Two Gators Named To Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame
Thursday, May 30, 2002 | General
Two longtime University of Florida standouts, Ricky Nattiel and Norm Carlson, are the latest Gators to be selected for the 2002 Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame, announced the Jacksonville Sports and Entertainment Board, a division of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
In recognition of the nation's premier collegiate rivalry, the Sports and Entertainment Board created the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame to acknowledge the many great records, performances, career highlights and outstanding memories that have made the Florida-Georgia game one of college football's greatest traditions.
Ricky Nattiel led the Gators to victories against the Bulldogs in 1984 and 1986, leading the charge with a 96-yard touchdown in 1984 and three touchdown catches in 1986. The legendary Norm Carlson, longtime UF sports information director, has been instrumental in the success of the Florida-Georgia game for 39 years.
Ricky Nattiel made a lasting impression in the University of Florida's record books. As a freshman Nattiel set a new single game UF record for most receptions in a game by a freshman with five against Vanderbilt. In 1984 he led the nation in punt returns with an average of 15.7 yards. Nattiel averaged 17.85 yards per catch, the best average per catch figure in UF history. During his junior season in 1985 he set a school record with 32.2 yards per catch in a game vs. FSU (min. of five catches in a game). He also led the team in punt return yardage with a mark of 8.9. In 1986 he was selected as a first-team All-SEC selection where he had 44 catches and ranked second in the SEC. He was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll in 1984. Nattiel finished his UF career with 117 total catches (6th best in school history) for 2,086 yards (2nd best total in UF history and 9th on the all-time SEC list) and 18 touchdown catches (3rd best in school history and 5th best on the all-time SEC list). He was a first round draft pick of the Denver Broncos. He currently owns a landscape design company and coaches football at Trinity Catholic High School in Ocala, Fla.
Carlson has served the University of Florida Sports Information Office for 39 years. He graduated from UF in 1956. Carlson served as sportswriter with the Atlanta Journal from 1956-59. He was the Sports Information Director at Auburn from 1956-63. Carlson was actively involved in the Florida Sportscasters Association, serving as Executive Director from 1964-76. He was inducted into the UF Letterman's Hall of Fame in and the Florida Sports Hall of Fame in 1995. He is a member of Florida Blue Key. As coordinator for the University of Florida football relations, Carlson has been involved in almost every aspect of the Florida-Georgia game since joining the UF's Athletic Association team in 1963.
The induction ceremony will take place November 1 at noon outside Alltel Stadium under the Championship Dreams Tent. Fans are encouraged and invited to attend the free and open event. This year will mark the seventh anniversary of the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame.
