Voodoo Five: FanPosts

On Scott's Departure

2010-08-25T06:10:11Z

You might know that Scott Carter, the Tribune's USF beat writer, is leaving to take a similar job with GatorZone.com, the University of Florida's official athletics Web site. We're disappointed to lose a beat writer, but we certainly don't blame him for leaving. Journalism is not a fun business to be in right now, and you have to do what you have to do. All of us want to offer Scott our thanks and best wishes.

(Oh, and everyone? Let's bag the "Rabble rabble he's a traitor for going to work for UF rabble rabble rabble!" These days, loyalty at work only lasts until a better option comes along. And if you were in a position where your "rival" offers you a better deal -- whether that's more money, fewer headaches, less travel, or whatever -- you would almost certainly take it. Not to mention your relentless obsession with UF makes you no better than the fans of other schools who relentlessly obsess over USF. Just… stop it.)

We definitely get the appeal of the job. The team's not going to go out of business like the newspaper might. You don't have to fight with your editor to get space for your story, especially if you write for a smaller sport. If you follow a college team, you won't have to follow recruiting nearly as much because the school isn't allowed to talk about any of it until they sign. You're bound to get some extra access that your competitors don't, because it's in the team's best interest to get people to read their own site. (That's probably why the Gators' newspaper beat writers are so upset about this.) And there's a good chance the money is the same or better than what your newspaper can offer. Frankly we're not seeing the downside for the person who takes this job.

Of course, athletic departments will be reluctant to publish news that doesn't look good for them, like if a coach is in over their head, or if heaven forbid an athlete gets in trouble with the law. And we understand that. The rest of the media will still be able to get all those stories. As long as this beat reporter is an extra voice, and not the only voice, then there shouldn't be an issue. But eventually someone (certainly not UF, or USF for that matter, because they're too smart to let it happen) might be paranoid enough about the stories written about them that they cut everyone off except their own writers, even if it's just for a short time. Then credibility gets called into question for any school with these reporters, including the vast majority who will do it the right way.

One last thing. There's still going to be a place for the traditional media and blogs, even if everyone gets one of these in-house reporters. Sure there will be redundancy, but there's redundancy now. The in-house guys may get some extra access, but the media will still be obliged to report all of the news, with a built-in audience that will always go to them first for the story. And blogs will still have their own niches. We haven't had any games to work with since we signed on, and we don't have a built-up library to dip into, not that it would be of any use with a new football regime. But we're here for in-depth analysis (the kind no one really has time to do), plus the occasional raw emotions and hopefully some comedy (the kind no one is really allowed to do). Everyone has something useful to contribute, and that won't change.

The Bulls and The Situation... GTL!! JERSEY SHORE LIVE CHAT!!

2010-07-29T21:30:53Z

You know it's the ultimate guilty pleasure. And you know we've still got nine days until Fall Practice. So we're going off topic at 10pm EST to live chat the greatest show in television history, as well as everything surrounding USF Athletics. But please, only bring us serious USF topics during commericals... as I might need to inspect J-Woww's latest tattoo on DVR rewind and freeze frame.

Oh yeah, we might also mention Skip, Myrtice Landers, recruiting, drivers licenses, or anything else related to our beloved Bulls as the Cruel Summer winds to a close.

Bring your A Game... and your Pitino jokes. Is July 29th now officially the Anti-Columbus Day for our Italian friends??

Update on New USF Athletic Facilities

2010-07-19T23:46:22Z

According to sources within the USF athletic department, new completion dates for the construction of USF athletic projects have been revealed. It looks like USF football will be spending the season on the present football fields and won't move to their new location until Spring 2011. The completion date of the new practice complex is set for early December. As for the new Muma Basketball practice facilities, Stan Heath doesn't expect the completion to be done until next July, a full year from now. The baseball and softball stadiums however do remain on schedule and are set for completion in late January 2011 according to USF baseball. The new soccer stadium will not be set for construction until spring 2011, after baseball, and football facilities have been fully completed. Also Greg Auman is reporting that a possible renovation of the Sun Dome could be the last big Athletic Project to wrap up this massive landscape change of South Florida's athletic facilities. (This is the number one project that most excites me) Also, if anyone is interested in the new "Beat Florida" shirts that USF athletics provided a voting for best design, the Athletics department has almost completed them now. They will be out for sale at the end of July, so get ready. If anyone has any more questions on my recent findings feel free to tweet me at wajackson35. Also follow me after you have followed SBNVoodooFive, as I will be bringing to you the latest USF sporting news and player reaction along with updates on the new facilities as they come in. Thanks again Voodoo Five, my favorite USF blog by far, keep up the good work guys.

Where will USF end up with swirls of Conference Expansion? vote now

2010-06-05T05:15:57Z

Hey Bulls Fans,

With so many predictions of conference realignments and talk of these mega conferences, I want to hear Bulls fans' predictions. Who does the Big Ten pick up? Who does the SEC or ACC go after? What will the landscape of college conferences on the East Coast look like in 2, 5, or 10 years from now? Will South Florida become a member of a mega conference, stay in a less powered Big East, or move to a improved Conference USA? Want to hear what everyone thinks. I think ACC is the most likely, but what about you?

Where does USF end up, ACC, Conference USA, Big East, SEC? What teams come with or leave USF behind? Predict away....

Feel free to give lists of new mega conferences.

Poll

Where will South Florida end up when conference expansion ends?

ACC

18 votes

Conference USA

12 votes

Big East

10 votes

SEC

3 votes

43 votes | Poll has closed

Jawanza Poland Update

2010-04-22T12:21:20Z

Congrats, Poland is going to be a Bull after all. Just spoke with his mom (I work with her). She told me that last night (4/21/10) he told her that he was going to go ahead and sign with S. Florida. Didn't know if this was common knowledge with S. Florida fans (since I'm not one) but thought if it isn't that you guys would surely want to know!

Again, congrats on landing him. He's a good kid with a lot of talent.

USF! Good to have a home!

2010-03-18T21:47:17Z

Hey fellow Bulls fans! Congrats on getting your very own space to belong!

Ive been into USF since I was a kid, and remember the very first Football game over Kentucky Weslian if I remember right! Unfortunately, Ive been a Cane fan since I was young for Football, but once the Bulls went 1A, and scheduled the Canes a few years ago, I knew I was going to have to make up my mind who I was going to root for.

And I chose the Bulls. Even though they lost to Miami that year, they played them respectable even though Julmiste fumbled the ball so much.

The win over FSU this year was just awesome. Big things are on the Horizon for USF football, one day we will break that mark of #2!

GO BULLS