Bull Speed Ahead Podcast: Episode 16

KELLY REFLECTS ON FIRST YEAR: Kelly proudly looks back on his first year as Vice President of Athletics. "It's been so gratifying. I appreciate every day that I get a chance to work with our student-athletes and our staff here at USF. It's been great. We've got a lot of good momentum, a lot of things that we've accomplished and many things left ahead." Find out about what USF achieved in Kelly's first year with the program in his current role HERE.

Kelly proudly looks back on his first year as Vice President of Athletics. "It's been so gratifying. I appreciate every day that I get a chance to work with our student-athletes and our staff here at USF. It's been great. We've got a lot of good momentum, a lot of things that we've accomplished and many things left ahead." Find out about what USF achieved in Kelly's first year with the program in his current role HERE. BULLS KICKOFF LUNCHEON: Kelly talks about the incredible support USF football received at the first-ever Bulls Kickoff Luncheon that was held at Tampa Marriott Water Street on Aug. 15. Learn more about the event that was highlighted by more than 500 people in attendance HERE.

Kelly talks about the incredible support USF football received at the first-ever Bulls Kickoff Luncheon that was held at Tampa Marriott Water Street on Aug. 15. Learn more about the event that was highlighted by more than 500 people in attendance HERE. BULLS BLOCK PARTY A SUCCESS: Kelly was happy to attend the Bulls Block Party in Ybor City on Aug. 17. For the fourth straight year, the USF Alumni Association hosted the popular event that raises funds for the USF Alumni Association Greater Tampa Area Chapter, USF Athletics and scholarship endowments.

Kelly was happy to attend the Bulls Block Party in Ybor City on Aug. 17. For the fourth straight year, the USF Alumni Association hosted the popular event that raises funds for the USF Alumni Association Greater Tampa Area Chapter, USF Athletics and scholarship endowments. HORNS UP RALLIES SET TO BEGIN: Kelly fills listeners in on the program's first-ever Horns Up Rallies, a series of USF fan gatherings taking place at locations around the Bay area prior to Bulls' home football games in 2019. The first Horns Up Rally is set for this Thursday at Sparkman Wharf in downtown Tampa, the night before the Bulls face No. 19/17 Wisconsin in an ESPN primetime clash at Raymond James Stadium. Each Horns Up Rally is free to the public and will run from 5-8 p.m. Learn more about the Horns Up Rallies and get the season schedule HERE.

Kelly fills listeners in on the program's first-ever Horns Up Rallies, a series of USF fan gatherings taking place at locations around the Bay area prior to Bulls' home football games in 2019. The first Horns Up Rally is set for this Thursday at Sparkman Wharf in downtown Tampa, the night before the Bulls face No. 19/17 Wisconsin in an ESPN primetime clash at Raymond James Stadium. Each Horns Up Rally is free to the public and will run from 5-8 p.m. Learn more about the Horns Up Rallies and get the season schedule HERE. HUGE SEASON OPENER FOR USF FOOTBALL: Kelly tells Bulls fans to get their tickets now for USF football's highly anticipated season opener against No. 19/17 Wisconsin that's set for Friday night at Raymond James Stadium. USF's biggest season opener at home since the program's first game in 1997 begins at 7 p.m. and it's nearing a lower bowl sellout (48,007). Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com. Kelly also talks about the strong leadership USF is getting from seniors on the team like quarterback Blake Barnett, offensive linemen Marcus Norman and defensive end Kirk Livingstone among others.

Kelly tells Bulls fans to get their tickets now for USF football's highly anticipated season opener against No. 19/17 Wisconsin that's set for Friday night at Raymond James Stadium. USF's biggest season opener at home since the program's first game in 1997 begins at 7 p.m. and it's nearing a lower bowl sellout (48,007). Reserve your seats at USFBullsTix.com. Kelly also talks about the strong leadership USF is getting from seniors on the team like quarterback Blake Barnett, offensive linemen Marcus Norman and defensive end Kirk Livingstone among others. BULLS' BRAND BUILDS WITH IHEARTMEDIA PARTNERSHIP: Kelly shares his excitement about the new partnership between USF Athletics and IHeartMedia & Entertainment, Inc. beginning in the 2019-20 season that will make WDAE (95.3 & 96.7 FM/620 AM), the highest rated sports station in the Tampa Bay region, the home of USF football radio broadcasts and expand USF's popular "Bulls Unlimited" digital radio offering to two channels on iHeart Radio. Get more details HERE.

Kelly shares his excitement about the new partnership between USF Athletics and IHeartMedia & Entertainment, Inc. beginning in the 2019-20 season that will make WDAE (95.3 & 96.7 FM/620 AM), the highest rated sports station in the Tampa Bay region, the home of USF football radio broadcasts and expand USF's popular "Bulls Unlimited" digital radio offering to two channels on iHeart Radio. Get more details HERE. TEAM TAMPA BAY: Kelly talks about USF's strong relationship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who opened the doors to their "awesome' indoor practice facility, so head coach Charlie Strong 's football team could get in a productive fall camp scrimmage on a rainy Saturday. Learn more HERE.

Kelly talks about USF's strong relationship with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who opened the doors to their "awesome' indoor practice facility, so head coach 's football team could get in a productive fall camp scrimmage on a rainy Saturday. Learn more HERE. HONORING IRON BULLS: Kelly shows his appreciation to the Iron Bulls, a special group of USF supporters who provide at least $10,000 annually to help the program fund scholarships for student-athletes and meet teams' operational needs. The total amount of Iron Bulls has grown by 30 members in the past year to 111 people and the entire group recently met up at a reception hosted by super program supporters Pam and Les Muma. The program also honored Bulls Club Legends, an 18-person group that has individually donated more than $1 million to USF Athletics.

Kelly shows his appreciation to the Iron Bulls, a special group of USF supporters who provide at least $10,000 annually to help the program fund scholarships for student-athletes and meet teams' operational needs. The total amount of Iron Bulls has grown by 30 members in the past year to 111 people and the entire group recently met up at a reception hosted by super program supporters Pam and Les Muma. The program also honored Bulls Club Legends, an 18-person group that has individually donated more than $1 million to USF Athletics. GREAT SUPPORT FOR SOCCER: Kelly looks back at the Rowdies Cup, USF men's soccer's annual exhibition game against the University of Tampa that drew a big crowd at Corbett Stadium last weekend and raised funds for the Children's Cancer Center of Tampa. The Bay area soccer community also supported the USF women's team in record-breaking fashion with 2,011 fans watching the No. 21 Bulls take on Florida on Aug. 25.

Kelly looks back at the Rowdies Cup, USF men's soccer's annual exhibition game against the University of Tampa that drew a big crowd at Corbett Stadium last weekend and raised funds for the Children's Cancer Center of Tampa. The Bay area soccer community also supported the USF women's team in record-breaking fashion with 2,011 fans watching the No. 21 Bulls take on Florida on Aug. 25. ROCKY'S ROOKIES: Kelly tells listeners all about Rocky's Rookies, the official kids club of USF Athletics, which will feature more benefits and unique experiences for the 2019-20 season, including exclusive participation in the Beef O' Brady's Rocky's Rookies on Parade pregame field run at USF football home games. Find out more HERE.

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 16thpodcast.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.