The Gators Experience houses the career, community, leadership, and personal development initiatives for all Gators student-athletes. Through programming, experiential learning opportunities, and individual goal mapping, the program aims to help every Gators student-athlete leave the University of Florida as a prepared professional. You can follow @Gators.Exp on Instagram and @GatorsExp on Twitter.

The Gator Athlete Network is a group on LinkedIn to connect former and current UF student-athletes, equipment managers and spirit squad members to each other and to the University Athletic Association. This network provides career and mentoring opportunities as well as job postings for the members.

The University Athletic Association invites companies and UF graduate school programs to visit specifically with student-athletes. This event is held once a semester in line with the Career Connections Center’s Career Showcase event. Recruiter Roundtable brings approximately 30 hand-picked organizations of all sizes that network and discuss internship and career opportunities with our student-athletes. Many representatives are former student-athletes sharing their experiences and advice to the current student-athletes and allowing for additional networking opportunities. The UAA brings in Fortune 500 companies located throughout the country as well as local businesses for this event.

Selected student-athletes complete an internship with a company in the Gainesville area for at least 20 hours a week. Additionally, they participate in professional development sessions with the Director of Gators Experience and professional staff from the Career Connections Center. During these meetings, student-athletes share their internship experiences, learn more about themselves professionally, update career documents, practice interview skills and build their network and professional brand. Student-athletes present their experiences to athletic department staff at the conclusion of their internship.

A networking night for female student-athletes to interact and learn from over 40 professional women working in various areas of the athletics industry. Student-athletes are provided information on different career opportunities that will allow them to work around athletics. The professionals share their career paths, insight on their job, and career development advice with the student-athletes.

Each career coach within the Gators Experience meets one-on-one with student-athletes in their assigned sports throughout their career at UF regarding career and life planning. Student-athletes can discuss future careers, update career documents including resumes, cover letters and personal statements, build their professional brand through LinkedIn, network with professionals, and prepare for interviews, along with additional resources and services tailored to each specific student-athlete.

This program allows student-athletes the opportunity to give back to the local community, including visits to schools and hospitals. Student-athletes also volunteer with many non-profit organizations for special events. On average Gators student-athletes complete about 4,000 hours in the community per academic school year.

Thank you to our sponsors, Truist Bank, Florida Blue amd Tower Hill Insurance, for their commitment to community development.

To request Gators student-athletes to volunteer with your organization or at your event, please complete the Event Request Form.

Community Service: Event Request

GatorsLead

GatorsLead Teams is a leadership series that focuses on sophomore and junior student-athletes who have been identified by their coaches as leaders. Coaches and guest speakers cover topics identified as most crucial to developing as leaders. This program was formed by Athletic Director Scott Stricklin and housed in the Gators Experience. The group meets five times a semester to share athletic leadership ideas across sports.

GatorsLead Global is a service-learning initiative that focuses on cultivating positive student-athlete leaders through a global learning experience. Participants in this program will complete a leadership development course prior to an immersive global experience over the summer. Once student-athletes complete this program, they will have earned 6 credit hours. They will then have the option to complete a leadership minor offered through the Agricultural college at the University of Florida.

Gators Gala

The Gators Gala is the annual celebration of team and individual achievement of Gators Student-Athletes off the field. SAAC, with the guidance of the Gators Experience staff help organize a fun and exciting evening to recognize the engagement of their peers with student-athlete development programming. This event offers an opportunity for athletes to get out of their uniforms, mingle amongst sports, and create memories that will last a life time.

Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC)

Advisors: Shandy Dawkins and Brandon Fisher

The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee is composed of at least one Student-Athlete from each of the University of Florida's 21 varsity sports. SAAC members serve as the ears and eyes of the University Athletic Association. They are the liaisons between their teammates and the athletic administration and are tasked to ensure the University of Florida boasts a stellar student-athlete experience for their peers and student-athletes to come.

In 2021, the Student-Athlete advisory committee took the feedback of our student-athletes and developed a mental health group focusing on the overall promotion and support of mental health. They also focus on creating a safe space for our Gator student-athletes.

• Community Service: This committee is responsible for the planning and execution of community service initiatives in collaboration with the Gators Experience team.
• Social Engagement: This committee will focus on planning and execution of social events for student-athletes.
• Mental Health: This committee will focus on the overall promotion and support of mental health. They will also focus on creating a safe space for our Gator student-athletes.
• Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: This committee will work towards creating initiatives that foster inclusive environments. Ex: Pride Nights

Black Student-Athlete Council (BSAC)

Founding Student-Athletes: Alex Magee, Trinity Thomas, Nya Reed, Clifford Taylor, Randy Russell, Denzel Villaman, Cole Johnson, Jaimie Hoover, Isaac Davis, Will Davis, and Kiki Smith.

Advisors: Pierre Banks, Reilley Poulin, and Marina Coleman

The Black Student-Athlete Council was created in June 2020 to provide space for Black student-athletes to build community and support during the heart of social injustice protests. The group has evolved to not only provide a sense of community for Black student-athletes but also to provide recommendations, workshops, and resources that benefit all student-athletes, coaches, staff, and the community. The group serves as a liaison to administration and a partner to the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

The council has used its influence to encourage all Gators to stand up against racism and inequity. They have also taken a vested interest in the community. The council has adopted a local elementary school where they have implemented a reading program with the kindergarten students, a Lunch Buddies program, and they also mentor fourth grade students.

The Black Student-Athlete Council has partnered with other University of Florida organizations to collaborate on programming efforts and create a stronger sense of community.