Message from AD Stricklin: Planning continues for new Football Center, baseball done in 2020

[Gator Fever]

https://floridagators.com/news/2019/7/1/general-amessage-from-scott-stricklin.aspx

"We also had a groundbreaking ceremony (pictured below) for the new Florida Ballpark in February, with a projected cost of $65 million. If you've driven by Hull Road lately, you can see the steel coming up out of the ground as we progress to the anticipated June 2020 completion date. Meanwhile, design and construction planning continues for the projected $85 million Florida Football Training Center"

 

[ocalaman]

About 10 years too late, but great news once it finally gets done. As great an AD as Jeremy Foley was, he dropped the ball on keeping football facilities maintained to the level of a big time program.

 

[Gator Fever]

About 10 years too late, but great news once it finally gets done. As great an AD as Jeremy Foley was, he dropped the ball on keeping football facilities maintained to the level of a big time program.

Its a disgrace and its almost like they don't mind throwing it in the boosters faces they prioritized everything else to be done first over Football so they would keep giving more money I guess.

 

[instaGATOR]

Yet another anti-UF fevered brain FoS rant...

Some schools (phootball factories) pour all of their athletic program money into one sport.

UF instead, is the only D1 school in the nation to finish in the Top 10 for the Directors Cup for the last 36 consecutive years.

And name all of the D1's in the history of the NCAA that have won a NC in each of the Men's Big 3? -- Football - Basketball - Baseball

I'm good with the choices that UF has made in not trying to win the phootball factory arms race. They have done, and continue to do, what's needed across the board. Football is getting it's turn again (recent IPF) at improvements and upgrades as the time and money becomes available.

 

[bradleygator]

About 10 years too late, but great news once it finally gets done. As great an AD as Jeremy Foley was, he dropped the ball on keeping football facilities maintained to the level of a big time program.

He also hired a shark humping fatso to coach the team.

 

[instaGATOR]

He also hired a shark humping fatso to coach the team.

How many SEC-C's and NC's did UF secure under Foley's tenure?

I never really cared for him as a person, but as an AD, he was the best in UF history, and one of the best in the nation. --- Overall job credit where it's due...

 

[ocalaman]

To me Foley was one of the best AD's in the nation ever and he was at the forefront (especially compared to SEC schools) of putting resources and attention towards developing all sports programs into championship-caliber teams. The only one is hasn't worked with is women's basketball and that's still a head scratcher to me. His hiring record is excellent, but the couple of misses in football were big. Foley led UF into becoming the best all around athletic program in the country, while maintaining high academic standards and dealing with illegal and unethical behavior swiftly and decisively. However, the way the football program facilities were allowed to deteriorate the way they did should not have happened. The money was there to do everything they did with the other programs without neglecting the needs of the money making engine that drives it all.

 

[Gator Fever]

Yet another anti-UF fevered brain FoS rant...

Some schools (phootball factories) pour all of their athletic program money into one sport.

UF instead, is the only D1 school in the nation to finish in the Top 10 for the Directors Cup for the last 36 consecutive years.

And name all of the D1's in the history of the NCAA that have won a NC in each of the Men's Big 3? -- Football - Basketball - Baseball

I'm good with the choices that UF has made in not trying to win the phootball factory arms race. They have done, and continue to do, what's needed across the board. Football is getting it's turn again (recent IPF) at improvements and upgrades as the time and money becomes available.

Give me a frickin break cheap a** Foley is one of the reasons (obviously not the only reason) recruiting has been harder since Muschamp left due to the sub-par football facilities these past years and then when they finally decide to do something about it they hold off on Football for last I guess feeling people wouldn't want to keep donating as much once the football stuff was completed.

It was disgraceful what they pulled and then for Foley to have those joke statements years ago about how he wasn't going to get into an arms race in football with facilities.

When will football be done now? 2022? even 2023?

Football 89 %
Basketball 10%
Other Sports 1%

 

[instaGATOR]

Some of the ignorant believe that football brings in all of the money. It doesn't.
It is the number #1 Gate revenue, but the big $$ Alum and other donors care about a lot more than just football.

And the facilities did not deteriorate, fall apart, and/or disappear, they just didn't grow at the same rate that the 'phootball factory' schools did, or get a shinny new paint job every year. And the $$ was not there and just laying around unused, otherwise they wouldn't still be putting $$ together for the Phase II and III projects that are in the planning stages.

https://floridagators.com/sports/2018/3/23/facilities-master-plan-phase-1.aspx

Phase I -- The overall cost for Phase I was $108.5 million.

August 2015 - IPF

June 2016 - Otis Hawkins Center

Dec 2016 - O'Dome Renovation

Phase II

March 2018 - UF Board of Trustees approves plan for $130 million in facility upgrades. The announcement from the athletic department came after the UF Board of Trustees approved a bond resolution for $50 million for Phase II of UAA’s Facilities Master Plan. The Board of Governors still had to approve the bond resolution at the end of June 2018.

The money is not just laying around. UAA announced that it has identified funding for $73 million of the $130 million for Phase II. The remaining funding will hopefully come from UF boosters and other donors.

Plans Change causing delays. In UF’s original plan, the stand alone football facility was to be built west of the practice field and be a three-story structure, while the baseball stadium was going to be renovated.

After further study, the decision was made to build a new baseball stadium and put the football facility where the baseball stadium is now located, giving it much more space and avoiding making it a three-story structure. Architects for the new baseball stadium project are Populous and Walker Architects, who designed Yankee Stadium.

The stand alone football facility will be constructed on the site of the current baseball stadium (McKethan Stadium) at a cost of $65 million. Construction is expected to begin in late 2019 or early 2020, with a goal of completion in 2021. They couldn't begin on the football facility until after baseball ended. Also, because the new baseball stadium will be on formally IFAS grounds, the UAA will be contributing $3 million to IFAS to benefit College of Agricultural and Life Science students.

So what does Dan think about the delays and change of plans?

“We are excited to know that our National Championship Softball and Baseball teams are getting upgrades for their respective facilities and fans will have a great experience in their new stadiums,” UF football coach Dan Mullen said. “I’m also thankful for the deliberative and strategic approach we are taking in building our football training complex. We will build the top facility for the UF football program with the number one emphasis on doing what is best for the development of our players.”

The first project to be addressed in Phase II is Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium, which underwent an $11 million renovation starting last summer. Work was completed before the start of the 2019 Softball season. It has received raving reviews from one and all.

Upgrades to The Swamp will be part of Phase III of the Master Plan, which will begin after the completion of Phase II.

http://www.gatorsports.com/2018/03/uaa-announces-details-of-phase-ii-of-facilities-master-plan/

 

[tbbuc99]

Yet another anti-UF fevered brain FoS rant...

Some schools (phootball factories) pour all of their athletic program money into one sport.

UF instead, is the only D1 school in the nation to finish in the Top 10 for the Directors Cup for the last 36 consecutive years.

And name all of the D1's in the history of the NCAA that have won a NC in each of the Men's Big 3? -- Football - Basketball - Baseball

I'm good with the choices that UF has made in not trying to win the phootball factory arms race. They have done, and continue to do, what's needed across the board. Football is getting it's turn again (recent IPF) at improvements and upgrades as the time and money becomes available.

“as the time and money becomes available.” I think that’s where most get frustrated, football is the bell-cow for producing money for athletics and the money was being used on other sports as football took the back seat and it has shown over the last 8 years before last season. It is still a hindrance in recruiting and will soon be rectified hopefully bringing us back to national prominence.

 

[LakerGator]

Give me a frickin break cheap a** Foley is one of the reasons (obviously not the only reason) recruiting has been harder since Muschamp left due to the sub-par football facilities these past years and then when they finally decide to do something about it they hold off on Football for last I guess feeling people wouldn't want to keep donating as much once the football stuff was completed.

It was disgraceful what they pulled and then for Foley to have those joke statements years ago about how he wasn't going to get into an arms race in football with facilities.

When will football be done now? 2022? even 2023?

Football 89 %
Basketball 10%
Other Sports 1%

Would you trade all those National Titles for our facilities to be better? Look at our overall sports ratings year by year during the Foley years and we were constantly one of if not THE BEST IN THE WORLD errrrr. NATION during his years.

Bitch, bitch and more bitching?

 

[PacoGator19]

It’s all good. Stricklin knows what he is doing.

 

[Gator Fever]

Would you trade all those National Titles for our facilities to be better? Look at our overall sports ratings year by year during the Foley years and we were constantly one of if not THE BEST IN THE WORLD errrrr. NATION during his years.

Bitch, bitch and more bitching?

I would take dominating football with less national titles in the sports that most people don't care about but both could be done anyway and this should have been attacked years ago. Now looking at 2022 or so is a disgrace.

Next time a Bama fan is bragging about stomping us recently and their national championships bring up the "but we won women's swimming and golf" BS card and see how that goes...

 

[CountyGator2]

Give me a frickin break cheap a** Foley is one of the reasons (obviously not the only reason) recruiting has been harder since Muschamp left due to the sub-par football facilities these past years and then when they finally decide to do something about it they hold off on Football for last I guess feeling people wouldn't want to keep donating as much once the football stuff was completed.

It was disgraceful what they pulled and then for Foley to have those joke statements years ago about how he wasn't going to get into an arms race in football with facilities.

When will football be done now? 2022? even 2023?

Football 89 %
Basketball 10%
Other Sports 1%

Foley did drop the ball. But you have to build a new baseball stadium first before you can tear down the old one for the football facility. And didn't we just build an indoor practice facility 2 years ago? You act like nothing was being done.

 

[PacoGator19]

Stricklin is working it but it still cant be done overnight.

 

[instaGATOR]

Would you trade all those National Titles for our facilities to be better? Look at our overall sports ratings year by year during the Foley years and we were constantly one of if not THE BEST IN THE WORLD errrrr. NATION during his years.

Bitch, bitch and more bitching?

I would take dominating football with less national titles in the sports that most people don't care about but both could be done anyway and this should have been attacked years ago. Now looking at 2022 or so is a disgrace.

Next time a Bama fan is bragging about stomping us recently and their national championships bring up the "but we won women's swimming and golf" BS card and see how that goes...

-- Only true moe-rons G-a-S what Bama fans brag about...

With 6 home football games, and 88,000 IF all are sold out, (they're not) would only be 528,000 tickets/fans.
A fine pair of total idiots, ranting and whining away in their clueless ignorance...

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida fans have had a lot to celebrate during the 2017-18 athletics year, with plenty having witnessed UF's success live along the way.

The Gators aren't even done yet, either.

More than 1 million fans have come through the turnstiles at Gator athletics during the regular season and thousands more will do so in the coming weeks as UF hosts NCAA Regional Softball action this weekend, and in all likelihood will do the same for Baseball when regional sites are announced May 27.

"We appreciate the tremendous support from our fans at all of our venues that create a championship experience for our student-athletes and coaches," AD Scott Stricklin said.
The various names of major donors on the other stadiums were not fooball fans.

Baseball, gymnastics and volleyball all set single-season and various attendance marks during the year, while six Gator teams ranked in the top 11 nationally in total or attendance average.

IF you want to be a 'phootball factory' fan, then please find another school to support...

 

[ohsfan28]

I have to give Florida credit if they are willing to build a football complex that cost 85 million.

Clemson is the current gold standard and theirs cost 55 million. Auburn is planning one that cost between 60-80 million

 

[oozie7]

It’s great to have good teams in all sports but you shouldn’t let one deteriorate to fuel others. Especially when the one you let deteriorate is the money maker for the others. And that’s what Foley did both with hiring choices and not reinvesting in the program like he should have. And I’m not even talking about just facilities.

Put another way, this would be like making sure you have a perfectly manicured lawn and a fresh paint job while the foundation of your house was falling apart.

 

[ocalaman]

It’s great to have good teams in all sports but you shouldn’t let one deteriorate to fuel others. Especially when the one you let deteriorate is the money maker for the others. And that’s what Foley did both with hiring choices and not reinvesting in the program like he should have. And I’m not even talking about just facilities.

Put another way, this would be like making sure you have a perfectly manicured lawn and a fresh paint job while the foundation of your house was falling apart.

Exactly right. Stricklin is addressing the issues now, but Foley let his priorities get out of whack when it wasn't necessary.

 

[instaGATOR]

Money Makers did you say???

Football, IF they had 6 Sell-Out games (which they don't) = 525,000 fans through the turnstiles.

Other sports fans through the turnstiles brings the total to over 1 Million, so about 50/50.

TV revenue: About a half dozen season games, plus 1 Bowl game.
To the SEC Network plus all of the conference & tourney playoffs in all of the other Gator sports.

Big $$$ Alum and others, donated much of the money that went into the stadiums and other facilities up-grades of the other sports, not the football generated revenues.

Get the financial breakdowns (earned & donated) for football and all of UF's other sports and show me where football is paying for ALL of the other Gator sports.

 

[ocalaman]

Here's a link to the UF UAA Financials. Football generates 59% of the Revenue and accounts for 16% of the expenditures.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/gatorzone.com/documents/2018/6/13/uaa_ob_es_2018_2019.pdf

 

[instaGATOR]

Foley, or Title Nine?

The many factors that play into the draw of UF Sports is way bigger than just football.

UF leads the SEC in Total SEC-C's.
I believe that UF is the only SEC school to have NC's in the Mens Big 3 sports.
UF is the only D1 to ever have a NC in both football and basketball in the same season or in the same Calendar year.
UF is the only SEC school with B-2-B B-Ball NC's since they moved to the Big Dance with 64+ teams.

There are 7 Gator Men's Sports that have won a NC.
There are 7 Gator Women's Sports that have won a NC.
In 2018, UF was the only school in the Nation to be ranked in the Top 10 in both Academics and in Football, plus they had 11 different sports teams finish ranked in the Top 10 in the Nation.

Sorry, but I wouldn't trade the Director's Cup standing nor the SEC All Sports Trophies, for more money spent on football facilities...

The Gator 'Brand' and the 'Gator Nation' with the 'Gator Standard' is not and never has been, only about football.

 

[ocalaman]

Foley, or Title Nine?

The many factors that play into the draw of UF Sports is way bigger than just football.

UF leads the SEC in Total SEC-C's.
I believe that UF is the only SEC school to have NC's in the Mens Big 3 sports.
UF is the only D1 to ever have a NC in both football and basketball in the same season or in the same Calendar year.
UF is the only SEC school with B-2-B B-Ball NC's since they moved to the Big Dance with 64+ teams.

There are 7 Gator Men's Sports that have won a NC.
There are 7 Gator Women's Sports that have won a NC.
In 2018, UF was the only school in the Nation to be ranked in the Top 10 in both Academics and in Football, plus they had 11 different sports teams finish ranked in the Top 10 in the Nation.

Sorry, but I wouldn't trade the Director's Cup standing nor the SEC All Sports Trophies, for more money spent on football facilities...

The Gator 'Brand' and the 'Gator Nation' with the 'Gator Standard' is not and never has been, only about football.

I agree with you, but we're in the definite minority. I do think that the football needs could have and should have been addressed years ago without neglecting or harming the other sports programs and I think Foley made an error in judgment kicking the football can down the road. Water under the bridge, as I've said before, but many who care little to nothing about the other sports are upset and nothing that is said or shown to them will change that.

 

[TennesseeGator]

I agree with you, but we're in the definite minority. I do think that the football needs could have and should have been addressed years ago without neglecting or harming the other sports programs and I think Foley made an error in judgment kicking the football can down the road. Water under the bridge, as I've said before, but many who care little to nothing about the other sports are upset and nothing that is said or shown to them will change that.

Co-signed
Tennessee Gator

 

[instaGATOR]

I agree with you, but we're in the definite minority.

Ocala, we may be in the minority posting here, but that's a pretty small sample of the Gator Nation. And as I said before, there are a lot of different 'major contributors' names on other stadiums around campus.

Football is big at UF, not saying otherwise, but it's still only abut 50% of the butts in the seats on a yearly basis, and it gets less than 50% of the national headlines about Gator sports, (Brand).

Football is never going to be an 'every year' top of the heap thing. It's not even that way for Bama until just recently. It goes in cycles in the SEC and across the nation. Have all of these other schools gone down the tubes in facilities, or have they led the way but it's made no difference in their winning? Think about it....

UGly's last NC - 1980
ND's last NC - 1988
Colo's last co-NC 1990
GaT's last co-NC - 1990
Wash's last co-NC 1991
~ UF 1996 NC, with 4 consecutive SEC-C's
Mich's last co-NC 1997
Neb's last co-NC 1997
TN's last NC - 1998
Okla's last NC - 2000
scUM's last NC - 2001
USCw-s last NC - 2004 - rescinded for violations
Tex's last NC - 2005
LSU's last NC - 2007
UF's last NC - 2008
AU's last NC - 2010
FSU's last NC 2013
tOSU's last NC - 2014
Clemp's-son has won 2 of the last 3.- current flavor of the year.
Bama has won 5 of the last 10, but even they don't win it every year.

And oh BTW,,,,,,,,,,,,
FACILITIES CHAMPION OREGON has NEVER WON A NC....

The NC worm will turn yet again, it always does...

 

[oozie7]

Foley, or Title Nine?

The many factors that play into the draw of UF Sports is way bigger than just football.

UF leads the SEC in Total SEC-C's.
I believe that UF is the only SEC school to have NC's in the Mens Big 3 sports.
UF is the only D1 to ever have a NC in both football and basketball in the same season or in the same Calendar year.
UF is the only SEC school with B-2-B B-Ball NC's since they moved to the Big Dance with 64+ teams.

There are 7 Gator Men's Sports that have won a NC.
There are 7 Gator Women's Sports that have won a NC.
In 2018, UF was the only school in the Nation to be ranked in the Top 10 in both Academics and in Football, plus they had 11 different sports teams finish ranked in the Top 10 in the Nation.

Sorry, but I wouldn't trade the Director's Cup standing nor the SEC All Sports Trophies, for more money spent on football facilities...

The Gator 'Brand' and the 'Gator Nation' with the 'Gator Standard' is not and never has been, only about football.

We all agree with you about the other sports. What we’re saying is because football generates so much of the revenue you have to make sure it remains competitive exactly so you can make sure the other sports thrive too. A bad football program is bad for everyone.

Coming off Meyer UF was the best football program in the country. Rather than go out and hire a proven coach he goes and hires somebody who had never been a head coach before. Why? Then he refuses to invest in the program stating he won’t get into the facilities race. We were one of the last teams in the entire country to get an indoor facility for example. We’ve had some of the lowest assistant coaching salaries for years also which is why we’d lose important assistants to other schools. Foley tried to have an elite program on a budget and tanker the program in the process.

 

[instaGATOR]

We all agree with you about the other sports. What we’re saying is because football generates so much of the revenue you have to make sure it remains competitive exactly so you can make sure the other sports thrive too. A bad football program is bad for everyone.

Coming off Meyer UF was the best football program in the country. Rather than go out and hire a proven coach he goes and hires somebody who had never been a head coach before. Why? Then he refuses to invest in the program stating he won’t get into the facilities race. We were one of the last teams in the entire country to get an indoor facility for example. We’ve had some of the lowest assistant coaching salaries for years also which is why we’d lose important assistants to other schools. Foley tried to have an elite program on a budget and tanker the program in the process.

Analyzing the claims:

Muschamp was the highly paid and successful DC 'HC in waiting' behind Mack Brown at Texas. Hardly a nobody...

McElwain was the flavor of the month, prior NC OC at Bama and a new HC that had just turned around ColoSt, so hardly a nobody, and was hoping he'd be the next Utah/Meyer.

Both are currently working HC's, not unemployed bums.
So, while they were misses at UF, they are not homeless talent-less street bums either.

Coming off Meyer - Did UF have the best facilities in the Nation from 2005-10?
If not, then how was the football team so successful in that span?

UF Football has just gone through almost a decade of not having the best football facilities or on the field results in the nation, or even in the SEC. Now relate that to what the other sports have done in that time span.
Ans: Other sports loaded up with both multiple SEC-C's and NC's.
Yet you guys incorrectly insinuate that without a top rated facilities and NC Football team, the rest were doomed to financial ruin and competitive failure...

My point is this.
Yes, we all would like to hire a Spurrier every time the job opens, problem is, there's only one Spurrer in UF history, and so after that, it's mostly a crap shoot. (and sometimes you hit the crap and it stinks for awhile)

We all know that there needs to be constant attention to the facilities, both the new and upgrades to the existing facilities. Well Duh...

To handle that, you have Phases I, II, & III. Money and time makes them 'long term' projects, not 'snap of the fingers' completions. Anyone can whine about the timing of each upgrade, or the speed of the results, but few are willing to give up their lifetime of money or the time it takes to find the donors that are willing to get it done.

Vague Analogy...
Preacher to Deacon - Not much in the offering plates.
Deacon to Preacher - If you want to get more out, maybe you should put more in....

256

 

[oozie7]

Analyzing the claims:

Muschamp was the highly paid and successful DC 'HC in waiting' behind Mack Brown at Texas. Hardly a nobody...

McElwain was the flavor of the month, prior NC OC at Bama and a new HC that had just turned around ColoSt, so hardly a nobody, and was hoping he'd be the next Utah/Meyer.

Both are currently working HC's, not unemployed bums.
So, while they were misses at UF, they are not homeless talent-less street bums either.

Coming off Meyer - Did UF have the best facilities in the Nation from 2005-10?
If not, then how was the football team so successful in that span?

UF Football has just gone through almost a decade of not having the best football facilities or on the field results in the nation, or even in the SEC. Now relate that to what the other sports have done in that time span.
Ans: Other sports loaded up with both multiple SEC-C's and NC's.
Yet you guys incorrectly insinuate that without a top rated facilities and NC Football team, the rest were doomed to financial ruin and competitive failure...

My point is this.
Yes, we all would like to hire a Spurrier every time the job opens, problem is, there's only one Spurrer in UF history, and so after that, it's mostly a crap shoot. (and sometimes you hit the crap and it stinks for awhile)

We all know that there needs to be constant attention to the facilities, both the new and upgrades to the existing facilities. Well Duh...

To handle that, you have Phases I, II, & III. Money and time makes them 'long term' projects, not 'snap of the fingers' completions. Anyone can whine about the timing of each upgrade, or the speed of the results, but few are willing to give up their lifetime of money or the time it takes to find the donors that are willing to get it done.

Vague Analogy...
Preacher to Deacon - Not much in the offering plates.
Deacon to Preacher - If you want to get more out, maybe you should put more in....

256

Times change. Programs are investing more in facilities and coaches than they did even 10 years ago. For example in 2007 after winning a national title Urban only made 3.5M, today coordinators are making 2M. So yes we succeeded without having the best of facilities or coaches salaries then, and who knows we may be able to now too. But we're making it way harder on ourselves. Especially when our competitors are spending 60M on standalone facilities when we only just now got an indoor after years of being behind on that.

 

[instaGATOR]

Yep, there was a century long NEED for a wuss IPF in Florida,,, and they just got it yeste,,,, 3 years ago.

Florida has an entire Top 5 Athletic (UAA) Program to support, not just a GoB's phootball factory. This means that all of the 'entitled' little boyz will just have to wait their turn for more free-bees and goodies. Or they can choose to go to Oregon for the glitz...

Mighty OREGON #1 in Facilities = ZERO NC'S
https://www.si.com/college-football...ersity-oregon-athletic-facility-behind-scenes

The Oregon Standard is Glitz and show-boating.
The 'Gator Standard' is something else entirely.

If anyone has a problem with Phase I, II, III, I'm pretty sure that the AD and the UAA would welcome YOUR money and time in fixing whatever problems that YOU see with what they are doing, and have been doing for a very long time....

Or just keep on whining and complaining, because that takes very little brains or personal sacrifice or effort....

And I'm sure this conversation includes nothing personal, from or towards anyone, including me...

 

[LizardGrad89]

Well, we redid basketball a few years ago, built the indoor football practice field, are now building a new baseball stadium and next we are building a football training facility and, if I understand correctly, are going to redesign the stadium to improve the gameday experience for fans.

I can see the argument that football has taken a back seat, but look at it like this: Everybody else in the past 10 years or so has built these fancy facilities and are still paying on them, so it's unlikely they will be building anything major again soon. When ours is built, it will be the newest model on the block.

 

[instaGATOR]

Added Lacrosse.- 9 Conf Championships in first 10 years.
Upgraded NC Track.
Major Upgrade to NC Tennis Complex.
Upgraded S&D during O'Dome renovations.
Massive Upgrade to WCWS Softball just completed.
Starting soon on CWS Baseball Stadium.
Tip of the iceberg for the 'privately funded' UAA.

Most never seem to know what is done or what goes on....

 

[instaGATOR]

Phase I, II, III -- https://floridagators.com/sports/2018/3/23/facilties-master-plan.aspx

=================

How about just a small example of what most don't know about the O'Dome for example:
When someone says the O'Dome, most only think about Men's B-Ball.

Exactech Arena at Stephen C. O'Connell Center
Constructed -- Capacity
1977-80 -- 12,000
The multipurpose Stephen C. O'Connell Center, named for a former University of Florida president, features a main arena covering more than 3.6 acres and containing 292,000 square feet. In addition to the main Exactech Arena, there is a practice court, two weight rooms, a natatorium, an indoor track, a private gymnastics arena, dance studio, martial arts studio and several classrooms.

The facility underwent a $64.5 million renovation that was completed December of 2016.

Teams That Compete Here

Men's & Women's Basketball
Men's History | Women's History

The men's and women's basketball teams play all their home games on the same court on which the 2006-07 men's basketball team won their first national championship.

Gymnastics
History

In addition to the gymnastics meet facilities, the O’Connell Center includes a dedicated team locker room and lounge as well as the Ted Crom Gymnastics Studio.

Swimming and Diving
History

The Stephen C. O’Connell Center Natatorium features a 847,000 gallon indoor pool and boards at one, three, five, and ten meters. Up to 3,000 fans have packed the facility to witness some of the nation's finest competition. https://floridagators.com/sports/2015/12/10/_facilities_oconnell_swimming_diving_.aspx?id=7444

Volleyball
History

The volleyball team plays on their own volleyball-specific floor in the main arena.

 

[TennesseeGator]

I'm not debating with much of what you are saying Insta but imagine this.

Oregon's facilities with Florida/southern talent.

Then imagine

Florida's facilities (4 years ago) at a place like Oregon.

Besides the hurricane season, I've honestly never understood why an IPF is such a trend these days....for a game of football that is played outdoors in the elements the majority of the time.

 

[Gator Fever]

Foley screwed us is the bottom line with his arrogant attitude. And yes we had already started to begin kicking butt in the sports no one watches hardly before Foley took over.

 

[instaGATOR]

Foley screwed us is the bottom line with his arrogant attitude. And yes we had already started to begin kicking butt in the sports no one watches hardly before Foley took over.

WE didn't start anything, the Gator student/athletes have been steady kicking butts for the past 36 consecutive years, finishing in the Top 10 National All Sports standings

You persist in this stupid chit, even in the face of the attendance figures.
Full sell out football would only be 528.000,,, IF they sold out every game.
Last year, the Gators had over a Million come through turnstiles for Gator sports.
Do the freakin' math....

And fevered brains, you snivel and whne like Foley just screwed YOU in the bottom...
Arrogant is you believing that you have a clue...

 

[ocalaman]

WE didn't start anything, the Gator student/athletes have been steady kicking butts for the past 36 consecutive years, finishing in the Top 10 National All Sports standings

You persist in this stupid chit, even in the face of the attendance figures.
Full sell out football would only be 528.000,,, IF they sold out every game.
Last year, the Gators had over a Million come through turnstiles for Gator sports.
Do the freakin' math....

And fevered brains, you snivel and whne like Foley just screwed YOU in the bottom...
Arrogant is you believing that you have a clue...

UF's average football attendance in 2018 was 82,427 and the homecoming crowd was the lowest since 1990. https://www.tampabay.com/sports/flo...ered-why-college-football-attendance-is-down/ Attendance at the other sports on campus probably exceeded the total football attendance, while volleyball, softball and gymnastics set season attendance records. And even though the UAA is an independent association reliant upon private funding/gifts/endowments, I do think Jeremy Foley should have done more sooner to upgrade the football facilities. But the things he did to achieve consistent, championship excellence in the overall athletic program is amazing and, except for Stanford (with almost double the number of sports), unmatched.

 

[Gator Fever]

WE didn't start anything, the Gator student/athletes have been steady kicking butts for the past 36 consecutive years, finishing in the Top 10 National All Sports standings

You persist in this stupid chit, even in the face of the attendance figures.
Full sell out football would only be 528.000,,, IF they sold out every game.
Last year, the Gators had over a Million come through turnstiles for Gator sports.
Do the freakin' math....

And fevered brains, you snivel and whne like Foley just screwed YOU in the bottom...
Arrogant is you believing that you have a clue...

Do you have an account at 247 you changed the name to gatorfever? I see someone has a 10 year old account there that shows that name now and is going crazy bashing Mullen's recruiting. I have never signed up for an account there. Are you doing that as a prank?

 

[oozie7]

I'm not debating with much of what you are saying Insta but imagine this.

Oregon's facilities with Florida/southern talent.

Then imagine

Florida's facilities (4 years ago) at a place like Oregon.

Besides the hurricane season, I've honestly never understood why an IPF is such a trend these days....for a game of football that is played outdoors in the elements the majority of the time.

Avoid missing practices. In the south during summer time there’s usually lots of rain. And then on really humid days you don’t want to being two a days in that, that’s draining. Helps keep the team fresh through camp.

 

[oozie7]

Do you have an account at 247 you changed the name to gatorfever? I see someone has a 10 year old account there that shows that name now and is going crazy bashing Mullen's recruiting. I have never signed up for an account there. Are you doing that as a prank?

Lol

 

[instaGATOR]

Avoid missing practices. In the south during summer time there’s usually lots of rain. And then on really humid days you don’t want to being two a days in that, that’s draining. Helps keep the team fresh through camp.

And that would be just fine,,, IF they also played those Sept/Oct games in the IPF....

We used to see this as a part of UF's 'home field advantage' the same way that UK and Mizzou see Nov-Dec games in their house as a 'home field advantage.'

With the IPF, our guys no longer have that conditioning advantage over their opponents.