Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin joined Steve Russell on Sportscene on Monday. He answered questions and issues proposed by Gators followers across the nation.
Stricklin was tasked with offering data relating to the ever-changing Identify, Picture and Likeness panorama, renovations to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and extra.
Maintaining Up with the Ever-Altering NIL World
One of many matters Stricklin was requested about a number of occasions was how Florida is dealing with NIL. Whereas the Gators’ AD went in depth on a number of fronts, his quick reply was way more easy.
“The UAA is doing the whole lot to the fullest extent that guidelines enable,” he stated.
NIL has been a tough matter for athletic departments to sort out given how new the initiative is, he stated. Nevertheless, navigating the NIL world turns into much more tough with the variety of restrictions positioned by the NCAA.
In consequence, Stricklin emphasised the significance of Gators followers getting concerned with “Florida Victorious.” In flip, this creates extra NIL alternatives for Florida athletes.
Florida Victorious has a “relationship” with practically 50% of the athletes throughout most of the 21 sports activities supplied at UF. Nonetheless, the collective is aiming to foster relationships with virtually each athlete.
A few callers to the present requested about different income sources to spice up NIL, together with merchandise gross sales and TV contracts.
Stricklin clarified {that a} portion of jersey gross sales do in actual fact go to the gamers, however just for jerseys with their title and quantity. It’s towards NCAA guidelines for any portion of generic jersey and merchandise gross sales to go to the athletes. Stricklin talked about that earnings from TV contracts are additionally not allowed to be distributed amongst the gamers.
Stricklin Seems to be Forward to Renovations of “The Swamp”
A number of months in the past, the athletic division introduced it was growing plans to renovate Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. In December, UF employed Crawford Architects to tackle the venture. Preliminary stories advised seating capability could also be decreased because of the renovation.
Understandably, there was a mixture of emotion inside the Gators fanbase as folks debated whether or not the renovation could be useful.
“The aim is to … be in a scenario the place we will have the identical variety of Gators followers which were coming the final 30 years be capable to proceed to return,” Stricklin stated. “In an ideal world, we don’t influence capability negatively.”
Nevertheless, the stadium may nonetheless see a lower in seats because the athletic program continues to develop plans aimed to repair a wide range of excellent issues on the facility.
State of the Soccer Program
Stricklin spent a whole lot of time addressing overarching matters inside the world of Florida athletics, however as anticipated, many had been inquisitive about soccer.
The Gators have completed three consecutive seasons with a shedding file. Nonetheless, Stricklin remained agency in his perception within the affected person method Florida is taking.
A significant space of focus for Stricklin was age and expertise.
“We’ve obtained to become older as a roster…I feel we’ve obtained a very good core group of youngsters proper now and so they’re actually hungry,” he stated.
Florida relied closely on freshmen final season, however Stricklin hopes there will probably be a step ahead as they develop. He additionally added that the switch portal, which is a key motive for why the Gators are on the youthful facet, is impacting each program.
Stricklin additionally famous that this previous yr, the soccer staff had its highest collective GPA within the historical past of this system.
One caller requested the athletic director if he believed he would be capable to rent a 3rd head coach, if Napier was fired after the season. Stricklin didn’t mince phrases along with his reply.
“I consider in Billy and I feel he’s going to be right here a protracted, very long time.”
Stricklin Talks Modifications to Faculty Athletics
Along with modifications with the switch portal, convention realignment has been a serious speaking level.
Oklahoma and Texas will be part of the SEC on the finish of the 2023-24 scholastic calendar. In consequence, Florida soccer will probably be travelling to Austin in November for a gathering with the Longhorns.
Stricklin voiced his satisfaction with the 2 additions to the convention.
“These are two applications that match the ethos and the tradition of the Southeastern Convention.”
He additionally shared his pleasure other than soccer, particularly pointing to each Texas and Oklahoma’s success in softball, baseball, gymnastics and volleyball.
