Tailgating

<p>Hi, I was wondering what the tailgating scene was like at USF! Does the whole school get involved or is it just a small amount of students who participate? Also where do all the USF students tailgate since the stadium isn't on campus? And are they organizations and clubs that have activities and events to get the students pumped and excited on game days?</p>

<p>There is something for everyone at USF. Not all students are interested in sports but many of course are and they enthusiastically support USF Bull athletic teams including football and basketball. USF football plays its home games at Raymond James Stadium, which is also home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneer NFL team. Ray Jay is about a 15 minute distance from USF campus. The SunDome on the USF campus just completed a $30 million renovation–the SunDome is home to USF basketball. Tons of students and fans tailgate in the parking lots at Ray Jay before, after, and some even during football games. What is nice about Ray Jay is that it is designed to party INSIDE the stadium with restaurants, ample concession stands, and air conditioned club areas–the stadium is first class. 15,000 seats are reserved for students mostly clustered in the north endzone right by the pirate ship area with a big outdoor patio and a concession area. All seating for students are chairs with armrests and cupholders–no crowded bleacher seating on aluminum planks! USF makes available, for free, shuttle bus rides to and from Ray Jay stadium game days from USF campus. Many groups and clubs contribute to USF spirit including cheerleaders, Sun Dolls dance team, school mascot ‘Rocky’, the USF marching band–H.O.T (Herd of Thunder), and other organizations and clubs. USF had a rocky football this season on the field and is now conducting a search for a new head football coach–USF has high expectations for success and accomplishment–USF will turn its football program around and into a championship direction. There is lots of spirit and excitement at USF…both in the classroom and also in the various varsity sports programs–including USF football!</p>