USF unveils multimillion-dollar athletics district
By Ashley Gurbal Kritzer
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Sep 1, 2022

The University of South Florida has unveiled a multimillion-dollar athletics district that includes the long-awaited addition of an on-campus football stadium.

USF on Thursday announced a facilities master plan, which will invest millions in the renovation and expansion of the university’s athletic facilities, as well as an athletics strategic plan. The improvements and expansions outlined in the facilities master plan are subject to the USF campus master plan approval and process.

The plan sets a goal of opening an on-campus stadium by 2026, a goal university leaders have long had in mind.

“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,” Michael Kelly, USF vice president of athletics, said in a statement. “A big piece of 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.”

Efforts to build an on-campus stadium have gained momentum in recent years. Other improvements outlined in the plan include:

A baseball and softball clubhouse

Tennis facility

Complete overhaul of the golf practice facility

New press box and video board for the track and field stadium

New facility for the recently announced beach volleyball adjacent to the Yuengling Center

Renovated coaches’ offices and locker room

New locker room and offices for women’s lacrosse in the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center

“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.”

Several of the investments outlined in the plan are already complete or underway, including the following:

$22 million indoor performance facility, opening this fall

$3 million football locker room and office renovation completed in summer 2021

$2 million TV broadcast facility completed in 2020

$1 million resurfacing of the running surface at the track and field stadium

Hydrotherapy pools in the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center

$1.2 million in enhancements to The Corral for USF volleyball that includes a new Taraflex floor, bleachers, nutrition bar, videoboard and roof, among other enhancements

Renovation of the Lee Roy Selmon Athletics Center

Enhanced fan areas, new video board and press box at Corbett Soccer Stadium

Renovation of the lobby, player locker rooms and lounges at Pam and Les Muma Basketball Center

The facilities master plan is a key tenet of the athletic strategic plan, which has five goals:

Provide an unparalleled student-athlete experience

Renovate, expand and enhance the USF Athletics District

Elevate athletic performance

Foster a culture that promotes efficiency, innovation, teamwork and inclusion

Embrace the campus and Tampa Bay communities