The University of South Florida celebrated its top athletes at the annual Stampede of Champions ceremony on April 21, 2026. Maria Clara Andrade and Izaiyah Nelson received the Female and Male Athlete of the Year honors, respectively. Andrade led the Bulls volleyball team to its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2002, while Nelson made history as the first player in the American Conference to win Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Newcomer of the Year all in one season. The men's basketball team was also recognized as Team of the Year after capturing both conference titles and returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012.

By the Numbers
  • Andrade was a two-time American Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
  • NCAA titles: Men's 4X400-meter relay and basketball's fourth NCAA Tournament appearance.
State of Play
  • The celebration honored student-athletes across 16 award categories.
  • USF Athletics won 157 conference titles since its inception in 1965, including 39 since joining the American Athletic Conference.
What's Next

As the Bulls head into the next season, there are expectations for continued improvement, especially with standout athletes like Andrade and Nelson leading the teams. The infusion of talent from recent newcomers is likely to further enhance performance in upcoming competitions.

Bottom Line

The impressive achievements of USF student-athletes not only highlight individual excellence but also underscore the strength and potential of the overall athletic program as it continues to thrive on both competitive and academic fronts.