My Take on Various USF Developments

Posted Dec 5, 2009 by Scott Carter

Updated Dec 5, 2009 at 03:33 PM

I got a little behind on updating the blog late in the week due to some non-work issues, but before I dive any deeper into tonight’s USF-UConn football game, I’d like to touch on some of the events surrounding USF athletics this week. Hope you’ll take the time to chime in with your thoughts as well. Here goes:

* Big news on Thursday when USF announced the school’s Board of Trustees approved the $30 million budget for USF’s Athletics District. The next step is getting approval from the Board of Governors on Dec. 10, which isn’t expected to be an issue. Soon afterward, construction should begin on a new soccer stadium and new baseball and softball stadiums. The expected construction will cause some scheduling issues for the teams this spring—the baseball team will likely play some games at the University of Tampa, local high schools and perhaps the Yankees minor-league complex or one of the area’s spring training parks—but that’s a minor inconvenience for what will be a huge upgrade in facilities.

MY TAKE: This is huge for recruiting and another step in the right direction for the program. Compared to FSU, Florida, UCF and Miami, the Bulls’ non-football facilities have lagged behind while major improvements have been made at the other schools.

* The men’s basketball team is off to a 7-1 start, the Bulls’ best opening month under third-year coach Stan Heath. However, transfer G Anthony Crater will not join the team as expected on Dec. 12 reportedly for violating the school’s substance-abuse policy. Crater’s suspension was first reported by AOL website Fanhouse.com. Heath called Crater the team’s best point guard earlier this season and the Ohio State transfer is expected to challenge Chris Howard for that spot when he does join the team. Heath plans to address Crater’s eligibility this week, but he isn’t expected to join the team until January at the earliest.
Another report by Fanhouse.com appears untrue. While the school is investigating some alleged secondary NCAA violations against Heath’s program—initially reported by Fanhouse—the website later reported that NCAA officials have already been on campus investigating. School officials told The Tampa Tribune that was not the case last week, and a public-records request revealed no letter-of-inquiry from the NCAA to the university regarding the alleged violations. Stay tuned.

MY TAKE: Not having Crater around as soon as expected should hurt the Bulls at the start of Big East play. They face Louisville on Dec. 30 in their Big East opener and had hoped to have Crater in the regular rotation by then. As for the alleged NCAA violations and any contact by the NCAA, from personal experience of having covered a major NCAA investigation at FSU for much more serious transgressions, I’d be very surprised if the NCAA gets around to digging into the alleged secondary violations at USF any time soon. It took several months after FSU officials first began its internal investigation into academic fraud misconduct by dozens of student-athletes before NCAA officials actually came to town to do more research. However, an Associated Report last week discussed how the NCAA is more determined to enforce penalties—in this case, those committed by Memphis’ basketball program—so don’t rule out the NCAA getting involved if the alleged violations already reported lead to more serious charges.

* The women’s basketball team finally raised that WNIT championship banner prior to Friday night’s 61-50 victory over Washington at the Sun Dome. The ceremony had been planned prior to the season opener Nov. 13 against Florida A&M but was cancelled when Bulls coach Jose Fernandez was hospitalized with an intestinal illness. The Bulls (6-2) have now won five consecutive games after starting the season with two losses in their first three games.
The biggest loss so far has been senior G Janae Stokes, who led the nation with 116 3-pointers last season. Stokes was arrested and charged with petty theft of items worth less than $100 from a Wal-Mart near campus last month prior to USF’s trip to the West Coast. Despite the absence of Stokes (team-high 16 points in four games), the Bulls haven’t lost with out her because of freshman G/F KaNeisha Saunders. Saunders scored a team-high 16 points in Friday’s victory over Washington and is more than capable of scoring. She was the Class 6A Player of the Year last year as a senior at Delray Beach Atlantic High. When Stokes will return to the team remains uncertain.

MY TAKE: According to the police report in the Stokes’ case, she got caught stealing some USF sportswear. Hmmm, I’m sure Jay Leno could have fun with that one. While Stokes’ loss hasn’t cost the team much, they’ll need her in Big East play. She is expected to return to the team, but as of now, it’s uncertain if that will happen before USF’s next game, Dec. 13 at home against Jacksonville University.

* USF has reached a deal with Apple Computers that will equip all USF student-athletes with laptop computers. The official announcement is expected to come from Apple sometime early next week.

MY TAKE: What’s not to like about this deal. The way I see it, partnering with Apple is a good move by the university since Apple is considered one of the most innovative companies in the world.

* Finally, props in the classroom goes to senior soccer midfielder Francisco Aristeguieta, named the second recipient of the Northwestern Mutual Academic Student-Athlete of the Month award. Seeking a degree in business, Aristeguieta owns a 3.93 GPA and has produced a 4.0 GPA in his last six terms.

MY TAKE: Francisco is obviously smarter than me. Congrats!