Tampa Sports Authority Timeline

March 5, 1965 - A bill to create a Tampa Sports Authority is introduced in the Florida House of Representatives. Rep.Terrel Sessums of Hillsborough County drafted it.

April 23, 1965 - First Tampa Sports Authority members named: Frank Lorenzo, Sebastian Agliano, and W.O. Savage, W. Crosby Few, H. Vincent Thornton, Ray F. Ellis, Malcolm Mick and Dallas Albritton, Jr.

May 28, 1965 - Governor Hayden Burns signs bill creating the Tampa Sports Authority.

July 5, 1965 - Tampa Sports Authority meets for the first time and organizes, with Thornton named chairman; Savage, vice chairman.

August 3, 1965 - Tampa Sports Authority names William Watson & Co. of Tampa as architects and Coverdale and Colpitts of New York as economic feasibility consultants.

October 1, 1965 - Tampa Sports Authority takes over Al Lopez Field baseball facilities and surrounding acreage from Columbus Drive to Buffalo Avenue and Dale Mabry Highway and Himes Avenue.

June 7, 1966 - Tampa Sports Authority announces it is ready to begin screening applicants for manager of athletic facilities.

August 13, 1966 - King High School Athletic Director Joe Zalupski named Stadium Manager Tampa Sports Authority.

October 18, 1966 - Tampa Sports Authority takes delivery of check for $4,449,413.89 and orders stadium construction to begin on November 8, 1967 set as completion date.

November 4, 1967 - First game at Tampa Stadium. The University of Tennessee defeated the University of Tampa.

August 10, 1968 - First professional football game at Tampa Stadium. The Atlanta Falcons played the Washington Redskins in front of 40,915 people.

April 26, 1975 - The first Rowdies game was held. The Rowdies played Rochester in front of 10,500 people.

August 21, 1976 - The first Buccaneers game was played. The Bucs played Miami in front of a crowd of 67,466 people.

June 3, 1977 - The City and Tampa Sports Authority imposed a one-year moratorium on rock concerts due to the Led Zepplin concert.

December 21, 1982 - Tampa Bay Bandits and Tampa Sports Authority sign a 15-year lease.

March 6, 1983 - The first Bandits game was played against Boston.

October 16, 1983 - Additional Lounge Boxes Completed.

July 15, 1984 - USFL Championship held at Tampa Stadium, Philadelphia defeated Arizona 23 - 3.

June 15, 1985 - The Bandits played their last game versus Birmingham.

December 23, 1986 - First Hall of Fame Bowl. Boston College beat Georgia 27-24.

September 19, 1988 - Tampa Sports Authority announces the New York Yankees will begin spring and winter training at the Tampa Sports Authority Complex located at the corner of Himes Avenue and Columbus Drive.

April 10, 1990 - Tampa Sports Authority borrows $1.6 million to improve Tampa Stadium with some new seat backs.

April 27, 1990 - Tampa Bay Buccaneers sign lease agreement with Tampa Sports Authority through year 2000.

January 14, 1992 - Executive Director of the Tampa Sports Authority, Joe Zalupski, announces his retirement after 26 years.

July 1, 1992 - Operations Director Rick Nafe takes control of Tampa Sports Authority.

August 17, 1992 - Rowdies agree to "come home" after signing a one-year lease with the Tampa Sports Authority.

September 1993 - Tampa Sports Authority introduces plans for the future which includes: the St. Pete Times Forum for the Tampa Bay Lightining, spring training home for the New York Yankees, expansion of Tampa Stadium and plans for a Bucs training complex.

September 11,1994 - The Rowdies last game was played against the L.A. Salsa at Tampa Stadium.

March 21, 1995 - Name of Tampa Stadium changed to Houlihan Stadium by right of Buccaneer contract.

April 1995 - Hall of Fame Bowl is officially renamed and will now be called the Outback Bowl.

October 20, 1995 - USF Bulls sign 10-year agreement with Tampa Sports Authority for stadium to host home football games starting in 1997

January 1, 1996 - The first Outback bowl was played between Penn State and Auburn. Penn State won 43-14.

March 1, 1996 - Legends Field Opens, The New York Yankees played host to the Cleveland Indians.

March 27, 1996 - Tampa Sports Authority backs stadium deal.

April 1, 1996 - Tampa Sports Authority and City Council approve stadium deal.

April 9, 1996 - Tallahassee hearing on Buccaneers bill delayed by Senator Matthew Meadows; Bucs and Tampa Sports Authority lobby for rental car referendum in Tallahassee.

April 13, 1996 - The Tampa Bay Mutiny play their Inaugural Game against the New England Revolution in Tampa Stadium before 25,798 fans, winning 3 -2.

April 19, 1996 - Taxpayers on hook for stadium design, Tampa Sports Authority to pay $2 million, Bucs to pay $4 million.

June 1, 1996 - Survey shows support for mixed tax, Tampa Sports Authority displays new renderings of stadium design puts the price at $168.5 million reduces club seats from 15,000 to 12,000 and suites from 160 to 100.

August 6, 1996 - Tampa Sports Authority approves sale of south property to Hillsborough Aviation Authority for $19.375 million.

September 3, 1996 - Community Investment Tax passes by a 53-47 percent margin.

October 1996 - The St. Pete Times Forum (known as the Ice Palace at that time) opens its doors to the public.

October 15, 1996 - Groundbreaking begins on the new Tampa community stadium.

December 1, 1996 - The half-cent sales tax takes effect

May 13, 1997 - Tampa Sports Authority is expected to award a multi-million dollar bid package on machinery needed for the new stadium's construction.

May 14, 1997 - Longtime financial director, Henry Saavedra, takes over as Tampa Sports Authority’s new executive director.

September 6, 1997 - University of South Florida played their first football game at Houlihan Stadium, beating Kentucky Wesleyan 80-3.

Septemeber 13, 1998 - The final event is played at Tampa stadium.

September 20, 1998 - The first Bucs game was played at Raymond James Stadium®. The Bucs defeated the Chicago Bears, 27-15.

September 30, 1998 - Tampa Sports Authority conveys ownership of Legends Field to Hillsborough County.

October 3, 1998 - University of South Florida held its first game at RJS.

January 1, 1999 - First Outback Bowl was played at RJS.

January 18, 1999 - Demolition began on Houlihan stadium as the first wrecking ball was dropped by Mayor Dick Greco.

March 20, 1999 - The Tampa Bay Mutiny played their first game at Raymond James Stadium.

April 11, 1999 - The last portion of Tampa Stadium was demolished in an explosion. The lounge box structure was detonated and witnessed by thousands nearby.

November 2000 - Renovated Rogers Park opens to the public.

January 28, 2001 - Super Bowl XXXV at Raymond James Stadium. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the New York Giants, 34-7, behind an impressive defensive performance by MVP Ray Lewis.

March 14, 2001 - The Tampa City Medal-Play Championship returns to Roger's Park Golf Course after a three year absence.

July 11, 2001- The BOCC approved the "Amendment To The License Agreement" between the NYY, Tampa Sports Authority & Hillsborough County for the NYY to construct additional clubhouse space at the Minor League Complex located at the corner of Himes and Columbus Dr. Also, the Tampa Bay Mutiny contract on the BOCC consent agenda was approved.

September 9, 2001 - Mutiny play their last game at Raymond James Stadium in contest versus Columbus Crew.

December 19, 2003 - Tampa Sports Authority conveys ownership of Raymond James Stadium to Hillsborough County, but retains responsibilities of managing the facility.

May 3, 2004 - Babe Zaharias closes for renovation.

November 20, 2004 - Babe Zaharias reopens to public.

December 30, 2004 - Tampa Sports Authority conveys ownership of St. Pete Times Forum to Hillsborough County.