Leading the charge in terms of energy and support for USF’s Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams is an organization known as SoFlo Rodeo. Formed just over a year ago, the student-lead club is ran by Carson McGrail, Tyler Moss, Kyle Muffoletto, Cayman Ogden, and Ari Thibeault – all current students at University of South Florida.
Whether it’s creating engaging themes for certain matchups throughout the season, or starting funny chants during the games, these five individuals keep themselves busy by finding lucrative ways to drive the South Florida student body to the Yuengling Center on game days.
If you take a closer look at USF’s student section, you will notice the first row or two is filled with students that have USF’s signature horned logo painted on their chests. Known as the “Beef Studs”, SoFlo Rodeo’s Muffoletto is the current President of that initiative.
“I am the current President of the Beef Studs, which is the club that paints up for the football games. SoFlo Rodeo brought me on board after seeing me with the Beef Studs in order to help incorporate more school spirit into the student body.”
Muffoletto found himself quite busy at the start of this basketball season while trying to incorporate the Beef Studs into the basketball student section. Typically, they can only be found at Raymond James Stadium for South Florida Football games, but Muffoletto’s new partnership with “The Rodeo” has driven them to bring out the paint for basketball now.
The last game [vs. FAU] we had 20 students get painted up with the Beef Studs. I think the first time we did it we had five, Muffoletto said.”
Growth
Entering full effect during the 2022-23 season, it was not the easiest task for “The Rodeo” to try to drive students out of their dorms to watch the game of a below average men’s team.
“We do credit [this year’s basketball team] for being successful this year as a reason we are able to have more of a push [this year]. We were able to come in and really start to get the voices of the student body heard – connecting them with organizations like Beefs Studs and all of the clubs that we are able to represent as well. We have had the ability to elevate the student body presence to another level, Moss said”.
THE STUDENT SECTION IS PACKED!
How loud will the USF faithful be today against No. 24 FAU? pic.twitter.com/VXWmq5Tjqr
— FL Teams (@FLTeams) February 18, 2024
With South Florida’s Men’s Basketball team having such a positive swing in relevance this season, there is not a reason in the world for a USF student to not want to come out to a game; especially with the hype that SoFlo Rodeo has brought to the student section.
National Attention
With great energy and creativity comes great national attention.
If anyone happened to tune into USF’s game on February 18th, 2024 against FAU, you may have noticed ESPN’s camerawork focusing in on the student section. Energetic, passionate, loud – these are just a few words that came to my mind when I saw them all on my television.
YC is ROWDY today! 🤘 pic.twitter.com/t4XEMubPUu
— Fowler Ave Collective🤘 (@FowlerAvenue) February 18, 2024
This is a complete turnaround from last season, when USF would be lucky enough to have 100 fans in attendance. There was over 10,000 fans that attended this specific game, a sellout crowd without an empty seat in sight. It was a record day for attendance with specifically 10,659 fans at the Yuengling Center.
What an incredible job done by our students in this one today!!! Couldn't have done it without you all!!! pic.twitter.com/K0mo8IVTC8
— SoFloRodeo (@soflorodeo) February 18, 2024
Additionally, did anyone else notice two faceless mannequins in the student section sporting USF attire?
How many mannequins are in the USF student section and why are they there?
— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) February 7, 2024
At the moment, one of then remains unnamed, but the other one is named Stuart Dent, Stu for short.
Yes, his name put together is “Student”!
If you would like to know the reason why SoFlo Rodeo brings these mannequins with them to the basketball games, your guess is as good as mine.
Might have to ask @soflorodeo pic.twitter.com/7S30iygV18
— Kyle Muffoletto (@awsumsox99) February 7, 2024
What’s Next?
USF’s next home game for Men’s Basketball is on February 25th, 2024 as the Bulls take on SMU.
If you want to check out SoFlo Rodeo live and in-person, I highly suggest grabbing yourself a ticket to the game!
Go Bulls!