Leavitt Doesn’t Like Billboard

Posted Oct 6, 2009 by Joey Johnston

Updated Oct 6, 2009 at 04:14 PM

TAMPA – University of South Florida football coach Jim Leavitt said he’s not happy about a USF-sponsored billboard, which went up Monday near downtown Tampa, to celebrate the Bulls’ recent victory at Florida State.

The billboard, located on northbound Interstate 275 just before the I-4 interchange, has the words “BIG 3’’ with the “3’’ crossed out and replaced by a “4.’’

USF’s logo is placed next to logos from the Seminoles, Gators and Hurricanes with these words underneath:

“Welcome to the Club Bulls Fans!’’

“I haven’t seen it, I had nothing to do with it, I don’t know how it got up and I don’t know who put it up,’’ said Leavitt who described USF’s 17-7 at FSU as “very historical’’ shortly after the Sept. 26 game ended in Tallahassee.

“I’ve said continually that for us to be part of a ‘Big Four,’ for it even to be discussed, you have to win one of those games (against FSU, Florida or Miami). But let other people talk about that over coffee. That’s not me.’’

Leavitt, who said he received several calls asking about the billboard, said he didn’t want to be tied to it because he felt the message was not appropriate, especially with the Bulls looking to focus on the Oct. 15 Big East Conference showdown game against No. 8-ranked Cincinnati.

“We have not won national championships and we have not won conference championships,’’ Leavitt said. “What gives us the right to sit there all of a sudden like we’ve won all these championships and done all this stuff? That’s not me. That’s never been me.

“I don’t want anyone to ever think that here I’m the guy having anything to do with that. That bothers me. … I don’t want people to sit there and think I think we’re all that – because we’re not. We’re a program that’s trying to get competitive. We’re a program trying to build.’’

Bill McGillis, USF’s executive associate athletic director who oversees the program’s marketing efforts, said the billboard was intended to “celebrate one heck of an achievement.’’

“Really, it was a feel-good message for Bulls fans,’’ McGillis said. “That game is something our fans are very proud of. It’s a pat on the back for them and their support. It has nothing to do with any of the other schools – other than showing their logos – and in no way was intended (to slight the other schools).’’

McGillis said he had received no negative feedback about the billboard, which will be switched out on Thursday for USF’s “Paint The Town Green’’ campaign to promote the game against Cincinnati, which will be televised nationally by ESPN.