Sunday, July 20, 2008
Gillette Limited Edition Gator Fusion Power

Jeremy N. Foley

Jeremy N. Foley, who has handled virtually every aspect of the University of Florida's $76.6 million athletic program during his athletic administrative career - which began with an internship in the Gator Ticket Office in 1976 ‑ was named UF's Director of Athletics in March of 1992.

A man with great leadership, vision and experience, Foley, 54, brings a die‑hard dedication, never-ending enthusiasm and hands‑on approach to the top athletic post at the University of Florida. Foley's philosophy involves the continued building of a comprehensive athletic program, with the goal of having the overall UF program ranked as the top athletic program in the nation.

Says Foley, who had served as UF's Senior Associate Athletic Director since 1987, "We have an outstanding academic institution and fantastic coaches, student‑athletes, administrators, facilities and fans. With hard work, patience and a commitment to excellence and integrity, we will achieve the success this University deserves."

Thanks in great part to a tireless effort by Foley, Florida has consistently ranked among the nation's 10 best athletic programs.

As chief financial officer for the University Athletic Association (UAA), Foley has been the driving force and directly responsible for more than $180 million in capital improvements as well, including two major expansions of the football stadium, a multipurpose athletic fieldhouse, new facilities for tennis, track & field, soccer, baseball, golf, softball and swimming. Foley also played a role in the $4.1 million academic advising center on the University of Florida campus, which serves UF students and Gator student‑athletes and assisted in funding the $10 million renovation of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. The most recent project - a $55 million renovation project of the football stadium completed in August of 2003 -  added luxury seats to the west side and improved the press facilities.

Foley’s commitment to the overall athletic program includes a plan of increased opportunities for women as three women’s sports have been added under his tenure – soccer, softball and most recently lacrosse. 

Also, in an era when the NCAA estimates 90 percent of Division I schools are losing money on intercollegiate athletics, the University of Florida Athletic Association has contributed more than $37.6 million since 1990 to help fund University of Florida academic endeavors.

Florida has been equally successful on the field of play and in the classroom during Foley's administrative tenure. The Florida athletic program has ranked among the nation's top 10 for 24 straight years (1983‑84, 2006-07) and among the top five for 12 of the last 18 years, according to national all‑sport rankings.

UF became the first program in collegiate history to own both the men's basketball and football national titles  in the same calendar year, after capturing crowns in 2006. The men’s basketball team then became the first repeat champions in their sport in 15 years after cutting the nets down again in 2007.

In all, 12 Gator athletic teams have won national titles under Foley. In 2006-07, a total of 11 teams finished in the top 10 of their respective sports, including five top-five finishes.

Foley is the only athletic director in Division I history to supervise a program that has won national titles in football (1996, 2006) and men’s basketball (2006, 2007).

Foley was named the Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal National Athletic Director of the Year in June of 2006 and the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame awarded him the 2007 John L. Toner Award.

In Southeastern Conference action, Florida picked up six league crowns in 2006-07 action, raising its total to 77 league titles since 1992, the top totals in the SEC over that time span.

UF's commitment in the classroom is equally impressive.  Under Foley, UF student-athletes have been  honored 66 times as Academic All-Americans, the fourth highest among all Division I colleges since 1992.  For the 2006-07 academic year, the University of Florida had 187 SEC Academic Honor Roll honorees.

The Gator athletic coaching family, which Foley had a large part in assembling, has collected 53 SEC Coach-of-the-Year awards during the last 16 years.

Gator student‑athletes, coaches and administrators have also been a fixture in the community, taking part in a variety of community‑related endeavors. Florida student athletes remained involved in the community and beyond. A total of 313 UF student athletes participated in 2,041 hours of community service in 2006-07, partnering with 35 schools, 24 civic organizations and 18 non-profit organizations. Florida was honored with a White House commendation for volunteerism in 1994.

Foley also served on the NCAA Division I Management Council from 1997-2002.

Foley was named Honorary Alumnus of the University of Florida by the Florida Alumni Association Board of Directors in October of 2000.

Born in Washington, D.C., but calling New London, N.H., home, Foley received his undergraduate degree in 1974 from Hobart College in Geneva, N.Y., where he also coached and scouted for the tradition‑rich lacrosse program following graduation. He went on to earn his Master's Degree in Sports Administration from Ohio University in 1976 and then joined the Gator athletic program as an intern in the ticket office. In 1995, the Ohio Graduate School presented Foley with the school's Distinguished Alumni Award.

There is a continuing line of leadership in the Foley family, as his younger brother, James, commanded troops during Desert Storm and won two silver stars. In Foley's UAA office, an orange Gator sweatshirt which was worn by his brother at the battle of the Kuwait International Airport, is encased in glass.

An avid sports and Boston Red Sox fan, Foley ran the Boston Marathon in a 3:39.51 clip in April of 1995 and completed the course in 3:28.10 in 1998.

A dog lover and proud owner of one Labrador retriever, he is involved with the Humane Society and makes numerous personal donations and public appearances with local charities.

The Foley File

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Athletic Director (March 9, 1992 ‑ Present)
Senior Associate Athletic Director (January 1987 ‑ March 1992)
Interim Athletic Director (September 1986 ‑ January 1987)
Associate Athletic Director for Business Affairs (June 1981 ‑ September 1986)
Assistant Athletic Director (May 1980 ‑ June 1981)
Director of Ticket and Game Operations (March 1979 ‑ May 1980)
Ticket Manager (February 1977 ‑ March 1979)
Intern (August 1976 ‑ February 1977)

NOTES

EDUCATION
Ohio University, 1976, Masters of Education in Sports Administration
Hobart College, 1974, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

ATHLETIC EXPERIENCE
Completed Boston Marathon in April of 1995 (3:39.51) in April of 1998 (3:28.10)
Football and Lacrosse, Hobart College

DATE OF BIRTH
December 1, 1952 in Washington, D.C.

Florida Athletic Finishes in National All-Sports Rankings Under Foley
Year Finish
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
2000-02 3rd
2002-03 7th
2003-04 6th
2004-05 6th
2005-06 5th
2006-07 6th
Florida Finishes in SEC All-Sports Trophy Under Foley
Year Men Women Overall
1991-92 1st 1st 1st
1992-93 1st 1st 1st
1993-94 1st 2nd 1st
1994-95 2nd 1st 1st
1995-96 1st 1st 1st
1996-97 3rd 1st 1st
1997-98 1st 1st 1st
1998-99 1st 2nd 1st
1999-00 1st 1st 1st
2000-01 3rd 1st 1st
2001-02 1st 1st 1st
2002-03 1st 1st 1st
2003-04 1st 2nd 1st
2004-05 1st 3rd 1st
2005-06 2nd 3rd 2nd
2006-07 1st 1st 1st
Florida NCAA Team Championships Under Foley (10)
Women's Track 1992
Women's Tennis 1992
Men's Golf 1993
Football 1996
Women's Tennis 1996
Women's Tennis 1998
Women's Soccer 1998
Men's Golf 2001
Women's Tennis 2003
Men's Basketball 2006
Football 2006
Men's Basketball 2007

Florida SEC Championships Under Foley (71)