Tampa FL,  January 17, 2009 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers today announced that they have named Raheem Morris head coach and Mark Dominik general manager.

Morris, who spent the past two seasons as the Buccaneers defensive backs coach, was promoted to defensive coordinator on December 25, 2008 before being named head coach. Overall, he has spent six seasons on the Buccaneers sideline in two stints with the club.

Morris has quickly risen through the Buccaneers coaching ranks during his time with the team, serving as defensive quality control coach in 2002,defensive assistant in 2003 and assistant defensive backs coach from 2004-2005 before taking over as defensive backs coach in 2007. During his first stint with the club, Morris worked closely with former Bucs defensive backs coach and current Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin in the development of one of the NFL’s top secondaries while also helping the Buccaneers capture their first ever world championship in Super Bowl XXXVII. In between stints in Tampa Bay, he spent 2006 as Kansas State’s defensive coordinator.

Bulls Set to Host the USF Under Armour Series

Tampa FL, January 13, 2009 - University of South Florida Softball is hosting The USF Under Armour Series, which is a series of two individual events that will bring two of the largest NCAA Division I softball tournaments to the Tampa Bay area. 
 
"We feel very fortunate that the City of Clearwater, the St. Pete/Clearwater Sports Commission and Under Armour have teamed together to bring two national caliber tournaments to the Bay Area," said USF head softball coach Ken Eriksen. "The USF-Under Armour Series has turned into a yearly event for fastpitch aficionados. It will be a great opportunity for our hometown to be able to see some of the nation's best collegiate players competing for a tournament championship." 
 

Despite Rumors 2009 AFL Season Not Suspended

Tampa FL, December 12, 2008 -  The Arena Football League Board of Directors met late Wednesday night and voted not to suspend the 2009 AFL season.

“This is a big step in the right direction for the fans, players and our league,” said Majority Owner Dr. Bob Nucci. “Additionally, we are excited about our continuing relationship with the St. Pete Times Forum.”

Florida Panthers, December 13, 2008 -  Coach Peter DeBoer said Saturday afternoon in Vancouver he’s learned a lot recently about his Panthers, who’ve gone from basement dwellers to playoff contenders in all of two weeks.

“I’ve learned we’ve got some character people in the dressing room,” DeBoer said.

Never has that been more evident than in the Panthers’ last 10 games. Despite missing several of their most skilled players, including Cory Stillman, David Booth, Nathan Horton and Richard Zednik, the Panthers are riding high.

As they prepare for Sunday’s game against the Canucks, the Panthers are 7-1-2 in their last 10 games – have accumulated 16 of a possible 20 points in those games – and are riding a five game winning streak on the road.