Go Bulls. If you’ve spent any time in Tampa, you’ve heard it. But honestly, most people think of the University of South Florida (USF) as just that big school with the green and gold flags near Busch Gardens. They don’t realize the sheer number of heavy hitters who actually walked those halls.
We aren't just talking about local heroes here. We are talking about the guy who launched the IBM ThinkPad, the woman who was the model for the Gerber Baby, and even the person who basically invented phone phreaking by whistling. It's a weird, wild, and incredibly successful mix.
The Hollywood and Entertainment Connection
You’ve probably seen Mark Consuelos on Live with Kelly and Mark or as the villainous Hiram Lodge on Riverdale. He graduated in 1994. He’s probably the most visible face of the school right now, but he’s definitely not the only one.
Then there’s Grace Gealey. She was huge in Empire. She actually got her start in the theater department at USF before heading off to bigger stages. Speaking of stages, Kissy Simmons literally played Nala in The Lion King on Broadway for nine years. That’s not a small feat.
Comedians and Internet Famous Folks
- Gallagher: Yeah, the guy who smashed watermelons with a Sledge-O-Matic? He graduated in 1970 with a degree in chemical engineering. It kinda makes sense when you think about the "physics" of his show.
- Philip DeFranco: One of the OGs of YouTube. He attended USF and has mentioned his time in Florida in various videos over the years.
- Aasif Mandvi: You know him from The Daily Show. He didn't just stumble into comedy; he was part of the theater scene in Tampa before moving up.
University of South Florida Notable Alumni in Sports: More Than Just Football
When people think of university of south florida notable alumni in sports, they usually jump straight to the NFL. And yeah, Jason Pierre-Paul is a legend. Two Super Bowl rings? That’s the dream. He was the 15th overall pick in 2010, which is still the highest draft pick in the school's history.
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But the sports legacy is actually way more diverse than just the gridiron.
Tony La Russa is a name that carries massive weight in baseball. He’s a Hall of Fame manager with three World Series titles. He graduated from USF in 1969. Then you have Gigi Fernández, who won two Olympic gold medals in tennis doubles. She was the first Puerto Rican woman to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
The soccer program is also a powerhouse. Evelyne Viens won gold with Canada at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She was absolutely lethal on the pitch during her time at USF, and it clearly translated to the international stage.
Business Titans You Didn't Know Were Bulls
This is where it gets interesting. USF isn't just an "arts" school or a "sports" school. The business world is crawling with Bulls.
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George Reyes was the CFO of Google. Think about that for a second. During some of the company's most explosive growth years, a USF grad was holding the checkbook.
Then there's Jordan Zimmerman. If you’ve ever seen a commercial for Nissan or Papa John's, you’ve seen his work. He founded Zimmerman Advertising, which is one of the biggest firms in the country. He’s been a massive supporter of the school—hence the Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications.
Tech and Innovation
- John R. Patrick: He was a senior marketing executive at IBM and is credited with launching the ThinkPad brand. Every time you see that little red nub on a keyboard, thank a Bull.
- Robert B. Carter: He’s been the CIO of FedEx for ages. He basically helped build the logistics systems that allow you to get your packages overnight.
- Aaron Fechter: This is a fun one. He’s an inventor who developed the animatronics for ShowBiz Pizza Place (the Rock-afire Explosion). If you have childhood memories of robotic bears playing music, that started with a USF grad from the class of '73.
Politics and Public Service
The political influence of USF grads stretches from Tampa City Hall all the way to D.C. Pam Iorio served as the Mayor of Tampa for eight years and then went on to lead Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
On a national level, John Kirby is a retired rear admiral who currently serves as a spokesperson for the White House. You've probably seen him on the news explaining complex foreign policy.
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And then there's H. Lee Moffitt. Not only was he the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, but he’s also the reason the Moffitt Cancer Center exists. He pushed for its creation and it’s now one of the top cancer hospitals in the world. That's a legacy that actually saves lives every single day.
The "Wait, They Went There?" List
Some alumni are famous for things you’d never guess. Ann Turner Cook was a mystery novelist, but her real claim to fame happened when she was a baby. She was the original model for the Gerber Baby logo. She graduated from USF in 1969.
And we can't forget Joybubbles (born Joe Engressia). He was a "phone phreak" in the 60s who discovered he could whistle at a specific frequency (2600Hz) to reset phone lines and make free calls. He was a student at USF when he became a folk hero in the early hacking community. Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs actually looked up to guys like him.
Actionable Insights for Current Students and Grads
Looking at this list can be a bit overwhelming, but there are some real takeaways here:
- Diversify your network: Notice how many of these people moved between industries. An engineering degree (like Gallagher’s) doesn't mean you can't end up in entertainment.
- Leverage the Tampa "Launchpad": Many of these alumni, like Jordan Zimmerman or Pam Iorio, stayed connected to the Tampa Bay area to build their initial success.
- Check the Alumni Association: USF has over 370,000 alumni. Whether you're in tech, sports, or the arts, there is almost certainly a Bull who has already done what you’re trying to do. Reach out.
If you are a current student, don't just stay in your dorm. Join the BOLD (Bulls of the Last Decade) program once you graduate. It’s one of the best ways to actually meet these people and get your foot in the door. The "Green and Gold" network is way deeper than a football game on a Saturday afternoon.
To get started, update your LinkedIn profile to include the University of South Florida clearly in your education section. Then, use the "Alumni" tool on the USF LinkedIn page to filter by the companies listed above—Google, FedEx, or IBM. You might be surprised who responds to a message that starts with "Go Bulls."