USF 'athletics district' moves forward

Since January 2005, when University of South Florida athletic director Doug Woolard announced plans to upgrade the school's athletic facilities, there has been no definitive timetable for the project.

The school is getting closer to having one now.

Monday, the university announced it is accepting bids for the design and construction of the school's "athletics district." The project includes new stadiums for softball and baseball, a new basketball practice facility and new football practice fields and intramural fields. Additional projects, including a new soccer stadium and a new tennis complex, may be included subject to the availability of funds.

As a design/build team is selected and the planning takes place, USF will work on a parallel financial model that will drive the decision-making on the scope of the project. The proposals are due by Aug. 26 and "by the end of this fall the school should announce a timetable for the start of construction," executive associate athletic director Bill McGillis said.

USF has about $11 million in gift commitments toward the athletics district and raising more money - "we intend to raise several million more" - remains the highest commitment, McGillis said. USF also will allot some of the athletic department's annual operating budget for some of the debt service, McGillis added.

Renovation of the Sun Dome is not included in these projects and remains a separate project, McGillis said.

"Building facilities is critical," McGillis said. "Therefore when we set the annual budget going forward, we will carve into the budget the capacity to repay debt service we are going to take on. There are budget trade-offs. We'll give some things up because of taking up our debt service."

USF's $32.27 million budget for the 2009-10 school year is the lowest among Big East football member schools.

"We think we have momentum going forward that makes this the right time to launch the project," McGillis said. "We're in a more sound financial position than ever before, but that does not mean we don't have financial challenges."

Frank Morsani and Les and Pam Muma each had made $3 million donations to the athletics district.

In other USF news, Coach Jim Leavitt said Monday sophomore kicker Maikon Bonani is likely out for the season. "Will he kick this year? Probably not," Leavitt said. "Doesn't look like it."

GROTHE VOTED BEST: USF senior Matt Grothe edged Marquel Blackwell by 11 votes in being named The Tampa Tribune/TBO.com's all-time quarterback in a week-long polling of USF fans on TBO.com.

Also named to USF's all-time offense: RB Andre Hall; WRs DeAndrew Rubin, Ryan Hearn and Taurus Johnson; TE Cedric Hill; OL Joey Sipp, Kenyatta Jones, Matt Huners, Nick Capogna and Frank Davis; and K Santiago Gramatica.

Nearly 2,200 votes were received. To vote for USF's all-time defense go to TBO.com, Keyword: Bulls.