Media Relations
University of South Florida
Polytechnic
3433 Winter Lake Road
Lakeland, FL 33803
(863) 667-7077
Fax (863) 667-7097
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Contact:
Tom Hagerty
(863)
667-7077
LAKELAND,
FL (August 28, 2007) - - One of the things that makes the University of South Florida Lakeland attractive to prospective and current students is the opportunity to get a "big-time degree" without leaving home. A local student-athlete is making the distance between "Lakeland" and "big time" shorter and shorter with each passing headline.
USF, with campuses in Lakeland, Sarasota, St. Petersburg and Tampa, is one of the 10 largest universities in the United States. It has quickly risen in stature and now ranks second only to the University of Florida in research funding.
The USF Lakeland campus, shared with Polk Community College on US-98, is the newest and smallest in the USF system -- but it's also known as a campus on the move, with pending plans for a new campus on I-4.
The majority of USF Lakeland's students come from Polk County and welcome the opportunity to be associated with a nationally prominent university and the excitement of Big East athletics. According to Willette Roach, Director of Student Services at USFL, "Our students like the unique combination we offer -- a small, friendly campus with small class sizes with the resources and reputation of a major university. It's the best of both worlds."
In the last year, however, the connection between Lakeland and USF's athletics program has been strengthened, as Lake Gibson High School graduate Matt Grothe became the starting quarterback for USF's ascendant football team in his freshman year. Grothe proceeded to lead the Bulls to their best record and first bowl win in school history and returns this year with even higher expectations.
Students, faculty and staff at USF Lakeland have taken special pride in the connection. An informal poll on campus indicated that Grothe's starring role on the gridiron has increased local interest in USF's football fortunes.
According to one respondent, Grothe "has really pulled the team closer to Lakeland." Said another, "He's really putting Lakeland on the map!"
Research has indicated that success in intercollegiate athletics can enhance an institution's academic prestige as well. Among other things, coverage of successful sports teams tends to increase the number of applications for admission and improves qualitative measures such as "reputation."
USF Lakeland benefits from this phenomenon as well. Another participant in the survey provided anecdotal data related to experiences in the local Publix grocery store. "When I wear my Bulls gear now, I hear many more comments from other shoppers." Grothe, the respondent reported, has caused Polk County to notice USF like never before.
Although USF has cracked preseason top 25 rankings for the first time in school history, most football pundits have USF picked to finish fourth in the Big East. Thanks to "Lakeland's own" Matt Grothe, however, the Bulls are already winning hearts in Polk County.
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