USF, McCullum Seek Polk's Support

[bullwark]

From the Ledger

LAKELAND -- The University of South Florida will play a home basketball game at The Lakeland Center this fall, coach Robert McCullum announced Thursday. The Bulls will play Bethune-Cookman College here Nov. 29.

The Lakeland game, which will be the fourth on USF's schedule, is viewed as a step toward drawing the support of Polk County alumni and students at USF's Lakeland campus.

"We want the students here on the Lakeland campus to feel that they are a part of what we're doing," McCullum said at a Polk County Alumni Chapter Community Luncheon attended by 150. "We want and need their support, and hopefully by bringing a game over here, that will help to foster more relationships and more interest in our program."

Thursday's luncheon also marked the first public appearance of new USF athletic director Doug Woolard since his hiring.

USF's men's basketball team is coming off a 7-20 season. It was the Bulls' first season under McCullum, the former University of Florida assistant who was the head coach at Western Michigan in between. Last season should not be viewed as a failure, McCullum said, because of the disciplinary and academic standards that were established.

The coach expects former Kathleen High guard Chris Capko, who transferred to USF, to be eligible for the second semester.

USF will be playing its final season in Conference USA before joining the Big East in 200506.

By that time, the Big East will include Connecticut and Syracuse, the last two NCAA champions, plus Pittsburgh, Louisville, Cincinnati, Marquette and DePaul.

"It's going to be challenging, but that's what it's all about," McCullum said.

"Players want to play against the best teams and best players, but it's also going to enable us to recruit a higher caliber of student/athlete."

Woolard, who replaced Lee Roy Selmon as athletic director Wednesday, expects USF to remain in the Big East for a long time.

"I know there has been a lot of conference affiliation changes, and I'm not saying it will completely end, but I do think it has a chance to stabilize more. I think it will settle down some now," Woolard said.

"A lot of this was driven by the BCS, by football, and it appears that schools may have found places that they align more with, academically and athletically, than they ever have before.

"If you look at this last (conference) shuffle, I think that has happened."

[RHBullsFan]

I'm all for getting new fans to USF basketball but I just don't see why we play home games away from the Dome. It's not like the commute from Lakeland is that far to begin with.....do these types of marketing gimmicks actually payoff? What size crowd can be expected?

[Velcro]

it may have a novelty factor out there, but depending on what day that is, i don't know if i can make it and rarely miss home games in tampa.  Hopefully it is a saturday game so i can make it out there.

[bulls96go]

150 for basket bball in polk not bad

good marketing as we win more this will help recruiting

[bullwark]

USF can get a good sized crowd if they Market the game, I know E.T. and I will let people know via word of mouth, but USF has to advertise the game, heck, they need to do a better job marketing all their games!

[Velcro]

ET isn't a USF basketball fan, he is a Florida Southern fan for basketball.

[Velcro]

let me modify that... he isn't as big a usf basketball fan as a FSC basketball fan

[bullwark]

Thats right Velcrogrip, I forgot that, well maybe E.T. will come out anyway since the game is Lakeland.

[E.T.]

My Beloved FSC Mocs average from 1,500 - 2,500 for games ... so why not play My MOCS in an exhibition game ?

[E.T.]

I'll talk to the coaches of FSC if someone knows Coach Mac and he's interested ... I'll ask the coaches this weekend if they ever talked with USF about a game.