Dear USF community,
I would like to share an important update about our university’s leadership team.
Vice President for Athletics Michael Kelly has been offered a new opportunity to serve as athletic director for the United States Naval Academy and he will begin his new position on June 23. You can read the full announcement here.
Since joining USF in 2018, Michael has overseen a period of historic growth and achievement, guiding our university’s athletic department through numerous milestones — including 21 American Athletic Conference championships, two divisional titles, two NCAA championships, eight cheer national championships and one cheer world cup, while more than two dozen student-athletes were named All-Americans. Under his leadership, USF Athletics expanded to 21 varsity sports with the addition of women’s lacrosse and beach volleyball, and he played a leading role in planning for our new on-campus stadium that is scheduled to open in 2027.
USF Athletics and our student-athletes have truly excelled under Michael's tenure. He has supported our students, coaches, alumni and fans like a family, and that culture of success is among the highlights of his legacy here as a leader within Bulls Nation. We are grateful for his service and wish him continued success at the U.S. Naval Academy.
In addition to continuing as Senior Vice President for Advancement and Alumni Affairs and USF Foundation CEO, I have asked Jay Stroman to serve as interim vice president for athletics. Jay has more than 20 years of successful institutional advancement experience and a proven track record for building strong relationships with USF's alumni and community supporters. He has played a key role alongside Michael as co-chair in the planning for USF’s on-campus stadium over the past four years, including raising more than $40 million for the project. At all his institutions, including most recently at the University of Georgia prior to joining USF, Jay worked closely with athletics on new fundraising initiatives, operational strategy and facility enhancements. He also played college basketball at Mercer University and spent five years there as an assistant men’s basketball coach.
Additional details regarding the search for Michael’s permanent successor will be shared at a later time.
Please join me in congratulating Michael, thanking him for his many contributions to USF and wishing him and his family the very best.
Sincerely,
Rhea F. Law
President