USF student-athletes commerce jerseys for exhausting hats to assist construct new stadium

By Paul Guzzo, University Communications and Marketing

USF security Jaelen Stokes has loads of highlight-reel moments — 10 solo tackles in opposition to
Navy and a sack within the Boca Raton Bowl, to call a number of.

The 2025–26 season is his final, two years earlier than USF opens its first on-campus stadium
in fall 2027.

Yet, he’ll be part of that spotlight too.

He’s engaging in that via a DuCon Construction mentorship program, the place extra
than a dozen USF student-athletes — not simply soccer gamers — are studying the complete
strategy of constructing the 35,000-seat facility: bidding on building supplies, ordering
provides, on-site undertaking administration, group outreach, and extra.

“Until this internship, I didn’t totally perceive how a lot element went into tasks
like this one,” stated Tyra Thomas, who runs the 100-meter hurdles for observe and area.
“It’s been exciting to learn about.”

The mentorship program was the thought of Ernest DuBose II, CEO of DuCon, which is partnering
with Manhattan Construction Company and H.J. Russell & Company to handle the constructing
of the stadium, which may even host lacrosse video games, live shows, and festivals.

“My mom graduated from USF. My son, Deric, played football for USF,” stated DuBose,
a former University of Florida soccer participant. “So, that is my dream undertaking. I needed
to share that dream by offering alternatives to USF student-athletes.”

Each student-athlete first receives a building staff mentor who meets with them
each few weeks to elucidate the ins and outs of the trade. If the intern then expresses
curiosity in building administration as a profession, they get an much more thorough look
at it by shadowing completely different DuCon , Manhattan and Russellemployees to be taught each
side of the trade. Stokes has been doing so for 5 months, and Thomas since
the beginning of August.

“The ideal situation we want is for them to go from internship to career,” DuBose
stated. “Whether they proceed to work for us on the stadium or one other undertaking, or
work with considered one of our subcontractors, we wish to assist them get employed.”

The program has actually piqued Stokes’ curiosity. Prior to the internship, his post-football
aspirations included legislation enforcement or teaching. Now, he sees a potential future in
building administration.

“I’ve really enjoyed seeing the process,” Stokes stated. “Most folks simply hear about
the stadium after which see it completed, prefer it simply went up in a single day. I’m studying
about all of the lengthy, exhausting steps in between.”

Thomas was already within the commerce.

“It’s in my family,” she stated.

One uncle oversees house constructing in Polk County; one other the development of residence
complexes and retail facilities all through Tampa. She hopes to work for DuCon after which,
as soon as skilled sufficient, enterprise out on her personal.

“I’ve a dream of going to school cities, discovering deserted properties, buying
and fixing them as inexpensive leases for student-athletes,” Thomas stated. “Between
courses, observe, journey, and the season, it’s exhausting for student-athletes to search out
sufficient time to work and afford a pleasant place. I’ve handled that. Now, I wish to
assist others.”

For DuBose, the parallels between being a student-athlete and dealing in building
administration are in all places. The self-discipline, the preparation, the reliance on each
staff member’s strengths—he sees all of it as a part of the identical playbook.

“I used to be a student-athlete, my undertaking supervisor, Clayton Brown, was a student-athlete,
and my superintendent, Issac Ricks, was a student-athlete,” he stated. “Just like in
sports activities, success right here depends upon teamwork, belief, and figuring out your function. Everyone has
a place based mostly on their expertise and expertise, and when every individual performs to their
strengths, the entire staff wins.”

Stokes echoed that sentiment.

“The teamwork needed for building a stadium and playing in one are so much alike,”
he stated. “I can’t wait to come back again and go to the brand new stadium and say I used to be a part of
it.”

USF soccer kicks off the season Aug. 28 at Raymond James Stadium because the Bulls take
on Boise State.