Program gives kids discount admission

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

© St. Petersburg Times, published August 12, 2000

TAMPA -- South Florida athletic director Paul Griffin said he believes the future of college athletics lies with America's youths.

But skyrocketing ticket prices make it tough for youngsters to attend events.

Friday, Griffin announced that USF has joined Huntington Bank to create a program that gives Tampa Bay area children access to Bulls events at a reduced price.

For an annual $20 fee, children 12 and under can get admission to all USF regular-season home games.

The fee also entitles children to a T-shirt and admission to pregame parties for home football games and other events where coaches, mascots and athletes from various sports will be on hand.

"I sincerely believe that a lot of young people, because of price and other reasons, have been forced out of the sports market and don't get to go as much as they'd like," Griffin said. "We wanted to eliminate that barrier and get kids out to the games. We want to get them involved and get them active (in the USF program)."

Griffin said football seating for about 2,000 will be set aside over the home tunnel at Raymond James Stadium. A section holding about 1,000 will be reserved at the Sun Dome for basketball games.

Parents and guests will be able to purchase tickets in the sections at a discounted price.

Registration forms for the program are available at Huntington Banks. For more information, call the USF ticket office at (813) 987-6816.

POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE: After the first day of two-a-day practices today, senior defensive back Anthony Henry will graduate.

"It's a big dream come true," said Henry, who took 22 hours in the spring semester to ensure he would graduate this summer. "I'm one of the first to do it in my family, and I wanted to show my nieces and nephews that it can be done. Hopefully, they will follow in my footsteps and maybe even do better than me."

Henry, a 23-year-old from Ft. Myers, will get a degree in communications. He said he is considering a career in public relations. THAT'S MY SON: Monday, Elaine Feldman dropped her son off for his first week of practice. Friday, she returned to see how he was .

Mark Feldman, a freshman tight end from Clearwater Central Catholic, was participating in the annual media day at Raymond James Stadium, and his mother decided to show up and try to blend in.

"Virginia Tech offered him a scholarship first, but he has wanted to be a Bull since he was in 10th grade," said Elaine, who didn't want Mark to see her and get upset that she was there. "Jim Leavitt has a great program, and (Mark) really wanted to play here."

Elaine tried to get Mark's father, Mark, to come with her. But as coach at Clearwater Central Catholic, he had his own practice to conduct.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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