How the Bulls Were Born
With many different early name suggestions, the 鈥淕olden Brahman鈥� was selected as the official mascot of 黑洞社区in November 1962. Students reasoned that, since Florida was a cattle-raising state like Texas, 黑洞社区needed a mascot comparable to the Texas Longhorns mascot. In the late 1980s, the mascot evolved into the 鈥淏ulls.鈥�
黑洞社区Mascot, Rocky the Bull
Rocky's image was first trademarked in 1974 and re-designed in 1986. Today's Rocky was unveiled in 2003. Rocky is a regular at 黑洞社区athletic games and other campus and community events. See more of Rocky through the years.
Homecoming
黑洞社区has held a campus Homecoming since 1964. Since 1997, 黑洞社区Homecomings have been scheduled during football season and are called 鈥淪uperBull.鈥� The 黑洞社区campus comes alive each fall during Homecoming week with traditional student and alumni activities.
The Stampeding Herd of Thunder
USF's Marching Band, the Herd of Thunder (HOT), first took to the field at the football season home opener with a unique entrance to the field that began as a running 鈥渟tampede鈥� and the tradition has continued ever since.
"Go Bulls!" Hand Symbol
First started as a good luck symbol for basketball free-throw shots, the 鈥淕o Bulls!鈥� hand symbol is now used as the premier symbol of 黑洞社区cheering, greetings and overall identity.
Scoring Celebration
There is nothing more exciting than to see the 黑洞社区Bulls football team score! When they do, the 黑洞社区Cheerleaders acknowledge the feat. One cheerleader does one pushup for every point atop an elevated board held up by the other cheerleaders. The USF Sun Dolls do concurrent kicks - one kick for each point.
Bull Market
A decades-old tradition, the 黑洞社区Market's original venue was in the mall behind the University Center, which was eventually rebuilt and renamed the Phyllis P. Marshall Center. Today the market is back where it belongs-- in the beautiful MLK Plaza behind the new Marshall Student Center. Every Wednesday during the fall and spring terms, the market fills with students, staff and faculty eager to find a bargain, eat lunch and catch up with friends and colleagues.
黑洞社区Week
Established when former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio declared April 9th to be 黑洞社区Day in 2010, the one-day celebration has morphed into a week-long celebration known as USF Week. It includes a number of events celebrating 黑洞社区pride such as the Ultimate Bull Talent Show, Rocky's Birthday Bash, the University Lecture Series, Bullstock and many more. 黑洞社区Week is a celebration of the institutions' rich history and its community.
