Shumaker teams up with USF as 2026 Bulls Coaches Tour sponsor

Shumaker Law Firm is serving as the presenting sponsor for the 2026 Bulls Coaches Tour, an opportunity for University of South Florida alumni, fans and other supporters to hear directly from various USF coaches and sports program leaders.

Shumaker leaders said its decision to be this year’s presenting sponsor is in recognition of the firm’s continued commitment to supporting student-athletes, academic excellence and community engagement across the Tampa Bay region.

“Shumaker is honored to support the Bulls Coaches Tour and to celebrate the momentum surrounding USF Athletics,” said Bennett Speyer, Partner and Hospitality, Leisure & Sports Industry Sector Co-Chair at Shumaker.

“Our relationship with USF spans generations and reflects a shared commitment to opportunity, leadership, and the continued growth of our community. With one of the region’s most experienced Sports Law teams, we are proud to support the people and programs such as USF’s, which is a model of success and innovation in the rapidly changing landscape of collegiate athletics.”

The Bulls Coaches Tour is making three stops across the region in May, with CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins, Head Football Coach Brian Hartline, Head Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Mack, and Head Women’s Basketball Coach Kristy Curry on hand.

Shumaker has long been a strong partner for USF, including by establishing a $100,000 endowed athletic scholarship fund in 2007, led by Shumaker Partner Mark Catchur. Since its inception, the scholarship has supported numerous student-athletes, including several members of the USF baseball program, helping provide financial assistance and opportunity for Bulls students to excel both on the field and in the classroom.

A variety of Shumaker lawyers and advisors have supported USF.

Shumaker Partner and USF alumnus Andy Mayts was recently elected to the USF Financing Corporation Board to help guide financing for major capital projects and previously served on the USF Alumni Association Board of Directors. Sandy Murman, a former Hillsborough County Commissioner who now serves as an advisor at Shumaker, has served on the USF Nursing Advisory Board and is a member of USF Women in Leadership and Philanthropy. Les Miller, also a former Hillsborough County Commissioner who now advises for Shumaker, previously received the University’s Distinguished Alumnus Award.

Other Shumaker leaders who have worked to make a difference at USF include Ron Christaldi, President and CEO of Shumaker Advisors Florida. Christaldi serves on the USF Contemporary Art Museum & Graphic Studio Council, the USF Financing Corporation Board, and the USF Alumni Association National Board of Directors.

Andrew McIntosh, a business and transactions lawyer with the firm, serves on the USF Monsour Executive Wellness Center Medical Advisory Board, while Douglas Cherry, a partner and chair of the firm’s business technology sector, has contributed to USF academic initiatives through educational workshops.

“Our partnership with USF reflects the pride so many members of our firm have in the University and the Tampa Bay region,” said Jaime Austrich, Tampa Managing Partner and Management Committee Member at Shumaker. “We are excited to support opportunities like the Bulls Coaches Tour that bring the community together while helping advance the future of USF Athletics.”

The Bulls Coaches Tour has planned stops at the USF St. Petersburg campus on May 8, the Sarasota-Manatee campus on May 13, and at the USFR Health Morsani College of Medicine on May 14. Fans at the events will have the opportunity to engage directly with athletics leaders and hear from them about their vision for the future of USF athletics.

“We’re incredibly grateful for Shumaker Law Firm’s longstanding support of the University of South Florida and especially Bulls Athletics,” Higgins said. “Championship programs are built with the backing of strong community partners, and we’re proud to have so many across Tampa Bay. We’re thrilled to have Shumaker supporting the Bulls Coaches Tour and can’t wait to connect with Bulls fans this May.”

Shumaker employs a team of more than 300 lawyers and advisors and more than 60 paralegals across 13 locations.