TAMPA, Fla. (September 22, 2006) – Prior to the start of the Bulls’ contest versus Rutgers on Sept. 30, the University of South Florida will be celebrating Alumni weekend with an exhibition match between former members of the USF men’s soccer program and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Former Rowdies such as Derek Backman, Neill Roberts, Perry Van der Beck and Mike Connell will be on hand to take part in the exhibition match slated to start at 4 p.m. prior to USF’s kickoff with BIG EAST foe Rutgers that evening (7:30 p.m.)
The Rowdies defeated the Portland Timbers, 2-0, to claim the 1975 Soccer Bowl championship in their inaugural season, becoming Tampa Bay’s first professional championship team. Tampa Bay played for 10 seasons in the NASL, posting a 147-135 record, including two more appearances in the Soccer Bowl (1978 and 1979). It also fielded an indoor soccer team from 1975-1984, winning two championships. After the demise of the NASL in 1984, the Rowdies operated as an independent team for two seasons before joining the American Indoor Soccer Association in 1986. During the summer of 1988, Tampa Bay joined the American Soccer League. It would stay in the league and its successor (the APSL) until the team folded in 1993.
Following the exhibition both the Rowdies and Bulls will take part in a barbecue at the USF Soccer Stadium.
Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for youths/seniors. For more information, log onto www.GoUSFBulls.com or call 1-800-GoBulls.