29 Apr 2025
USF AD MICHAEL KELLY ON THE FUTURE OF COLLEGE SPORTS, BROADCASTING AND THE CFP PLAYOFFS
THE KELLY FILE:
Michael Kelly is the vice president for athletics at the University of South Florida, leading a transformative vision for USF Athletics that focuses on enhancing the student-athlete experience, fostering community engagement, and developing elite athletic facilities.
Since joining USF in 2018, Kelly has nearly doubled the department’s budget to $100 million and secured more than $100 million in philanthropic gifts. He has overseen major facility projects, including plans for the new $340 million on-campus stadium and training center set to open in 2027, the $22 million Porter Family Indoor Performance Facility, and a $3 million football locker room renovation.
Under his leadership, USF Athletics has expanded to 21 varsity sports with the addition of women’s lacrosse and beach volleyball. During Kelly’s tenure, the Bulls have captured 20 American Athletic Conference team championships, two divisional titles, two NCAA championships, eight cheer national championships, and one cheer World Cup, while 27 student-athletes have been named All-Americans. USF student-athletes have excelled academically, maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher for 20 consecutive semesters.
Kelly has prioritized student-athlete well-being by enhancing the nutrition program, adding multiple fueling stations and free breakfasts, and doubling the sports psychology program to support mental health. He established USF’s NIL Strategy Unit to provide resources for student-athletes to maximize their opportunities and remain competitive at the highest levels. He also launched the Bulls+ Awards (Alston Awards) to reward academic achievement and founded the Stampede for Women initiative to empower female student-athletes.
Additionally, he led USF’s membership in the Green Sports Alliance to advance sustainability across athletic facilities.
To increase USF’s visibility, Kelly directed the construction of a $2 million broadcast facility. This facility enables the live streaming of more than 160 events annually on ESPN+, the most in the American Athletic Conference.
The facility also serves as an educational resource for USF students and reflects Kelly’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and equity in college athletics. Before returning to USF, Kelly served as the chief operating officer of the College Football Playoff, held leadership roles with the Atlantic Coast Conference, and directed Super Bowl host committees in Jacksonville, Tampa, and South Florida.
Earlier in his career, Kelly served as USF’s associate athletic director for development and external relations, as director of athletic operations and facilities at Wake Forest University, and as executive director of the 1999 Men’s Basketball Final Four Organizing Committee, held at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. In addition to his role at USF, Kelly serves in numerous NCAA leadership capacities, including the Division I Council and Sports Oversight Committee.
A founding board member of the Collegiate Event and Facilities Management Association, he also serves on the Board of Trustees for St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C.; the President’s Board of Advisors at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens; the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the Tampa Bay Sports Commission; and the Executive Committee of the Gasparilla Bowl.
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