The #BullStrong era of USF Football gained more momentum on National Signing Day. Despite a limited window to recruit at USF, Strong and his staff flipped numerous late signees in what turned out to be an impressive 18-player class that included 13 three-star recruits. Fans will get a chance to watch Strong lead the Bulls on the field at the fourth annual USF Spring Game at Corbett Stadium on Saturday, April 15. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m., and admission is free. Strong takes over a super-talented USF team that returns 16 starters, including quarterback Quinton Flowers, who was named 2017 College Football Performance Awards National Performer of the Year. USF’s 2017 schedule has been released and fans can begin to reserve their seats for seven home games at Raymond James Stadium. The season ticket priority renewal period for all Bulls Club members began on Feb. 3 and runs through Friday, March 31. New football season ticket deposits are being taken, starting at $50. New season ticket sales for all fans will begin on Saturday, April 8. In-person sales also will take place at the USF Spring Game. Fans can make purchases or deposits at USFBullsTix.com or by calling 1-800-Go-Bulls.
SOCCER
New coach for men’s soccer BOB BUTEHORN HAS TAKEN OVER the USF men’s soccer program that keeps pumping out the pro talent. Butehorn was named USF’s new head coach in December after leading Florida Gulf Coast University to six conference regular season championships, four NCAA tournament appearances and top 25 rankings in five seasons since 2010. Butehorn, who posted a 95-62-23 record in 10 seasons at FGCU, has earned conference coach of the year honors three times and was a member of the University of Tampa’s 1981 national championship team. Soon after Butehorn’s arrival, USF continued its tradition of sending more Bulls to the pros with three players selected in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft. Midfielder/forward Marcus Epps got things started, going 25th overall to the Philadelphia Union, followed by midfielder Lindo Mfeka (28th overall, San Jose Earthquakes). Forward Nazeem Bartman, ’16, (fourth round, Vancouver Whitecaps FC) became USF’s 24th MLS draft selection in program history.
SOFTBALL / BASEBALL
Softball season begins USF SOFTBALL SEASON BEGAN with a big bang off the bat of freshman Bethaney Keen. Keen’s two-run homer in the seventh inning helped USF walk off with a 5-4 win over Illinois State on Feb. 9. USF’s opening weekend also included victories over Delaware and then-No. 6 Michigan. Meanwhile, USF Baseball’s mission of booking a trip to an NCAA Regional began with a series win over Iowa. The Bulls gained more momentum with a 4-2 upset win at No. 3 Florida State on Feb. 21, the program’s first victory over the Seminoles since 1989.
SPRING 2017 29