Bull Speed Ahead Podcast: Episode 13

USF FOOTBALL SCHEDULING: Kelly shares his excitement about USF's recently announced three-game football series with Alabama that will begin on Sept. 16, 2023 in Raymond James Stadium. The series will shift to Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821) in Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the final two games in the series on Sept. 7, 2024 and Sept. 12, 2026. The addition of the series with the Crimson Tide brings the Bulls' scheduled non-conference games vs. Power 6 opponents to 17 over the next 10 seasons, 14 of those added since January. That's in addition to USF's home-and-home series with Boise State (2025, 2027) and BYU (2019, 2021). The Bulls' 17 future contests vs. Power 6 opponents are tied for the most among American Athletic Conference teams.

Kelly shares his excitement about USF's recently announced three-game football series with Alabama that will begin on Sept. 16, 2023 in Raymond James Stadium. The series will shift to Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821) in Tuscaloosa, Ala., for the final two games in the series on Sept. 7, 2024 and Sept. 12, 2026. The addition of the series with the Crimson Tide brings the Bulls' scheduled non-conference games vs. Power 6 opponents to 17 over the next 10 seasons, 14 of those added since January. That's in addition to USF's home-and-home series with Boise State (2025, 2027) and BYU (2019, 2021). The Bulls' 17 future contests vs. Power 6 opponents are tied for the most among American Athletic Conference teams. BULLSFEST 2019 A BIG HIT: Kelly looks back at record-breaking BullsFest 2019, presented by R.R. Simmons, which took place last Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. The West Club was filled with more than 500 people for the premier auction event that raised lots of funds for the Selmon Mentoring Institute. Kelly noted BullsFest, which returned for the first time since 2014, will be a tradition USF Athletics will continue in the future.

Kelly looks back at record-breaking BullsFest 2019, presented by R.R. Simmons, which took place last Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. The West Club was filled with more than 500 people for the premier auction event that raised lots of funds for the Selmon Mentoring Institute. Kelly noted BullsFest, which returned for the first time since 2014, will be a tradition USF Athletics will continue in the future. USF FOOTBALL GOLF CLASSIC: Kelly looks ahead to the USF Football Golf Classic that's set for Friday, May 31 at TPC Tampa Bay. USF football fans and supporters can enjoy a day of golf, fun and camaraderie with head coach Charlie Strong and his staff along with Kelly, head coaches from other USF sports and special celebrity guests. Following the golf event, a live auction will be held that includes items like road trips with the team, exclusive experiences and autographed memorabilia. Proceeds from the annual golf event will support the USF football program and its continued success. Get more info and a registration form HERE.

Kelly looks ahead to the USF Football Golf Classic that's set for Friday, May 31 at TPC Tampa Bay. USF football fans and supporters can enjoy a day of golf, fun and camaraderie with head coach and his staff along with Kelly, head coaches from other USF sports and special celebrity guests. Following the golf event, a live auction will be held that includes items like road trips with the team, exclusive experiences and autographed memorabilia. Proceeds from the annual golf event will support the USF football program and its continued success. Get more info and a registration form HERE. ERIKSEN HEADED TO THE OLYMPICS: Kelly proudly talks about USF softball head coach Ken Eriksen recently being named the head coach of the Tokyo 2020 U.S. Olympic Softball Team. Eriksen has previous Olympic experience, having served as an assistant coach for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Softball Team. Collegiately, Eriksen has been at the helm of the USF softball program since 1996. Since Eriksen's first year, the Bulls have made 14 NCAA postseason appearances, two NCAA Super Regionals, a College World Series trip (2012) and won seven conference titles. In 2019, the Bulls captured The American's regular season title for the second straight season and reeled in several league awards, including coaching staff of the year, Pitcher of the Year (Georgina Corrick) and Defensive Player of the Year (Macy Cook).

Kelly proudly talks about USF softball head coach recently being named the head coach of the Tokyo 2020 U.S. Olympic Softball Team. Eriksen has previous Olympic experience, having served as an assistant coach for the 2004 U.S. Olympic Softball Team. Collegiately, Eriksen has been at the helm of the USF softball program since 1996. Since Eriksen's first year, the Bulls have made 14 NCAA postseason appearances, two NCAA Super Regionals, a College World Series trip (2012) and won seven conference titles. In 2019, the Bulls captured The American's regular season title for the second straight season and reeled in several league awards, including coaching staff of the year, Pitcher of the Year (Georgina Corrick) and Defensive Player of the Year (Macy Cook). TRACK & FIELD AT NCAA EAST PRELIMINARY: Kelly tells listeners about his trip this week to the NCAA East Preliminary in Jacksonville, Fla., where eight different Bulls earned the right to compete thanks to solid performances this season. The prestigious meet began Thursday and continues through Saturday. USF's participants include D'Angelo Ennis (triple jump), David Bell (pole vault), Stone Baker (pole vault), Chelsea Francis (100, 200 meters), Maurice Nock (100, 200 meters), Brittany Krug (javelin), Stephanie Lambeth (pole vault) and Imani Carmouche (high jump).

Kelly tells listeners about his trip this week to the NCAA East Preliminary in Jacksonville, Fla., where eight different Bulls earned the right to compete thanks to solid performances this season. The prestigious meet began Thursday and continues through Saturday. USF's participants include D'Angelo Ennis (triple jump), David Bell (pole vault), Stone Baker (pole vault), Chelsea Francis (100, 200 meters), Maurice Nock (100, 200 meters), Brittany Krug (javelin), Stephanie Lambeth (pole vault) and Imani Carmouche (high jump). AAC MEETINGS SET FOR NEXT WEEK: Kelly will be attending the annual American Athletic Conference meetings set for Wednesday and Thursday of next week in Dallas. Kelly tells listeners about topics he expects to be covered during the meetings that USF System President Judy Genshaft also will attend.

Kelly will be attending the annual American Athletic Conference meetings set for Wednesday and Thursday of next week in Dallas. Kelly tells listeners about topics he expects to be covered during the meetings that USF System President Judy Genshaft also will attend. KELLY INTERVIEWS WELLS: Kelly spends the final portion of his podcast interviewing Yulander Wells Jr., who is USF's Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Administration. Wells talks about his journey to USF, his experience with the Bulls since 2014 and how he's helped with USF's football scheduling efforts for the past three-plus years.

About USF Athletics

- #GoBulls -

– USF Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly sits down with USF radio host Darek Sharp to cover a number of important program topics during Kelly's 13thpodcast.USF Athletics sponsors 19 varsity men's and women's teams that compete in 11 different sports, 18 at the NCAA Division I level in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls' athletic program began in 1965 and is in its 53season in 2018-19. Nearly 500 student-athletes train and compete in the athletic district located on the east end of the campus in Tampa, Fla. The Bulls have claimed 18 American Athletic Conference team titles since joining the conference in 2013, and own 119 conference titles overall. Nine USF programs reached national post-season competition in the 2017-18 season and six were ranked in the Top 25 nationally. The Bulls posted a combined annual grade-point average over 3.0 for the third straight year in 2017-18 and have posted a program record eight straight semesters with a combined GPA over 3.0. USF has had more than 250 student-athletes earn their degree in the last three years.Follow USF Athletics on Twitter ( @USFAthletics ) and Facebook for all the latest information concerning the USF Athletic program.