Although you might not have known, the University of Florida has more sports to offer other than football.
The Swamp may be the most iconic venue on campus, and the football team might be the most visible squad, but Florida has 16 other varsity teams – most of which compete for championships annually.
Some of the notable teams are:
Men’s basketball: The most visible team besides football, the men’s basketball program has been one of the most successful Florida teams in the past decade.
The men’s basketball team is coached by Billy Donovan, who led the team to back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.
However, the Gators haven’t enjoyed the same level of success in the NCAA Tournament the past few years.
After two appearances in the second-tier tournament, the NIT, the Gators made three deep tournament runs, only to fall in the Elite Eight each time.
Last year, after beating Northwestern State, Minnesota and Cinderella-squad Florida Gulf Coast, Florida took a beating at the hands of Michigan, losing 79-59.
The blowout was the last game for three Florida seniors – Kenny Boynton, Erik Murphy and Mike Rosario. The three were the Gators’ top scorers.
Now, Florida looks to reload with several returning players such as center Patric Young, transfers and new recruits, including five-star point guard Kasey Hill.
The men’s basketball team plays its home games in the O’Connell Center, also known as the “O-Dome.”
Gymnastics: The Florida gymnastics team was arguably UF’s best team last year. Coached by Rhonda Faehn, the gymnastics team went 15-2 last season and won the national title for the first time in the program’s history.
Six gymnasts combined for 16 All-America honors, which tied a UF record. Freshman Bridget Sloan won an individual NCAA title in all around and beam. Junior Alaina Johnson took home the uneven bars individual championship.
The gymnastics team draws large crowds at the O’Connell Center, where it competes in the spring.
Lacrosse: The women’s lacrosse program is the newest at Florida. The lacrosse team has only played four seasons – all under coach Amanda O’Leary – but it quickly became a top team.
Lacrosse is the only team at UF that does not play in the Southeastern Conference. Only two SEC teams have a women’s lacrosse team (Vanderbilt is the other), and both schools play in the American Lacrosse Conference, which also includes Johns Hopkins, Penn State and Ohio State, among others. Florida has finished first in the ALC standings the last three years.
The lacrosse team made it within a goal of the national title game two seasons ago – the program’s third year of existence.
Last season, the team fell short and was eliminated in the NCAA Quarterfinals.
The lacrosse team plays in Donald R. Dizney Stadium, which is located on Hull Road.
Soccer: The UF women’s soccer team has also been very successful in its history, despite being relatively new.
The program began in 1995 under Becky Burleigh, who still leads the team. Last year, the team went 19-5-1 while winning both the SEC regular season and tournament titles. However, the Gators fell in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
Florida won the national title in 1998. That year’s team included the two most prominent alumni from the program – Heather Mitts and Abby Wambach. The latter has scored more international goals than any other women’s soccer player.
The women’s soccer team plays at James G. Pressly Stadium on Stadium Road next to McKethan Stadium.
Softball: The softball team had an unexpectedly good season. Coach Tim Walton’s squad was picked to finish fourth in the SEC East, but instead won the division, the regular season title and the tournament title en route to the team’s fifth appearance in the Women’s College World Series.
Florida lost in Oklahoma City, but has a strong chance to repeat or improve on its performance. The Gators lost only two players – outfielder Kelsey Horton and reserve Ensley Gammel.
Softball plays at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium on Hull Road, right across from Dizney Stadium.
Track and Field: Both the men’s and women’s track and field squads have been successful the last few years.
The men’s team won its second straight outdoor title. Coach Mike Holloway has picked up three national titles in the past two years – two outdoor championships and one indoor championship.
The track team competes at the Percy Beard Track that surrounds James G. Pressly Stadium.
There are several other popular teams at UF. The baseball team routinely draws 3,000 or more fans and has been to the College World Series in three of the past four seasons. However, after losing several top players, the Gators finished 29-30 after eking their way into the NCAA Tournament.
So while you obsess over the football team, make sure to devote some time to smaller sports. The games are free for students, and they’re usually worth your time.
Contact Adam Lichtenstein at alichtenstein@alligator.org.
Junior Patric Young goes for a layup over Marquette forward Jamil Wilson at the O’Connell Center on Nov. 29. Young headlines a group of 11 returning players.
