By Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing
Behind every successful sailing season is a strong community at the helm. Thanks to the support of USF and the Athletics program, the Women’s Sailing team charted another remarkable year – advancing to their 18th national finals in 20 years while welcoming a new fleet of boats, including one that honors a beloved alumna.
Women's Sailing team competing at the SAISA Top 9 Invitational.
The 15-member team successfully competed in the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association (ICSA) Women's National Championship held in St. Mary’s City, Maryland. Out of a 36-team field, USF exceeded expectations with a 17th-place finish. They were one of only two public universities to finish in the top 20.
Led by head coach Allison Jolly, a former USA Olympic athlete and 2016 Florida Sports Hall of Fame inductee, the USF sailing program has built and sustained a tradition of excellence for two decades.
“We have developed a very supportive environment and culture here,” Jolly said. “The student athletes who come are very motivated and they buy in early and bond with their fellow sailors. Everyone pushes everyone to be better, and they all see themselves as equally valuable to the success of our team.”
Jolly added that this culture is nurtured by USF Athletics, which has consistently supported the team – one of only three varsity sailing programs in the state – with access to trainers, conditioning coaches, sports psychologists and nutritionists.
Honoring a proud alumna
The support for the team also extends into the community. A recent $12,000 gift from longtime USF St. Petersburg supporter Johnnie Giffin will go towards supporting the sailing team while honoring her mother, Fay S. Baynard, a proud USF St. Petersburg alumna who also became an avid sailor and boater.
One of the new boats is now called the “Capt Fay II” in Baynard’s honor. She came to St. Petersburg in the 1960s from rural Mississippi and had a successful career as a hair salon owner and realtor. After graduating with a business degree at the age of 48, Baynard immersed herself in numerous local charities and developed her passion for sailing.
“She sailed competitively and participated in numerous races across North America. She was passionate about both boating and education, and this donation to the women’s sailing team is the ideal way to honor her,” Giffin said during a boat naming and alumni race event at USF St. Petersburg on April 26.
Johnnie Giffin stands next to “Capt Fay II” surrounded by student athletes, coaches and supporters as she leads the group in a ceremonial toast in naming new sailing boat in her mother's honor.
Giffin has been a dedicated advocate for USF St. Petersburg. Last year, she gifted a $1 million legacy gift to enhance the WLP/Fay S. Baynard Class of 1988 Memorial Scholarship that helps undergraduate single parents on the St. Petersburg campus navigate life’s choppy waters to complete their degree.
Earlier this year, she donated $2,000 to the USF Pearls Program, which supports incoming USF students emerging from foster care to assist their transition into higher education.
“My mother had a big heart and was planning to bequeath part of her estate to USF,” Giffin said. “I see it as my duty to follow through on her wishes and to find opportunities to empower through education.”
At the end of the dedication ceremony near Bayboro Harbor, where the sailing team practices, Giffin stood next to “Capt Fay II” surrounded by student athletes, coaches and supporters, and led the group in a ceremonial toast.
“Sail on, Mom, and go Bulls!”
Momentous Year Ahead
Women's Sailing team in action.
The women’s sailing team made this year’s nationals after a dominant performance at the South Atlantic ICSA Women's Conference Championships. They secured the Ann Boyd Trophy in the fleet racing championship and finished second in the team racing championship. Those performances earned the Bulls the 2025 conference championship.
“It’s been an amazing experience being a part of this team. Especially my journey from not knowing much about sailing as a freshman, to the point of facing the wrong way in a boat, to now being part of a championship,” said Madisen Hamai, who came to USF St. Petersburg from Colorado having never sailed before. “Two years ago, I would have never imagined this happening.”
Next year, the team is looking forward to not only winning another conference championship and making the finals but hosting it too.
“It’s a very big deal to be the host for this competition,” Jolly said.
The 2026 Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association Women's National Championship will take place in St. Petersburg, bringing 36 teams from across the nation to compete in the waters of Tampa Bay. It will be the first time USF has hosted the sailing finals since 2013.
“It will be special if we can represent our state at it,” Hamai said. “Plus, it’s nice that it will be warm down here during finals and that we will have familiarity with the waters.”