University of Florida Athletics

The Gators compete in NCAA Division I, which means big-time college sports with packed stadiums, athletic scholarships, and national TV coverage. With 564 athletes out of 34,102 total students, about 1.7% of the student body plays varsity sports. The athletic department awards $12,906,459 in scholarships across 17 sports programs. Florida competes in the Sunshine State Conference and has heated rivalries with Florida State, Georgia, and Miami. The football program has won three national championships and produced stars like Tim Tebow. Basketball also draws huge crowds at the 12,000-seat O'Connell Center. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, known as "The Swamp," holds 88,548 fans and creates one of the most intimidating atmospheres in college football. Sports culture runs deep here, with game days dominating campus life during football and basketball seasons.