named Lewis Card. It was on that trip that he got hooked on Tampa and USF and still "understruction" new on-campus arena. He then transfered and sat out the 80-81 season. He became my backcourt mate the next year and was instrumental in helping us win the first ever "Florida Four Tournament" in the Sun Dome. Funny how things turn out. tg

It could not have happened to a better young man. I spent some time with him in Orlando at the pre-draft camp. Had he gone in the "first round" I would not have been surprised. You don't find players like Solomon everyday. The NBA knew that right away. "Nique" will look out for him in Atlanta. I wish him the best!

Bradley will be missed by many. It saddens me to see the basketball program lose another family member. #12...

You said it, FEAR is what would have been had we won... That same fear you speak of has somehow elevated the Canes mistique to a level that can make fans (Like USF this past weekend) loose focus. The look around the Orange Bowl during game nights is just what the 'Fan Doctor' ordered for them. They like the edge and mental picture it creates. That same FEAR is what they count on. A very prominent Tampa/USF booster told me at the south gate (will call) he was in fear of his childern getting hurt. This is the oldest trick in the book and it WORKS...Economics aside, it's not good for the Canes to be reduced to that but I know for a fact they (The UM Athletic Dept) snicker every time schools like USF venture in. Do we need that at ray-jay, NO... But we can continue to tone it up a notch and start intimidating at all levels. In other words, be more "Fanatical"...Go Bulls!!!...

The real reality check was the "massive-hustle" and "fan-fare" outside the Orange Bowl that the USF fans endured. Having lived in Miami I knew what USF fans were in for in terms of the "Shock Value" that visiting fans experience just entering the Orange Bowl. The game was great for program, but for those fans who traveled down to Miami, the experience opened them up to another level of how important the intangibles are as it relates to "total intimidation". On another note I remember many years ago when our program was on the outside looking in...Yeah that was another sport, but we ended up on top and evenually and owned the big four! It can be done in Football too... Go Bulls!!

...And it will get even better!!!..........Great show and congratulations to our "Football Bulls"

And great he is!!! Two of the greatest men ever in professional sports live right here in Tampa Bay. Lee Roy Selmon & Fred McGriff. Now that Fred is back home we need to get him involved in USF!!!

Mike Lewis and I spoke about this during the season. I think the Sun Dome has some complications because of the design. Those big bars that hang has something to do with not being able to support a large scoreboard. Wouldn't it be nice to sit in the Dome and have instant replay!! Also the bucks$$ it could bring in "ad dollars" would be nice!!