USF Athletics Adds a New Beach Volleyball Complex

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The buzz along Fletcher and Fowler Avenue is electric as the University of South Florida experiences a transformative period under CEO of Athletics, Rob Higgins. From a historic stadium project to record-breaking performances on the court, the Bulls are rapidly redefining their national profile.

Basketball & Football: Leadership in Transition

The USF men’s basketball team is currently the talk of the American Athletic Conference (AAC). Under second-year head coach Bryan Hodgson, the Bulls have surged to the top of the conference standings, recently clinching a postseason berth with a statement win over Memphis. The “running teams into the ground” philosophy has made the Yuengling Center one of the most feared environments in the league.

On the gridiron, USF enters its 30th season of football in 2026 with a fresh face on the sidelines. Following a successful three-year tenure by Alex Golesh—highlighted by three straight bowl appearances and the memorable 45–0 shutout of Syracuse in the 2023 Boca Raton Bowl—the Bulls have turned to former Ohio State offensive coordinator Bryan Hartline. Widely regarded as one of the nation’s elite recruiters, Hartline takes the helm as the program prepares for its final season at Raymond James Stadium before moving into its own home.

A Changing Campus Landscape

The “TGH Athletics District” is currently a forest of cranes as USF builds for the future:

On-Campus Stadium: The $340-million, 35,000-seat stadium is rising on the east side of campus, officially slated to open for the 2027 season.
TGH Center for Athletic Excellence: This 150,000-square-foot football operations center will serve as the heartbeat of the program.
Porter Family Indoor Performance Facility: Completed in 2023, this $22-million facility provides the Bulls with a premier year-round training environment.
Tennis & Track: The newly opened tennis stadium and upgraded track and field facilities have already elevated the campus’s competitive footprint.

Beach Volleyball: The Newest Bulls Program

History is being made this week as USF Beach Volleyball officially begins its inaugural varsity season. Head coach Pri Piantadosi-Lima, a 17-year professional veteran and former “USA Volleyball Female Junior Coach of the Year,” has spent the last three years meticulously building the roster and culture from the ground up.

To support this new endeavor, USF recently announced plans for a six-court, lighted beach volleyball facility to be built within the Tampa General Hospital Athletics District. Until the on-campus facility is complete, the Bulls will host home events on the sands of Clearwater Beach, including the Stampede Beach Opener on March 27–28 and the Gulf Front Invitational on April 17–18.

USF Athletics Snapshot: 2025–26

Sport	Head Coach	2026 Status
Men’s Basketball	Bryan Hodgson	1st in AAC; Clinched Postseason
Football	Bryan Hartline	Preparing for 30th Anniversary Season
Beach Volleyball	Pri Piantadosi-Lima	Inaugural Season (Starts Feb 20, 2026)
Women’s Lacrosse	Mindy McCord	Entering 2nd Season of Competition

What is your opinion on the buzz and new beach volleyball courts at USF? Leave a comment below.

For all your college beach volleyball news log on to ngscsports.com.

About Post Author

Bradley Walker

Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball. Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour. In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights. He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.

bradleywalker3083@gmail.com

http://ngscsports.com

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Author Profile

Bradley Walker: Bradley Walker serves as the Director of Operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.

Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.

In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.

He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a co-host on the P&W Sports Report and hosting The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.