The University of South Florida announced the selection of Rob Higgins as the university’s
first-ever CEO of Athletics following a comprehensive national search.

Higgins has served as executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission since
2004, successfully positioning the region as one of the nation’s premier destinations
in sports and entertainment, including hosting two Super Bowls, a College Football
Playoff National Championship and a long list of other high-profile events during
his tenure.  Higgins, a former USF Athletics staff member, becomes the first USF alum
to lead the department.  

“As we embarked on this search, it became clear that this moment was different for
the University of South Florida.  Our next leader couldn’t just be an athletics director
– we needed a CEO of USF Athletics.  In this new era of college athletics, not only
is the role about providing a top-tier experience for our student-athletes across
all sports, it now requires a business approach to build a competitive enterprise,
grow revenue, embrace innovation, lead through change and position our university
— and the Tampa Bay region — on the national stage,” said USF Board of Trustees Chair
Will Weatherford.  “Rob Higgins has proven during his time with the Tampa Bay Sports
Commission that he isn’t afraid to dream big.  He’ll bring that same ambition to USF
and we’re excited to welcome him back home to lead our next chapter.” 

Higgins served as the president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl LV Host Committee
in 2021 and was on the bid and operations committee that hosted Super Bowl XLIII in
2009.  In addition to the two Super Bowls, events the region has hosted and/or been
awarded since he joined the Tampa Bay Sports Commission include the 2017 College Football
Playoff National Championship, the NCAA Women’s Basketball Final Four on four occasions,
the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament three times, the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four in hockey
three times, the NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship twice, the NHL All-Star Weekend,
NHL Stadium Series and WrestleMania 37.

“Rob is a terrific example of the impact our alumni make every day.  Through his tireless
efforts over the past two decades, Rob has helped elevate Tampa Bay through hosting
events that generate economic impact for our communities, attract thousands of visitors
to the area and grow the region’s brand to audiences across the world,” said USF President
Rhea Law, the first university alum to serve in her role.  “We’re proud of all his
success and look forward to everything he will accomplish as our CEO of USF Athletics.”

Among his accolades, Higgins was named to the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s Power 100
each of the last five years, selected for Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal’s
“Forty Under 40,” the Tampa Bay Business Journal’s “30 Under 30” list, the Tampa Bay
Times named him one of the top 10 difference makers in Tampa Bay and Huffington Post
listed him as one of the top 30 sports marketers in the world.  

“I’ve been fortunate to know Rob Higgins for many years, and I’ve seen the passion
he has for the University of South Florida and the Tampa Bay region,” said USF Board
of Trustees Vice Chair Mike Griffin.  “As a university, and as a community, we have
great momentum.  USF is rising in research, rankings and reputation. Especially as
we prepare to open our transformational on-campus stadium in the coming years, Bulls
Nation is more engaged and energized than ever.  At this pivotal time in USF Athletics
history, Rob is the right person to lead us into a new era.”

Higgins’ connection to USF started at an early age.  Shortly after attending his first
men’s basketball game at age 8, he became a ball kid for the team.  After graduating
from USF, he worked as a staff member for USF Athletics, helping oversee facilities
and event management. He was inducted into USF’s Zimmerman School of Advertising Hall
of Fame in 2015 and in May 2025 he received the Distinguished Citizen Award at USF
Commencement.

“I never imagined that an opportunity to volunteer as a young boy at USF basketball
games would take me down a path to a career of over 20 years serving at the Tampa
Bay Sports Commission and now the opportunity to return to my alma mater as the first
CEO of Athletics. Cliches are often rooted in some truth, but this truly is a dream
come true. I could not be more honored to take on this responsibility and could not
be more excited to get started,” Higgins said. “Go Bulls!”

Higgins and his wife Casey have two children, Laney and Landon. 

An introductory press conference is scheduled for Sept. 22, and additional details
will be shared in the coming days.