Photo courtesy of USF Athletics
By Dominic Feo
Following a national search, the University of South Florida hired alumnus and Tampa-native Rob Higgins to be the university’s first-ever CEO of Athletics. Since 2004, the former executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission has been instrumental in making the Tampa Bay area a hub for college and professional sports.
The hire was announced via email by USF President Rhea Law on Sept. 9.
“Through his tireless efforts over the past two decades, Rob has successfully positioned the Tampa Bay region as one of the nation’s premier destinations in sports and entertainment, including hosting two Super Bowls, a College Football Playoff National Championship and a long list of other high-profile events during his tenure,” Law said.
Higgins will be taking over the duties of former vice president of athletics Micheal Kelly, who left USF to fill the vacant athletics director position at the United States Naval Academy.
Higgins, however, will have more on his plate than a traditional AD.
“In this new era of college athletics, not only is the role about providing a top-tier experience for our student-athletes across all sports,” said USF Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford in USF Athletics’ Sept. 9 press release. “It now requires a business approach to build a competitive enterprise, grow revenue, embrace innovation, lead through change and position our university — and the Tampa Bay region — on the national stage.”
Higgins will be the one to oversee construction of USF’s on-campus stadium, set to open in 2027.
Soon after graduating, Higgins joined USF Athletics as a staff member. He was also inducted into USF’s Zimmerman School of Advertising Hall of Fame in 2015.
Higgins’ achievements include appearances on the Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal’s “Forty Under 40,” and the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “30 Under 30” list. HuffPost (formerly The Huffington Post) also listed Higgins as one of the top 30 sports marketers in the world.
Once an 8-year-old ball boy for the USF men’s basketball team, Higgins now has the opportunity to lead USF Athletics to new heights.
“Cliches are often rooted in some truth, but this truly is a dream come true.” Higgins said. “I could not be more honored to take on this responsibility and could not be more excited to get started, Go Bulls!”
