Rob Higgins Leaves Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Joins USF as CEO of Athletics

Rob Higgins, who has served as executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission since 2004, has been named the University of South Florida’s first-ever chief executive officer of athletics.

Higgins, a former USF Athletics staff member, becomes the first USF alum to lead the department. He 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.

“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,” Higgins said. “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.”

During Higgins’ tenure, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission hosted 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 Higgins has proven during his time with the Tampa Bay Sports Commission that he isn’t afraid to dream big,” said USF Board of Trustees Chair Will Weatherford. “He’ll bring that same ambition to USF and we’re excited to welcome him back home to lead our next chapter.”

Shortly after attending his first men’s basketball game at age 8, Higgins 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.

“Rob is a terrific example of the impact our alumni make every day,” said USF President Rhea Law. “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.”