Bulls football races along, has fan base followed?

TAMPA, Fla. --

The University of South Florida’s football program is relatively young compared to some of Florida’s more established programs, some of which have been around for nearly a century. These schools have built a solid tradition, while USF has only 13 years of football under its belt.

College football fans in Florida formed their allegiances years ago. Swaying those allegiances, however, was not the only roadblock on the path to forming the USF Bulls football program. Tampa has a reputation for being a town of professional football enthusiasts, making it even more difficult to convert residents and students into Bulls fans.

“College football is greatly overrated and generally superfluous,” said Christopher Stenzel, a senior at USF.

A recent survey of students (mostly seniors) and faculty at USF revealed that more than half of those surveyed had never attended a football game or had only attended one game during their time at the school. All of those surveyed were aware that the school fielded a team, but four out of five admitted they had little or no knowledge of the team’s history.

Conversely, a survey of non-student Tampa residents yielded results showing that the city has begun to adopt the program. All but 2 of the residents surveyed said that they were excited about the team’s progress and said they appreciate what the team meant to the community.

“Because of the development and population growth in the surrounding suburbs of Tampa, The University of South Florida has been in a very beneficial location as a commuter school,” said Greg Biersack, 34, a Hillsborough County resident. “This kind of positive growth also supports the success of the football program itself.”

The survey of the residents also showed a well-developed knowledge of the team’s history.

“In only 13 seasons of having a team, the Bulls have had several Top 25 rankings (including a #2 spot in 2007) and 3 Bowl appearances,” said Biersack.

The Bulls football program faces many challenges ahead, but with new Coach Skip Holtz at the helm, fans are beginning to get behind the team. The Bulls next game is Saturday at Raymond James Stadium versus Western Kentucky.


A meteoric rise – Bulls football timeline – 1997 – the present

Dec. 12, 1995 – Jim Leavitt hired to coach the first football team ever fielded by the University of South Florida.

Sept. 6, 1997 – The University of South Florida Bulls play the first game in program history. It was also their first win as they rolled over Kentucky Wesleyan 80-3 at Tampa Stadium.

Sept. 28, 1998 – The Bulls earned their first national ranking in the 1-AA polls after a 45-6 win over Citadel at Raymond James Stadium.

Oct. 28, 2000 – A win over The University of Connecticut is the Bulls first win over a 1-A opponent.
May, 2004 – USF opens a $15 million dollar athletic training facility.

Sept. 17, 2005 – The first game in a four game series with in-state rival The University of Central Florida begins with a Bulls win, in Tampa, 31-14.

Oct 1, 2005 – USF visits Miami to take on the Hurricanes for the first time. The result is a 27-7 loss.

Dec. 31, 2005 – The Bulls are shutout by N.C. State, 14-0, in their first bowl appearance – Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Dec. 23, 2006 – A 24-7 victory of Conference USA opponent East Carolina at the Papajohns.com Bowl is the first bowl win in school history.

Sept. 8, 2007 – USF visits SEC powerhouse Auburn and comes away with an upset victory 26-23.

Sept. 6, 2008 – USF defeats the UCF Knights 31- 24, in overtime, as the Bulls sweep each of the four games between the two schools. A contract to renew the series in not signed.

Sept. 26, 2009 – The Bulls go to Tallahassee and defeat the Bobby Bowden coached Florida State Seminoles. This marks the first win by USF over one of the major three Florida football programs.

Jan. 8, 2010 – Coach Jim Leavitt is released from his position after an alleged incident Nov. 21. Leavitt had been the team’s only coach up until this point.

Jan. 14, 2010 – Skip Holtz, son of famed former Notre Dame Head coach Lou Holtz, is hired to coach the University of South Florida Bulls Football program.

Sept. 11, 2010 – A trip to Gainesville ends up with a 38-14 loss to the University of Florida Gators. The game marks the first game between the two schools.

-Anthony Gaenzle