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For Tampa Mayor Jane Castor ’81, the lessons that shaped her career began on the courts at the University of Tampa, where she helped build a legacy of athletic excellence.

Castor, a UTampa Athletics Hall of Famer who played basketball and volleyball, highlighted UTampa’s winning tradition Friday at the Martinez Athletics Center by honoring its most recent national championship teams with a city proclamation.

Baseball, men’s lacrosse, and men’s swimming all won NCAA Div. II national championships last season. The baseball team’s championship was its third consecutive national title, making it the first Division II baseball program to win three straight titles. Men’s swimming’s win was its second team title in three years. The men’s lacrosse win was also its second national title.

Student-athletes and coaches from the championship teams and others listened as President Teresa Abi-Nader Dahlberg, Athletic Director E.J. Brophy and Castor all addressed the audience.

Coming to UTampa in 1977 on an athletic scholarship opened doors to the life she has today, Castor said.

“It was this university that really gave me that opportunity,” she said. “In athletics you learn so much.”

UTampa’s high-performing athletic teams are bolstered by academic support that helps ensure student success in the classroom, too. That creates graduates who, as mayor, Castor said she wants to see stay in the region.

“Thank you for holding our reputation as ‘Champa Bay,’” she said, referencing the city’s past titles from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team.

“Also, as the mayor, anybody that is from outside of the city of Tampa that is here at the University of Tampa, you are mandated to stay here when you finish your college education,” she joked. 

UTampa fall sports are well into their seasons. Check schedules at Tampaspartans.com.