A Message From Scott Stricklin

GATORS:

As you hopefully are aware, tomorrow the Florida men's basketball team plays its first game in the newly-renovated Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center, hosting Arkansas-Little Rock at 7 p.m. Those of you who will be able to join us will get to experience an unbelievable facility makeover, thanks to the $64.5 million in upgrades.

From the new chairbacked-seat configuration to the enhanced sound and lighting systems, the spacious Tom and Jane Johnson Family Atrium, and the sparkling new digital video boards and displays, Gator fans are in for a treat. Kudos to Executive Associate AD Chip Howard and everyone who helped make the renovations a reality, and in only nine months time.

Both our men's and women's basketball teams also deserve a pat on the back for not just surviving, but thriving during their month-plus playing games away from Gainesville. Mike White's guys went 8-3 during their tour of the state (plus one game in NYC), while Amanda Butler's ladies are 7-3, with another game on the road tonight and tomorrow in Winter Park (vs. Indiana and FAMU). The women's first home game is next Wednesday, Dec. 28, vs. Southeastern Louisiana.

With non-conference play winding down, there's a lot of good SEC basketball ahead of us, and I look forward to seeing Gator Nation packing Exactech Arena to support the Orange and Blue over next few months.

By the way, the basketball programs were not the only team displaced from the O'Connell Center during the fall season. The volleyball team played their entire home schedule at the Lemerand Center and captured their 22nd SEC title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, both swimming and diving, along with gymnastics, had their training and workout routines interrupted by the construction work. Hopefully, all of these Gator sports will reap long-term gains for the short-term inconveniences they put up with this fall.

THANK YOU, GATORS!

In my seven weeks on the job here in Gainesville, I've enjoyed the opportunity to meet our student-athletes, coaches, staff and many fans. But, I've also appreciated the chance to check out the wonderful athletic facilities at UF. As a new AD, I feel fortunate to be here on the heels of opening brand new facilities for indoor football practice, academic support (Otis Hawkins Center at Farrior Hall) and the renovated Exactech Arena at the O'Connell Center. That's more than $100 million worth of new athletic facility projects completed in a 16-month period.

These projects would not be possible without the great support you provide Gator Athletics. If there's one thing that has stood out to me in my short time, it's that the success of our athletes and teams is directly tied to our fans and the support you provide. And, with our attention quickly turning to another $100 million in facilities for a standalone football operations center and renovations to softball and baseball stadiums, your ongoing support is greatly appreciated.

Gator Athletics has accomplished, and will continue to accomplish, great things. But we need your help, whether it's buying a season ticket, contributing to Gator Boosters, or simply showing up at a Florida sporting event to cheer on the Orange and Blue. Thank you, Gators! Without your commitment to the program, it wouldn't be possible to provide a championship experience – both on and off the field – for our student-athletes.

CHAMPIONSHIPS AND DIPLOMAS

At the University of Florida, we tell all of our prospective student-athletes we want them to win championships and graduate. This past weekend, 22 student-athletes participated in graduation ceremonies, and 11 of them won a national or Southeastern Conference Championship during their time at UF. Since 2011, 61 percent of all of our graduating student-athletes have also won a championship.

This news comes on the heels of our high marks in the recent Graduation Success Rates released by the NCAA in November. Four teams scored a perfect 100 and six posted marks of 88 or higher. Overall, 83 percent of our student-athletes graduated in latest NCAA numbers released.

BOWLING GATORS

Our football team, coming off their second-consecutive trip to the SEC Championship Game, continues to prepare on campus for the Outback Bowl before they break for the holiday season. Our coaching staff and players are excited about the upcoming game in Tampa vs. Iowa and we look forward to spending a week in a great Gator city with our fans from the area and those that make the trip to the game on Jan. 2.

Speaking of the holidays, we want to wish you a safe and Happy Holidays.

Thanks again and Go Gators!

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Scott Stricklin

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