Steve Spurrier AMBASSADOR
FLORIDA GATORS ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT
FORMER FLORIDA QUARTERBACK AND HEAD COACH
I visited Gainesville, Florida, as a high school recruit in March of 1963. I left Johnson City, Tennessee, when it was about 40 degrees and arrived in Gainesville when it was around 72 degrees. Immediately, I knew this was a wonderful city and state to go to college, play football and hopefully, someday, live for a long time.
Being a student athlete here for four years was the best. Coach Graves, our head coach, and his staff were outstanding coaches and role models. My teammates are still some of my best friends in life.
I was fortunate to play 10 years in the NFL. My family would always return to Gainesville in the off-seasons to enjoy our friends, our church and Crescent Beach.
My path in life has taken me to several wonderful places to live. Now that my coaching career is history, I have been blessed to have the opportunity to return to the University of Florida and Gainesville to help promote our university and our city.
I see so many Gators that really enjoy retiring in Gainesville so they can not only attend lots of Gator games in all sports, but also enjoy the entertainment that our city provides. GUIDETOGREATERGAINESVILLE.COM Go Gators.
Gators Giving Back
As COVID-19 swept across the world this past Spring, its impact was felt by all. During this time many current and former University of Florida student-athletes had the opportunity to give back to a community that so desperately needed it.
Shana Hudson (Women’s Soccer, 2004-07)
Shana Hudson, a former standout defender for the Gators from 2004-07, was on the frontlines of COVID-19 in New York City serving as an ICU nurse. Hudson, 34, was set to start a job in mid-March as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist but after her start date was delayed opted to instead sign a four-week crisis-relief contract as a traveling nurse to help battle the virus in the Big Apple.
Chris Guido (Football, 2009-12)
Former Gators long snapper, Chris Guido, was also on the frontlines of the pandemic serving as a pediatrics resident at Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, N.C. Guido, who earned both a health science degree and a medical degree from UF, spent timing testing and caring for pediatric patients. He plans to be a general pediatrician when he finishes his residency in the summer of 2021.
Rebekah Zaiser Blickendorf (Gymnastics, 2007-2010)
2010 All-American, Rebekah Zaiser, now known as Dr. Rebekah Blickendorf, played a crucial role during the pandemic as an emergency medicine physician. Based in Indianapolis the former Gators gymnastics standout (and new Mom), and her husband Dr. Matt Blickendorf, provided care for many.
Bair Diamond (Football, 2012-2015)
As part of UF Health’s Gator Sitters program, the former football walk-on Bair Diamond paired with hospital staffers in need of child care, pet care, or household duties with student volunteers. During a hectic and unprecedented time for those in the medical field, Diamond helped alleviate some stress by volunteering as a baby sitter. At the onset of the pandemic shutdown, he also was part of a team of students dispatched to The Villages to assist in COVID screenings.