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New Florida AD Scott Stricklin discusses $100 million plans for athletics
By Brad Logan
Posted on January 5, 2017
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin has been on the job for about two months and knows his job is just beginning. Stricklin recently talked with Matt Wyatt and Michael Borkey of “Head to Head Radio” on Supertalk Mississippi and is excited about the future in Gainesville.
“The last 16 months, Florida has spent $106 million on facilities, including a new academic center and $65 million spent updating the O’Connell Center,” he said.
Stricklin, 46, also talked about further plans.
“Right now, we have a $100 million wish list that includes a standalone football indoor facility, softball and baseball stadiums,” he said.
Stricklin noted he’d like to have the improvements started soon and in full force prior to the end of this year. The first item on the list was the football facility, and softball and baseball would follow, Stricklin said.
“Facility upgrades is an ongoing piece of what we do in collegiate athletics,” he said, and he knows first-hand from his time at Mississippi State. At MSU, Stricklin oversaw the completion of the softball complex, the north end zone expansion at Davis Wade Stadium and began the initial planning stages of a revamped Dudy Noble Field for MSU’s baseball profram.
Now Florida is ready to move dirt.
“We are fortunate enough here that we have donors, people committed to the program that want us to continue and improve,” he said.
Before moving to Florida, Stricklin was AD at Mississippi State and oversaw the most successful football run in Bulldogs history. He is a MSU alum who also has worked in the SEC at Auburn and Kentucky.
“I believe the SEC is the best conference and I mean that sincerely; that’s not just a talking point,” Stricklin said. “I don’t think we (SEC) are where we were two or three years ago, but we have the most passionate fans.”
With a new job, increased budget, increased exposure and rabid fan base comes expectations. Stricklin understands that comes with the territory.
“The best thing about college athletics are the passionate fans and the worst thing about athletics are the passionate fans,” he said. “So you have to take the good with the bad.
“You have to have coaches that are focused and don’t listen to the noise outside the building, and also trust administrators that are evaluating what’s going on.”
At the end of the day, you trust your instincts.
“If you have the right person, and you believe in that person as your leader, you’ll be able to withstand some days when the ball doesn’t bounce your way,” Stricklin said. “We’re all going to take our turn when our teams are not going to meet our expectations. (In tough times) you have to take a step back and look at the big picture.”
Stricklin learned how to survive in the SEC West. He should have no problem doing so in the SEC East.
“(The teams you face in the SEC) are trying to win. They’re building facilities and out recruiting great talent,” Stricklin said. “There can only be one winner on Saturdays, but when you win a championship or have a great year, you should really appreciate and savor that.”
New Florida AD Scott Stricklin discusses $100 million plans for athletics
By Brad Logan
Posted on January 5, 2017
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin has been on the job for about two months and knows his job is just beginning. Stricklin recently talked with Matt Wyatt and Michael Borkey of “Head to Head Radio” on Supertalk Mississippi and is excited about the future in Gainesville.
“The last 16 months, Florida has spent $106 million on facilities, including a new academic center and $65 million spent updating the O’Connell Center,” he said.
Stricklin, 46, also talked about further plans.
“Right now, we have a $100 million wish list that includes a standalone football indoor facility, softball and baseball stadiums,” he said.
Stricklin noted he’d like to have the improvements started soon and in full force prior to the end of this year. The first item on the list was the football facility, and softball and baseball would follow, Stricklin said.
“Facility upgrades is an ongoing piece of what we do in collegiate athletics,” he said, and he knows first-hand from his time at Mississippi State. At MSU, Stricklin oversaw the completion of the softball complex, the north end zone expansion at Davis Wade Stadium and began the initial planning stages of a revamped Dudy Noble Field for MSU’s baseball profram.
Now Florida is ready to move dirt.
“We are fortunate enough here that we have donors, people committed to the program that want us to continue and improve,” he said.
Before moving to Florida, Stricklin was AD at Mississippi State and oversaw the most successful football run in Bulldogs history. He is a MSU alum who also has worked in the SEC at Auburn and Kentucky.
“I believe the SEC is the best conference and I mean that sincerely; that’s not just a talking point,” Stricklin said. “I don’t think we (SEC) are where we were two or three years ago, but we have the most passionate fans.”
With a new job, increased budget, increased exposure and rabid fan base comes expectations. Stricklin understands that comes with the territory.
“The best thing about college athletics are the passionate fans and the worst thing about athletics are the passionate fans,” he said. “So you have to take the good with the bad.
“You have to have coaches that are focused and don’t listen to the noise outside the building, and also trust administrators that are evaluating what’s going on.”
At the end of the day, you trust your instincts.
“If you have the right person, and you believe in that person as your leader, you’ll be able to withstand some days when the ball doesn’t bounce your way,” Stricklin said. “We’re all going to take our turn when our teams are not going to meet our expectations. (In tough times) you have to take a step back and look at the big picture.”
Stricklin learned how to survive in the SEC West. He should have no problem doing so in the SEC East.
“(The teams you face in the SEC) are trying to win. They’re building facilities and out recruiting great talent,” Stricklin said. “There can only be one winner on Saturdays, but when you win a championship or have a great year, you should really appreciate and savor that.”
