The South Florida Bulls represent the University of South Florida across multiple NCAA sports. From the fast-rising South Florida Bulls football program to the competitive South Florida Bulls baseball team, they have established a reputation for success. Their passionate fan base and strong performances make them one of the most exciting collegiate athletic programs today.
College Sports Established
1965
Location
Tampa, Florida
College Name
University of South Florida
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division 1
1965 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
2013 - Present / American Athletic Conference
2005 - 2013 / Big East Conference
2003 - 2005 / Conference USA
2001 - 2003 / Independent
Nickname
Bulls - The South Florida Bulls are one of the most recognizable teams in college sports, and their nickname has become an iconic symbol of success. But where did this unique moniker come from? The answer lies in the history of USF’s founding as a university.
When USF was founded in 1956, it was initially known as “University College” because it focused on providing higher education opportunities to working adults who could not attend traditional universities. As such, students at University College needed something that would represent them with pride and strength—something that could be easily identified by those outside the institution too. It wasn't long before they found their perfect mascot: a bull!
South Florida Bulls Origin
The bull became symbolic not only because bulls are strong animals but also because they can represent courage and determination—two traits that perfectly encapsulated what University College stood for at the time (and still does today). This symbolism is further reinforced by other nicknames associated with bulls, such as "the fighting spirit" or "the unstoppable force."
In addition, many people believe that having a bull mascot is good luck since these animals have been used throughout history for various purposes, including agriculture and sports competitions like jousting or rodeo events. Thus when University College changed its name to “The University of South Florida” (USF) in 1978, it kept its original Bull mascot intact, making it one of only two NCAA Division I schools whose mascots remained unchanged since inception (the other being Stanford).
Today there's no doubt why so many fans proudly wear black-and-gold apparel during game days: The South Florida Bulls' nickname origins embody everything we love about college athletics - hard work, determination, courage & resilience. Go Bulls!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1971
- 1991
- 2003
- 2013
- 2018
-
First NCAA Game for South Florida
The University of South Florida’s basketball team first tipped off as the Golden Brahmans on December 1, 1971, with a 74-73 win at Stetson University. Their first home game was marked by a 98-77 loss to Florida at Curtis Hixon Hall in downtown Tampa, which would serve as USF’s primary arena of the seven courts the team would call home ... -
The men’s soccer team wins its first NCAA Division I tournament game
In 1991: The men’s soccer team wins its first NCAA Division I tournament game, defeating Duke 2–1. -
The football team wins its first bowl game “GMAC Bowl”
In 2003: The football team wins its first bowl game, defeating East Carolina 64–17 in the GMAC Bowl. -
All sports teams join the American Athletic Conference (AAC)
In 2013: South Florida Bulls all sports teams including football, baseball and basketball sports teams joined the American Athletic Conference (AAC) -
The women’s basketball team reaches its highest ranking ever
In 2018: The women’s basketball team reaches its highest ranking ever, No. 13 in the AP Poll, after starting 12–12.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
South Florida Bulls History
The South Florida Bulls represent the University of South Florida and have quickly built a respected legacy in NCAA athletics. Founded in 1997, the school introduced South Florida Bulls football in 1997 and joined NCAA Division I-A (FBS) in 2001. Since then, the Bulls have become one of the fastest-growing programs in the country, especially in their rivalry with the UAB Blazers and other conference opponents.
Over the years, the South Florida Bulls football team has achieved milestones that drew national attention. They reached the top 10 in the AP Poll during the 2007 season, played in multiple bowl games, and produced NFL talent such as Jason Pierre-Paul, Marlon Mack, and Quinton Flowers. Although they have not played in a National Championship Game, the Bulls have consistently been competitive in bowl appearances and conference play.
The South Florida Bulls basketball program has also made its mark. The men’s basketball team captured the 2012 NCAA Tournament first-round win and advanced to the Round of 32, while the women’s team has been a perennial NCAA Tournament contender under coach Jose Fernandez, winning several American Athletic Conference titles and producing standout players. These successes have solidified USF as a respected name in college hoops.
Equally notable is the South Florida Bulls baseball program, which has produced MLB draft picks and made NCAA Regional appearances, including a historic 2021 run to the Super Regionals. The program continues to develop elite-level talent and remains a strong force within the American Athletic Conference.
Beyond the “big three” sports, USF has excelled in soccer, track and field, and golf, collecting conference titles and NCAA tournament berths across the board. This breadth of success highlights the depth of the university’s athletic department and the opportunities it provides student-athletes.
Bulls Achievements
In football, USF has earned multiple bowl victories, including the 2008 St. Petersburg Bowl and 2017 Birmingham Bowl, along with several seasons of double-digit wins. In basketball, the Bulls won the 2019 College Basketball Invitational and secured multiple AAC women’s basketball championships. In baseball, USF’s 2021 Super Regional appearance marked its best finish in program history.
The combination of strong leadership, talented athletes, and passionate fans has made the South Florida Bulls, including South Florida Bulls football and South Florida Bulls baseball, one of the most dynamic athletic programs in the NCAA. With continued investment and recruiting success, USF is poised to achieve even greater accomplishments in the years ahead.
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