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USF's Homecoming Will Be The Ultimate Cattle Call

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By LENORA LAKE, Tribune correspondent

Published: October 28, 2007

TAMPA - University of South Florida Homecoming Executive Director Alan Pereiras expects an impressive bonfire as part of the celebration.

Last year's was canceled because of high winds.

'It's going to be bigger than ever. We have all the leftover pallets from last year to burn, too,' said Pereiras, 27, of Homestead, a senior majoring in accounting and leadership.

Friday night's bonfire, at which a representation of the Bearcat mascot of football opponent University of Cincinnati will be burned, isn't the only thing big about this year's celebration, organizers said.

The pregame meal and celebration, Bulls Roast, sold out more than 2,000 tickets. It is the first time organizers have hit that number, with previous years having 1,000 to 1,500 attendees. The alumni association's allotment of football game tickets sold out in September and the game is expected to sell out.

About 60 units will participate in a parade that is expected to draw more spectators than usual; 35 area businesses near the university have agreed to be adorned with the school colors of green and gold; and 19 on-campus offices are participating in a first-time decorating contest.

'There definitely is more enthusiasm than in the past years,' said Jim Johnson, class of 1998, who serves as chairman of the Tampa chapter of the alumni association and as alumni homecoming chairman.

Alumni Are Proud Of Team

Johnson said there may be more excitement than in 1997, the first year the school fielded a football team. That year, the homecoming was moved from spring to fall. It also was renamed SuperBull, a name that continues with this year's celebration, SuperBull XI.

'Alumni are excited about the team's success and proud of the coaches' work,' Johnson said.

With the growth comes new challenges. The time of the game will not be determined, because of TV contracts, until today. Possibilities include noon, 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. The time for the Bulls Roast, which has a Southwestern theme, is set for 'three hours before kickoff.'

'We are juggling two menus' depending upon the time of the game, said Vicky English, the USF alumni traditions keeper, whose job includes organizing alumni homecoming activities.

One would be a brunch-lunch menu with omelets, hash browns, carving stations and Bloody Marys. The other would be dinner with fajitas, chili dogs and frozen margaritas.

Events For Different Audiences

The alumni association also will sponsor a Friday night parade watch party. It usually draws about 700 people for free food, face painting and music. The students also have a party, but many people wander back and forth between the groups, Pereiras said.

Getting alumni, staff, faculty, the community and students involved in homecoming is part of the mission of the student homecoming committee. The committee receives almost $450,000 from student fees to stage the event. It also gets sponsors for prizes, Pereiras said.

'We have events to appeal to a variety of people. The parade has a family atmosphere; the comedy show is geared more toward the students,' he said.

One thing organizers wanted to do was get more students involved in ways other than on student teams that compete in challenges such as a blood drive, USF history contest and float building.

Two student bands will perform at events: Amberly Drive will play at the parade after-party, and the group 5 To 4 will perform at the carnival.

Pereiras said, 'We are trying to get students involved and help out. This is good exposure for them. So why not give them an opportunity?'

Also, 35 businesses near the university are participating in a decorating contest, Paint the Town, with student teams doing the decorating this weekend.

'When Cincy comes into town, I want them to drive down Fowler and Fletcher avenues and realize they are in Bulls Country,' Pereiras said.

Events are on the University of South Florida's Tampa campus, except as noted.

Monday

10 to 11:30 a.m.: Charit-a-Bull, a competition with teams building structures from cans, Martin Luther King Plaza

Noon: Homecoming kickoff, Martin Luther King Plaza

4 to 6 p.m.: Homecoming kickoff, Lakeland campus

6 to 8 p.m.: Barbecue, Fowler Field

Tuesday

4 to 6 p.m.: Bullicious Cookie Day, Lakeland campus

6 p.m. to midnight: Carnival, East Holly and Sycamore drives

Wednesday

4 to 6 p.m.: Homecoming costume party, Lakeland campus

8 p.m. to midnight: Homecoming ball, Pepin Hospitality Center, 4121 N. 50th St.

Thursday

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Homecoming carnival, Pinellas campus

4 to 6 p.m.: Stampede pep rally, Lakeland campus

6 p.m.: Rocky's rodeo homecoming, USF St. Petersburg waterfront

6 p.m.: Stampede pre-show, USF Sun Dome

8 p.m.: Stampede comedy show, USF Sun Dome

Friday

6:30 p.m.: Parade pre-show, East Holly crosswalk

6:30 to 8:30 p.m.: USF Alumni Association parade watch party, Gibbons Alumni Center

7 p.m.: Running with the Bulls parade, East Holly to Alumni Drive

10 p.m.: Parade after-party and bonfire, Fowler Field

Saturday

Three hours before kickoff: Student tailgate party, Raymond James Stadium, Lot B

Three hours before kickoff: Bulls Roast tailgate party, Raymond James Stadium, Lot 6D

Time to be announced: Homecoming game vs. Cincinnati, Raymond James Stadium

Correspondent Lenora Lake can be reached at (813) 865-4851 or llake@tampatrib.com.

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