June 5, 2024
Betty Castor has built a sterling reputation as an elected official, an educator and a philanthropist. The Glazer family purchased the Tampa Bay Buccaneers prior to the 1995 season and quickly ushered But a large part of her legacy has been her contribution to athletics. As president of the University in a new era of sustained success that produced a pair of Super Bowl championships. During their of South Florida, she oversaw the approval of the school’s football program in 1995 and its nearly three decades of ownership, the Buccaneers have enjoyed their most successful stretch as a on-field debut in 1997. Former USF athletic director Paul Griffin said Castor’s leadership franchise, making nine playoff appearances, winning five division titles and two NFC Conference was invaluable in navigating the political landscape. “Betty was the final piece of the puzzle,’’ Championships, in addition to victories in Super Bowl XXXVII and Super Bowl LV. Since their Griffin said. “She cleared the path and got us across the finish line.’’ Not only that, but Castor purchase of the team, the family has also been very active in helping to attract major sporting events to also insisted on the proper college football environment for USF by helping to create the the Tampa Bay area, including three Super Bowls. Off the field of play, the Glazer family has played a school’s award-winning marching band, the “Herd of Thunder.’’ As Florida’s Commissioner of vital role in championing important community programs focused on making a lasting positive Education, Castor was also instrumental in the implementation of Title IX standards for girls impact on the Tampa Bay area. In addition to a long-standing commitment to education, the sports. She also helped establish the state’s fast-pitch softball program for high schools, which Buccaneers-- under the Glazer family's guidance-- have been pioneers in the areas of diversity, has led to thousands of student-athletes receiving an opportunity to play the sport in college. inclusion and gender equality. The family has also worked closely with Buccaneers players to create Castor, a New Jersey native, moved to Tampa in 1970 and became President of the League of innovative social justice programs focused on youth empowerment, police relations, criminal justice Women Voters. In 1972, she was elected as the first woman to serve on the Hillsborough County reform, racial equality, and workforce development. Additionally, the Glazer Vision Foundation was Commission and she became a Florida State Senator in 1976 (serving as President Pro Temper established in 1999 and has provided more than 200,000 free eye screenings and 20,000 prescription in 1985). During her time as USF’s president, the school gained a Research I designation, its glasses for children in need. endowment tripled, the Honors Program was expanded and there was a major push to increase Presented June 8th 2022 the on-campus housing. Castor has served as president of the National Board of Professional by the Teaching Standards and as executive director of the Patel Center of Global Solutions. She was Sports Club of Tampa Bay also named as a Community Hero by the Tampa Bay Lightning, who recognizes citizens or groups that give back to the community.