After reviewing a market and financial feasibility study "regarding an on-campus football stadium," new USF AD Michael Kelly has concluded that a proposed USF Football Center -- which would include an indoor practice facility -- "remains the top priority," according to Joey Knight of the TAMPA BAY TIMES. Kelly said, "We've made great efforts this summer to really clarify that goal, under the leadership of Coach (Charlie) Strong, that this is clearly the way we think we need to build the football program." As for an on-campus stadium, Kelly "gleaned some interesting findings from the study done by Conventions, Sports & Leisure, which gathered survey data from 8,637 respondents ranging from students to top donors." The report "summarized the ideal USF on-campus stadium would seat 35,000, with 10,000 seats dedicated to Scholarship (donor) seating and 1,200 club seats, among other premium-seating options." The study "projects USF could turn a profit." The study revealed in the past three years, USF "averaged roughly 20,000 paid attendees and 3,800 students per game." But USF "still faces an uphill financial climb if it wants a venue similar to Colorado State's 41,000-seat Canvas Stadium, which cost upwards" of $24M and "serves as the de facto template for USF's facility." Kelly said that he is "not deterred in any way by the pricetag of a Colorado State-style facility, and believes USF can build momentum toward a stadium by first adding the football center" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 7/31).
