USF administrators yesterday indicated the school is "exploring four sites on the campus' southern end" for a possible football stadium, according to the TAMPA BAY TIMES. USF AD Mark Harlan and VP/Administrative Services Calvin Williams said that the university "looked at 14 other stadiums around the country to get the best perspective of what kind of facility would work best." The basics of a 41-page Football Stadium Conceptual Planning Study report show the sites are "located in two 'zones'" and "projected capacity is 40,000-50,000." Expected costs "hover around" $200M. Williams "stressed no educational or general state funds would be used to finance the facility." But student fees "may or may not be another matter." Each site would have a "'mixed-use facility and conference center' featuring 200 hotel rooms and 10,000 square feet of convention space." The next step is "discussing the study" -- which cost $75,000 -- with the USF BOT next week followed by a "financial strategy." Harlan said that architectural firm HOK has been "retained to explore the construction of an indoor practice facility within the structure of the existing football practice areas" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 8/9).
