The name Mick Hubert means good memories for Gator fans of all ages.
Gator nation will dispute which of the play-by-play broadcaster’s calls ranks the highest, but the common denominator is Hubert.
The 2006 field-goal block to beat South Carolina, Chris Chiozza’s buzzer-beater to beat Wisconsin in 2017, Antonio Callaway’s game-winning touchdown from 4th and 14 against Tennessee in 2015 or the hail mary toss from Feliepe Franks in 2017 to beat Tennessee (again).
Every moment cherished, deep in the memory banks of UF fans, is accompanied by the narration of Hubert.
Now, after 33 years on the job, the “Voice of the Gators” is calling it a career. After Florida baseball’s series against South Carolina, Hubert will retire.
After assuming the position in May of 1989, Hubert has since called 419 Florida football games, and over 1,000 men’s basketball and baseball games. Hubert has called national championships for all three sports, the only broadcaster in history to do so.
Hubert cited a gut feeling that the time was right, as well as prayer, for his decision to step away at this time. His wife, Judi, retired from her time as a Kindergarten teacher at Oak Hall School in May 2021.
"Five years ago, I'd probably told you I was going to do it until I was at least 80,'' Hubert told FloridaGators.com. "That was five years ago. A couple of years ago, I started changing. I had a change of heart. Only God can change a person's heart. I'm just being obedient right now."
Now, Hubert will begin a new chapter of life in Sarasota, Florida, where he will be moving into his new home in the coming weeks.
"Mick Hubert has shared his immense talents and represented the Gators incredibly well for the past 33 years,” athletic director Scott Stricklin told FloridaGators.com. “All of Gator Nation will be eternally grateful for providing the soundtrack for so many special Gator athletic moments.”
Florida fans now wait to see who will be appointed as the replacement for Hubert. Regardless of who is selected, they will have some impossibly large shoes to fill.
Contact Carson Cashion at ccashion@alligator.org. Follow him on Twitter @CarsonCashion.
Carson Cashion is a third-year sports journalism major at UF, and the sports editor at The Alligator for the 2022 summer semester. A native of Altamonte Springs, Carson spends his free time walking his dog, Baxter, and listening to good music. He is an avid Tennessee sports fan, and eagerly awaits watching one of his teams win a championship for the first time.
