University Athletic Association

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Mission

The University Athletic Association, Inc. exists to advance the University of Florida's teaching, research and service missions. Through the education and the promotion of the health and welfare of students, the University Athletic Association seeks to link experiences of all backgrounds, races, origins, genders, and cultures to prepare generations of students and staff, including women and minorities, to be productive members of society. The character of the athletics programs at the University Athletic Association reflects the character of the University of Florida as a major, public, comprehensive institution of higher learning.

The University Athletic Association is dedicated to the intellectual, physical and personal development of student-athletes, as well as staff, including women and minorities. Demonstrating leadership in all decisions affecting college athletics, the University Athletic Association will act in an ethical and honest manner, will promote an environment fostering the professional and personal achievement of coaches, administrators and staff, will attain excellence in athletic performance, sportsmanship, financial strength, and superior fan satisfaction. This vision in athletics is at the core of our responsibility to the University, to our students, and to the public at large.

Championship Overview

Gator Gold
Few schools in the country can match the rich Olympic tradition the University of Florida boasts. Since 1968, 105 Gator student-athletes have represented 24 countries in nine Olympiads and laid claim to 69 medals, including 35 golds. Twenty-three Gators represented 12 countries in Sydney at the 2000 Olympics and took home 10 medals which would have ranked tied for 24th among all countries.

Giving Back
In an era when the NCAA estimates 70 percent of Division I schools are losing money on intercollegiate athletics, the Gator athletic program continued to have an impact in regard to University academic programs. Since 1990, the University Athletic Association has contributed more than $44 million to the University to fund academic endeavors.

The Office of Student Life
Recognizing that student-athletes face unique pressures, the University of Florida Athletic Department instituted the Office of Student Life in 1979. The award-winning program of personalized, professional guidance in numerous areas on a day-to-day basis has become a leader in student-athlete services, while also demonstrating UF's commitment to the "total development" philosophy for UF student-athletes.

OSL staff responsibilities include: orientation to college life, academic advisement, tutorial services, personal counseling and referral, study skills, career exploration and development, personal development, life management skills, community service and leadership training.

The University of Florida Athletic Association has a comprehensive substance abuse program and gambling awareness education program for all student athletes.

In October 1998, the Office of Student Life was one of eight Division I programs to win the Program of Excellence for Life Skills Award, honoring excellence in academics and life skills program.

It's Academic
Since 1992, UF has honored 67 Academic All-Americans to rank fourth among all Division I colleges and overall UF student-athletes have picked up 95 Academic All-Americans. Three Gators have been selected to the Verizon Academic All-American Hall of Fame, the second best total in the nation, while Gator student-athletes have earned NCAA post-graduate scholarships 43 times. UF is the only SEC school to place 100 or more student-athletes on the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll each of the last 11 years. In 2006-07, 187 UF student-athletes earned a spot on the SEC Academic Honor Roll. UF set its school record with 193 SEC Academic Honor Roll members in 2002-03.

Goodwill Gators
University of Florida student-athletes, coaches and administrators have become a fixture in the Gainesville community and beyond, donating their time and effort to a number of community-related endeavors. The "Goodwill Gators" program was recognized by the National Consortium of Academics and Sports and received the 1998 Outreach and Service Award. During the past three years, UF student-athletes have participated in more than 330 events and reached out to more than 20,000 people of all ages.

NCAA Certification and NCAA Compliance
The University of Florida is a national leader in the area of athletic compliance and institutional control by developing one of the most comprehensive compliance programs involving coaches, student-athletes, athletic administration, university administration, alumni, boosters and fans. The University of Florida has completed a campus-wide effort to study its athletics program as part of the NCAA Division I athletics certification program. The program, the first to focus solely on certification of athletics programs, addressed academic and financial integrity, rules compliance, as well as a commitment to equity.

Professional Sports Counseling Panel
Formed in 1985, the University of Florida Professional Sports Counseling Panel assists Gator student-athletes in evaluating individual professional potential, provides assistance in selecting professional representation and prepares student-athletes for a professional career in sports. The panel, which is authorized by the NCAA, is comprised of three president-appointed members. Florida's panel has been selected as a model panel for other universities to follow.

Facilities
Florida facilities are among the best in the nation. Since 1986 there have been more than $90.7 million in capital improvements, including two major expansions of the football stadium, a multipurpose athletic field house, new facilities for tennis, track & field, soccer, baseball, golf, softball and swimming. The University Athletic Association 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 $8.1 million renovation of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. A $10 million practice facility for the men's and women's basketball teams opened in the Fall 2001. The $50 million renovation project of the football stadium press box with additional sky box seating began in May 2001 and was completed in August of 2003. A $4 million renovation project of the golf course was completed in December 2001.

Gender Equity
The University of Florida women's athletics program, which was named the nation's No. 2 women's program in an August 1999 and 2000 issue of Sports Illustrated for Women, has long been a great source of pride for Gator fans. In the 1990s, UF added two women's programs, soccer (1995) and softball (1997), increasing the number of women's sports offered to 10. The Gator program announced in the summer of 2006 that women's lacrosse will be among UF's varsity sports beginning in 2010. Florida funds the maximum number of scholarships allowed by the NCAA for each of its 10 women's sports, totaling 109 scholarships for the 2006-07 season. Florida has claimed a total of nine NCAA women's team titles and leads the league with 92 Southeastern Conference crowns.

Gator Boosters, Inc.
More than 13,000 boosters raise more than $25 million annually to support athletic scholarships and capital improvements. There are 600 Bull Gators, individuals who give $12,000 or more annually. Gator Boosters Inc. is chaired by the University of Florida President and served by a 67-member volunteer Board of Directors.

Support Services
In addition to first-class facilities, priority and commitment are given to Gator student-athletes by a renowned training, sports medicine, and strength and conditioning staff that has become a standard to which other schools are comparing their program. Every aspect of modern mass communications is also present at the University of Florida, bringing optimal recognition to its programs, coaches and student-athletes.