With the conclusion of the NCAA men’s golf tournament over the weekend, the team competition for USF has concluded until fall sports start up.
It was a year of dramatic highs and somber lows across the spectrum for Bulls Nation.
Here’s my pick for the top five stories of the year for USF athletics.
The death of Amir Abdur-Rahim.
The man who proved in just one season what USF men’s basketball could be died on October 24, shortly before the Bulls were to begin his second season.
He was 43 years old.
The national reaction showed how much esteem his fellow coaches had for Coach Amir. University of Houston coach Kelvin Sampson called him “a rocket ship.”
ESPN referred to him as “one of the brightest young coaches in basketball.”
NCAA senior vice president Dan Gavitt said the death was "heartbreaking" and added, "Amir was such a vibrant and talented coach, and an even better man."
The team labored under that burden throughout the season as interim coach Ben Fletcher did his best under crushing circumstances. Shortly after the season, USF hired Arkansas State coach Bryan Hodgson to rebuild the program. Hodgson has received high praise for his acumen and recruiting skills.
An on-campus football stadium is no longer just a dream.
USF broke ground in November on the $348.5 million stadium, which is scheduled to open for the 2027 season.
The opening opponent is Louisville. In 2029, USF will welcome N.C. State and Notre Dame to its new digs.
The 35,000-seat facility will finally allow Bulls football to have a home of their own. Since their inception in 1997, they have shared a stadium with the NFL Buccaneers.
Tip of the hat to trustee chair Will Weatherford, USF president Rhea Law, and VP for Athletics Michael Kelly for taking this project from concept to commitment.
Football team gets record-setting 5-OT win in Hawaii Bowl.
The longest game in USF history was played out 4,700 miles from Tampa on Christmas Eve before a national TV audience.
Fans were treated to an unforgettable game.
John Cannon’s 41-yard field goal attempt at the end of regulation caromed off the right upright and through the goalpost to send the game into overtime.
From there, it seemed like it would never stop.
It finally did when Mac Harris batted down the last-gasp pass from San Jose State at the end of the fifth overtime, giving the Bulls a 41-39 victory.
Women’s sports have stellar seasons
The USF women had the look of champions throughout the year.
The volleyball team claimed the American Athletic Conference regular-season championship. The women’s basketball team won its first AAC tournament title and advanced to the NCAA tournament. The Bulls also beat 10th-ranked Duke at the Yuengling Center.
USF softball came from behind to beat North Texas to win the AAC tournament, also advancing to the NCAA Tallahassee Regional.
In its inaugural season, the women’s lacrosse team advanced to the AAC title game before falling short. The women’s outdoor track team also finished second in the conference meet.
Men’s track and field dominate the AAC
The Bulls successfully defended both their indoor and outdoor conference championships.
That gave USF four consecutive wins in AAC meets, dating to last year.
USF’s Gabriel Moronta won the gold medal in the 400-meter dash in a meet record time of 45.55 seconds. Teammate Alexavier Monfries took the bronze at 46.56 seconds.