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Florida Gators honor former AD Jeremy Foley at new football complex

UF is honoring its former athletic director as it recognizes teams’ championships.
 
The Foley Hall of Champions is part of the Florida Gators' new Heavener Football Training Center.
The Foley Hall of Champions is part of the Florida Gators' new Heavener Football Training Center. [ ISABELLA MARLEY | Courtesy of UAA Communications ]
Published Aug. 22, 2022

The Florida Gators’ new football complex includes a notable recognition of former athletic director Jeremy Foley. UF has announced the Foley Hall of Champions — banners displaying every program’s titles — as part of the James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center.

Those banners hang in the foyer, dining hall and player lounge, which are open to athletes of all sports (not just football).

“It’s hard for me to put into words how meaningful this is to me,” said Foley, who holds the emeritus athletic director role. “Not only the recognition, but the way it embodies what I believe and what they still believe at the University of Florida; that all sports matter, and all will compete at the highest level. It just ties a bow on my career, and I’m so appreciative.”

Related: Why Florida Gators had a watershed weekend under Billy Napier

The Gators won 27 national championships and 130 SEC titles during Foley’s 25 seasons at UF before he retired in 2016. Among his most well-known accomplishments: hiring Urban Meyer and Billy Donovan.

Athletic director Scott Stricklin said the Gators had been trying to recognize all their titles in one space and to recognize Foley for his role in them. This hall allowed them to do so.

“And now, every time we take those banners down to update them, we’ll recognize how important a championship is and recognize someone who helped us win a bunch of them,” Stricklin said.

UF’s football team moved into the $85 million complex last week.

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