USF Athletics CEO Rob Higgins Has ‘Not A Second To Waste’ As Concrete Pours

On August 17, 2026, USF Athletics CEO Rob Higgins expressed his excitement about the progress being made on the university's new football stadium and other athletic facilities. Higgins, a 47-year-old Tampa native, graduated from USF and has a strong connection to the school, having even cleaned up after the basketball team during his youth.

He emphasized his leadership approach, stating that "we are always going to lead from the front and we’re always going to eat last," reflecting his servant leadership principles learned from cleaning and laundry duties as a child.

The new football stadium, which will seat 35,000 and cost nearly $350 million, is a key project. Higgins highlighted discussions on naming rights and the stadium's world-class features, including a rooftop bar that will offer panoramic views of the campus and new athletic district. Construction is progressing well, with steel work completed, concrete poured for the rooftop bar, and significant framing finished for the Tampa General Hospital (TGH) Center for Athletic Excellence, a 150,000 square foot facility funded by a $162 million commitment from the hospital.

Higgins noted that September 4, 2027, marks the scheduled opening of the football program in the new stadium, with Louisville set to play in the season opener. However, the date was changed to August 28. Other athletic upgrades include relocated tennis courts, a new six-court beach volleyball facility, and a refreshed exterior for the Yuengling Center, home to men's and women's basketball. Over 200 truckloads of dirt were removed to prepare for the beach volleyball site, expected to be completed by late September.