FAQs about USF

[GarySJ]

In light of the many questions we are getting from our new conference brethren about our school, perhaps a FAQ is in order. Locals, feel free to add to any of these:

Q. Why "South Florida" if it's not south?

A. From the official USF web site:

And the name for the new institution proved to be a nettlesome point. Although "University of Southern Florida" surfaced early, critics insisted Tampa really wasn't far enough south for the name to be accurate.

Other names swirled around for much of 1957: Gulf Coast University, Citrus State University, Sunshine State University, University of Southwest Florida.

Gov. Collins really stirred up a Tampa reaction when he raised the possibility of calling it "The University of Florida at Temple Terrace."

Aghast, Tribune Editor James Clendinen wrote that the name "wouldn't be known" outside of Tampa, since Temple Terrace was still a small suburban municipality.

The Cabinet apparently wearied of the fracas in October 1957 and finally settled upon the name University of South Florida. Its status as a full-fledged institution was assured.

Q. Will USF get an on-campus football stadium?

A. No. It's not on the drawing board and won't be for some time now. The Bucs' Raymond James Stadium is a fine home for our team.

[Mama_Bull]

How USF became known is fascinating.  Thanks for the info Gary.  Personally, I agree with you....Raymond James is an awesome venue to play in.  If USF ever does build it's own "on campus" stadium it has to at least equal Ray Jay.    

[BULLO12]

Gulf Coast University...LOL....GCU Horned  Goats

[The_Rustler]

From what I've heard USF does plan to build a stadium on campus. Originally, the school was holding out to see if Tampa would get an Olympic bid, if that happens the city will pay for a USF football Stadium. However, that won't happen for a long, long time if ever.

The University want to build a stadium, but they need to build one comparable to Raymond James in size, and the estimates they've gotten out a stadium of that size at $150 million. So as soon as the USF Foundation can come up with about $100 million that they aren't using for anything else. They can get the ball rolling.

[Markeymark]

Notable USF Alumni:

(somebody please help me out here)

Chucky Atkins - NBA

Eddie Carpenter - ?

Mark Consuelos - ?

Leo Gallagher - comedian

Anthony D. Henry - NFL

Drake Hogestyn - ?

Nicole Johnson - ?

Tony LaRussa - MLB

Kerry Sanders - ?

Rick de Oliveira - ?

http://www.bigeast.org/about/11-04-03.asp

[E.T.]

Kawika Mitchell - NFL K.C.

[BULLO12]

Kerry Sanders is of NBC news fame

[Velcro]

Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bolea - WWE(aka WWF)/WCW

[Markeymark]

Larry Christiansen, Chess Grandmaster/former US Champion

- Anybody know who those other people are?

[BULLO12]

Here is the entire list from the USF website:

USF graduates include:

Tony LaRussa, manager St. Louis Cardinals

Leo Gallagher, comedian

Richard Rahn, Pres. Novecon and former VP and chief accountant, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Lincoln Diaz-Balart, U.S. Congress

Richard Oppel, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, director of American Society of Newspaper Editors, editor Austin American Statesman

Nicole Johnson, Miss America 1999

Kerry Sanders, NBC News

Mark Consuelos, ABC’s All My Children soap star

John Patrick, VP Internet Technology IBM, was Senior Marketing Executive who launched the IBM think pad brand

Barbara Samson, founder Intermedia Communications

Drake Hogestyn, NBC’s Days of Our Lives soap star

Chucky Atkins, NBA Orlando Magic

Anthony D. Henry, Drafted by the NFL Cleveland Browns in 2001, led the NFL with 10 interceptions in his rookie year.

Roy Wegerle, former MLS star

Melissa Howard, former MTV Real World cast member

Ben Brown, former USA Today and Southern Living magazine writer

Ana Veciana-Suarez, Miami-Herald syndicated columnist and author

Greg Pitts, “Washington Apple†guy, Normal Ohio sitcom star

Guy Babylon, musician

A. Manette Ansay, “Vinegar Hill†author

Ed Baird, America’s Cup winner 1995

Dr. Michael Rao, youngest ever university president or chancellor

Eddie Carpenter, President, Disneyland International and CFO, Walt Disney Attractions

Phoebe Irby, Outstanding Teacher of 1996

Goliath Davis, Assistant to Mayor of St. Petersburg, FL; Former St. Petersburg Chief of Police

Cal Henderson, Hillsborough County Sheriff

Sandra Bailey, Olympics editor for Sports Illustrated

Rick de Oliveira, producer for MTV’s “Road Rulesâ€Â, “The Real World†and “Rock-n-Jockâ€Â

Earl Lennard, superintendent of Hillsborough County School District

Tina Johnson, Treasurer, Publix Super Markets

Jack Reed, Pulitzer Prize winner, and state editor, St. Petersburg Times

Robert Stackhouse, Artist

Famous Former USF Students:

Terry Bolea, a.k.a. Hulk Hogan, WCW Wrestler

Lauren Hutton, supermodel and actress

Elaine Boosler, comedian

* * *