USF releases conceptual study for on-campus stadium

Emphasizing they're very early in the process, USF administrators revealed the findings of their "conceptual planning study" for an on-campus football stadium to reporters Tuesday morning.

Athletic director Mark Harlan discussed the study with Calvin Williams, USF's vice-president for administrative services (and a civil engineer). The two said USF looked at 14 other stadiums around the country to get the best perspective of what kind of facility would work best for the Bulls.

"I want to make it really fundamentally clear to everybody...that this is the first step of many steps," Harlan said.

The basics of the 41-page report: A handful of sites in two "zones" -- all generally bordering Fowler Avenue -- have been explored. Projected capacity is 50,000-60,000. Expected costs are roughly $200 million, though no educational or general state funds would be used to finance the facility.

The next step: discussing the study -- which cost $75,000 --- with the USF Board of Trustees next week. Then a financial strategy.

"If we had the dollars today, we're still 5-7 years out," Williams said.

Harlan also said architects have been retained to explore the construction of an indoor practice facility.

This is a developing story. Stay here for further details.