Athletics
The University of Tampa competes at the NCAA Division II level in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC). The University's mascot is The Spartan. UT is among the top schools in the SSC in the number of student-athletes named to the Commissioner's Honor Roll.
Spartan teams have won NCAA D–II titles in men's soccer (1981, 1994 and 2001), women's soccer (2007), baseball (1992, 1993, 1998, 2006 and 2007), golf (1987 and 1988) and volleyball (2006). With their win in 2007, the UT baseball team became the first team in Div. II baseball to win consecutive titles since UT won in 1992 and 1993.
UT fielded a men's football team from 1933 to 1974, and was the original team playing in Tampa Stadium. The team officially moved up to Division I in 1971 and defeated the Miami Hurricanes in 1970 and 1972. Several of its players went to the NFL, and it won the Tangerine Bowl. Lagging attendance caused the university to lose money on the program, and it was terminated at the end of the 1974 season.
The Spartans resurrected their men's basketball program in 1982 under Richard Schmidt, who still holds that position. Schmidt has led the team to ten consecutive winning seasons.
UT also competes in cross country and track. In addition to varsity sports, UT also competes in crew events around the nation. Every spring UT hosts a crew regatta, attracting teams from across the United States.
The Sports Hall of Fame at UT includes former New York Yankees Lou Piniella and Tino Martinez, and former NFL players Freddie Solomon of the San Francisco 49ers and John Matuszak of the Oakland Raiders. Matuszak was also an actor and participated in the World's Strongest Man competition. As an actor, he is probably most remembered as Sloth in The Goonies (1985).
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