By Savannah Ruiz, University Communications and Marketing intern
Green and gold surrounded Raymond James Stadium on Thursday night as ESPN’s SportsCenter came to Tampa for its campus season finale at the University of South Florida’s Salute to Service game against Memphis.
Students, fans and service members came in large numbers for the high-energy game-day kickoff, bringing national attention to the university and its military community.
Tampa does it better than anyone. South Florida is the greatest party in the American Conference, and they have shown out once again. I can’t tell you how good South Florida is to us every year.
Matt Barrie
ESPN SportsCenter Anchor
NEW STADIUM EXCITEMENT
Thursday’s game marked the launch of regular ticket sales for the new on-campus USF football stadium, where future games will be played starting in the 2027 season.
We want to bring USF’s momentum to higher heights. USF athletics is being taken to the next level as we’ve earned the right to have our own stadium on campus, which will be a game changer for us.
Derrick Brooks
USF Athletics Chief Operating Officer
USF Athletics COO Derrick Brooks
Derrick Brooks, Matt Barrie and USF Athletics CEO Rob Higgins appear with Rocky on SportsCenter
Reflecting on USF gearing up to open the on-campus stadium was Wyatt Conn, a senior elementary education major.
“I think it'll bring a lot more students in because it's right there on campus,” Conn said. “This will be the place to be and the environment's going to be crazy. I look forward to seeing it.”
Freshman social science education major Blake Benzie was amazed to see the scale of USF football fans and supporters upon arriving at the university.
Rendering of USF's new on-campus football stadium opening fall 2027 [Photo courtesy of USF Athletics]
“I didn't realize the scope of USF football until I got here this year,” Benzie said. “It's pretty cool to see this many people joining the community.”
Benzie is already looking forward to the new stadium, even applying to become a resident assistant at one of the nearby residence halls.
CAPTURING THE SPORTSCENTER ATMOSPHERE
Students arrived with their support on full display during the nationally-televised SportsCenter broadcast. Some held colorful handmade signs, others climbed onto friends’ shoulders for a better view of the set and many cheered alongside the Herd of Thunder (HOT) marching band as they performed. The Beef Studs spirit group attended in their signature green and gold body paint and high energy and a mechanical bull gave attendees a hands-on way to join the fun.
Tailgating in Lot 6 brought another level of excitement as students in their USF apparel gathered around for tabletop games and hacky sack.
The Beef Studs spirit group displaying the patriotic Bull U
USF students showcase their creative game-day signage
“It's really good seeing USF get the attention it deserves,” Conn said.
For students, having ESPN’s SportsCenter broadcast at the home game was an amazing opportunity to see their university receive national recognition.
HONORING THOSE WHO SERVE
As part of the event’s annual Salute to Service game, it honored about 7,000 servicemembers and veterans from the university and Tampa Bay region.
Nearly 400 cadets attended, and military vehicles were on display outside the stadium. American flag decals were incorporated into the Bull U helmet design, while the HOT band performed military-themed music.
For active-duty service member Jeremy Coningford, the recognition offered an opportunity to celebrate the relationship between the university and the military community.
It's a huge honor to be recognized not only as veterans, but as active duty in the community. We're here to also help and make sure that we're serving students as much as they are serving us, because we have to work hand in hand for the community we work and serve in.
Jeremy Coningford
Active-Duty Service Member
USF's military community includes 1,700 student veterans and about 350 employee veterans. Coningford said Tampa's military heritage, namely the proximity of MacDill Air Force Base, makes that connection particularly meaningful.
“It's the ability to bolster the military community within the heart of Tampa,” Coningford said. “It speaks to the university, but it also speaks to its people who are here.”
While USF football’s furious rally came up short, the celebration brought national attention to USF. It offered a glimpse of what lies ahead: A supportive community, a new home on campus and a university actively bringing its people together.