South Florida Bulls swimming and diving

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South Florida Bulls swimming and diving
South Florida Bulls wordmark.svg
Founded1965 (men); 1972 (women)
Folded1987 (both)
University University of South Florida
Location Tampa, FL
Nickname Bulls
ColorsGreen and gold [1]
   
Women's NCAA Champions
1985
Men's NCAA Runner up
1971
NCAA Championship appearances
Men:
1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1976
Women:
1983, 1984, 1985

The South Florida Bulls swimming and diving program represented the University of South Florida in the sport of swimming. The program consisted of separate men's and women's teams which competed in NCAA Division I at the time of the program being discontinued in 1987.

Contents

The 1984–85 women's swimming team is the only varsity team in South Florida Bulls history to win an NCAA National Championship. The men's and women's teams also combined for 17 individual and relay national championships in their history.

Men

The USF men's swimming team was founded in 1965 as one of the first teams to be sponsored by the young university. In the team's first NCAA Championship appearance in 1969, Joe Lewkowicz won the first individual national championship in school history in the 200-yard butterfly event. [2] Two years later, the team would place second in the NCAA College Division. Members of the team would go on to win six individual national championships and one relay national championship. [3]

Women

The women's swimming team, known as the Lady Brahmans at the time, was founded in 1972 after the passing of Title IX.

1984–85 National Championship

The 1984–85 South Florida Lady Brahmans team won the NCAA Division II National Championship, which was the first, and as of 2023, only NCAA National Championship in school history in any sport. [4]

Every member of the team along with head coach Bill Mann and assistant coach Lou Manganiello was inducted into the University of South Florida Athletic Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 2009. [5]

Roster

  • Nancy Bercaw
  • Suzanne Crenshaw
  • Susan Duncan
  • Merit Greaves
  • Tracey Hayes
  • Dawn Hewitt
  • Alicia McHugh
  • Margaret Mortell
  • Julie Muller
  • Joni Troupe

[6]

Individual and Relay championships won

Men

YearAthlete(s)CompetitionTime
1969Joe Lewkowicz200-yd Butterfly2:01.83
1971Rick Morehead100-yd Breaststroke1:01.60
1971Rick Morehead200-yd Breaststroke2:14.94
1971Rick Morehead200-yd Individual Medley2:01:01
1972Rick Morehead200-yd Breaststroke2:13.28
1972Rick Morehead200-yd Individual Medley1:59.25
1972John Stevens, Rick Morehead, Joe Lewkowicz, Mike Sheffield400-yd Medley Relay3:38.06

[7]

Women

YearAthlete(s)CompetitionTime
1983Theresa Day200-yd Individual Medley2:09.05
1984Alicia McHugh100-yd Freestyle51.21
1984Nancy Bercaw, Merit Greaves, Margaret Mortell, Alicia McHugh400-yd Freestyle Relay3:31.25
1985Alicia McHugh100-yd Freestyle51.65
1985Dawn Hewitt100-yd Backstroke58.40
1985Dawn Hewitt200-yd Backstroke2:05.85
1985Suzanne Crenshaw500-yd Freestyle4:54.92
1985Suzanne Crenshaw1650-yd Freestyle16:50.74
1985Dawn Hewitt, Merit Greaves, Margaret Mortell, Nancy Bercaw200-yd Medley Relay1:47.86
1985Dawn Hewitt, Nancy Bercaw, Margaret Mortell, Alicia McHugh400-yd Medley Relay3:55.54

[8]

USF Athletic Hall of Fame

14 men's and women's swimming coaches and athletes that were part of the USF swimming teams have since been inducted into the University of South Florida Athletic Hall of Fame. They include head coach Bill Mann, assistant coach Lou Manganiello, the 10 members of the 1984–85 women's swimming team, Joe Lewkowicz, and men's head coach Robert Grindey. [9]

Folding

Both the men's and women's swimming teams were disbanded after the 1986–87 season due to financial difficulties along with the sport not being sponsored by the Sun Belt Conference. [10]

See also

University of South Florida

South Florida Bulls

Related Research Articles

Anthony Conrad Nesty is a former competition swimmer from Suriname who was an Olympic gold medallist in the 100-metre butterfly event in 1988. He is currently the head coach of the Florida Gators men's and women's swim team at the University of Florida, where he attended school.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of South Florida</span> Public university in Tampa, Florida, US

The University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university with its main campus located in Tampa, Florida, and other campuses in St. Petersburg and Sarasota. It is one of 12 members of the State University System of Florida. USF is home to 14 colleges, offering more than 240 undergraduate, graduate, specialist, and doctoral-level degree programs. USF is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. USF is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and is designated by the Florida Board of Governors as one of three Preeminent State Research Universities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Florida Bulls</span> University of South Florida athletic team

The South Florida Bulls are the athletic teams that represent the University of South Florida. USF competes in NCAA Division I and is a member of the American Athletic Conference for all sports besides sailing, a non-NCAA sanctioned sport which competes in the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association within the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association. The current athletic director is Michael Kelly, who has held the job since 2018. The school colors are green and gold and the mascot is Rocky D. Bull.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War on I-4</span> Rivalry between the South Florida Bulls and UCF Knights

The War on I-4 is a college rivalry between the University of Central Florida Knights and University of South Florida Bulls. The rivalry is best known for its college football matchup which originated in a series of football games played from 2005 to 2008 and now takes place on Thanksgiving weekend, the de facto "rivalry weekend" for FBS football. In 2013, when UCF joined the American Athletic Conference, the schools began competing annually in all sports. In 2016, the schools officially adopted the "War on I-4" as an official competition series. Each year, the team with the most wins across all sports receives a gold trophy styled after an Interstate 4 (I-4) road sign with the logos of each school. The winner of the annual football game also receives a similar trophy.

The South Florida Bulls men's basketball team represents the University of South Florida in NCAA Division I basketball competition, where they are currently a member of the American Athletic Conference. They are currently led by head coach Amir Abdur-Rahim, who was hired after Brian Gregory was fired following the 2022–23 season. The Bulls play their home games at the Yuengling Center on USF's campus in Tampa, Florida. USF has reached the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament 3 times in their history, with their best finish coming in 2012 when they made the round of 32.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Randy Reese</span>

Randy Reese is an American college and Olympic swimming coach. Reese is best known for coaching the Florida Gators swimming and diving teams of the University of Florida to four national championships, and coaching the winners of eighteen Olympic gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals. Reese is a member of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.

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 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 from 1979 until 2010. They are coached by Bob Butehorn, who is in his sixth year with the Bulls as of the 2022 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drury Panthers</span> Athletic teams of Drury University

The Drury Panthers are the athletic teams that represent Drury University, located in Springfield, Missouri, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Panthers compete as members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference for all 21 varsity sports. Drury has been a member of the GLVC since 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Florida Bulls softball</span> College softball team

The South Florida Bulls softball team represents University of South Florida in NCAA Division I college softball. The team participates in the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls are currently led by head coach Ken Eriksen. The team plays its home games at USF Softball Stadium located on the university's main campus in Tampa, Florida.

The South Florida Bulls rifle team represented the University of South Florida in the sport of rifle. The program consisted of a men's and women's co-ed team which competed in NCAA Division I. The rifle team only existed for five years, but was very successful in that time, earning three top-three team finishes in NCAA National Championship events and winning two individual national titles. Roger Johnson served as head coach for the team's entire existence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Florida Bulls baseball</span>

The South Florida Bulls baseball team is the intercollegiate men's baseball program representing the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. The team competes in the American Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I. Founded in 1966, the baseball team is one of the oldest teams at the university. The Bulls have captured eleven conference titles and 14 NCAA tournament appearances. The team plays their home games on campus at USF Baseball Stadium at Red McEwen Field and are coached by Billy Mohl.

The South Florida Bulls women's basketball team represents the University of South Florida in women's basketball. The Bulls compete in the American Athletic Conference in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The Bulls play home basketball games at the Yuengling Center. South Florida is coached by Jose Fernandez, who has been with the Bulls since the 2000–01 season. USF has made the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament nine times in their history and won the Women's National Invitation Tournament in 2009. They have won three conference championships, taking the regular season American Athletic Conference title in 2021 and 2023 and the AAC tournament crown in 2021.

The South Florida Bulls track and field program represents the University of South Florida in the sport of track and field. The program consists of separate men's and women's teams and competes in the American Athletic Conference within NCAA Division I. Both of the Bulls track and field teams are coached by Abigi Id-Deen, who was named coach in August 2023. Distance events are coached by Bulls cross country coach Tony Nicolosi, and the cross country and track and field programs are directed by Erik Jenkins, who was formerly the head coach of the teams. The teams practice and host outdoor meets at the USF Track and Field Stadium. While the university sponsors indoor teams as well, the university does not have an indoor track facility suitable to host meets. There is an indoor track in the Campus Recreation Center which the teams use for practice, but it has no space for indoor field events or spectators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of South Florida Athletic Hall of Fame</span> University Hall of Fame in Tampa, FL

The University of South Florida Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 2009 to recognize and perpetuate the memory of student athletes, teams, coaches and administrators who have made demonstrably outstanding and significant contributions to the success, tradition and heritage of USF Athletics, and who demonstrate the character and values that define the highest principles of sport. Induction in the University of South Florida Athletic Hall of Fame is the highest honor afforded by the USF Athletics Department.

The University of South Florida athletic facilities are the stadiums and arenas the South Florida Bulls use for their home games and training. The University of South Florida currently sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and has 11 facilities in the designated Athletics District on or adjacent to its Tampa campus, one on its St. Petersburg campus, and one elsewhere in Tampa. 18 of the 19 teams have some sort of facility in the USF Athletics District.

The South Florida Bulls cross country program represents the University of South Florida in the sport of cross country. The program consists of separate men's and women's teams and competes in the American Athletic Conference within NCAA Division I. Both of the Bulls cross country teams are coached by Tony Nicolosi, also coaches distance events for the Bulls track and field teams. The cross country and track and field teams as a whole are directed by Erik Jenkins, who served as head coach from The teams practice and host meets at both the USF Track and Field Stadium and The Claw golf course.

The South Florida Bulls volleyball team represents the University of South Florida in the sport of women's volleyball. The Bulls compete in the American Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I. The team plays their home games at The Corral inside the Yuengling Center on USF's campus in Tampa, Florida. They are coached by Jolene Shepardson who was hired after the 2019 season. The Bulls have reached seven NCAA women's volleyball tournaments and won a combined 18 regular season and tournament conference championships in their history, the most of any women's team at USF.

The South Florida Bulls golf program represents the University of South Florida in the sport of golf. The program consists of separate men's and women's teams and competes in the American Athletic Conference within NCAA Division I. The Bulls men's golf team is coached by Steve Bradley and the women's team is coached by Erika Brennan. They host meets at The Claw golf course adjacent to USF's campus in Tampa, Florida.

The South Florida Bulls tennis program represents the University of South Florida in the sport of tennis. The program consists of separate men's and women's teams and competes in the American Athletic Conference within NCAA Division I. The Bulls men's tennis team is coached by Ashley Fisher and the women's team is coached by Cristina Moros. Both teams play their home matches at the USF Varsity Tennis Courts on USF's campus in Tampa, Florida.

The South Florida Bulls lacrosse team will represent the University of South Florida in the sport of women's lacrosse beginning in spring 2025. They will compete in the American Athletic Conference of NCAA Division I. The Bulls will play their home games at Corbett Stadium on USF's Tampa campus, which they will share with the USF men's and women's soccer teams. It is the university's newest varsity sports team and the first new USF team since football was established in 1997. It will be the first new women's team in an NCAA sport at USF since women's soccer in 1995.

References

  1. USF Athletics Brand Guide (PDF). August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  2. "Joe Lewkowicz (2010) – USF Athletic Hall of Fame". USF Athletics. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  3. "Robert Grindey (2011) – USF Athletic Hall of Fame". USF Athletics. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
  4. "(NCAA Div. II Champions) 1984–85 Swimming Team (2009) – USF Athletic Hall of Fame". USF Athletics. Archived from the original on 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
  5. "USF Athletic Hall of Fame". USF Athletics. Archived from the original on 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  6. "Inaugural Hall of Fame Inductee: 1984–85 Swimming Team". USF Athletics. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  7. [fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/swimming_champs_records/2014-15/D2men14.pdf "NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving record book"] (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-09-20.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  8. [fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/swimming_champs_records/2014-15/D2women14.pdf "NCAA Women's Swimming and Diving record book"] (PDF). NCAA.org. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2020-09-20.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  9. "USF Athletic Hall of Fame". USF Athletics. Archived from the original on 2020-11-18. Retrieved 2020-11-18.
  10. "Fact Book". digital.lib.usf.edu. Retrieved 2020-09-11.