Morsani To Donate $3 Million To USF Athletics

[Ricky the Bull]

Morsani To Donate $3 Million To USF Athletics

By BRETT McMURPHY bmcmurphy@tampatrib.com

Published: May 31, 2006

TAMPA - Frank Morsani is donating $3 million to University of South Florida athletics as part of an overall $10 million gift to the university.

Morsani's $3 million donation, the largest single gift to USF athletics, will go toward the building of a new softball stadium and new football practice fields.

USF's school of medicine will receive the remaining $7 million, making it worth $14 million with a state matching grant. A formal announcement will be made at the USF Board of Trustees meeting Thursday.

Morsani, 75, a Tampa automobile dealer who chaired the committee to start football at USF, was out of the country Tuesday and unavailable for comment. USF athletic director Doug Woolard said it would be inappropriate to comment until after Thursday's announcement.

The new softball stadium will be constructed east of USF's baseball stadium. The new football practice fields, which will be named after Morsani, will be built where the current USF softball field is located. Construction could be completed as early as the 2007-08 school year. Total cost for the new softball stadium is unknown.

http://www.tbo.com/sports/bulls/MGBI0CF5VNE.html

[ChiTownBull]

Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Morsani!

[USFan]

Thank you Mr. Morsani!

What a great start!

I'm glad softball will now be able to play in a real softball stadium...

[___ Eats It]

The Morsani's generosity is an amazing thing and truly, truly appreciated.

Thank you!

[Kyle]

What a great shot in the arm for USF and esp. the Softball team.

Hard work pays off, ladies!

[E.T.]

EXCELLENT !!!

Thank You !!!

[SRQ]

Can't wait to see a softball stadium mockup.  

Go Bulls!

[Apis Bull]

Great news!!

[Triple B]

Morsani is a Tampa Bay gem ...............

[Apis Bull]

I know we're focussed on the athletic side, but $14 million ($7 from Morsani and $7 for the state matching fund) for the school of medicine?!  That's awesome!!