Morale among football fans remains sturdy amid coaching changes
The sizzling of bacon and eggs and the sound of country music kept the spirits high as USF football fans tailgated outside of Raymond James Stadium on Saturday.
Despite the recent news of leadership changes for the Bulls, the liveliness did not seem to go away. From alumni, current students and families, home games are events that are not to be missed.
Bill Mills is a loyal USF fan and has created a family from coming to every home game. Their 7:15 a.m. set up consists of photo collages, grills, a television, an abundance of food and music.
“We’re gonna come here every game no matter what for as long as we can,” he said. “We did love [former head coach] Jeff Scott, but we’re still excited. We’ll just be here no matter what throughout.”
Senior English major Sean Jones has not attended as many home games as he would like to, but he said he is excited to watch now that Scott has been released.
“The tailgate is good,” Jones said. “The game is good now that we fired our coach, and I’m excited to come out.”
David Barta graduated from USF in 1986 and has not missed a single home game since football started in 1997.
“When I went to school here, we didn’t have a football team,” Barta said. “And I was pushing to get a football team back in the mid 80s and I swore if we ever got a football team, I would go to every game. And I have.”
Barta began tailgating with one tent during his first years of attendance and has since added another along with a “spirit table” decorated with green and gold as more fans joined him.
“I’m anxious to see the new and upcoming players,” Barta said. “And I’m hoping that the next coach is also a very good recruiter and that we build for the future.”
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