Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 2-5-16 (2)

Local Sports
Bucs Announce Increase In Season Ticket Prices
USF Bulls Football Has Talented Recruiting Class
For the first time in 8 sea- sons, the Tampa Bay Bucca- neers will be implementing a 21% increase in their season ticket prices.
Some seat locations will in- crease more than others, and the only areas of the stadium price map not affected by the changes are in the stadium club
and some lower-level sections of the end zone, where 2015 prices will remain for 18,000 seats.
The new cost of a 10-game season pass membership, eight regular-season, and two presea- son games, ranges from $400 to $1,250. A year ago, the range was $300 to $990.
Wharton wide receiver, DeVontres Dukes.
On Wednesday afternoon, University of South Florida head football coach, Willie Taggart, sat inside the Tampa Club on the 41st floor of Bank of America building, and ad- dressed boosters.
Coach Taggart’s enthusiasm overflowed when he announced USF’s 18-player recruit- ing class, including a quartet of four-star prospects.
After trying to build depth in his first three
seasons, Taggart is pleased with the pro- gram’s solid foundation, and feels it represents another step toward building on last seasons’ 8-5 finish and the program’s first bowl appear- ance since 2010.
USF’s top acquisitions were Admiral Far- ragut Academy safety, Craig Watts, and Miami Central wide receiver, Darnell Sa- lomon.
Salomon, 6’3” tall and weighing 210 pounds, had 136 receptions for 2,565 yards and 31 touchdowns in his high school career and played on a pair of state championship teams.
Watts is described as a hard-hitting, 6- foot, 190 pound safety who Taggart feels will fit in perfectly in their 4-2-5 defense.
Other USF signees were:
Offensive Lineman, Glen Bethel; Wide Receiver, DeVontres Dukes; Safety, Josh Dunn; Offensive Lineman, Christion Gainer; Cornerback, Michael Hampton; Defensive End, Tramal Ivy; Defensive End, LaDarius Jackson; Defensive End, Frank Johnson; Offensive Lineman, Logan Mac- Donald; Running Back, Elijah Mack; Cor- nerback, Armunz Mathews; Quarterback, Chris Oladokin; Linebacker, Andrew Polk; Running Back, Trevon Sands; Line- backer, Micario Stanley, and Offensive Lineman, Michael Wiggs.
Dukes (Wharton), Hampton (Hillsbor- ough), and Oladokin (Sickles) are hometown signees.
USF Hosts Sport
& Entertainment Analytics Conference
Business leaders who deal with data and use it to drive key decisions in the sport and entertainment industries will discuss the latest trends and the growing importance of analytics during a conference in downtown Tampa on Feb. 18-19. Attendees at the Uni- versity of South Florida Sport & Entertainment Analytics Conference, powered by Tick- etmaster, will have the oppor- tunity to gain valuable insights in the sports and en- tertainment analytics that promote education, growth and innovation.
The conference will take
place noon-6 p. m. on Feb. 18 and8a.m.–3p.m.onFeb. 19 at the Tampa Marriott Wa- terside Hotel, 700 South Florida Avenue. Industry pro- fessionals, students, and uni- versity faculty will have the opportunity to network with accomplished speakers from across the country in the sport and entertainment industry.
There is a 2-day admission fee, and a discounted rate for USF students and faculty. Tickets can be purchased through EventBrite. All stu- dents and USF faculty mem- bers are required to provide a valid university ID.
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