Florida is playing for their 5th National Title in the last 5 weeks

That's strong! Great program all around....

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Florida is playing for their 5th National Title in the last 5 weeks

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Definitely envious of Florida's athletic department. Would you guys be willing to take McGarity back? He's done nothing to help us.

I really marvel at UF's athletic department. Foley built a machine.

Great program

Definitely props to that athletic department. Glad and mad it's against y'all. Can't wait though and good luck.

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Crazy how one of these SEC champion teams will see an amazing season come to an end while the other will win their 1st baseball national championship.

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FIFY

And we still brought home hardware in softball and women's track and field.

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UF definetly has the best and most well rounded athletic department in the conference. The coaches don't have to leave the state of Florida to recruit

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While I appreciate all that Foley has done for the program. Most people are too young or don't remember that Florida was becoming a sports juggernaut before he took charge. Bill Arnsparger deserves a ton of credit for the foundation he laid in the late 80's early 90's when we were crippled with NCAA sanctions in football and basketball by a BS NCAA witch hunt. UF was about to be a national power in several sports until the NCAA came in, which allowed FSU and Miami to flourish instead. Arnsparger instituted controls over the entire department. He hired Steve Spurrier which I believe was the biggest reason for our success in sports. Spurrier brought swag to UF. Kids wanted to join the program in all sports, not just football. Arnsparger hired Lon Kruger who took UF to it's first Final Four. The baseball team went to several CWS as well. UF was on it's way. Foley took over a program that was already winning Admiral Cups because of Arnsparger.


Plus, UF has the most desirable location in the SEC. Think about it. Where do people go to vacation??? They come to Florida much more than other SEC states. I'm not saying the state of Florida is better but as a kid, our family traveled to Florida each year. When it came time for me to decide on a college, did I want to stay in freezing cold Ohio? Nope. So where else felt like home for me? Florida. It was a dream destination for me. I didn't really need to be recruited.

The top tennis camps are in Florida. Top Golf academy's are in Florida. Top football HS factories, growing basketball schools, baseball schools, The talent is tremendous. Then add the growing pipeline of athletes in the Caribbean and you have to really suck as a coach if you can't recruit here. I am really surprised we aren't better tbh.

I've mentioned here years ago that I thought Foley could do a better job and most UF posters roasted me. My biggest complaints were facilities, which people, including the administration finally figured out. And we have not taken advantage of our success by becoming a national brand. Yes, everyone knows the Gators but we are not on the same level as an Alabama, Kentucky, LSU, UT and countless other national powers in fan support. We are still very much regional. You can travel the country and internationally and see people wearing other schools attire. I'm embarrassed by the low turnout at certain games in certain sports. Look at Omaha. Look at bowl games. I think the athletic department has to drum up interest and develop a following which just has not been done nationally. May not be a big deal to some but definitely something we can get better at. It's refreshing to see them at least start spending some money on the facilities. That was a long time coming.