Media Relations
University of South Florida
Polytechnic
3433 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 667-7077
Fax (863) 667-7097
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Contact:
Tom Hagerty
(863)
667-7077
LAKELAND,
FL (September 18, 2007) - Saturday is USF Lakeland Day at Raymond James Stadium, and USF will take the field for its first game ever as a nationally ranked team. This week, the Bulls debuted at No. 23 in the AP Poll and No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
About 250 Polk County fans will make the trip on I-4 to Tampa and sit in Sections 238 and 239 as the Bulls host the University of North Carolina Tar Heels. Kickoff is at noon.
Given the national ranking and increased fan interest, television coverage has been moved from ESPN2 to ESPN. Now the Bulls get the full ESPN treatment. Pam Ward has the play-by-play, Ray Bentley the color commentary and Robert Simmelkjaer the sideline reporting duties. The Bulls have never won a game on ESPN, losing in three previous appearances.
The majority of USF Lakeland's students come from Polk County and welcome the opportunity to be associated with a nationally prominent university and the excitement of Big East athletics.
According to Willette Roach, Director of Student Services at USF Lakeland, "Our students like the unique combination we offer -- a small, friendly campus with small class sizes with the resources and reputation of a major university. USF Lakeland lets students stay home and go far. It's the best of both worlds."
In the last year, however, the connection between Lakeland and USF's athletics program has been strengthened, as Lake Gibson High School graduate Matt Grothe became the starting quarterback for USF's ascendant football team in his freshman year. Grothe proceeded to lead the Bulls to their best record and first bowl win in school history and returned this year with even higher expectations.
Students, faculty and staff at USF Lakeland have taken special pride in the connection. An informal poll on campus indicated that Grothe's starring role on the gridiron has increased local interest in USF's football fortunes.
The Bulls have three players from Polk County on the roster:
• Matt Grothe, QB, Lakeland (Lake Gibson HS)
• Jamar Taylor, RB, Lakeland (Lakeland HS)
• Benjamin Williams, RB, Lake Wales, (Lake Wales HS)
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