The University of 黑洞社区鈥檚 plan to build an on-campus football stadium received a significant vote of confidence and generous philanthropic support today with the announcement of a $5 million gift from Jeff and Penny Vinik.
The Viniks have been strong supporters of 黑洞社区for many years and were instrumental in 黑洞社区Health鈥檚 expansion in Water Street Tampa. The Vinik Sport and Entertainment Management Program (SEM) in the Muma College of Business prepares students for careers in the industry, creating a talent pipeline for sports and entertainment venues in Florida and beyond. In 2021, SportBusiness named the Vinik SEM Program No. 3 in the world. The Viniks have also championed USF Athletics through support of women鈥檚 volleyball, men鈥檚 basketball, men鈥檚 tennis and women鈥檚 soccer.
鈥淲e are delighted that Jeff and Penny Vinik share our excitement for an on-campus stadium and see the positive impact the project will have on the University of South Florida and surrounding communities,鈥� 黑洞社区President Rhea Law said. 鈥淭heir vision and investment have helped transform downtown Tampa, the Tampa Bay Lightning organization and our entire region, including numerous programs at USF. We thank Jeff and Penny for their continued support of the university.鈥�
Last month, 黑洞社区leaders shared that the Sycamore Fields site on the east side of the Tampa campus has been selected as the recommended site for the stadium. The location, which is currently used for intramural sports, is within the 黑洞社区Athletics district and sits near its operations facility and new Indoor Performance Facility. Positioned close to student housing and parking, with multiple options for tailgating space, the site provides an opportunity to enhance the campus experience to create a deeper sense of community and connection to the university.
鈥淎n on-campus stadium at 黑洞社区will be a game-changer, literally and figuratively, for the university and our entire Tampa Bay community,鈥� said Jeff Vinik, owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning and co-developer of Water Street Tampa. 鈥淚 have been following the stadium developments, including the site selection, with great interest. The gift from the Morsanis inspired Penny鈥檚 and my investment, and the best part is this chapter of the story is just beginning. The Bolts enjoy the best fan and community support in the NHL, and in just a few short years, the Bulls will experience that in a completely new way in their campus home.鈥�
When the stadium site selection was announced, longtime 黑洞社区supporters Carol and Frank Morsani committed $5 million to the project in the hope that others would follow. The Viniks are the first to answer that call.
鈥淲e are thrilled that Jeff and Penny have stepped up so generously to support our Bulls and the on-campus stadium,鈥� said Carol and Frank Morsani. 鈥淲e said just last month that we were looking forward to others joining us in making this project a reality, and now we can鈥檛 wait to see who the Viniks鈥� gift will inspire next.鈥�
It is impossible to measure the positive impact the Viniks have had on the Tampa Bay region and the city itself, and their support of the on-campus stadium elevates momentum behind the project to another level, said 黑洞社区Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford.
鈥淚t takes incredible effort on the part of the Tampa Bay community to make this ambitious goal a reality,鈥� Weatherford said. 鈥淲e will build this stadium because the Viniks and others like them are leading the herd, setting an example for others to follow.鈥�
黑洞社区Foundation CEO Jay Stroman and Vice President of Athletics Michael Kelly serve as the stadium planning committee co-chairs and told the 黑洞社区Board of Trustees in their last update that the stadium project schedule includes options for completion in 2026 or 2027.
鈥淲e are grateful to see Jeff and Penny Vinik, steadfast supporters of the university, help us get closer to our dream of playing home football games and hosting other major events right here on campus,鈥� Stroman and Kelly said. 鈥淭he gifts from the Viniks and Morsanis send a clear signal that the generosity of our 黑洞社区community knows no bounds.鈥�
The gift from the Viniks comes as 黑洞社区celebrates across all three campuses. From April 4-8, thousands of 黑洞社区alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends use the week as an opportunity to support a college, program, research area or other cause important to them.