TAMPA, Fla. — With its vote to approve a financing plan for a $340 million on-campus stadium, the University of South Florida Board of Trustees paved the way for a facility the school says will have a tremendous impact on its football program and the campus community as a whole.
Local football coaches said it can also have an impact on how local athletes view the school.
"When USF initiated football, what, in '98? We were all hoping for that right off the bat," said Hillsborough High School Head Football Coach Earl Garcia.
According to USF, the Bulls started playing in Raymond James Stadium in 1998, one year after the team formed. Garcia, who's coached football for 50 years, including 36 with Hillsborough, said he's had a former player with the Bulls every season since then. This upcoming year will be the first without a Terrier alumnus wearing the green and gold.
"We've always pushed USF because we get, selfishly, we get a chance to see our kids play every home game, and we get a chance to go to practice and watch them," Garcia said.
He said the new stadium will make it a bigger draw.
"USF has never gotten the number one player in Tampa," said Garcia. "I think this is a step toward the number one player. Kids, they seek their comfort zone. So, if one of the great five-stars in Tampa goes to USF, be it because of proximity or now there's a new home or now there's a new emphasis or now there's a new importance they're putting on football, if that number one guy goes to USF and does well, then he'll elevate the program, which will enable other five-stars and four-stars to actually consider USF predominantly."
Across the bay, Auggie Sanchez is going into his second year as Seminole High School's head coach.
Before leading the Warhawks, Sanchez was a star linebacker for the Bulls.
"I loved playing at Ray-J. I thought it was really cool to play at Ray-J, just being in the Bucs' stadium, playing where professionals play, but I do think that that is the thing that USF has been missing," said Sanchez.
He said a new stadium could help USF compete with other Florida schools.
"FSU has got big facilities. UCF, who, you know, has been our rival for so long has a facility and has a stadium, and not it kind of just puts us in the same playing field," said Sanchez. "Now, it's going to be new, it's going to be nice and shiny. I think that's what the kids want these days."
Garcia said he'd also like to see USF bid to host the FHSAA State Championship and bowl games — events that can also help with recruiting.