Stricklin Gets To Work Meeting Gator Nation

LAKELAND, Fla. – Quickly after being introduced by Phil Pharr, executive director of Gator Boosters, Inc., Scott Stricklin stood up, walked to the front of the large banquet room, and used one of his favorite tools – a self-deprecating sense of humor – to lighten the mood.

"Typically there is a headliner when I do one of these,'' said Stricklin, now in his third month as Florida's athletic director. "I'm all you get tonight."

The intimate gathering of Florida boosters laughed and provided Stricklin a soft landing as he met many of them for the first time. Stricklin spent his Tuesday evening here at the Lake Mirror Auditorium. As the central Florida sunset sparkled over the picturesque lake outside, Stricklin opened what is essentially an introduction tour over the next several weeks.

First stop was Polk County, home to many of the most prominent supporters of the University of Florida over the years, including the late Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Stricklin met with a group of Legacy Directors, a designation assigned by Gator Boosters to supporters who have contributed more than $3 million to the University Athletic Association, and mingled with many others during the three-hour event.

Most typical fans probably wouldn't recognize a Legacy Director if he or she passed one in the hallway. Still, they are the ones who often pull out their checkbooks and make things happen for the Gators, people such as UF undergrad John W. Frost, a longtime attorney based in Bartow who attended Tuesday's assembly.

In his short time on the job, Stricklin has met individually with all of Florida's head coaches. He has made the rounds inside the UAA to get to know as many of the people possible who make the orange-and-blue machine run daily. He has participated in various campus events to meet students and faculty.

But in reality, he's barely past hello and this grassroots campaign around the state is a way of getting to know those whose passion for Florida Athletics stretches well beyond buying a ticket or T-shirt.

36138 — Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin congratulates Jachai Polite after Florida's Outback Bowl Win. (Photo: Courtney Culbreath/For UAA Communications)

"To really understand this place, I needed to get out and meet as many Florida Gators as I could,'' Stricklin said. "Relationships are so important in this business. That's the reason I'm here. I want to start building those relationships."

Before the tour concludes, Stricklin will speak to boosters at invitation-only events from Jacksonville to Miami. His next stop is Orlando. These appearances are separate of the annual speaking tour by UF coaches, which is a collaborative effort each year by the UF Alumni Association, Gator Boosters and UAA.

Stricklin replaced Jeremy Foley on Nov. 1. He is the new voice and new face of the UAA after Foley's incredibly successful 25-year run.

While Stricklin has a different style than Foley, his mission is the same: to continue to build and maintain an athletic department that is considered one of the most successful in the country.

"There are a lot of things that are really going well at the University of Florida,'' he said. "But nothing stays the same."

That was one of Stricklin's messages Tuesday.

The Gators recently opened the revamped Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center, which is home to the UF men's and women's basketball, volleyball, gymnastics and swim teams. The $64.5 million project capped a run of $106 million in facility upgrades over an 18-month period.

The UAA is currently working to hire a contractor and raise funds for at least another $100 million in facility upgrades, including a stand-alone football complex and upgrades to McKethan Stadium (baseball) and Seashole Pressly Stadium (softball).

Stricklin is already thinking past those ventures, stressing to the boosters the importance of the fan experience in today's college athletics market. With technology so advanced, to get fans into the stands you often need more than successful teams.

He used The Swamp as an example of an iconic venue in college sports much like Fenway Park is to Major League Baseball. When the future of Fenway became a hot-button issue about 15 years ago, the team's ownership group began to add enhancements that led to the ballpark's renewal. The Cubs have done the same to Wrigley Field in recent years.

Stricklin didn't specify any modifications to the Gators' home stadium since it opened in 1930, but rather established his leadership style and shared some early perceptions of his new environment.

"We've got to keep pushing,'' he said. "We exist on our campus to create an experience for all the different constituents of the university. It's so important we create an experience for you where you want to come back and stay connected."

Already, Stricklin has learned the competition in the Sunshine State for attention compared to Mississippi State, where he served as AD prior to Florida. In Mississippi, where there are no major professional teams, it's the Bulldogs and Rebels. Florida has nine professional teams (three NFL, two MLB, two NHL and two NBA), plus seven FBS schools.

He pled to those in the crowd to share their passion for the Gators when not on campus, whether that means hanging a flag outside the house or wearing a T-shirt to the grocery store.

"Make sure your friends know the Gators are important to you,'' he said. "Athletics is the front porch to a university. The University of Florida is a great example of that over the last 25 years."

The start of the next 25 is Stricklin's focus.

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