The Oracle

USF’s award-winning newspaper. Providing compelling stories since 1966. Support quality student journalism: | @usforaclesports

[The Oracle @usforacle]

#USF Esports coordinator Andrew Ross said the program’s foundation was built before it ever had a physical space.

“We didn’t invent the gaming culture here — it was already here,” Ross said.

[USF Oracle Sports @usforaclesports]

#USF Esports — now in its sixth year — has evolved from a small online gaming community into one of the most active collegiate esports programs in the country with 13 competitive clubs, a state tournament and a physical lab. 

✍️ by Hong Phong Le

https://t.co/Csm1YMpaSq

[The Oracle @usforacle]

#USF Athletics CEO Rob Higgins said schools are increasingly facing “uncertified agents” during transfer portal negotiations and recruiting conversations.

As a solution, he proposed a statewide certification system, agent directory and attestation process.

[USF Oracle Sports @usforaclesports]

On April 30, the Florida BOG Task Force on Intercollegiate Athletics saw speakers discuss possible solutions for college sports — including agent certification rules and collective bargaining frameworks after professional leagues.

✍️ by @mithil__vyas

https://t.co/C2uKY4FTZP

[The Oracle @usforacle]

USF Emergency Management reported the formation of two potential sinkholes in October 2024, weeks before #USF broke ground on its on-campus stadium.

159 grout points were installed throughout the site after 11 borings were found “indicative of potential karst/sinkhole activity.”

[USF Oracle Sports @usforaclesports]

#USF’s on-campus stadium is one of the most ambitious projects in university history.

But, engineers have identified sinkhole-prone soil conditions at the Sycamore Fields site since early development.

✍️ by @NVinsky

https://t.co/qJ4tc3r5ur

[The Oracle @usforacle]

“Anticipatory, prepared and togetherness,” coach Ken Eriksen said.

USF’s advancement also marks the first time under Eriksen that the Bulls have won both the regular-season title and conference tournament in the same year.

[USF Oracle Sports @usforaclesports]

#USF softball clinched a NCAA Tournament bid after an American Conference tournament title Saturday.

The Bulls run came down to three words coach Ken Eriksen said made a defense ranked No. 7 nationally in fielding percentage.

✍️ by Hong Phong Le

https://t.co/p6WeQtuuX3

[USF Oracle Sports @usforaclesports]

#USF softball earned two of the American Conference’s top individual honors, which was released Tuesday.

A group of five Bulls earned postseason recognition, as they closed out the regular season on an eight-game winning streak.

✍️ by Hong Phong Le

https://t.co/RlKbVR9oLx

[USF Oracle Sports @usforaclesports]

#USF women’s lacrosse was left out of the NCAA Tournament despite entering Selection Sunday with a Rating Percentage Index of 17 — well within range of past at-large selections.

✍️ by @bradymaffei

https://t.co/JGQZyYcIuj

[mithil vyas @mithil__vyas]

Higgins said the perception problem isn’t new.

What’s different now, in his view, is how aggressively #USF is trying to outgrow it.

“We can’t control the narrative that [people] may have in their head, but we can work really hard to defeat that narrative,” he said.

[The Oracle @usforacle]

Higgins pushed back on the idea that championship ceilings are defined by conference labels or history, pointing instead to what the program is actively building.

“We’re here to win national championships,” he said. “What other people believe is possible is on them.”

[USF Oracle Sports @usforaclesports]

#USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins is working to eliminate the perception that USF is a stepping-stone program and has the ability to win national championships.

“USF deserves to be a destination and not a pit stop," Higgins said.

✍️ by @mithil__vyas

https://t.co/Z6Wyy2a7HK

[USF Oracle Sports @usforaclesports]

#USF men’s basketball head coach Chris Mack announced the final additions to his staff ahead of the 2026-27 season, completing the foundation of his first team at South Florida.

✍️ by @bradymaffei

https://t.co/E0GnQyNXBT

[The Oracle @usforacle]

A 40-member production team — made up of USF students and staff from USF’s School of Theatre and Dance — helped produce a musical production of “The Lightning Thief” in mid-April.

✍️ by Luiza Campos
https://t.co/99OL7Nwi2F

[The Oracle @usforacle]

Members of the #USF men’s soccer team were among the crowd that attended the event over the weekend.

“There’s a lot of people, a lot of activities, especially for the young kids," senior midfielder Pedro Faife said.

[USF Oracle Sports @usforaclesports]

Long before sunrise, fans lined the Tampa Riverwalk outside Armature Works for the Premier League Mornings Live fan festival.

Over 15,000 fans amassed from April 18-19 as the two-day event marked the league’s 12th stop in the U.S.

✍️ by @mithil__vyas

https://t.co/dAed6Jc1MO

[mithil vyas @mithil__vyas]

One #USF professor said the changes show a growing push by state leaders to limit how some topics like inequality are taught.

“Open and free conversation should be the standard,” they said. “Any attempts to legally control that strikes me as uneducated and un-American.”

[The Oracle @usforacle]

Florida’s BOG voted to remove introductory sociology courses from gen ed curriculum in August.

#USF faculty and students warn the change could limit access, reduce enrollment and weaken interdisciplinary learning.

✍️ by @mithil__vyas

https://t.co/R1wGbtP3TN

[The Oracle @usforacle]

🎓Commencement speakers, cap contest — Graduation Edition 2026

Click the link to learn how to enter the graduation cap contest and explore graduate school as a post-graduation option.

🎨 by Josh Gill
https://t.co/Oz112giKRR

[The Oracle @usforacle]

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office announced it found the body of missing USF student Zamil Limon on Friday, and has arrested a man connected to his death. 

✍️ by @NVinsky

https://t.co/nOaIwgfrVn

[mithil vyas @mithil__vyas]

Maurer said the suspect — Hisham Abugharbieh — was roommates with Zamil.

[The Oracle @usforacle]

Maurer said HCSO is “actively searching” for Nahida Sultana Bristy, the other missing #USF student.

[The Oracle @usforacle]

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Joeseph Maurer announced human remains were found under the Howard Frankland Bridge and identified as missing #USF doctoral student Zamil Limon.

Maurer said the investigation is ongoing.

Updates will be given as provided.

[The Oracle @usforacle]

#USF Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford announced Thursday he will step down from the role, ending a five-year tenure leading the university’s governing board.

✍️ by @mithil__vyas

https://t.co/CqfBA5ZgZf

[The Oracle @usforacle]

#USF’s University Police and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office are searching for two USF doctoral students who were last seen in the Tampa area on Thursday morning.

✍️ by @NVinsky
https://t.co/PUPaGtE5SK