Defending the home turf is essential goal of every sports team. The home arena or field makes physical the conceptual idea of what is being contested. For most sports teams, it is easy to identify that home turf. The home team’s colors, logos, and even players’ faces will decorate the outside of the building, making passersby aware for whom and what purpose the contest grounds exist. For a few teams, though, their home is shared by a much larger or relevant tenant, who eliminate the possibility of a full-time home field. USF is one of those teams, for now, who has a home field that is owned and controlled by someone else. Many believe that USF needs their own house to call home to make to the next level in college football. Incoming head coach, Charlie Strong, is a big believer in that concept, and he says that an on-campus stadium for USF will happen.
Looking Back
USF formally introduced Charlie Strong as their football head coach on Thursday. Like those who came before him, he sees no reason why USF cannot win championships.
The men’s basketball team hosted #16 South Carolina on Saturday, losing 77-66. The game was a close one, with the Bulls leading in the first half, 37-31. The game remained close until the final seven minutes of the game, when the Gamecocks went on a 13-3 scoring run to win the game convincingly. The Bulls had a good showing, though, giving a look of what they will look like once they have returned to full strength.
Looking Forward
Football head coach, Charlie Strong, likes what the Bulls have been doing in practice for the upcoming Birmingham Bowl.
Back in November, the USF men’s soccer team was nationally ranked and made it to the NCAA championships, only to lose to Florida Gulf Coast University in the first round. USF took the loss seriously, and has hired their head coach away from them. Bob Butehorn has been named the new men’s soccer head coach for the Bulls. As coach, he built the FGCU program from scratch, earning a 95-62-23 record over ten seasons. As a player, he played for the University of Tampa’s national championship team in 1981.
The #22/19 USF women’s basketball team is in Las Vegas, today, to play in the PLAY4KAY Tournament. The three day tournament benefits the Kay Yow Cancer Fund for cancer research. The team remains a perfect 8-0 this season.
Other Stuff
If you have a desire to move to Austin with $5 million to spend on a home, here’s a hot tip. Charlie Strong’s mansion is up for sale.
The American Athletic Conference has struggled early in the bowl season, dropping its first two games. Houston got pummeled by San Diego State, allowing Aztec running back, Donnel Pumphrey, to break the all-time rushing record during the game. USF’s neighbor to the east, UCF, suffered and even more embarrassing loss at the hands of Arkansas State. The Red Wolves put a 31-13 beating on the Knights in the Cure Bowl.