Ann Marie Rogers speaks at Friday's ceremony held in her honor. (Photo: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
It's Official: The Ann Marie Rogers Swimming And Diving Pool
Friday, August 20, 2021 | General, Men's Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming & Diving, Scott Carter
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By: Scott Carter, Senior Writer
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Ann Marie Rogers returned to a familiar site on Friday. She was joined at Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center by dozens of family, friends and former colleagues whom she impacted during her distinguished career in college athletics.
Meinhard, Johnson, UF President Kent Fuchs and former president Bernie Machen, former Gators women's basketball coaches Carol Ross and Amanda Butler, Gators swimming coach Anthony Nesty and UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin were among those on hand Friday as the Ann Marie Rogers Swimming and Diving Pool was officially dedicated in her honor.
"One of the great administrators and champions of women's athletics," Stricklin said.
Meinhard views Rogers as a mentor and key influence that helped her launch a successful career as a fundraiser in higher education and further endeavors. She shared a story during Friday's ceremony about contacting Rogers about the idea she and Johnson devised to honor her.
With Rogers' stamp of approval, a generous proposal turned into reality.
Ann Marie Rogers, Veronica Meinhard and Kristina M. Johnson, left to right, look on as the Ann Marie Rogers Swimming and Diving Pool is officially dedicated on Friday at Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center. (Photos: Hannah White/UAA Communications)
"This is a gift for us,'' Meinhard said. "It means everything."
The 79-year-old Rogers earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State and a master's in physical education from Eastern Michigan. She started her career as a P.E. instructor at Smith (Mass.) College in 1970. While there, she was asked by students to direct an effort to create a women's athletics program, which eventually led to her becoming a pioneer in women's college athletics.
She made stops as a tennis coach at Princeton and administrator at Alabama, where she worked alongside legendary Crimson Tide football coach and athletic director Bear Bryant to build a strong women's athletic program, before coming to Florida in 1985. One of Rogers' most notable moves at Florida was to hire Mary Wise to lead the volleyball program.
An appreciative Rogers thanked those who helped her along the way and was clearly moved by the recognition.
"I was just doing my job,'' she told the crowd. "I fought for women's rights and for women's sports for 40 years. I hope I did something right."
Rogers has remained in the Gainesville community since retiring 18 years ago and has watched as UF and other women's athletic programs around the country have blossomed due to additional resources and funding.
Former UF women's swimming coach Sue Halfacre attended Friday's ceremony. Halfacre coached the "Lady Gators" as they were called then from 1973-76, taking over the program the year after Title IX was enacted.
"I think the whole women's budget in '73 was $3,000,'' Halfacre said. "We didn't even have this pool. We swam in the Yon Hall pool. Outdoor pool, not heated, so January was a little cold. We swam at 8 o'clock at night. We swam once a day. We didn't lift weights. We didn't have a training table, no Gatorade. We did it on our own."
A UF nursing student and swimmer-coach when she took over the program, Halfacre served as the team's coach without pay. Nearly 50 years later, she reflected on the way it was while gratified at knowing what it is today thanks to trailblazers like Rogers.
"We weren't allowed on the pool deck until the men's swimming team was off the deck," Halfacre said. "We just loved swimming. We had our own sorority.
"It's a great honor [for Rogers]. It's very nice that Veronica and Kris could do that."
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