USF Switching From Action Sports To ISP

TAMPA - Action Sports Media, which tried to sell the Sun Dome's naming rights to a student loan company in July despite objections from the University of South Florida, is being bought out by ISP Sports.

Action Sports Media was commissioned by USF nearly three years ago to sell the Sun Dome naming rights and advertising inside the Sun Dome. USF is among a number of universities switching from Action Sports Media to ISP Sports, and the pending deal could be finalized as early as next month.

"I am aware ISP is having discussions with Action Sports Media, and to the extent they are successful, it clearly would be a win-win for all the parties involved," Sun Dome Inc.'s Steve Oscher said. "I wish them all the success."

ISP Sports officials would not comment, and Action Sports Media officials, including Tampa-based general manager Tom Veit, did not return phone calls.

In May, Action Sports Media secured a $3.45 million deal over six years from Academic Financial Services to rename the Sun Dome. However, Oscher denied approval about concerns of the student lending industry.

After Oscher denied approval, Action Sports Media said it "formally rejects" the notice of withheld approval and claimed USF didn't have the right to approve or reject the naming rights to AFS. USF threatened to sue Action Sports Media, but AFS decided to withdraw its offer, which Action Sports Media would have received nearly $1.5 million of the $3.45 million.

USF-IRISH DATE CHANGE: USF won't have to wait quite as long to play Notre Dame in football. The schools were scheduled to meet Nov. 19, 2011. But the game has been moved to Oct. 1, 2011, because of NBC's coverage of the Presidents Cup, Notre Dame senior associate AD John Heisler said.

By moving the game up six weeks, the Bulls will no longer play Notre Dame and Miami in consecutive weeks. USF hosts Miami on Nov. 26, 2011.

ANOTHER SUPER SOPH: At this rate, softball coach Ken Eriksen won't have to recruit for the next three years after receiving a verbal commitment from Chamberlain sophomore 1B/OF Stephanie Medina.

The sister of USF sophomore 1B JoJo Medina, Stephanie Medina is the second high school sophomore this month, along with Pinellas Park LHP Sara Nevins, to commit to USF.

"It's where she wanted to go," said Sam Medina, Stephanie's father. "She looks up to her sister a great deal and didn't want to leave the state."

Stephanie Medina also considered Michigan State, Alabama and Ball State.

FOOTBALL HONORS: QB Matt Grothe and DE George Selvie were named the offensive and defensive MVPs at Saturday's USF football banquet.

Other award winners: Grothe (offensive playmaker), Trae Williams and Mike Jenkins (defensive playmakers), Zach Hermann (rookie of the year), Mike McGowan (overachiever), Mike Padilla and Kenneth Luberice (Golden Bulls), Grant Gregory and Marcus Edwards (scholar athletes), Eric Setser (Green and Gold pride), Brouce Mompremier (Lee Roy Selmon award), Tyrone McKenzie (first-teamer), Matt Huners (coaches award), Ben Moffitt (outstanding defensive front seven), Jake Griffin (outstanding offensive lineman) and Delbert Alvarado (outstanding special teams player).

ODDS AND ENDS: USF spring football practice begins March 18, with the spring game April 12 at 7 p.m. at Raymond James Stadium. ... Giants LB Kawika Mitchell is set to become the third Bull to participate in the Super Bowl on Sunday. The others: KR/FS J.R. Reed (Philadelphia, 2005) and LS Ryan Benjamin (Bucs, 2003). Also in 2002, OT Kenyatta Jones and WR Scott McCready won Super Bowl rings with New England, but did not play in the game.