Year 2 of Gators Fan Advisory Council to Kick Off Soon; Applications Open Tuesday
Monday, May 18, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Katie Profeta did not hesitate to commit to another year.
The 2013 Florida graduate, who builds virtual online classes at Indian River (Fla.) State College near her Vero Beach home, now has a totally different perspective when she returns to campus for Florida football games.
Her experience on the inaugural Gators Fan Advisory Council is the reason why.
“The meetings were very eye opening,'' Profeta said. “You get to see and understand things from all different kinds of people.”
The University Athletic Association announced the launch of the Gators Fan Advisory Committee in April 2014. In an age where technological advances and entertainment options seemingly expand at an exponential rate, the fan experience is a major point of emphasis for the UAA.
The 13-member council meets three to four times annually at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to discuss a wide range of topics, covering everything from tailgate options to music inside the stadium to security outside after night games.
The council's next meeting is scheduled in August. On Tuesday those interested in an opportunity to join the council for the 2015-16 school year can apply. The application process runs until June 8 and the committee is seeking six new members.
The council is composed of the following members:
- Two current students
- One recent graduate
- Ten season-ticket holders of varying contribution levels
Profeta serves on the council as the recent graduate representative.
She fell in love with Florida football when she attended a Gators-Tennessee game prior to becoming a student at UF.
The opportunity to stay connected to her alma mater and have an impact on the fan experience prompted her to apply for a position last year.
“I've always been on the student side. It's just interesting to hear what other people say who have seats in different parts of the stadium,'' she said. “What they are hearing and seeing and listening to is much different than what I experience. It's nice to get a big picture and how can we improve things for everyone and not just one section.”
You might not know Gators season-ticket holder Pete Calamore by name, but if you have been to The Swamp for a game since 1993, you are likely familiar with his “Work 'em Silly, Gators” sign in the East stands.
Calamore is a passionate Florida fan who has confidence in the UAA but also is appreciative to have a voice on the council.
“If you have an opportunity to give some feedback and some direction on where things go, that's something you don't want to pass up,” Calamore said.
In Calamore's view, the most progress the council made in its first year was establishing an open line of communication with the UAA administration.
“Mostly it's an exchange of ideas of what might work,'' he said. “Florida football is a unique experience. We understand some ideas might work, and then why others can't work. I don't want to see Florida football become a just-for-TV sport. That is my biggest concern as a Florida football fan, the game-day experience.”
Other members of the council spoke of their interests in joining the committee in a story we did on GatorZone.com prior to last season.
The council tackled various issues last season in meetings attended by Mike Hill, UF's executive associate athletics director for external affairs, and other UAA representatives.
Some of the more prominent accomplishments in the council's first year included a variety of incentives for season-ticket holders, including the recent Movie in The Swamp event. In addition, the Orange and Blue Weekend highlighted by the annual Orange and Blue Debut spring football game offered more of a fan fest environment and included an increase in family oriented activities.
Finally, students voiced a concern about the lack of a specific meeting area for them to tailgate prior to games. While the location remains to be determined, this is an initiative the UAA plans to put in place for the 2015 season.
“There were definitely some improvements made,'' Profeta said. “What we're telling them, they are definitely listening to. Rome wasn't built in a day. That's why it's great it's not just a one-year initiative. It's going to continue on with different people.
“[Serving on the council] gives me a different outlook on attending these games as a fan. Now that I know some of the logistics from behind the scenes, I know realistically what I can expect and what I can't.”
