BEN HILL GRIFFIN STADIUM: A two-year, $56-million expansion project has been completed and will be unveiled when the season opens Aug. 30. There will be an additional 165,797 square feet, and seating capacity will increase from 85,777 (for last year's Miami game) to 90,022.
Among the highlights: Handicapped seating has been increased from 60 to 170; the press level has doubled in space to more than 200 seats and six TV/radio booths; more than 2,900 chairback seats have been added on the club level, which stretches along the entire west side of the stadium. The sixth level includes 30 private suites and a 6,971-square-foot president's suite that will seat more than 250 people.
At ground level are two ticket window locations and four new open-air stair towers. In the Bull Gator section, 360 seats replaced the 100-seat deck.
Since 1986, Florida has spent more than $91.5-million in capital improvements to its athletic facilities, including two major expansions of the football stadium.
THE TEAM: About 42 percent of the 2003 roster will be new Gators. There are 46 new players, including freshmen and junior college transfers. This explosion of youth and inexperience has helped contribute to the national perception that this will be a down year for the Gators.
Speaking of perception, for the first time since 1990, Florida will begin the season unranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Gators received enough votes to fall in at No. 26.
THE STAFF: The Gators welcome three new coaches, one year after picking up nearly an all-new staff. Charlie Strong is the new defensive coordinator, rejoining the staff for the fourth time in his career. Strong was defensive coordinator for South Carolina from 1999-2002. In January, 24-year veteran Bill Miller joined the staff as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator.
THE RATTLERS: Although they are located a little over two hours apart, Florida and Florida A&M University will meet for the first time on the football field, only the second time since 1953 the Gators will face a team from the state of Florida other than Miami or Florida State. It also will be the first time the Gators face a team from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
THE CROCODILE: For at least one season, the Gators are sharing the spotlight with a crocodile. When officials mistakenly placed a crocodile on the 2003 media guide, it made national headlines. Now the Gators are using the opportunity to poke fun at themselves - and make a profit as well. Stadium gift shops will carry T-shirts with fun slogans such as "I'm a big Gator fan, and that's no croc."
