Florida Gators
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Florida Gators is the team name used for all of the intercollegiate athletic teams that play for the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. There are 8 men's athletic teams and 11 women's teams that compete in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference in Division I-A, and have combined to win the Southeastern Conference All-Sports Trophy every year since its inception. The Gators have also been in the top 10 of the National All Sports rankings every year for the past two decades.
Traditional rivals in most sports include in-state Florida State University and the University of Miami, as well as conference rivals Georgia, South Carolina (since former head coach Steve Spurrier was hired as Head Football Coach for that institution in 2004), Tennessee, and University of Kentucky.
The athletic department is run by the University Athletic Association, a private organization. The department dedicates about $73 million per year to its sports teams and facilities. Since 1992, the athletic director of the Gators has been Jeremy Foley. All athletic teams have on-campus facilities for competition, including Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field for football, the Stephen C. O'Connell Center for men’s and women’s basketball as well as women's volleyball and gymnastics, and McKethan Stadium for baseball. The University Athletic Association (also referred to as UAA) operates several aircraft based at the Gainesville Regional Airport, including a Cessna Citation and Beechcraft King Air, in support of its athletic endeavors.
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[edit] Football
Florida plays an eight-game conference schedule, headlined by annual SEC Eastern division showdowns against Tennessee and Georgia, the latter being held in Jacksonville, Florida every year and formally dubbed "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." The permanent SEC West team the Gators face every season is LSU. In addition, the team has a yearly out-of-conference meeting with Florida State at the end of the season.
The football team has been one of the winningest in Division 1-A since 1990, the year Steve Spurrier returned to his alma mater as coach. The 1996 team, led by another Heisman winner, Danny Wuerffel, went 12-1 and won the national championship game in the Sugar Bowl, avenging an earlier loss to rival Florida State.
Following the 2001 season, Spurrier left the program to try his hand at coaching in the National Football League. Ron Zook, at one time the defensive coordinator under Spurrier, was hired as his replacement. Zook's squads were known for their inconsistency, and he was fired midway through the 2004 season.
Urban Meyer was announced as Florida Football's new head coach in December 2004. His first season in 2005 was a respectable 9-3, including a bowl win against the Iowa Hawkeyes, but the team missed out on a chance to play in the SEC title game after a devastating loss to Spurrier's new team, South Carolina, though the team managed to sweep its three biggest rivals (Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida State) for just the fourth time in school history.
The Gators had arguably the best recruiting class in the nation in 2006[1], signing such players as All-American dual-threat quarterback Tim Tebow and overall #1 HS recruit, wide receiver Percy Harvin. Other five star recruits included offensive lineman Carl Johnson, linebacker Brandon Spikes, wide receiver Jarred Fayson, and safety Jamar Hornsby.
[edit] 2006 football season
The Gators celebrated the 10th anniversary of their first national championship before the opening game of the 2006 season, versus Southern Miss on September 2nd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, a game which the Gators won 34-7. This also marks the 100th season of Florida Gators football. The team opened the season with high expectations. The Gators were ranked 7th in the first AP Poll and 8th in the first USA Today Coaches Poll. In the "SportsCenter Championship Series" prediction series on ESPN's SportsCenter, the Gators were the third team named in five "other teams" that could be successful below the top ten, basically ranking them 13th.
In the second game of the season, against the UCF Golden Knights, the Gators gained over 630 yards of total offense and held the Golden Knights to just 153 total yards. Quarterback Chris Leak completed 19 of his 29 passes for over 350 yards and four touchdowns.
Their first SEC game of the year was also their first road game of the season. They traveled to Tennessee to face the Volunteers, who in the first week dispatched #9 California. The Gators rallied from a 17-7 third quarter deficit with two touchdowns and allowed Tennessee only a field goal, winning the game 21-20. The Gators defense held to Tennessee to negative 11 rushing yards. After the win the Gators improved to number 5 in the nation.
The Gators improved to 4-0 after beating Kentucky 26-7. The offense gained over 500 yards and the defense held Kentucky to 39 rushing yards and sacked quarterback Andre' Woodson 6 times. It was also in this game that Chris Leak broke school records for pass attempts (1,203) and completions (733) and DeShawn Wynn recorded his second straight 100-yard rushing game.
On September 30th of 2006, the Gators came from behind by 10 to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide 28-13.
Florida extended its unbeaten record to 6-0 when they defeated the LSU Tigers 23-10 on their homecoming game on October 7th. This win vaulted the Gators to the number two ranking in the nation, trailing only the Ohio State Buckeyes. The Gators have since only lost one game, which was to Auburn. South Carolina almost upset Florida, but their final field goal was blocked by Jarvis Moss, and the Gators won the game 17-16.
The team is currently 12-1 and have won the 2006 SEC Championship via a 38-28 over the Arkansas Razorbacks in the conference title game.
The Gators, with a 12-1 record, edged out 11-1 Michigan in the BCS polls and will play Ohio State in the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game on January 8th at 8 pm ET.
[edit] Men's Basketball
Florida had limited success prior to the mid-1990s. However, under the tenure of Norm Sloan, Vernon Maxwell led the team to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen in 1987, and Sloan coached the team to the tournament again the following two years. After a drug scandal involving Maxwell, Sloan left and the program went on probation.
Don DeVoe coached the team for the 1989-90 season, after which Lon Kruger was hired. While never known as a great recruiter, Kruger slowly brought the team to increased success and reached the NIT final four in his second year as coach. In 1993-94, however, the pieces fell into place for Florida. Behind Andrew DeClercq and Dametri Hill, the Gators went to their first Final Four following a dramatic victory over UConn where Donyell Marshall missed two free throws with no time on the clock to force overtime, where the Gators eventually prevailed. They lost to Duke in the national semifinal, 70-65. The next year, they returned to the NCAA tournament, but were eliminated in the first round. Kruger's final season in 1995-96 resulted in a losing record, and he left to coach at Illinois.
Jeremy Foley, looking for a young coach with a proven track record, hired Billy Donovan, then at Marshall, as Kruger's replacement. His recruiting prowess was evident early, bringing future NBA star Jason Williams with him from Marshall and having early recruiting classes with future NBA players Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem, and Matt Bonner, among others. The Gators have made the NCAA Tournament every year since Donovan's third season with the team, a seven-year streak that is easily the school record. Although Donovan is young (40) compared to many coaches, he is the longest tenured men's basketball coach in the SEC.
The team had the distinction of never having won a conference tournament despite several regular-season titles until the 2004-05 season, when they beat rival Kentucky in the SEC title game.
The 2005-2006 team's start of 17-0 was the best in school history, surprising many with a young (four sophomores and one junior) but selfless squad following the graduation of David Lee and the departures of Matt Walsh and Anthony Roberson to the NBA.They were 60% of their offense in 2005. The team started the season unranked, yet still managed to win its second consecutive SEC Tournament championship and a national championship.
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round #1 | # 14 South Alabama | 76-50 |
| Round #2 | # 11 Milwaukee | 82-60 |
| Sweet 16 | # 7 Georgetown | 57-53 |
| Elite 8 | # 1 Villanova | 75-62 |
| Final 4 | # 11 George Mason | 73-58 |
| Championship | # 2 UCLA | 73-57 |
The Gators took a 27-6 overall record and #10 national ranking into the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, where they were a #3 seed in the Minneapolis regional. They beat South Alabama and Milwaukee to advance to the regional finals. There, the Gators defeated the Georgetown Hoyas and moved to the Elite Eight, where on Sunday, March 26th, Florida defeated #1 seed Villanova 75-62 to move on to the Final Four.
Florida defeated the George Mason Patriots 73-58 in the National Semi-finals in Indianapolis. On April 3, 2006, the Gators defeated the UCLA Bruins, 73-57 to win the school's first men's basketball championship.
Before the start of the 2006-2007 basketball season, the Gators were picked as the preseason #1 in both major media polls for the first time in school history. The team is currently 7-2 overall and ranked #7 in the latest Coaches Poll.
[edit] Women's Basketball
Florida's women’s team has been coached by Carolyn Peck, a former WNBA coach who won a national title with Purdue, since the 2002-03 season. Her brother, Michael, has been an assistant on the staff since 2001.
While traditionally being overshadowed by divisional (and national) basketball powers Tennessee and Georgia, the Lady Gators have made several NCAA Tournament appearances and sent players to the WNBA, such as DeLisha Milton-Jones. The winningest coach at Florida was Peck's predecessor, Carol Ross, who guided the team for 12 seasons but now coaches at her alma mater, Ole Miss.
With a senior-ladden team, the Lady Gators started the 2005-06 season unranked and gradually worked their way into the Top 25, finishing the season at 21-9 overall and 8-6 in conference play. They lost in the first round of the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament to New Mexico.
[edit] Baseball
Baseball is coached by Pat McMahon, who joined in 2001 after coaching at Mississippi State.
The 2005 season was the best in school history, as the team won the SEC title and made the College World Series for the first time in seven years, and advanced all the way to the championship round against Texas, but ultimately lost two games to none. The baseball team has made the Series five times in total.
The expectations for the team were high for 2006; they opened the season as the #1 team in the polls. The team struggled through the 2006 season, however. The Gators found themselves 1 game under .500 (26-27) heading into their final series, against LSU in Gainesville. UF surprisingly took 2 of 3 to finish right at .500, 28-28. However, the team's 10-20 SEC record was the second worst in the conference (only Auburn's 9-21 campaign was worse), and they didn't qualify for the SEC Tournament. There was very slight hope that the team might be selected for the NCAA Regionals, but in the end their disappointing performance did not get them a bid.
[edit] Soccer
Becky Burleigh has been the coach since the team first began play in 1996. The team quickly became a contender and, in 1998, won the national title in its third year of existence against the storied North Carolina program. A player from that team, Heather Mitts has enjoyed a career on and off the field, including a spot on the United States Women's National Soccer Team.
Another former player, Abby Wambach, has become a recent star on the U.S. team and scored the game-winning goal in the final game of the 2004 Olympic Games.
[edit] Volleyball
Florida began competing in Volleyball in 1984 under the lead of Marilyn McReavy but didn’t achieve true success until Mary Wise took over the program in 1991.
In her 16 years at Florida, Wise has compiled a 520-53 (0.907) record, won 16 consecutive SEC regular season titles (1991-2006), 12 SEC Tournament titles (1992-96, 1998-2003, 2000) and the Gators have made 16 consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament, including 7 final four appearances and a trip to the National Championship game in 2003.
The 2005 season brought with it a 33-3 overall record and a trip to the Elite Eight where Florida lost to top seeded Nebraska.
[edit] Women's Tennis
Florida has one of the strongest and most storied women's tennis programs in NCAA history, producing such former greats as Lisa Raymond and Jill Craybas. Currently, they are second to only Stanford with 4 NCAA Championships.
[edit] Gymnastics
Gymnastics was one of the first women's sports added at the University of Florida and achieved early success winning the 1982 AIAW Championship. Since the NCAA took over the championships in 1982, Florida has advanced to the National Championships (Top 12) 15 times and an additional 10 times, has advanced to the Super Six. Florida's highest finish in NCAA competition was as runner-up in 1998.
Currently, the Gators are coached by Rhonda Faehn and finished 4th at the 2006 NCAA Championships.
The Gators are looking forward to next year, and have signed a national champion, and highly-recruited Amanda Castillo, and plan on winning the NCAA Championship for the first time in their history.
[edit] Lacrosse
In early 2006, the UF Athletic Association announced they would soon begin play in women's lacrosse, due to the growth of the sport and increased availability of competition. They became the second SEC school to offer lacrosse as a varsity sport, following Vanderbilt. They will begin play in 2010.
[edit] Mascots, Cheers, and Spirit Program
Costumed in plush to look like American Alligators, the official mascots of the Florida Gators are Albert and Alberta.
A short video showing alligators moving in on their prey, with the famous Jaws theme playing in the background, is displayed on the Daktronics ProStar Video Board, commonly known as a jumbotron during every football game before the players come out of the tunnel. ESPN's College Gameday analyst Lee Corso, a graduate and former coach at rival school Florida State, called it one of the best moments in college football.
The marching band that performs at halftime and after big plays during the football season is known as The Pride of the Sunshine.
The coordinated dance team that performs at many sports are known as the Dazzlers. The football team has a long-time tradition of having George Edmondson Jr.--better known as Mr. Two Bits--wandering through the stands with a sign and a whistle to pump up the crowd to the cheer of:
- Two bits, Four bits,
- Six bits, A dollar.
- All for the Gators,
- Stand up and Holler!
Though he officially retired in 1998, Edmonds has been seen at many football games since, and was made an honorary alumnus in 2005.
Fans are often seen to perform the Gator Chomp. "Orange and Blue" is one cheer that is very popular at home games, with the student section yelling "orange," and the alumni section answering back with their loudest "blue." This can go back and forth for several minutes, with both sides competing to be the louder one. Another tradition--at home and on the road--is when Gator fans link arms and sway, singing We Are the Boys from Old Florida after the end of every third quarter.
- We are the boys from old Florida
- F - L - O - R - I - D - A
- Where the girls are the fairest,
- the boys are the squarest
- of any old state down our way. (hey)
- We are all strong for old Florida,
- down where the old Gators play.
- In all kinds of weather,
- we'll all stick together. for
- F - L - O - R - I - D - A [2]
[edit] All-Sports Rankings
[edit] NACDA Directors’ Cup
| Academic Year | UF Finish |
|---|---|
| 1983-84 | 5th |
| 1984-85 | 4th |
| 1985-86 | 8th |
| 1986-87 | 4th |
| 1987-88 | 5th |
| 1988-89 | 9th |
| 1989-90 | 5th |
| 1990-91 | 5th |
| 1991-92 | 5th |
| 1992-93 | 4th |
| 1993-94 | 4th |
| 1994-95 | 5th |
| 1995-96 | 3rd |
| 1996-97 | 5th |
| 1997-98 | T2nd |
| 1998-99 | 4th |
| 1999-00 | 7th |
| 2000-01 | 7th |
| 2001-02 | 3rd |
| 2002-03 | 7th |
| 2003-04 | 6th |
| 2004-05 | 6th |
| 2005-06 | 5th |
Florida has finished in the top 10 in national all sports rankings every year since 1983-84. UCLA is the only other program that has matched that feat. Perhaps more impressive is that Florida has managed this accomplishment while fielding fewer sports than other perennial top athletic programs. The finish marks Florida's 23rd consecutive position among the nation's top-10 programs.
In the 2005-06 academic calendar, Florida finished fifth place in the NACDA Directors' Cup, with eleven different Gator teams finishing in the top 10 of their respective sport.
- Men's Basketball (No. 1)
- Men's Golf (No. 2)
- Women's Tennis (No. T-3)
- Gymnastics (No. 4)
- Men's Swimming & Diving (No. 5)
- Volleyball (No. T-5)
- Women's Golf (No. T-6)
- Men's Indoor Track & Field (No. 9)
- Men's Tennis (No. T-9)
- Women's Swimming & Diving (No. 10)
[edit] 2005-06 Directors’ Cup Standings
1 Stanford 1197.375 points
2 UCLA - 1071.375 points
3 Texas - 966.00 points
4 North Carolina - 952.75 points
5 Florida - 913.00 points
[edit] SEC All-Sports Trophy
To date, Florida has claimed 168 SEC titles. The next closest program is Georgia with 116 titles.
The SEC All-Sports Trophy began in 1973 as the Bernie Moore trophy and tabulated the league’s best men’s sports program. In 1983, the SEC also began calculating the best women’s sports program in the conference, as well as tabulating an overall champion. In 1994, the "New York Times" Regional Newspaper Group took over the awarding of the trophy.
In the history of the award, Florida has won 13 Women’s Trophies, 11 Men’s Trophies, and 16 Overall Trophies.
In 2004-05, Florida won its 14th consecutive SEC All-Sports Trophy. UF finished 1st for the Men’s Trophy and 3rd for the Women’s Trophy.
[edit] 2004-05 Overall SEC All-Sports Standings
| Place | School | Points | Sports | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Florida | 149 | 16 | 9.31 |
| 2. | Tennessee | 135.5 | 15 | 9.03 |
| 3. | Georgia | 137 | 16 | 8.56 |
| 4. | Auburn | 126.5 | 16 | 7.91 |
| 5. | LSU | 112.5 | 16 | 7.03 |
| 6. | Alabama | 99 | 16 | 6.19 |
| 7. | Kentucky | 95 | 16 | 5.94 |
| 8. | South Carolina | 87.5 | 15 | 5.83 |
| 9. | Arkansas | 83 | 15 | 5.53 |
| 10. | Miss. State | 67.5 | 13 | 5.19 |
| 11. | Vanderbilt | 54.5 | 11 | 4.95 |
| 12. | Mississippi | 60 | 13 | 4.62 |
[edit] National Championships
In its history, Florida has won 25 team national championships and 185 individual national championships.
- Men's Golf - 1968 NCAA Championship
- Men's Golf - 1973 NCAA Championship
- Women's Swimming - 1979 AIAW Championship
- Gymnastics - 1982 AIAW Championship
- Women's Swimming - 1982 NCAA Championship
- Men's Swimming - 1983 NCAA Championship
- Men's Swimming - 1984 NCAA Championship
- Women's Golf - 1985 NCAA Championship
- Women's Golf - 1986 NCAA Championship
- Women's Tennis - 1988 National Team Indoor
- Women's Tennis - 1991 National Team Indoor
- Women's Track - 1992 NCAA Indoor Championship
- Women's Tennis - 1992 National Team Indoor
- Women's Tennis - 1992 NCAA Championship
- Men's Golf - 1993 NCAA Championship
- Women's Tennis - 1996 NCAA Championship
- Football - 1996 NCAA Championship
- Women's Tennis - 1996 National Team Indoor
- Women's Tennis - 1997 National Team Indoor
- Women's Tennis - 1998 NCAA Championship
- Women's Soccer - 1998 NCAA Championship
- Women's Tennis - 1999 National Team Indoor
- Men's Golf - 2001 NCAA Championship
- Women's Tennis - 2003 NCAA Championship
- Men's Basketball - 2006 NCAA Championship
[edit] Notable current and former athletes
- See also: List of University of Florida alumni
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Baseball
Men’s Basketball
Women’s Basketball
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Football Golf
Soccer
Track and Field
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[edit] External links
- Gatorzone Official athletics website.
- GatorCountry.com - Gator news, recruiting or magazine site.
- ItsGreatToBeAFloridaGator.com - Updated Gator Sports site.
- AlligatorSports.com - The student-run Gators sports site.
- Gator News Gator news email list.
- Gatorpedia.com - Wiki-based database.
- Gators Forum - Message board.
- GatorTalk Gator discussion email list.
- TheFratRowSpot.com Tailgating website.
- Gainesville Sun Gator Sports page Local Gator Sports page.
- Every Day Should be Saturday Great Gator fan page.
