University of South Florida Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly announced the university's vision and commitment to continuing to provide an unparalleled student-athlete and unique fan experiences outlined in two plans – a Facilities Master Plan that includes additions and enhancements of facilities for all varsity athletic sports programs and a new Athletics Strategic Plan that identifies key department goals and strategies to achieve them. Both documents are available for public viewing at the links provided below.
"We are committed to competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics and continuing to provide a unique and special experience for USF student-athletes and fans that rivals that of any in the nation," Kelly said. "A big piece to that experience as well as remaining highly competitive and attracting the best and brightest student-athletes is providing top-of-the-line facilities for both daily training and competition. My staff and I have worked hard to develop a comprehensive, Facilities Master Plan and an overall Athletics Strategic Plan that is in alignment with the University's recently released strategic plan. These plans will focus our resources and energies in our daily operations and elevate our Athletics campus by strategically enhancing existing facilities and adding new ones across all our programs in the coming years."
Facilities Master Plan (LINK)
The website includes facility investments that have already been achieved in the last year, conceptual plans for many facilities currently in development, and highlights future initiatives in the beginning planning stages that will continue to evolve. All facility plans are subject to the USF Campus Master Plan approval and process.
"We believe USF Athletics can grow significantly and achieve great things in the coming years and have an aggressive vision for getting there," Kelly said. "The university is very supportive of this vision and understands Athletics' place as a key driver for one of the fastest growing universities in the nation. We will need the support of our fans, partners, community and generous donors to get there, but I believe we have the passion and will to achieve great things."
Many facility enhancements that are part of the plan have already been achieved in the last year or are nearing completion within the next year. These include a $22-million Indoor Performance Facility set to open this fall; a $3-million football locker room and office renovation completed last summer, a $2-million television broadcast facility completed in 2020, a $1-million resurfacing of the running surface at the USF Track & Field Stadium, installation of new hydrotherapy pools in the Lee Roy Selmon Center, and $1.2-million in enhancements to The Corral for USF volleyball that include a new Taraflex floor, bleachers, nutrition bar, videoboard and roof among many enhancements.
"OSPORTS is proud to have contributed to the USF visioning plan and new website development and release," said Thom Chuparkoff of OSPORTS. "As an iron bull and USF alumnus; the team and I are very proud and excited to be a part of this world class campus and program."
New facility additions included in the plan include the addition of an on-campus football and lacrosse stadium by the 2026 season, a baseball and softball clubhouse, a tennis facility, a complete overhaul of the golf practice facility, and USF Track & Field Stadium additions of a new press box and video board. Plans for the recently announced Beach Volleyball program include building a new facility adjacent to the Yuengling Center and providing renovated coaches' offices and a locker room. Women's lacrosse will utilize a new locker room and coaches' offices in the Lee Roy Selmon Center and will begin play in Corbett Stadium before moving into the on-campus stadium.
Current facilities also slated for enhancement include the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center – which will include a complete renovation of the entrance lobby – and Corbett Soccer Stadium – which includes enhanced fan areas, a new video board and a new press box. The Yuengling Center, home of USF basketball, underwent a complete $35.6-million renovation in 2012 that included the addition of the Pam & Les Muma Basketball Center. The Facilities Master Plan also includes renderings for a renovation of the Muma Basketball Center lobby and other player areas, such as lounges and locker rooms.
The Facilities Master Plan website will also feature regular updates as renderings are completed for additional renovations and facility enhancements.
Original source can be found here.
Alerts Sign-up