Lakeland’s own Matt Grothe, QB for the USF Bulls, looms large in Polk County. Starting today, a new billboard featuring an action photo of Grothe and the USF logo promotes USF’s Sept. 22 game against North Carolina. The game has been designated "USF Lakeland Community Day" by USF Athletics.



The 14’ x 48’ sign oversees the NE corner of U.S. 98 and Winter Lake Rd., just north of USF Lakeland. Following Saturday’s game, the billboard will call attention to USF’s Sept. 28 contest against West Virginia.



Two years ago, Grothe played for Lake Gibson High School. Saturday he leads the Bulls into their first game ever as a nationally ranked team. This week, the Bulls debuted at No. 23 in the AP Poll and No. 24 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.

“The billboard is a great idea,” said USF alum Randy Dotson, manager of substation operation for Lakeland Electric. “USF has more alumni in Polk County than Florida and Florida State combined, so it’s good to see the exposure. I hope it does even more to create support for USF and the athletic program.”

Dotson, a USF engineering graduate, has been an active supporter of USF athletics and of USF Lakeland. According to a USF Lakeland administrator, Dotson is a popular participant in Lakeland commencement ceremonies as a representative of the Alumni Association.

The billboard resulted from collaboration between USF Lakeland and the USF Athletic Dept. in Tampa. Students, faculty and staff at USF Lakeland have taken special pride in the growing connection between the campus and USF’s athletics programs after Grothe led the Bulls to their best record and first bowl win in school history last season.

Local fans agree. “We are real excited about the amount of interest in the USF athletic program in Polk County,” said Bulls booster Sandy Fortin, CEO of Play It Again Sports. “Matt Grothe is from Lakeland, is a tremendous athlete and has sparked a lot of interest in the program. The coaching staff has taken the program to the next level and having a billboard here shows USF’s commitment in including Polk County in that success. “

An informal poll on the USF Lakeland campus indicated that Grothe's starring role on the gridiron has increased local interest in USF's football fortunes.

According to one respondent, Grothe "has really pulled the team closer to Lakeland." Said another, "He's really putting Lakeland on the map!"

Research has indicated that success in intercollegiate athletics can enhance an institution's academic prestige as well. Among other things, coverage of successful sports teams tends to increase the number of applications for admission and improves qualitative measures such as "reputation."

USF Lakeland benefits from this phenomenon as well. Another participant in the survey provided anecdotal data related to experiences in the local Publix grocery store. "When I wear my Bulls gear now, I hear many more comments from other shoppers." Grothe, the respondent reported, has caused Polk County to notice USF like never before.

Marshall Goodman, VP and CEO, USF Lakeland, is thrilled with the energy the Bulls are generating.

"We're proud to be a part of something that is capturing so many imaginations,” he said. “Sports fans throughout our region and across the country are being introduced to USF in a new way, and in time they will also learn about the tremendous opportunities available throughout the USF system. And that translates into an awesome opportunity for USF right here in Polk County and Florida's heartland communities."

In addition to Grothe, USF's roster includes two other Polk County talents, both of whom have already made substantial contributions to the Bulls backfield: sophomore Benjamin Williams of Lake Wales and freshman Jamar Taylor of Lakeland.