The University of Florida (UF) is a major, public, comprehensive, land-grant, research university. The state’s oldest and most comprehensive university, UF is among the nation’s most academically diverse public universities. UF has a long history of established programs in international education, research and service. It is one of only 17 public, land-grant universities that belongs to the Association of 
American Universities.
HISTORY
In 1853, the state-funded East Florida Seminary took over the Kingsbury Academy in Ocala. The seminary moved to Gainesville in the 1860s and later was consolidated with the state’s land-grant Florida Agricultural College, then in Lake City. In 1905, by legislative action, the college became a university and was moved to Gainesville. Classes first met with 102 students on the present site on Sept. 26, 1906. UF officially opened its doors to women in 1947. With more than 50,000 students, UF is now one of the largest universities in the nation.
FACILITIES
UF has a 2,000-acre campus and more than 900 buildings (including 170 with classrooms and laboratories). The northeast corner of campus is listed as a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. The UF residence halls have a total capacity of some 7,500 students and the five family housing villages house more than 1,000 married and graduate students.
UF’s extensive capital improvement program has resulted in facilities ideal for 21st century academics and research, including the Health Professions, Nursing and Pharmacy Building; the Cancer and Genetics Research Center; the new Biomedical Sciences Building; and William R. Hough Hall, which will house the Hough Graduate School of Business. Overall, the university’s current facilities have a book value of more than $1 billion and a replacement value of $2 billion.
UF Timeline » 150 Years of History at UF
1853-1905 » University of Florida’s Beginnings
On January 6, 1853, Florida Governor Thomas Brown signs the bill that provided public support to higher education. East Florida Seminary in Ocala is one of the first schools to use this funding, but it soon closes due the Civil War. In 1866, EFS reopens in Gainesville, beginning a 150-year journey to become one of the largest, most prestigious schools in the world.
1906-1927 » Early Gainesville
Gainesville lobbies for the new University of Florida by offering land, money and an agreement to “furnish water to the University without charge.” When the telegraph office in Gainesville announces the good news to the waiting crowd, a noisy celebration begins with ringing church bells, a parade and exploding firecrackers. The Gainesville campus opens for registration on Sept. 24, 1906. Classes begin two days later for the 102 students enrolled.
1928-1947 » Depression & World War II
As John J. Tigert begins his presidency, Florida comes under hard times. The Mediterranean fruit fly cripples the state’s citrus production and the deadliest hurricane to ever hit Florida destroys what was left of the state’s economy. Then, a year later, the Great Depression begins with the collapse of the stock market. The economy does not recover until America enters World War II in 1941.
1948-1974 » Post-War Expansion
Florida experiences a huge population boom after World War II. Because of its mild climate, Florida was used to train troops for battle. By the time the war is over, Florida has an excellent transportation system for residents and visitors. Many high-tech industries relocate to Florida, most notably the Space Program. The exploding population of the state carries over into its universities. The University of Florida goes from being a school of 5,000 white males to a diverse student body of more than 28,000 men and women.
1975-2003 » National & International Prominence
For 25 years, the University of Florida diversifies and expands into one of the top universities in the nation. UF is a leading public research university situated in what Money magazine calls “the best place to live” in the United States. With a focus on excellence in research, teaching, technology and athletics, the University of Florida will certainly remain a leader in higher education.
Academic Programs
Florida has 16 colleges and more than 100 research, service and education centers, bureaus and institutes. More than 100 undergraduate majors are offered. Over 1,200 freshmen and sophomores participate in the honors program, which offers nearly 100 honors courses per semester. Most classes are limited to no more than 25 students.
The University Scholars Program introduces UF undergrads to the exciting world of academic research by allowing them to work one-on-one with Florida faculty on selected research projects. The Graduate School coordinates almost 200 graduate programs. Professional degree programs include dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.
LIBRARIES
The university libraries form the largest information resource system in the state of Florida, containing more than 4 million volumes, more than 7 million microfilms and thousands of full-text electronic journals. The extensive collections include formats ranging from manuscripts to electronic texts and are distributed in libraries across campus close to the colleges and departments they serve. Library collections are accessed through the online catalog.
Admissions
WHY CHOOSE UF?
UF offers more than 100 undergraduate majors, combined bachelor’s/master’s degree programs in 65 departments and more than 200 graduate degree programs. Tour UF on a visit to UF’s beautiful Gainesville campus or take a virtual tour online.
UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
Outstanding students, faculty, programs, facilities and scholarship opportunities have made UF one of the nation’s best universities, public or private, and one of the best deals.
The Office of Admissions provides information to high school students preparing for college, freshman candidates applying to UF and students who want to transfer to UF. To apply online, complete the application for undergraduate admission.
GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
The graduate admission process is coordinated by the graduate departments and the admissions office. Graduate application instructions and graduate resources provide the information needed to choose a degree program. To apply online, complete the application for graduate admission.
ALREADY APPLIED?
Undergraduates can check their application status online; graduate applicants should contact their graduate departments.
While waiting for an admission decision, learn more about housing on campus, meal plans, computer requirements and scholarships and financial aid.
Campus Life
THE ARTS
UF consistently attracts world-class symphony orchestras, Broadway plays, opera and large-scale ballet performances. Among UF’s artistic venues are housed a permanent collection of more than 6,000 original works, the largest natural history museum in the Southeast, musical and theatrical centers, two television stations and four radio stations.
ATHLETICS
UF has ranked among the nation’s 10 best athletic programs in each of the last 20 years. Florida couples its strong intercollegiate sports program with more than 60 intramural and club sports ranging from archery to weightlifting. More than 90 percent take advantage of the numerous outdoor courts and playing fields on campus, and in the O’Connell Center, the Student Recreation and Fitness Center, the Southwest Rec Center and the Florida Gymnasium for indoor sports.
STUDENT ACTIVITIES
The Division of Student Affairs includes the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, Career Resource Center, Counseling Center, Dean of Students Office, Housing & Residence Education, J. Wayne Reitz Union, Recreational Sports, and Student Financial Affairs.
The Dean of Students Office offers support related to disabilities services, multicultural affairs, new student programs including Preview orientation, off campus life, and judicial affairs. The UF student body follows an honor code committed to the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
The learning experience at UF continues outside the classroom through the Center for Leadership and Service, Student Government, the Office of Student Activities and Involvement, Sport Clubs/Intramural Sports, and the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Affairs.
Research
UF’s research enterprise plays an important role in the emergence of the State of Florida as a technological and economic leader in the 21st century.
UF attracts scholars whose curiosity about the world around them results in new inventions and procedures that benefit the citizens of Florida and beyond in countless ways.
A LEADING RESEARCH INSTITUTION
Research awards have risen steadily over the decades to last year’s $574 million, placing UF among the nation’s leading institutions. More than $289 million of that total was for health-related research, representing a significant portion of the state’s intellectual and economic commitment to biotechnology. Researchers at the Institute on Aging, the McKnight Brain Institute, the UF Genetics Institute, the UF Shands Cancer Center, and the Emerging Pathogens Institute—and throughout the six colleges of the Health Science Center—study everything from adult stem cells to gene therapy.
FROM LABORATORY TO MARKETPLACE
The new economy encourages the rapid progression of discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace, and UF is a national leader in this area. The success of the sports drink Gatorade is well known, but it is just one of many UF products that have benefited countless people. Other important products include Trusopt, a leading treatment for glaucoma, and the Sentricon Termite Elimination System.
STUDENT RESEARCH
Graduate education and research go hand-in-hand. The great discoveries of the 21st century will undoubtedly come from the creative efforts of university faculty working closely with bright and motivated graduate students. Graduate students, particular those pursuing the doctoral degree, broaden the knowledge base of their disciplines in countless ways. UF undergrads, through the University Scholars Program, work one-on-one with Florida faculty on selected research projects.
The university’s graduate programs have produced generations of professionals in a wide variety of disciplines, many of whom have risen to positions of prominence in our state, the nation and the world.
Athletics
INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
The University of Florida athletics program took third in the 2008-09 Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings. The finish matches the second-highest for the Gator program, second only to Florida’s tie for second in the 1997-98 standings.
Florida is the only program in the nation to finish among the nation’s top 10 in each of the last 26 national all-sports standings.
The football team’s BCS/Associated Press national championship led a program-record tying 12 Gator athletic teams among the nation’s top 10 in 2008-09 national competition. This is the fifth time 12 Florida teams were among the nation’s top 10 in a single season (1992-93, 2001-02, 2003-04, 2007-08, 2008-09).
In Southeastern Conference action, Florida led the league with six team championships in 2008-09 – football, soccer, softball, women’s swimming & diving, women’s outdoor track & field and volleyball. Those titles helped UF sweep the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group SEC All-Sports titles. It was the 19th overall title for UF, 16th women’s and 13th men’s.
In 2008-09, 168 University of Florida student-athletes earned a spot on the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll. UF is the only SEC school to place 100 or more student-athletes on the Academic Honor Roll each of the last 12 years. The SEC annually selects an Academic Honor Roll for each team that honors student-athletes who have posted cumulative 3.0 grade point averages for the previous academic year.
UF is one of only four programs in the 2008-09 Learfield Sports National All-Sports top 10 to post a graduation success rate above 85%.
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, or “The Swamp,” is widely recognized as one of, if not the toughest, environments for a visiting team in all of college football. Several facelifts after the stadium’s original construction in 1930 have made Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium the state-of-the-art facility you see at today’s game. Without a bad seat in the house, “The Swamp” ranks as the largest stadium in the state of Florida. The Gators’ average attendance last season of 90,544 ranked ninth in the country. Florida’s home record of 106-13 (.891) since 1990 is the best mark in the country during that time, proving that at “The Swamp,” only Gators get out alive!
Time Line:
April 16, 1930: Construction begins on original Florida Field
October 27, 1930: Construction completed on original Florida Field (capacity 21,769)…The original stadium consisted of the first 32 rows on the west, east and north sides of the current stadium
November 8, 1930: Dedication of Florida Field as sellout crowd of 21,769 watches Florida vs. Alabama…The legendary Red Barber, a UF student, calls the play-by-play
October 13, 1934: Florida Field dedicated to memory of servicemen who died in World War I
December 16, 1949: Plans drawn to add 11,200 seats to west stands…Expansion completed for 1950 season, bringing total capacity, including temporary bleachers, to 40,116
September 23, 1950: The first night game is played at Florida Field versus The Citadel
December, 1965: Construction starts on east-side 10,000-seat addition, bringing permanent seating to 56,164…Also, temporary bleachers moved to south end zone for total capacity of 62,800 during 1966 season
April, 1971: Artificial surface installed
August, 1982: Completion of south end zone, bringing capacity to 72,000…Athletic training center, skybox tower and modern press box also involved in this project
September 9, 1989: Football stadium named Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field during dedication ceremonies…The stadium is named in honor of Ben Hill Griffin Jr., a life-long Gator supporter and fan who had been extremely benevolent and generous to several sectors at the University of Florida
June 30, 1990: Natural grass replaces artificial turf at Florida Field
September, 1991: Construction completed on new north end zone…Capacity now stands at 83,000, making Florida Field one of the eight largest on-campus collegiate football stadiums in the nation and the largest in the state of Florida…The north end zone addition costs $17 million, but involves no state funding
November 30, 1991: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is the site of the largest football crowd (collegiate or professional) in state of Florida history (85,461 vs. FSU)… During the 1991 and 1992 seasons, the stadium will be the site of the 12 largest crowds in state history
October 12, 1991: The official dedication of the new north end zone is held, as Florida meets Tennessee…Red Barber, who called the original dedication game in 1930, is UF’s special guest of honor
End of 1991 Season: Head Coach Steve Spurrier tags Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field “The Swamp”…Spurrier says, “The Swamp is where Gators live. We feel comfortable there, but we hope our opponents feel tentative. A swamp is hot and sticky and can be dangerous.”
Prior to 1998 Season: Florida completed a $5 million renovation of the Ben Hill Griffin Training Complex in the south endzone, making the facility one of the nation’s elite
Prior to 2003 Season: Construction was completed on a two-year, $50 million stadium expansion/renovation that includes the addition of 2,900 luxury club seats, expanded press level, renovated and enlarged Bull Gator Deck, enlarged President’s Suite and 34 additional suites that was funded by private support from Gator Boosters and fans
Prior to 2004 Season: A high-resolution video board highlights the brand new Daktronics scoreboard in the north end of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium…In addition, a state-of-the-art sound system is installed throughout the stadium…The project cost is $2 million
February 2007: Construction to the Southwest area of the stadium begins…The $28 million project includes the expansion of the strength and conditioning room, a new Gator Room and renovation to the football offices…
August 2008: Construction of James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Complex is completed
Stephen C. O’Connell Center
Florida’s Stephen C. O’Connell Center has a reputation around the country – enthusiastic and friendly if you’re a Gator…noisy, deafening and menacing if you’re the opposition. Florida’s student section, dubbed the “Rowdy Reptiles”, has made the O’Connell Center one of the toughest places to play in the nation. In recent years, ESPN The Magazine dubbed it the “Scariest Place to Play in the Country” in its college basketball preseason issue. ESPN Gameday raved about its atmosphere, placing it with the great venues in sport.
In recent years, a trip to the O’Connell Center hasn’t meant a pleasant and fun-filled stay in sunny Florida for visiting clubs. UF is 145-20 (.879) in the O’Connell Center during the last 10 seasons. Florida has gone 17-4 (2007-08), 18-0 (2006-07) and 16-2 (2005-06) over the past three years respectively. Billy Donovan is 164-30 (.845) in the building during his 12 years in Gainesville and UF is 89-6 against non-conference opponents in the O’Dome including a 40-game non-conference winning streak that lasted from 1998-2003.
From March 1, 2006 to Nov. 20, 2007 the Gators rolled off a school-record 24 consecutive home wins, one of four streaks of 15+ consecutive home wins in the Donova era. Under Donovan, UF has put together winning streaks of 24, 20, 19, 15, 13, 12 and 11 in the O’Connell Center.
Built at a cost of $14 million, the O’Connell Center – named for former UF President Stephen C. O’Connell (1967–73) – has become the showplace for college basketball in the state of Florida. For the eightth consecutive year, UF sold out of season tickets before the first game of the 2007-08 season. A year ago Florida shattered a record 226,815 fans flocked through the gates, while UF averaged a school-record 11,826 fans per game in 2006-07 and had over 10,500 fans at every game for the first time ever. A school-record 12,621 fans turned out to see the Gators defeat Ohio State on Dec. 23, 2006 in what would be a preview of the national title game.
The O’Connell Center had a $10 million facelift in the summer of 1998 to replace the teflon coated roof with a permanent structure. The project also upgraded the sound and lighting system to give the Gators a state-of-the-art capability for pre-game and in-game activities. Another $2.5 million project upgraded concessions, restrooms and entrance ways in the summer of 1999, while a pair of Daktronics Scoreboards were installed in the fall of 1999. Daktronics then installed four 12′ x 16′, video boards (10 mm resolution) in the O’Connell Center in time for the 2006-07 basketball -season, at a cost of $2.5 million.
While the O’Connell Center has a reputation as an imposing basketball arena for visiting opponents with its 12,000 seats, the Center is also part of a centrally-located athletic complex. The facilities surrounding the O’Dome include Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field, McKethan Stadium at Perry Field, James G. Pressly Stadium, the Scott Linder Tennis Stadium and the University Golf Course with the Bostick Clubhouse.
Inside the O’Connell Center is the main arena, an indoor track and field facility, one of the fastest swimming pools in the world, a gymnastics area, dance studio, martial arts room, basketball practice courts and strength and conditioning facilities.
The Gator basketball game day locker room features a video area with a wide screen TV and recording and satellite equipment, a locker room featuring private dressing areas for each player, a training room complete with the latest equipment and player meeting areas.
The O’Connell Center also is the site of more than just Gator basketball games. It brings people together for many other sporting, entertainment, academic and business activities. Over the years, the facility has housed concerts, Disney shows, conventions, business exhibits, conferences, banquets, university and high school commencements, SEC and NCAA championship events and has served as a first and second round site for the National Invitation Tournament in 1986 and as a first round NIT site in 1992 and 1998.
Gymnasts
The Gator gymnasts call the Stephen C. O’Connell Center home. The O’Connell Center’s main arena has showcased every possible collegiate championship event on multiple occasions. The 1997 NCAA Championships were contested in the O’Connell Center, drawing the then third-largest total attendance (22,699) in the history of the event. The NCAA Championships also drew well in its first appearance in the O’Connell Center in 1986, drawing the fourth-highest two-day total of 14,299. Florida will again play host to the NCAA Championships in 2010. In addition, the O’Connell Center has played host to NCAA Southeast Region and Southeastern Conference Championship events several times. In 2005, Florida opened the season by playing host to the prestigious Super Six Challenge, drawing a crowd of 8,119 – the then-second-largest crowd in the program’s history. The Gators topped that attendance mark for the 2006 dual meet versus Georgia with a crowd of 8,338. The 2008 Florida-Georgia dual meet set the O’Connell Center record with its draw of 10,855 fans.
Both meet and practice facilities are held in the $14 million building, which covers 3.6 acres and contains 292,000 square feet of space. The O’Connell Center had an $8.1 million facelift in the summer of 1998 to add a new roof and improvements to the Gator gymnastics practice facility. The project also upgraded the sound and lighting systems to give the Gators a state-of-the-art capability for pre-meet and competition activities. Another $2.5 million project upgraded concessions, restrooms and entrance ways in the summer of 1999. The fan experience was further enhanced prior to the 2007 season with the addition of four Daktronics 12′ x 16′ video boards which feature high quality, 10-millimeter resolution, as well as full-color ProAd LED panels. The cost of the additions totaled nearly $3 million.
In the fall of 2001, the Gator gymnastics staff and team moved into new office and locker room facilities. The spacious locker room accommodations feature lockers for each gymnast, shower facilities for use exclusively by the Gator gymnasts. The team and staff also have use of a lounge area, which is perfect for studying, team meetings or a quick nap.
The arena seats 11,120 for gymnastics meets and is home for the Gator basketball and indoor track teams, as well as the Gator volleyball team. The O’Connell Center is also the site for Florida swimming & diving and indoor track & field competitions.
Ted Crom Gymnastics Studio
The Ted Crom Gymnastics Studio, practice site of the Gator gymnasts, can also be found in the O’Connell Center. The studio stretches over 9,000 square-feet and contains state-of-the-art AAI equipment. The Gymnastics Studio was redesigned during the 1997 off-season to accommodate a 16’x40’x6′ free foam pit. The pit has a tumbling strip on one end, while the other side features vaulting and a tumble trak. Other additions in the last few seasons include four new balance beams, a rod tumbling strip, a Palmer spring floor exercise, new mats throughout the Ted Crom Gymnastics Studio, a state-of-the-art trench bar, a cast-handstand trainer, trampoline, a double-mini trampoline, overhead spotting rig, a trampoline/vault system and a bungee system.
tephen C. O’Connell Center Natatorium
The Stephen C. O’Connell Center Natatorium, home of the Gator swimming and diving program, is considered one the fastest facilities in the nation. Since its opening in January 1981, the pool has been the site of many prestigious events, including the inaugural NCAA Women’s Championships in 1982; the women’s SEC Championships in 1984, 1989 and 1998; and the men’s SEC Championships in 1981, 1985, 1989, and 1998. In addition, the 1982 United States Swimming Short Course Nationals, the 1993 U.S.S. Junior National Championships and the 2000 and 2004 Junior Olympic Swimming Championships were held at UF. The O’Connell Center Natatorium recently underwent a major renovation totaling approximately $850,000. A new indoor hot tub, a 1,600-square foot “Gator Champions” picture wall, a Mondo diving surface and a dry diving board and overhead spotting rig were just a few of the new amenities added.
Did You Know?
- The pool holds 847,000 gallons of water
- The natatorium has room for more than 3,000 fans
- In 1994, a $75,000 state-of-the-art color matrix scoreboard was installed
- Florida also has a five-lane 50-meter outdoor pool for use at its disposal
Diving Facilities
- Rank among the finest in the nation
- Comprised of two one-meter boards, two three-meter boards, one five-meter platform and one 10-meter platform
- Features a hot tub and underwater viewing room
- Training apparatus includes a trampoline set-up with an overhead spotting rig and a one-meter board over a port-a-pit
Pools
The pool is considered one of the fastest in the world because the water remains so calm during competition. The pool bottom slopes rapidly from five feet to 18 feet, greatly reducing the rebound of waves from the bottom. The extensive gutter system also absorbs water slapping against the sides to help eliminate waves.
The 847,000-gallon pool can be used as two 25-yard courses with a warm-up area in the middle; two 25-meter courses; or at its full 50-meter long course use. Seating is good for 1,200 spectators, but as many as 3,000 have filled the confines of the O’Connell Center to watch Florida battle some of the nation’s finest competition.
A $75,000 12′ x 13′ state-of-the-art full color matrix scoreboard was installed in the spring of 1994. The scoreboard is complete with graphics, timing and scoring information that keeps fans posted on all of the swimming and diving action.
The O’Connell Center, which houses the natatorium, had its Teflon roof replaced with a hard, permanent surface that was completed in August 1998.
Outdoor Training Facility
The five-lane, 50-meter pool is used for daily training in conjunction with the indoor facility. It is also used for warm-up purposes while competition is taking place inside. The outdoor pool sits adjacent to the indoor facility and offers easy access between the two through a revolving door on the ground level of the O’Connell Center. The warm-up and training pool is well lit for swimming at night and allows Gator swimmers to enjoy Florida’s mild temperatures while training. Two hot tubs with hydrotherapy jets, a variety of pull-up bars, dip bars and VASA training equipment are also located on the outdoor pool deck.
Carse Complex
The Wayne and Jimmie Carse Swimming and Diving Complex officially opened in summer of 1998, giving the Florida swimming and diving programs a new home. It is a state-of-the-art building that houses the UF coaches’ offices, coaches and team locker rooms, an athlete lounge, conference room and meeting area and offers access to the 50-meter pool directly behind the complex. The building is named for Wayne and Jimmie Carse of Orlando, Fla., whose generous gift of over $820,000 made the construction of the complex possible.
“The Carses have been Bull Gators in support of our football team for years,” said Phil Pharr, director of Major Gifts for Gator Boosters, Inc. “They are an example of our athletic supporters who ask, ‘How can I help’, and did with their contribution to our swimming and diving programs.”
Carse, who serves on the Gator Booster Board of Trustees for UF, and his wife have supported Gator athletics for the past 20 years.
Diving Facilities
The diving facilities in the O’Connell Center are equal to the best in the country. The equipment includes two one-meter boards, two three-meter boards, one five-meter platform and one 10-meter platform, a hot tub and an underwater viewing room for judging and photography.
But what sets Florida’s diving training apart is the practice apparatus. The Gators practice with a trampoline set-up with an overhead spotting rig and a one-meter board over a port-a-pit.
The O’Connell Center also includes a 200-meter track, a complete gymnastics studio, volleyball courts, a basketball practice court, a martial arts room, a weight training center, administrative offices and a 12,000-seat main arena for basketball games, volleyball matches, gymnastic meets, concerts and commencement.
The Stephen C. O’Connell Center Natatorium is another example of Florida’s commitment to excellence, a commitment that finds the Gator swimming and diving program on the cutting edge year after year
Stephen C. O’Connell Center
Billed by Track & Field News as “one of the finest indoor track facilities in the world, and perhaps the fastest track in the world for long sprints,” the $14 million Stephen C. O’Connell Center has been the indoor home of the Gators since it first opened in December of 1980. The O’Connell Center track was resurfaced in the summer of 2002, making the track even faster.
The 200-meter flat polyurethane facility, best known for its wide, sweeping turns, is ideal for top performances in the 200 through 500 meters. In fact, the facility was the site of the 1987 200 and 400-meter trials which determined the U.S. team for the IAAF World Indoor Championships.
While playing host to six SEC Championships (1989, 1992, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2003) and the U.S. TAC Pentathlon Championships, the O’Connell Center has seen a plethora of collegiate, American and world records fall over the years. The site, which has seating for 3,000 (12,000 basketball seats) will again host SECs in 2006 in addition to four other home meets.
Volleyball
Florida’s Stephen C. O’Connell Center has a reputation around the Southeastern Conference and throughout the nation-enthusiastic and friendly if you’re a Gator…noisy, deafening and menacing if you’re the opposition. In 1999, ESPN The Magazine dubbed it the House of Horrors, the nation’s scariest arena for opponents. UF welcomes its competition, affectionately known as “Gator Bait,” with a pre-match show like none other. Spotlights, four new video boards, a light show and thunderous music highlight the team introductions before the crowd erupts in darkness with the playing of the Gator fight song. Fans roar with the final “Come on, Gators, get up and go!” as the lights burst on and the whistle for first serve blows. Additionally, Florida’s mascots-Alberta and Albert, cheerleaders, the state-of-the-art shutter lighting system, four video boards and in-game statistics boards, and, of course, the best fans provide an atmosphere that is unmatched in Division I volleyball.
The Gators play on their own volleyball-specific floor, which has been home to many Gator volleyball achievements. The O’Connell Center is home to the Gators’ 58-match home win streak (Oct. 14, 1990-Sept. 4, 1994), which is the fourth-longest streak in NCAA history. The O’Connell Center is such an intimidating venue that Florida has posted eight undefeated seasons at home and has won nearly 90-percent of its matches in the O’Connell Center – one of the top percentages in the nation. It has been the home venue in 16 of UF’s 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 16 of the last 17 years. Eight NCAA Regionals have been held in the O’Connell Center, four of which sent the Gators to the Final Four.
“Our success is due in part to the support we receive both by the UF administration and the community,” UF head coach Mary Wise said. “We have in the O’Connell Center a venue that is one of the best places to watch and play volleyball. Our fan base has created an atmosphere where a home match is an event. We are honored to be chosen once again to host the NCAA regional in 2009.”
McKethan Stadium at Perry Field
The University of Florida is home to one of the top college baseball facilities in the nation – McKethan Stadium at Perry Field. The friendly confines of McKethan Stadium have been an important ingredient to the success of Gator baseball for close to two decades. Since its opening in 1988, the Orange and Blue has been one of the toughest teams in the nation to defeat at home in posting a 605-213 (.740) record during the span. In his second season, Kevin O’Sullivan directed UF to a 30-10 (.750) mark, highlighted by the NCAA Gainesville Regional title and series sweeps of Alabama, Louisville, South Carolina and Tennessee.
Over the past decade, nearly one million fans have enjoyed watching the Gators take the field against elite programs from across the nation each season. In fact, McKethan Stadium at Perry Field was ranked among the top collegiate baseball stadiums in the nation according to Baseball America in its January 1998 issue.UF’s home field was listed No. 7 and was ranked as the best stadium and field in the Sunshine State.
Florida’s success on the diamond has led to unparalleled accomplishments for the school at the gates over the past decade, recording the top-10 single-game crowds and the five biggest three-game series totals. During that time frame, UF has drawn 19 crowds in excess of 5,000 fans and established a single-game record with 5,719 fans against Florida State on March 18, 2008. In 2006, the Gators established school records for total attendance (123,022) and highest season average (3,514 fans), and sold more than 2,800 tickets for all 35 home games.
McKethan Stadium boasts a capacity of 5,500, including 5,100 grandstand seats and 400 bleacher seats extending down the outfield lines in left field. In 1998, when the squad reached the College World Series, the Gators’ success helped Florida attract over 105,262 fans during the season, setting school records for total attendance and per game average (2,631 fans). UF ranked eighth nationally in attendance, the third-consecutive year it had placed among the top 10.
As a result of its top attendance marks, Florida has been selected to host an NCAA Regional, one of the true tests for a collegiate baseball facility, eight times. UF played host to Regional action in 1989, 1991, 1992, 1996, 1998, 2002, 2005 and 2009, and also hosted the 1989 Southeastern Conference Tournament, 2005 and 2009 NCAA Super Regional at the venue. The Gators have certainly benefited from their home crowd, having advanced to the CWS from Gainesville on four occasions: 1988, 1996, 1998 and 2005.
In addition to the entertaining brand of college baseball, fans enjoy spacious seating close to the field in the beautiful Florida sun. They are treated to theatre‑like field‑level seating, quality concession areas, an outstanding scoreboard featuring up-to-date player statistics, clean restrooms and abundant parking, along with a first‑class press box for media covering the Gator program.
Always looking to improve its facilities, McKethan Stadium underwent a $350,000 plaza development project in 1996 that produced a new main entrance and created a plaza/courtyard atmosphere for fans surrounding the main grandstand. Construction over the previous summer had added 1,000 seats to the main grandstand to replace seating lost through prior construction and press box expansion.
The press box was rebuilt during the fall of 1996 with the aid of an additional gift of $300,000 from Mr. McKethan. The actual playing field, one of the best in the SEC, underwent an upgrade during the summer of 1997, with the field leveled and new grass planted. Capacity was also increased to 5,000 at that time, with seats added along the left-field line and beyond the left-field fence. During the 2003 off-season, a brand-new Gator skin outfield fence and a padded backstop were attached. The infield and pitching mound were also graded and leveled and more outfield drainage was added. Lights were first installed at the stadium in 1977 thanks to a generous contribution from New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, a Bull Gator booster.
McKethan Stadium is complemented by the $5-million-dollar Lemerand Athletic Center located on Stadium Road cornering up to James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track and McKethan Stadium at Perry Field. It is a multi‑story 46,000-square‑foot building that provides locker rooms, equipment storage, training and sports medicine, along with coaches’ offices for the Gator softball, track & field and volleyball programs.
A $13-million dollar expansion to McKethan Stadium and the Lemerand Athletic Center that was completed in September of 2006 enhances Florida’s complex even more. The construction project resulted in additional stadium seating and a baseball-specific building that includes a training facility, video room, offices and locker rooms, as well as a new bullpen/batting cage building with concessions and an upper deck overlooking the playing field.
James G. Pressly Stadium
The Gator soccer team plays all its home matches at one of the finest collegiate soccer stadiums in the nation, James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track. Florida’s amassed a home record of 131-21-10 (.840) in its 14-year history and crowd support for the team has ranked among the nation’s top 10 for every season. The Gators ranked sixth in the nation with its 2008 average attendance of 1,486 per match.
An overflow crowd of 5,222 filled the Pressly Stadium complex when Florida and then No. 1-North Carolina met on Oct. 11, 1998 for one of the top regular-season matches of the 1998 season. That crowd was the second largest regular-season crowd of the 1998 women’s soccer season and ranks as the 15th largest among the nation’s all-time regular-season crowds. Florida opened the 1999 season with another overflow crowd, when 4,745 fans joined in the pre-match festivities, which included the unveiling of the NCAA Championship sign. That attendance also stands among the nation’s top 30 all-time regular-season crowds.
James G. Pressly Stadium Facts
Location: James G. Pressly Stadium is located at the corner of SW 2nd Ave. and Woodlawn Dr. on the University of Florida campus in Gainesville. Seating capacity: 4,500.
Dimensions: 70 by 110 yards.
Surface: Tiffway 419 Bermuda
Direction: North and South
Spring & Summer of 1995: $750,000 facelift so facility could accommodate soccer
Spring of 1997: Lights added
Spring of 2007: $200,000 upgrades to Daktronics scoreboard
Pressly Stadium was the site of the 1997 Southeastern Conference Tournament and the UF-Vanderbilt championship match drew a SEC record crowd of 2,520. Florida played host to NCAA First, Second and Third Round action in 2008, the 11th time in the program’s 14-year history that NCAA play was held at Pressly Stadium.
Lights were added to the stadium for the 1997 season and the first night match played at Pressly Stadium versus SEC rival Kentucky drew the fifth-largest crowd in school history of 3,425. In 2008, Florida will play seven of its 12 home matches under the lights.
During the spring and summer of 1995, the stadium underwent a major $750,000 facelift so that the facility could accommodate soccer. In order to meet specifications, the pole vault and long jump pits were moved from the infield to outside of the track, providing the new soccer field with a playing area of approximately 115 yards by 70 yards. In addition to redesigning the infield, 2,500 aluminum seats were added to the already existing 2,000-seat concrete grandstand, bringing total grandstand capacity to 4,500.
The renovation effort also included adding new restrooms, permanent concession stands, ticket booths, storage rooms and an air-conditioned split-level press box. In the spring of 2007, the scoreboard in the stadium’s southeast corner was updated. A Daktronics scoreboard using the latest in LED technology cost was added at a cost of approximately $200,000 and serves both UF’s soccer and track and field teams.
The stadium was named the James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track in the spring of 2004 following a generous gift from James G. Pressly, a West Palm Beach attorney and a 1972 graduate of the UF College of Law. The track has long held the name Percy Beard Track after the former Gator head track & field coach Percy Beard, who guided the Gators from 1937 to 1964.
Pressly Stadium is conveniently located adjacent to Florida’s Lemerand Athletic Center. This multistory 43,000 square foot building, which opened in August of 1995, contains the locker room, equipment storage, training and sports medicine plus coaches’ offices for the Gator soccer team. The Lemerand Athletic Center underwent more than $1,400,000 in renovations in 2006 and among the end results is a more spacious locker room for the Gator soccer team.
Starting this season, the Gator soccer team has exclusive use of a practice field which is part the brand new Florida Lacrosse Facility. The practice field is located near the Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium on the corners of Hull and Museum Roads on the UF campus.
Percy Beard Track at James G. Pressly Stadium
Since 1959, James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track has served as the outdoor home of the Gator track and field program. Recognized as one of the finest collegiate track and field facilities in the nation, the complex provides permanent grandstand seating for 4,000 in addition to increased bleacher seating for special events.
Named after former Gator head coach Percy Beard (1937-63), a world record-holder and Olympian in the high hurdles and a member of the prestigious USA Track & Field Hall of Fame, James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track is a Rekortan 400-meter facility. The surface, originally installed in 1985, is patterned after the facility at the Los Angeles Coliseum, site of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games. In 1993, the nine-lane Olympic-certified track under-went complete resurfacing and stripping as part of a $550,000 renovation effort.
The nine-lane track also features multiple jump runways, a steeplechase water jump, three circles for both the shot put and discus, three high jump approaches and nine pole vault boxes. The arrangement allows competitors to take advantage of ideal wind direction to create optimum performance opportunities, while the overall design of the complex provides the spectator with an excellent view of all events from the stadium grandstands.
During the spring and summer of 1995, the 2,500-seat permanent grandstand was expanded to accommodate an additional 1,500 seats. In addition to increasing permanent capacity, the $750,000 project also included adding a new press box, restrooms and concessions, as well as a new patron entrance. Most recently, a state-of-the-art scoreboard was added to the southeast corner of the stadium in March of 1996. With a 90 square-foot screen and matrix capabilities, the new scoreboard allows the latest track and field results to be posted almost instantaneously.
Adjacent to James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track is Florida’s L. Gale Lemerand Athletic Center, a $5 million project that was completed during the summer of 1995. In addition to serving as the home of the Gator track and field team, this multi-story 43,000 square foot building also contains the locker room, coaches’ offices, equipment storage, training and sports medicine facilities for most of the Gators’ spring sports programs.
Because of the complex’s ability to host national and international competitions, The Athletics Congress (TAC) awarded James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track the 1988 United States Junior Olympic Championships. After the unparalleled success of this event, TAC selected Percy Beard as the site of the USA Jr. Olympic Championships in 1994. The six-day event was enormously popular, as thousands of Gainesville track and field enthusiasts converged upon the University of Florida facility to cheer on more than 6,000 of the nation’s finest athletes ages eight to 18.
Over the years, James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track has played host to numerous championship events, including 1998’s Southeastern Conference Outdoor Championships and the SEC meet in 1989. During that time, multitudes of spectators have witnessed collegiate, American and world records fall. This season, Percy Beard Track will host the annual Coca-Cola Florida Relays from March 24-27.
In addition to the Coca-Cola Florida Relays, the James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track played host to the 2004 NCAA East Regional on May 28-29, marking the second year that the NCAA held a regional meet as a precursor to the NCAA Outdoor Championships.
In addition to the enormous fan support the facility has established at Florida, the superior quality of the complex and the ideal year-round weather conditions have made James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard a very popular training facility. In fact, Olympians John Capel, Bernard Williams, Dennis Mitchell, Mark Everett, Linford Christie, Maicel Malone and Jearl Miles are among the many world class athletes that have trained at James G. Pressly Stadium at Percy Beard Track in preparation for the Olympic competition.
Donald R. Dizney Stadium at the Florida Lacrosse Facility
“The lacrosse facility is one of the premier women’s lacrosse facilities in the country. This facility will allow us to recruit the top players in the country. Every player wants to play in a first-class facility and one they will be proud of, and certainly this facility far exceeds all those expectations.”
– Head Coach Amanda O’Leary
A first-class facility for the Gator lacrosse program broke ground in the summer of 2008 and was completed prior to the enrollment of the first Gator lacrosse class in the fall of 2009.
The facility has two lacrosse fields – one for competition and another for practice. Donald R. Dizney Stadium boasts 1,500 seats that run the length of the field, offering fans a great view of the fast-paced sport. Since the lacrosse program has its own facility, they do not have to share practice or game times and are able to accommodate student-athletes schedules.
The facility includes all the amenities needed for the team and fans: locker rooms, a training room, equipment room, concession stands, press box and rest rooms.
A practice field for Florida’s nationally-ranked soccer team is also a part of the facility. The former Florida soccer practice field, located just north of softball stadium, is now a University of Florida recreation field.
The facility is located at Hull Road and Natural Area Drive, just south of Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium.
Katie Seashole Pressly Softball Stadium
Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, located on the corner of Hull and Museum Roads, is the home of Gator Softball. Ground broke for the stadium on Feb. 1, 1996, just a year before holding the first-ever Florida Softball game on Feb. 8, 1997. Originally built at a cost of $2.6 million, improvements to enhance the experience of Florida’s fans and student-athletes have been made to the stadium area since its opening.
In 2001, a 2,300 square-foot locker room, team room and equipment room building were added next to the existing training room and clubhouse building. Nets were extended from the backstop to the ends of both dugouts to protect fans from fly balls. Called only the Florida Softball Stadium until the summer of 2007, the stadium was named Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium after a generous gift from Jamie and Katie Pressly of West Palm Beach. The Presslys are long-time supporters of Gator athletics and the track and soccer stadium is named for Jamie Pressly and his father.
Amenities for the student-athletes and coaches include a training room for treatment needs, a team room for team meetings and reviewing video, locker rooms for players, coaches and umpires and an enclosed batting cage. The press box affords room for home and visitor radio broadcasts and TV telecasts, as well as a multi-level media seating and game management area. For the fans, Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium seats 1,200 in amphitheatre style with ample handicapped seating, large restrooms, concession and SportShop areas. The stadium features an electronic scoreboard with a matrix board for announcements and sponsor ads.
Game day at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium is exciting for players and fans alike. In addition to great games, Gator Softball fans are treated to many contests and promotions, chances to meet the players and visits from Alberta. The festive atmosphere, spacious stadium and exciting play make Florida softball games a great place for family outings. Florida fans are like none other in the country, contributing to the success of every team with their support.