Phil Pharr (left) transitions into a new role as Special Assistant to the Athletic Director, assisting Scott Stricklin (right) and the UAA's leadership team.
Phil Pharr Transitioning to New Role with Florida Athletics; National Search to Begin for Executive Director of Gator Boosters
Thursday, May 14, 2026 | General
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University Athletic Association announced Thursday that Phil Pharr, Executive Director of Gator Boosters, Inc., has announced his retirement from his current role and will transition into a new role as Special Assistant to the Athletic Director following his 45 years of dedicated service, including 13 leading the fundraising arm of Florida Athletics.
In his new role, Pharr will continue to support strategic fundraising initiatives and key priorities for the University Athletic Association while assisting Athletic Director Scott Stricklin and the department's leadership team. A national search for the next Executive Director of Gator Boosters will begin immediately.
Pharr joined the Gator Boosters staff in 1981 and has served as Executive Director since 2012. During his tenure, he has managed the 14-member Gator Boosters staff while cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, coordinating fundraising efforts for facility and endowment projects, overseeing budgeting, and leading strategic planning initiatives in collaboration with the University Athletic Association and the University of Florida Foundation.
Since assuming leadership of Gator Boosters, Pharr has played an instrumental role in every major athletics capital project and campaign on campus. Under his leadership, Gator Boosters has generated $490 million-plus in annual giving, $173 million plus in major gifts and participated in two capital campaigns during his tenure.
"Phil has made a tremendous impact on Florida Athletics through his leadership, relationship-building, and unwavering commitment to the Gators," said Stricklin. "He has guided our fundraising efforts over the years while earning the trust and respect of our donors, staff, and supporters. We are grateful Phil will continue serving the UAA in this new role, and we look forward to conducting a comprehensive search for the next leader of Gator Boosters."
Pharr said he is appreciative of the opportunity to continue serving the University of Florida and Florida Athletics in a new capacity.
"I'm thankful for so many things during my time with Gator Boosters," Pharr said. "I'm grateful for all of the relationships — from coaches, student-athletes, staff, boosters, and the UF Foundation. I've experienced the true power of Gator Nation. Our success at Gator Boosters has been driven by a tremendous staff and the loyal supporters of Gator Athletics. I'm thankful for the people who have dedicated their time and resources to support our programs, projects, and initiatives over the years."
Pharr joined Gator Boosters in 1981 as a field secretary and, over the next five years, helped develop the concepts for the Letterman's Association — now known as the "F Club" — while also helping coordinate and strengthen the UAA's partnership with Gator Clubs throughout the Southeast. He became a key leader in then-football coach Charlie Pell's vision to organize and rally the Florida family into something bigger. Pharr was also instrumental in developing the UF Hall of Fame nomination process and banquet.
In 1986, Pharr was elevated to Assistant Director of Major Gifts, where he coordinated endowment fundraising efforts and cultivated major gift donor prospects. In 1993, he was promoted to Associate Executive Director of Major Gifts, overseeing all aspects of identifying prospective donors, directing major gifts programs for athletics, and cultivating and stewarding existing and future donors for Gator Boosters.
Pharr graduated from the University of Florida in 1981 with a degree in Public Relations and was a three-year letterwinner for the Gator football program from 1978-80.
In his new role, Pharr will continue to support strategic fundraising initiatives and key priorities for the University Athletic Association while assisting Athletic Director Scott Stricklin and the department's leadership team. A national search for the next Executive Director of Gator Boosters will begin immediately.
Pharr joined the Gator Boosters staff in 1981 and has served as Executive Director since 2012. During his tenure, he has managed the 14-member Gator Boosters staff while cultivating and stewarding donor relationships, coordinating fundraising efforts for facility and endowment projects, overseeing budgeting, and leading strategic planning initiatives in collaboration with the University Athletic Association and the University of Florida Foundation.
Since assuming leadership of Gator Boosters, Pharr has played an instrumental role in every major athletics capital project and campaign on campus. Under his leadership, Gator Boosters has generated $490 million-plus in annual giving, $173 million plus in major gifts and participated in two capital campaigns during his tenure.
"Phil has made a tremendous impact on Florida Athletics through his leadership, relationship-building, and unwavering commitment to the Gators," said Stricklin. "He has guided our fundraising efforts over the years while earning the trust and respect of our donors, staff, and supporters. We are grateful Phil will continue serving the UAA in this new role, and we look forward to conducting a comprehensive search for the next leader of Gator Boosters."
Pharr said he is appreciative of the opportunity to continue serving the University of Florida and Florida Athletics in a new capacity.
"I'm thankful for so many things during my time with Gator Boosters," Pharr said. "I'm grateful for all of the relationships — from coaches, student-athletes, staff, boosters, and the UF Foundation. I've experienced the true power of Gator Nation. Our success at Gator Boosters has been driven by a tremendous staff and the loyal supporters of Gator Athletics. I'm thankful for the people who have dedicated their time and resources to support our programs, projects, and initiatives over the years."
Pharr joined Gator Boosters in 1981 as a field secretary and, over the next five years, helped develop the concepts for the Letterman's Association — now known as the "F Club" — while also helping coordinate and strengthen the UAA's partnership with Gator Clubs throughout the Southeast. He became a key leader in then-football coach Charlie Pell's vision to organize and rally the Florida family into something bigger. Pharr was also instrumental in developing the UF Hall of Fame nomination process and banquet.
In 1986, Pharr was elevated to Assistant Director of Major Gifts, where he coordinated endowment fundraising efforts and cultivated major gift donor prospects. In 1993, he was promoted to Associate Executive Director of Major Gifts, overseeing all aspects of identifying prospective donors, directing major gifts programs for athletics, and cultivating and stewarding existing and future donors for Gator Boosters.
Pharr graduated from the University of Florida in 1981 with a degree in Public Relations and was a three-year letterwinner for the Gator football program from 1978-80.
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