The defending national champion Florida Gators football team certainly hasn’t been resting on its laurels this spring.
That’s never been head coach Urban Meyer’s style. Meyer believes that you only get better if you have competition at positions, and the competition has made Florida a better football team. Unfortunately, there’s only one way to compete – in pads, full-go – and football does produce its share of bumps, bruises and other more serious injuries.
There will be more than 20 players sidelined this Saturday afternoon when the Gators gather with the fans inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the annual Orange and Blue Debut spring game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. with gates to the stadium opening at 11:30 a.m.
Among those not injured are quarterbacks Tim Tebow and John Brantley, who will be dressed in red jerseys, tight end Aaron Hernandez, running backs Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody and wide receivers Deonte Thompson and Carl Moore. All-America middle linebacker Brandon Spikes leads the defense. Defensive ends Carlos Dunlap and Jermaine Cunningham and defensive backs Joe Haden, Janoris Jenkins, Major Wright, Ahmad Black and Will Hill all should see action.
Though the Orange and Blue Revue game is the headline event of the weekend, there is plenty else happening around campus, and GatorCountry.com will fill you in on all the action, concluding with the Orange and Blue Revue TV show at 9 p.m. on our website, https://www.gatorcountry.com.
One of the events is a book signing by Meyer, who will be autographing copies of “Urban’s Way,” his authorized biography written by Buddy Martin of GatorCountry.com. at Gate 1 of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium between the hours of 8 and 9 Saturday morning.
Because of time constraints, the head coach will be able to sign only copies of the book purchased Saturday morning. Fans are asked not to bring any other books, magazines and other items for him to sign and also asked not to request photos.
Copies of the book (priced at $25) have been donated by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press. Gator Country.com is also sponsoring the event. Proceeds from the event will go toward the university’s Florida Opportunity Scholars Program.
University of Florida President Bernie Machen established the program in 2006. It provides grants to UF students who are the first in their families to attend college and are from low-income households in Florida. The funds the students receive are used for books, room and board, and other living expenses. Last fall, Meyer and Florida men’s basketball coach Billy Donovan agreed to co-chair a drive to raise $50 million for the program.
“The Florida Opportunity Scholars program directly assists UF students who know what it’s like to have to work a little harder to get what they want to succeed,” Meyer said. “We are a better university because of these hard-working students and the spring game is an opportunity to bring attention to the need to support it going forward.”
Currently, there are 1,100 Florida students who receiving grants from the program and the number is expected to increase by 50 percent this fall. It costs Florida $8 million to fund the program.
Fans can make a contribution to the program by buying the autographed copy of the book, by making an additional donation or by filling out a pledge form that will be available at the game. Any money donated above the $25 value of the book is tax deductible, so fans are encouraged to donate more.
Cash, credit cards (MasterCard, VISA, American Express and Discover) and checks (made payable to the UF Foundation with a note on the line saying the check is for the Florida Opportunity Scholars Program) will be accepted.
A limited supply of pre-signed copies of the book will be available Saturday at the University of Florida Book Store in the Reitz Union. If all the books donated are not sold, they will be available to purchase at GatorCountry.com (where you can also find information to become a member) at http://store.gatorcountry.com/
The Orange and Blue weekend begins Friday morning at 8:30 with the F-Club Golf Outing at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.
Meyer and his staff are hosting their Florida Football Coaches Clinic Friday and Saturday for more than 500 coaches from across the state and around the nation. Friday’s clinic takes place on the practice fields during Florida’s 14th spring practice session.
The Hall of Fame Dinner takes place Friday night beginning at 5 p.m. on the Touchdown Terrace.
Friday night at 6:30, the No. 20 Florida Gators baseball team begins an important three-game Southeastern Conference series against No. 16 Mississippi at McKethan Stadium. Coach Kevin O’Sullivan’s team is coming off a 10-2 victory at Florida State Tuesday and an 18-hit, 16-3 victory over Stetson Wednesday night. The series continues Saturday at 4 p.m. and concludes Sunday at 12:30 p.m.
Another sports team in action this weekend is the No. 16 women’s tennis team, which currently is riding a 75-game winning streak over SEC opponents in Linder Stadium at the Ring Tennis Complex. The Lady Gators meet No. 20 South Carolina at 10 a.m. Saturday in their last regular-season match before the SEC Championships.
Following Meyer’s book signing at 9 a.m. is the official Gator SportShop’s annual Great Gator Yard Sale at Gate 7. Meyer, meanwhile, will head over to the practice fields for the high school football clinic and also the strength and conditioning speed clinic, both at 9:30 a.m.
The Gator FanFest begins at 10 a.m., also at Gate 7. The Alumni Association BBQ will be held in the North End Zone Lawn beginning at 11 a.m. up until kickoff.
Meanwhile, the UF Student Government is hosting its 2009 Powder Puff football championship game Saturday at noon just before the spring game. The finals of the Fastest Gator On Campus, a contest in the 40-yard dash, will be held just before the spring game kickoff. The semifinals of the event are Friday night at 6:30 at Flavet Field.