Leavitt: “Let’s be really a Division I BCS school”

Posted Sep 16, 2009 by Brett McMurphy

Updated Sep 16, 2009 at 11:18 AM

USF moved to the Big East four years ago, but as far as USF coach Jim Leavitt is concerned the Bulls still aren’t a Division I BCS school in some aspects.

At least that’s what Leavitt said after Tuesday’s practice when discussing having to move practice inside the Sun Dome because of rain. Leavitt, who has lobbied for a dining hall and an indoor practice facility, was asked by Tampa Tribune correspondent Gregg Becnel which he would prefer.

“How about both?” he said. “Let’s be really a Division I BCS school. Let’s do both. How many BCS schools have a dining hall? Wouldn’t you say every one of them?

“How many have an indoor (facility)? Not a lot, though. Up north they do, but Florida doesn’t, Florida State doesn’t. Miami, I don’t think does either. They probably get in the same jam we do once in a while. But I’d say go both. I don’t know why it has to be one or the other.”

Leavitt was then asked by another reporter about the functional impact of an indoor facility and would it be different in terms of what you can do at practice?

“I’m gonna ask you that question,” Leavitt said. “If you were the head coach and you had an indoor facility, would that be different than doing it up on the balcony of the Sun Dome? You can throw the ball, can’t do that here. You can punt a ball, kick a ball, you can run routes. You’re on turf so you can actually get footing and do some plays.”

Hall of Fame honors: On the front page of today’s Tribune, there’s a story on former USF hoops great Charlie Bradley by Joey Johnston, who covered C.B. back in the day. Here’s the link.

Johnston also has another story on Bradley’s playing days at USF and the use of the code word Rambo, Bradley and his teammates used, you can read here.

The inaugural USF Hall of Fame Induction is Thursday from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Pepin Center, 4121 N. 50th Street. Tickets are $125. Call (813) 974-4223 for information.

Besides Bradley, also inducted will be Wanda Guyton (women’s basketball), Michelle Scarborough (rifle), Dick Bowers (athletic director) and the 1984-85 women’s swimming team.