GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Gary Condron has a rich history of supporting the Gators.
The 1976 University of Florida graduate has donated more money to Gator Boosters than any single donor. His latest financial gift of $8 million includes a unique distinction close to Condron's heart.
The UF Board of Trustees approved a measure Friday afternoon to rename the home of Florida's baseball team Condron Family Ballpark. The unveiling will occur Friday night when the Gators host No. 1-ranked Tennessee.
Condron will throw out the first pitch.
"It will be my first pitch in a while,'' he said. "I used to throw BP to my son, but I haven't done that in 12 or 13 years."
That may be true, but Condron has pitched in for decades to help UF and the University Athletic Association with an array of projects over the years.
"Few Gators are as loyal and dedicated to the University of Florida as is Gary,'' UF Athletic Director
Scott Stricklin said. "He credits much of his success to his time at UF, and in turn, has been incredibly generous in giving back in support of his beloved Gators. That support, combined with Gary's history as a former Gator baseball player, makes it a natural fit for the Condron family name to forever adorn the home of Florida baseball."
Condron has donated more than $30 million to Florida athletics and already has his name attached to the football team's indoor practice facility, which opened in 2015. Condron founded in 1987 the Conlan Company, one of the country's top builders.
The company's success made Condron wealthy. His family — wife Nancy, son Ryan and daughter Shelby — are avid UF supporters with an affinity for philanthropic endeavors.
Their latest act of generosity includes an extra special honor to the head of the family. Condron played for the Gators baseball team in the early 1970s.
"I could have never dreamed in my life that the Gators would be playing in a ballpark that has my name associated to it in any way, shape, or form," Condron said. "It's an honor. I couldn't be more proud, and happy for my family and proud for the Gators."
The Gators moved into their new $65 million home ballpark during the 2021 season, and until now, it was known as Florida Ballpark. Work crews spent Wednesday and Thursday placing new signage on the main gates and above the scoreboard to reflect the name change.
Condron, a right-handed pitcher who started his college career at the University of South Florida, is still sorting through the idea of Condron Family Ballpark.
"It's surreal, really,'' he said. "We are so fortunate."
Condron started his baseball career at USF, but when he realized the school didn't have an architecture program as he was told, Condron knew he wanted to transfer to another school.
As fortune would have it, USF catcher Jeff Davis was dating UF baseball coach Dave Fuller's daughter.
"He was going to UF every weekend to see her,'' Condron said. "So, I started to go up there with him. That's when I started talking to Fuller. And he kind of watched me. I had some success at South Florida my freshman year. I decided I was going to go to Florida regardless."
Condron made the team as a walk-on and pitched well in the fall season until suffering a career-ending torn rotator cuff.
It was a difficult time for the 19-year-old with big baseball dreams.
"It was terrible. I kind of took my ball and went home," Condron said. "I always thought that maybe I was going to do something in baseball, and to have my career come to an end, it was really a disappointment."
Nearly 50 years later, Condron has his place in Gators baseball history.
"And I'm really excited for my kids when they bring their kids to that stadium,'' Condron said. "That's what I'm most excited about."
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