Quotes from USF-Prado Press Conference

[Brad]

Courtesy USF SID Office

Press Conference Quotes – USF Hires Head Coach Lelo Prado

June 16, 2006

Doug Woolard on the hiring of coach Lelo Prado

“What a great day to be a Bull. Before I begin I want to add a special thanks for everything that Eddie Cardieri has done for this program in getting it to the point where it is at today. When we started this (search) two weeks ago, what I committed to our baseball team was that we were going to find the best person in America to provide the partnership that we want for them both academically and athletically. I will tell you that Lelo Prado is the absolute quintessential fit for our baseball program. We couldn’t be any more pleased to bring home a local hero that has such a strong track record of success.”

President Judy Genshaft on hiring Prado

“We are so pleased to welcome coach Prado back home. After 20 years of having to wear red, we are really pleased to put him in green and gold. Our fantastic University and community are so rich in diversity and we’re proud to welcome an outstanding coach, who is truly a local baseball hero, dating back to his days in high school.”

Head Coach Lelo Prado

“I’m very honored to be your new baseball coach. I’m excited to be here. I think this University and this baseball program could be one of the best in America. There is no reason why is shouldn’t. I’ve heard just about every excuse that you could have on why we can’t be. Well, if you have those answers, get away from me because, I’ll tell you today, I don’t want negative people around me. I want positive, going to wear the green and gold and be proud to be a Bull. I promise you that we are going to make this thing happen. We’ve got to put people in the seats. Our baseball players will be out in the community.”

“I want to thank the University for giving me this opportunity. It’s been the toughest 48 hours of my life. I’ve worked for a great president and a great athletic director and I’m coming into an even better situation. I’ve got to thank the University of Louisville for giving me the opportunity.”

“Pros and cons about coming here – family was the No. 1 thing on everyone’s list. Family is more important to me than winning baseball games. If my group is happy, then I am happy. Weather is definitely a great situation. I’m tired of wearing long pants and sleeves in February and March. That will not happen here.”

“We are going to win. We’re going to win big. And I’m extremely excited. We’ve got to get the community behind this program. There is no reason why it shouldn’t be one of the best in America. Don’t tell me about the stadium. We’ll build a stadium, eventually. I promise you that. It will happen. Not going to tell you that it’s going to happen next year. I’m going to tell you that it’s going to happen in three years.”

“We’ve got to bring good baseball players here. We’ve got a good club here. I thought South Florida was a better club then I had a Louisville. But, we played for the championship in the BIG EAST because our kids never gave up and played harder down the stretch than anyone else in the conference. We will play hard. You will see an exciting team. I will promise you that.”

“I also want to thank Eddie Cardieri. This morning, when I got off of the plane, the first phone call I got was from Eddie Cardieri. He’s a friend of mine. He did a great job here. He’s a great baseball man and he will move forward and be successful because he is a good person and good human being.”

“What a job this athletic department did last year with all of the teams. The best is yet to come. We’ve just scratched the surface. We need to win BIG EAST championships. I know we have a crazy football coach (Jim Leavitt) that I see on the side line. You’re going to see a crazy baseball coach, too.”

“I hope to see every one of you out at baseball. For the other sports that are here, I’ll be at your games, cheering you on. Our players will there cheering your teams on. Hopefully we’ll make this a big old happy family. This is just unbelievable. I am just so excited.”

[Brad]

"I think this University and this baseball program could be one of the best in America. There is no reason why is shouldn’t. I’ve heard just about every excuse that you could have on why we can’t be. Well, if you have those answers, get away from me because, I’ll tell you today, I don’t want negative people around me. I want positive, going to wear the green and gold and be proud to be a Bull."

Hoo-raaa

[Brad]

So many great quotes in there from CLP....

[CyberBull]

Lelo still needs a stadium  

[Rabbi Bull]

so we should have a stadium in three years according to him, love his spirit, and enthusiasm for being at usf, glad to have him aboard

[SRQ]

I don’t want negative people around me. I want positive, going to wear the green and gold and be proud to be a Bull. I promise you that we are going to make this thing happen.

Preach it!

[Minotaur]

I like the sound of it. Thats exactly the program line we need to sell. He may have been the best guy for the job and now I'm behind him 100%.

Lets Go Bulls! Get Behind Bulls Baseball!

[StandingBull]

Well looks like I will have to get my season tickets..Good Luck Coach Prado..Go Bulls

[Greg Auman]

guys, that transcript has his quote about the stadium wrong. he said "We’ll build a stadium, eventually. I promise you that. It will happen. I'm not going to tell you that it’s going to happen next year. I’m not going to tell you that it’s going to happen in three years.â€Â

He was saying he wasn't going to put a timetable on it. That's not to say they couldn't have a new park in place by the 2009 season. He's just saying he's not going to put an ETA on it -- I didn't want the opposite construed ...

[Kyle]

He sure says all the right things. I hope he can bring an air of excitement to Bulls baseball. I'll be there.