A Message From Scott Stricklin
Monday, August 7, 2017 | General
Florida's Athletic Director has a message for Gator Nation ahead of the 2017-18 school year kicking off.
Gator Fans
Just 41 days ago the Gators baseball team put the finishing touches on the 2016-17 athletic year with the athletic department's third national title in a span of 36 days. The women's tennis team started the remarkable stretch with its seventh title in school history, while the men's outdoor track team won its fourth outdoor title in the last six years.
In just two days, we get things started again as the soccer team faces Mississippi State in an exhibition match at 7 p.m. in Gainesville. The regular season opening match is slated for Aug. 18th in Boca Raton against Florida Atlantic University. Meanwhile, the volleyball program makes its debut in Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in the Vert Challenge on Aug. 25 and 26, facing off against Texas and Nebraska. Football season then kicks off in Dallas against Michigan in the Advocare Classic on Sept. 2nd. Our cross country teams start racing on Sept. 9 in Jacksonville. We all anxiously await the next chapter of Gator Athletics and the special memories that lie ahead.
Graduating Gators
While we turn the page on another athletic season, 34 Gator student athletes participated in graduation ceremonies this past weekend. Seventeen of those Gators won a conference or national title during their time in Gainesville and have truly become champions both on and off the field.
Golden Gator
Speaking of champions, how about a special shout out to Caeleb Dressel, who was crowned a world champion seven times at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Hungary in late July. Dressel became the first swimmer ever to win three gold medals at the World Championships or Olympics in the same day and his total of seven tied the legendary Michael Phelps for most golds at the World meet.
Gators in LA
For the fourth time in the 41-year history of the Honda Sports Award, presented annually to the top female collegiate athlete, one school had three finalists. You guessed it - the Florida Gators. Kelly Barnhill (softball), Alex McMurtry (gymnastics) and Belinda Woolcock (tennis) all represented the Orange and Blue in Los Angeles at the award ceremony. Barnhill returned to Los Angeles in July to accept the award for the Best Female College Athlete at the ESPYs.
Welcome Back Athletes
More than 500-plus student athletes will return to Gainesville in August and start school on August 21st. The night before we will get to host them in a welcome back reception at the Touchdown Terrace. It will be my first time addressing all of our student athletes and coaches in the same setting at the same time. We will congratulate them on all of their accomplishments and remind them that they represent not only themselves, but this great Athletic Department and University. Following that, they will participate in the Rally in the Swamp, a pep rally for UF students. There those students will be educated on all of the great Gator traditions.
New Vibe at The Swamp, 25 years later
I'm sure you are looking forward to some of the cool additions to enhance your Florida football game day experience this fall. In addition to some LED ribbon boards in the North and South end zones, we are installing drink rails in the north and sound end zone concourses. Your pre-game activities should include hanging out in the North Lawn area before the game. Many of you come to the Gator Walk two and half hours before to watch Coach Mac and the players enter the Stadium, but now there will be noticeable new vibe in that area with the addition of Gator Walk Village – a premium tailgate opportunity and food trucks. We have already surpassed our football season tickets sales from each of the last two seasons, but you can still call now and get your season tickets or a spot for the home season opener, when we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Coach Spurrier's nickname for the stadium. In addition, fans are encouraged to wear white to The Swamp for the home season opener.
Seven Lucky Fans
More than 600,000 fans will come to Gator football games, but seven of them will be making their first trip ever. We have accepted applications from fans who have never visited The Swamp and will give them an all-expense paid trip to Gainesville for two to see one of the seven home football games this fall. Winners will be selected this week.
It's Friday, #WeChomp
A reminder that every Friday is #WeChomp Friday. We encourage you to take to your social media accounts and show the Gator Nation your Chomp, from wherever you are. Make sure to tag your location and upload your photo to Chompstories.com to receive a car magnet.
In addition to #WeChomp, please continue to support our program in the many ways that you do, from participating in our Boosters Game Changer Initiative, buying a ticket to one of our events, hanging a flag on your porch or simply saying, "Go Gators!"
Please also continue to let us know what we can do to enhance your experience with our program.
Go Gators!
Scott Stricklin
@ScottStricklin
Just 41 days ago the Gators baseball team put the finishing touches on the 2016-17 athletic year with the athletic department's third national title in a span of 36 days. The women's tennis team started the remarkable stretch with its seventh title in school history, while the men's outdoor track team won its fourth outdoor title in the last six years.
In just two days, we get things started again as the soccer team faces Mississippi State in an exhibition match at 7 p.m. in Gainesville. The regular season opening match is slated for Aug. 18th in Boca Raton against Florida Atlantic University. Meanwhile, the volleyball program makes its debut in Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center in the Vert Challenge on Aug. 25 and 26, facing off against Texas and Nebraska. Football season then kicks off in Dallas against Michigan in the Advocare Classic on Sept. 2nd. Our cross country teams start racing on Sept. 9 in Jacksonville. We all anxiously await the next chapter of Gator Athletics and the special memories that lie ahead.
Graduating Gators
While we turn the page on another athletic season, 34 Gator student athletes participated in graduation ceremonies this past weekend. Seventeen of those Gators won a conference or national title during their time in Gainesville and have truly become champions both on and off the field.
Golden Gator
Speaking of champions, how about a special shout out to Caeleb Dressel, who was crowned a world champion seven times at the FINA World Swimming Championships in Hungary in late July. Dressel became the first swimmer ever to win three gold medals at the World Championships or Olympics in the same day and his total of seven tied the legendary Michael Phelps for most golds at the World meet.
Gators in LA
For the fourth time in the 41-year history of the Honda Sports Award, presented annually to the top female collegiate athlete, one school had three finalists. You guessed it - the Florida Gators. Kelly Barnhill (softball), Alex McMurtry (gymnastics) and Belinda Woolcock (tennis) all represented the Orange and Blue in Los Angeles at the award ceremony. Barnhill returned to Los Angeles in July to accept the award for the Best Female College Athlete at the ESPYs.
Welcome Back Athletes
More than 500-plus student athletes will return to Gainesville in August and start school on August 21st. The night before we will get to host them in a welcome back reception at the Touchdown Terrace. It will be my first time addressing all of our student athletes and coaches in the same setting at the same time. We will congratulate them on all of their accomplishments and remind them that they represent not only themselves, but this great Athletic Department and University. Following that, they will participate in the Rally in the Swamp, a pep rally for UF students. There those students will be educated on all of the great Gator traditions.
New Vibe at The Swamp, 25 years later
I'm sure you are looking forward to some of the cool additions to enhance your Florida football game day experience this fall. In addition to some LED ribbon boards in the North and South end zones, we are installing drink rails in the north and sound end zone concourses. Your pre-game activities should include hanging out in the North Lawn area before the game. Many of you come to the Gator Walk two and half hours before to watch Coach Mac and the players enter the Stadium, but now there will be noticeable new vibe in that area with the addition of Gator Walk Village – a premium tailgate opportunity and food trucks. We have already surpassed our football season tickets sales from each of the last two seasons, but you can still call now and get your season tickets or a spot for the home season opener, when we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Coach Spurrier's nickname for the stadium. In addition, fans are encouraged to wear white to The Swamp for the home season opener.
Seven Lucky Fans
More than 600,000 fans will come to Gator football games, but seven of them will be making their first trip ever. We have accepted applications from fans who have never visited The Swamp and will give them an all-expense paid trip to Gainesville for two to see one of the seven home football games this fall. Winners will be selected this week.
It's Friday, #WeChomp
A reminder that every Friday is #WeChomp Friday. We encourage you to take to your social media accounts and show the Gator Nation your Chomp, from wherever you are. Make sure to tag your location and upload your photo to Chompstories.com to receive a car magnet.
.@SteveSpurrierUF wants to see your best Gator chomp... turn the sound up! #WeChomp https://t.co/kHGxA0Xrr7 pic.twitter.com/zaDjnfr46y
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) August 4, 2017
In addition to #WeChomp, please continue to support our program in the many ways that you do, from participating in our Boosters Game Changer Initiative, buying a ticket to one of our events, hanging a flag on your porch or simply saying, "Go Gators!"
Please also continue to let us know what we can do to enhance your experience with our program.
Go Gators!
Scott Stricklin
@ScottStricklin
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