Bleacher Report Home-Court Advantage: USF's Sun Dome

The Sun Dome is one of the unique features in Tampa; it’s easily recognizable when flying into to the Tampa International Airport.

As the flight comes to and end one can see Tropicana Field to the right, and the Sun Dome to the left.  It’s been a community landmark since its completion in 1980.

It’s rarely filled during Basketball season, unless fall graduation is taking place...then it’s filled to its 10,400 person capacity. The Bulls faithful rally for their football team, but only the true Bulls fan dare to show up during the long gauntlet that is the Bulls basketball season.

Those Bulls faithful call themselves the “Beef Studs," a green and gold clad army of painted students. They begin the body painting also known as “the baptism," two to three hours before the tip. By the time the game nears they’ve already filed into the Dome and are making their presence known.

USF men’s team has struggled with Big East play since joining the conference in 2005. This year had been different and the Bulls have surprised many in the Tampa community. Most think this is just an anomaly, and still consider the women’s Basketball team as the flag carrier for the Bulls winter sports.

The crowd remains small, between 3,500 and 6,000, whether the men’s or women’s team is playing. They make up for quality when quantity is lacking. Donning horned helmets, gold glitter, and many unique get ups these fans take pride in their school.

They fill the lower bleachers as early as 45 minutes before tip off during big games, especially if it’s going to be shown on TV. The upper section usually will remain about half full depending on the opponent.

It’s not just the fans that take pride in their Bulls at the Sun Dome. The Herd of Thunder, aka H.O.T., helps get the tempo up and keep the fans on their feet. Rocky, the USF mascot is always making the rounds and keeping the mood festive no matter the games outcome.

The real treat for many of the Bulls fans during basketball games are USF’s famous Sun Dolls. They are the premier dance team for USF, and perform at home football and basketball games throughout the year.

The food is what you can usually find at any venue across the country, nothing spectacular. You can, however, buy beer if you’re of age. This usually gets the crowd into a frenzy going into the second half. Beer and college students will always supply its own form of entertainment for onlookers, especially when the game is well out of hand.

Tickets are free to all students, and anyone else can get in for eight to 23 bucks. On Ticketmaster, they even have an option for an all you can eat pass for an additional twenty bucks. Beer isn’t included of course, though the student section is still lobbying for that.

Halftimes usually feature the Sun Dolls, sometimes the band, and usually some shenanigans from some form of entertainers. I’ve seen everything from jugglers on unicycles, to white guys on trampolines trying to dunk from the free throw line. It’s never a dull moment, and the price is right.

I’ve seen my fair share of games in the Sun Dome, I’ve also graduated in it. It’s always been a place that the fans and community has enjoyed and continues to hold that tradition. It may not be the best home field advantage, but it definitely is one of best atmospheres I’ve been a part of.