TAMPA, Fla. – While competing with the racket emanating from the stadium construction site that surrounded him and attending media Wednesday morning, Rob Higgins noted that there were 472 days remaining until USF kicks off the 2027 season against Louisville in the venue that continues to rise as he spoke.
Among other amenities and features, the CEO of the university’s athletic department noted the venue will include the state’s longest rooftop bar and a field-level club that will provide fans the opportunity to be close to the players as they run out of the tunnel and take the field.
“To finally have a home of our own is really special,” said Higgins. “We are appreciative of all the people who are pouring themselves into the project both literally and figuratively.”
Higgins pointed out where the 8,000-seat student section will rise as well as the TGH Center for Athletic Excellence, a 150,000-square foot facility for student-athletes that will be on the back side of the stadium’s south tower. It will include offices for coaches, a weight room and a sports science lab.
“Anything and everything that our student-athletes will need to be successful will be located in the TGH Center for Athletic Excellence,” he said.
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Higgins said the rooftop bar will go from end zone to end zone. The south side will also include the press level, suites and a sideline club that will accommodate what he said are about 1,000 fans.
“We are making great progress every single day, and we cannot be more fired up to have this home that we have waited on (for a long time),” he said. “It has been helping change the narrative and sentiment around this community in a big way. You see it not only with our football team, but you also see it with the general student body.”
On that last point, Higgins noted a steel beam placed at the student union for three days was signed by 5,000 students.
A website dedicated to the stadium will be launched in early June.
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