South Florida Bulls men's soccer explained

South Florida Bulls
men's soccer
University:University of South Florida
Conference:American Athletic Conference
Conference Short:The American
City:Tampa
Stateabb:Florida
State:Florida
Coach:Bob Butehorn
Tenure:6th
Stadium:Corbett Stadium
Capacity:4,000
Nickname:Bulls
Pattern La1:_vegasgoldborder
Pattern B1:_USFmsocjersey2021g
Pattern Ra1:_vegasgoldborder
Leftarm1:006747
Body1:006747
Rightarm1:006747
Shorts1:006747
Socks1:006747
Pattern La2:_usfgreenborder
Pattern B2:_usfgreencollar
Pattern Ra2:_usfgreenborder
Pattern So2:_usfgreentop
Leftarm2:FFFFFF
Body2:FFFFFF
Rightarm2:FFFFFF
Shorts2:FFFFFF
Socks2:FFFFFF
Ncaaeliteeight:1997, 2008, 2011
Ncaasweetsixteen:1969, 1972, 1973, 1997, 2007, 2008, 2011
Ncaatourneys:1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1982, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2022
Conference Tournament:1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1991, 1996, 1998, 2008, 2013
Conference Season:1976, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2005, 2011, 2016
Athletic Director:Michael Kelly
Pattern Sh1:_vegasgoldbottom
Pattern So1:_vegasgoldtop
Pattern Sh2:_usfgreenbottom

The South Florida Bulls men's soccer team represents the University of South Florida in the sport of soccer. The Bulls currently compete in the American Athletic Conference (The American) within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). USF plays in Corbett Stadium, which opened in 2011 and is also used by the USF women's soccer team. Prior to that, they played at USF Soccer Field from their first season in 1965 until 1978 and USF Soccer Stadium (later called USF Soccer and Track Stadium) from 1979 until 2010. They are coached by Bob Butehorn, who is in his sixth year with the Bulls as of the 2022 season.

The men's soccer team was the first team in USF history to play an intercollegiate game, defeating Florida Southern 4–3 on September 25, 1965.

Men's soccer is historically one of USF's most successful sports teams, winning a combined 27 regular season and tournament conference championships (the most of any program at the school) and reaching the NCAA Tournament 23 times. The furthest the Bulls have advanced in the tournament is to the Elite Eight, which they have reached three times.

History

Dan Holcomb era (1965–1986)

USF men's soccer began NCAA play in 1965 under Coach Dan Holcomb. Holcomb guided the team for 22 years, compiling a record of 216–86–23, and earning 7 NCAA tournament berths and 15 combined regular season and tournament conference titles.

Jay Miller era (1987–1993)

In 1987, Jay Miller took over as coach of the Bulls. In seven years, he compiled a record of 69–43–15. The Bulls entered the Sun Belt Conference in 1990, and, with a record 5–1–1 in conference play, they were named co-champions.

In 1992 and 1993 the Bulls played in the Metro Conference, compiling a conference record of 3–5–1.

Under Coach Miller, the Bulls failed to reach the NCAA Tournament.[1]

T. Logan Fleck era (1994–1996)

In three seasons, Fleck compiled a record of 34–17–0. In 1994, while still in the Metro Conference, The Bulls were 9–7–0 overall, and 3–2 in conference. They moved to Conference USA in 1995, and went 8–6–0 overall, and 5–3–0 in conference play. In 1996, Fleck's final season, the Bulls won the Conference USA title, and appeared in the NCAA Tournament. Fleck, who was also the inaugural coach of the USF women's soccer team in 1995 and 1996, resigned after the 1996 season to coach the women's team full time.

David Christiansen era (1997)

David Christainsen, a 28-year old assistant under Coach Fleck, was hired as the interim coach of the Bulls for the 1997 season. Christiansen went 14–8–2 overall, and 5–1–2 in conference, as the team was named Conference USA co-champions. Christiansen took the team deep into NCAA Tournament, their best result up to that point, as they made it all the way to the Elite Eight. Christansen resigned after the season because of an incident on the team's flight back to Tampa following their loss to Indiana in the NCAA Tournament.[2]

John Hackworth era (1998–2001)

In 1998, under Coach Hackworth, the Bulls won the conference championship for a third straight year, this time winning both the regular season and tournament Conference USA titles. The team also appeared in the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row. Hackworth compiled a record of 47–32–2 overall, and 20–13–1 in conference in four seasons.

George Kiefer era (2002–2016)

In 2002, George Kiefer took over as coach. In 2004, the Bulls jumped from Conference USA to the Big East, and in 2013 the Big East transitioned to the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls won the Big East regular season title in 2005 and 2011, the Big East tournament in 2008, the inaugural AAC Tournament in 2013, and the AAC regular season title in 2016. Under Coach Keifer, the Bulls found themselves in 10 NCAA Tournaments, including seven straight (2007–2013). They reached the Elite Eight in 2008 and 2011. In 2011, the Bulls moved from the USF Soccer and Track Stadium to the new Corbett Stadium.

Keifer had a record of 162–84–47 with the Bulls. On November 22, 2016, Kiefer was hired by the NC State Wolfpack men's soccer program.[3]

Bob Butehorn era (2017–present)

On December 18, 2016, Bob Butehorn was hired as the head coach for the program.[4] Butehorn previously coached the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men's soccer program. The Bulls made the NCAA tournament in 2019. After a few disappointing seasons, the Bulls made the conference tournament championship game in 2022 and made the NCAA tournament for the second time under Butehorn's guide, and won a tournament game for the first time since 2012 after a 4–2 victory against Hofstra at Corbett Stadium, and lost in the second round to No. 1 overall seed Kentucky.[5]

Fans

The main group of student supporters are known as the Goalmouths. They sit on the berm behind whichever goal USF is attacking in that particular half.

Rivalries

See main article: Rowdies Cup. USF's main rival is American Athletic Conference foe Central Florida, with whom they compete in the War on I-4. The sides first met in 1974 and the Bulls lead the all-time series at .

The Bulls annually face the crosstown University of Tampa Spartans, an NCAA Division II school, in the preseason Rowdies Cup, which celebrates the city's rich soccer history. The Bulls have a deep connection with the Rowdies, as Corbett Stadium is named after USF alumni and former Rowdies owners (of the original club, not the current one) Dick and Cornelia Corbett. In addition to holding the match trophy until the next match, the winners also get to hoist the actual 1975 Soccer Bowl trophy, which was won by the original Tampa Bay Rowdies. Formerly called the Mayor's Cup until 2005, as of the 2022 edition, USF holds edge in the all-time series which dates back to 1972.[6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Season-by-season results

YearConferenceGames playedRecord
(W–L–T)
Win percentageConference record
(W–L–T)
Head coachPostseason
1965Independent (National Collegiate)106–4–0.600N/ADan Holcomb
19661110–0–1.955
19671210–2–0.833
196896–2–1.722
1969108–2–0.800NCAA Round of 16
1970117–3–1.682NCAA First Round
1971107–3–0.700NCAA First Round
1972Independent (College Division)159–4–2.667NCAA Round of 16
1973Independent (Division I)1310–3–0.769NCAA Round of 16
1974146–6–2.500
1975139–3–1.731NCAA First Round
1976Sun Belt1811–6–1.6394–0–0 (Won conference tournament and regular season)
19771510–5–0.6672–1–0 (Won conference tournament)
1978157–7–1.5001–2–0
19791812–6–0.6673–1–0 (Won conference tournament)
19801614–1–1.9063–0–0 (Won conference tournament and regular season)
19811512–2–1.8333–0–0 (Won conference tournament and regular season)
19821913–3–3.7634–0–0 (Won conference tournament and regular season)NCAA First Round
19832015–4–1.7753–0–1 (Won conference regular season)
19842113–6–2.6673–1–0 (Won conference regular season)
19852012–6–2.6503–0–1 (Won conference tournament and regular season)
1986199–8–2.5262–0–1 (Won conference tournament)
1987188–8–2.5003–2–1Jay Miller
1988189–7–2.5564–1–1 (Won conference tournament)
1989209–11–0.4502–4–0
19901712–3–2.7655–1–1
1991Metro Conference209–5–6.6002–0–2 (Won conference tournament)
19921813–3–2.7782–1–1
1993169–6–1.5941–4–0
1994169–7–0.5623–2–0T. Logan Fleck
1995Conference USA148–6–0.5715–3–0
19962117–4–0.8107–1–0 (Won conference tournament and regular season)NCAA First Round
19972414–8–2.6255–1–2 (Won conference regular season)David ChristinsenNCAA Quarterfinal
19982212–8–2.5916–1–1 (Won conference tournament and regular season)John HackworthNCAA First Round
19991810–8–0.5563–5–0
20001910–9–0.5266–3–0
20012215–7–0.6827–4–0NCAA Second Round
20021811–7–0.6116–4–0George Kiefer
2003187–8–3.4724–3–2
20041710–5–2.6475–3–1
20052113–6–2.6679–2–0 (Won conference regular season)NCAA Second Round
2006199–6–4.6361–0–3
20072214–6–2.6806–4–1NCAA Round of 16
20082315–5–3.7127–3–1 (Won conference tournament)NCAA Quarterfinal
20092114–4–3.7296–3–2NCAA Second Round
2010189–6–4.6094–3–2NCAA First Round
20112113–4–4.6967–1–2 (Won conference regular season)NCAA Quarterfinal
2012198–6–5.5482–3–3NCAA Second Round
2013American Athletic Conference218–4–9.5952–2–4 (Won conference tournament)NCAA First Round
20142010–7–3.5754–3–1
20151911–6–3.6255–1–2NCAA Second Round
20161910–6–4.6005–1–2 (Won conference regular season)NCAA First Round
2017166–6–4.5003–2–2Bob Butehorn
2018177–8–2.4714–1–2
20191911–7–1.6054–3–0NCAA First Round
2020104–6–0.4004–6–0
2021156–7–2.4674–5–1
2022209–7–4.5505–1–3NCAA Second Round
2023166–9–1.4063–4–1
Total1006588–322–106.637191–96–4723 Appearances (13–20–6 record)
Bold indicates tournament won
Italics indicate Conference Championship

*- indicates season in progress, totals will be updated at end of season

NCAA tournament results

YearRoundLocationOpponentResultNotes
19691st round (round of 24)Annapolis, MDNavyW 1–0
2nd round (round of 16)College Park, MDMarylandL 1–4
19701st round (round of 24)Annapolis, MDNavyT 0–0Navy advances on corner kicks
19711st round (round of 24)Annapolis, MDNavyL 1–3
1972[12] 1st round (round of 24)Harrisonburg, VAJames MadisonW 1–0 OTCollege Division tournament
2nd round (round of 16)Baltimore, MDBaltimoreL 0–1
19731st round (round of 24)Morgantown, WVWest VirginiaW 3–1
2nd round (round of 16)Clemson, SCClemsonL 0–1 4OT
19751st round (round of 24)Clemson, SCClemsonL 0–3
19821st round (round of 24)Durham, NCDukeL 1–2
19961st round (round of 32)Miami, FLFlorida InternationalL 1–6
19971st round (round of 32)Miami, FLFlorida InternationalW 3–1
2nd round (round of 16)New York, NYSt. John'sW 2–1
QuarterfinalsBloomington, INIndianaL 0–6
19981st round (round of 32)Tampa, FLWilliam & MaryL 1–2 2OT
20011st round (round of 48)Tampa, FLAkronW 2–1
2nd round (round of 32)State College, PAPenn StateL 0–1 3OT
20051st round (round of 48)Tampa, FLStetsonW 3–0
2nd round (round of 32)Charlottesville, VAVirginiaT 4–4Virginia advances on PKs, 7–6
20071st round (round of 48)Tampa, FLColgateW 2–1
2nd round (round of 32)Akron, OHAkronW 1–0 2OT
3rd round (round of 16)Storrs, CTConnecticutL 0–5
20082nd round (round of 32)Tampa, FLHarvardW 2–1
3rd round (round of 16)Tampa, FLUNC GreensboroT 1–1USF advances on PKs, 3–1
QuarterfinalsWinston-Salem, NCWake ForestL 0–5
20091st round (round of 48)Tampa, FLStetsonW 2–1
2nd round (round of 32)Akron, OHAkronL 0–2
20101st round (round of 48)Orlando, FLUCFL 0–3
20112nd round (round of 32)Tampa, FLUCFW 2–1 OT
3rd round (round of 16)Tampa, FLNew MexicoT 0–0USF advances on PKs, 6–5
QuarterfinalsOmaha, NECreightonL 0–1 OT
20121st round (round of 48)Tampa, FLFlorida Gulf CoastT 0–0USF advances on PKs, 5–3
2nd round (round of 32)Tampa, FLTulsaL 0–1 OT
20131st round (round of 48)Chapel Hill, NCNorth CarolinaL 0–1
20152nd round (round of 32)Tampa, FLBoston CollegeL 1–2 OT
20161st round (round of 48)Tampa, FLFlorida Gulf CoastT 2–2FGCU advances on PKs, 3–0
1st round (round of 48)Louisville, KYL 1–4
20221st round (round of 48)Tampa, FLHofstraW 4–2
2nd round (round of 32)Lexington, KYKentuckyL 0–4
Total23 Appearances13–20–6

Individual honors

Hermann Trophy finalists

All Americans

First team

Second team

Third team

Conference honors

Player of the decade

Player of the year

Goalkeeper of the year

First team all conference

Coach of the year

USF Athletic Hall of Fame members

See main article: University of South Florida Athletic Hall of Fame.

*Two sport athlete, mainly inducted for his performance with USF's Track and Field team.

Players who went on to play professionally

Media

Under the current American Athletic Conference TV deal, all home and in-conference away men's soccer games are shown on one of the various ESPN networks or streamed live on ESPN+.[13] Live radio broadcasts of games are also available worldwide for free on the Bulls Unlimited digital radio station on TuneIn.[14]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020 Men's Soccer History and Records. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210630142537/https://gousfbulls.com/documents/2021/3/25/Media_Guide_2020_Records_Section_REVISED_2021_03_25_.pdf. 30 June 2021.
  2. Web site: Soccer coach resigns at USF . 2022-03-04 . Tampa Bay Times . en.
  3. Web site: George Kiefer Named NC State Men's Soccer Head Coach. Atlantic Coast Conference. TheACC.com. November 22, 2016. December 19, 2016.
  4. Web site: Butehorn Appointed Men's Soccer Head Coach. University of South Florida Athletics. GoUSFBulls.com. December 19, 2016. December 18, 2016.
  5. Web site: USF Dominates Hofstra in NCAA First Round, 4-2; Face No. 1 Overall Seed Kentucky on Sunday . 2022-11-18 . USF Athletics . en.
  6. http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=7700&ATCLID=209225951
  7. Web site: Spartans Take Rowdies Cup With 1-0 Victory Over USF. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150320085920/http://tampaspartans.com/article.asp?articleID=5238. 2015-03-20. 2014-11-24.
  8. Web site: Bulls Down Spartans to Claim Rowdies Cup. gousfbulls.com. August 24, 2015.
  9. Web site: Bulls Retain Rowdies Cup. gousfbulls.com. August 27, 2017. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170828103719/http://www.gousfbulls.com/news/2017/8/19/mens-soccer-bulls-retain-rowdies-cup.aspx. August 28, 2017.
  10. Web site: Rudderham Scores Hat Trick, Bulls Retain Rowdies Cup. gousfbulls.com. September 17, 2018.
  11. Web site: 2019 Tampa Spartans Men's Soccer Schedule .
  12. Web site: Division II men's soccer championship brackets . NCAA.
  13. Web site: AAC, ESPN Agree To 12-Year Media-Rights Deal Worth $1B . 2022-11-13 . www.sportsbusinessjournal.com . en.
  14. Web site: Bulls Unlimited . 2022-11-18 . USF Athletics . en.