A Short Wish List for the New Millennium
(December 23, 1999)

Many in the media write holiday articles featuring Christmas wish lists and hopes for the New Year. For the Tampa Bay football fan, this is a short list indeed. The last quarter, of the last century, of this millennium, has been very, very good for area football.

Just reflect back to twenty-five years ago. As the new year 1975 dawned, Tampa Bay area football was a barren wasteland. Yes, the Buccaneers were coming in 1976, but the University of Tampa had just dropped its football program and Arena football had not been invented yet, so there was little more than high school football for local fans. Even the most ardent local advocate could not have envisioned the football explosion over the next quarter century.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers - The Bucs have made a miraculous transformation from the dismal, penny pinching days. Today, they are a model franchise. Dreadful college drafts are a thing of the past and they have spent money to sign key players to long term contracts. A new logo, sold out games and a contending team have energized the community.

The Tampa Bay Storm - Simply put, the Storm may be the most successful team in Arena Football League history. Four league titles, attendance records and numerous superstars highlight the team's existence.

The Outback Bowl - A relative newcomer to the college bowl scene, the Outback Bowl has become a New Year's tradition. A major bowl game on New Year's Day, in such a short period of time, is an accomplish the Outback Bowl people can be proud of.

University of South Florida Football - The century almost closed without college football, but the South Florida Bulls joined the fun. The school is on an accelerated path to major college football and will be playing in Conference USA in a few years.

Stadia - Tampa Stadium hosted most of the major football events of the last quarter century. The old sombrero was never anything fancy, but was adequate in its time. The facility that replaced it, Raymond James Stadium, is truly a football palace. It brings a whole new experience to watching the game, with frills galore, and must be looked at by any future stadium designer. The Ice Palace, an arena built for the NHL Lightning, is also a new facility and plays hosts to Tampa Bay Storm games.

Super Bowls - Tampa Bay has hosted Super Bowl Sunday twice and the game will be played at Raymond James Stadium after the 2000 season. No doubt football's biggest game will be awarded to this area in the future.

Other Bonuses - The Tampa Bay Bandits were one the more successful teams in the old United States Football League. For three springs, in the mid-1980s, they played at Tampa Stadium. There are also many community leaders who have done much to make it all possible, but to give them their due thanks would take entire article.

As a new millennium dawns, Tampa Bay football features contending teams, state- of-the-art facilities and some of the biggest names in the game. Yes, the wish list is short.