Colleges

Feel the fervor, but it's going to cost you

The University of Florida, in a bid to raise money to improve their football offices, offer fans a chance at anything from dinner with Urban Meyer to their name in lights.

By ANTONYA ENGLISH
Published August 11, 2007

GAINESVILLE - So you've been thinking, how great would it be to hang out with the Florida football team on game day? Wondering just how cool it is to run out of the tunnel on a Saturday afternoon?

Got $5-million? Or at least $1-million?

As part of its "Gateway of Champions" campaign to raise money for the expansion of the football offices, Gator room and weight room, Florida is offering fans the chance to be a part of the team.

For a price.

A $5-million gift can get fans the ultimate Gator experience, including breakfast and riding to the stadium with the team, participating in the "Gator Walk" and running through the tunnel. For $1-million, you can choose to have an evening of dinner and conversation with coach Urban Meyer and his family, or run through the tunnel. And for a $50,000 donation, you can dine with athletic director Jeremy Foley.

For $5,000, you can get your name in lights at a home game and $25,000 will get you a sideline pass for the annual Orange and Blue Game. Florida is trying to raise $27-million for the project, that includes a two-story atrium entrance to the football offices that will include displays, trophy cases and memorabilia.

Meyer said the Gators need the best to recruit the best players. "There's a big beautiful facility going up out there, and it's because recruiting is No. 1," he said.

QB BATTLE: As far as Cameron Newton, Bryan Waggener and John Brantley are concerned, the quarterback position is wide open. And offensive coordinator Dan Mullen wouldn't have it any other way.

Sophomore Tim Tebow is the starting quarterback, but Mullen believes having guys behind Tebow who are just as competitive and fighting for the job is the best thing that can happen to the team.

"If you walk into one of our meetings and said who's going to be the starting quarterback, I guarantee you all of them would raise their hands," Mullen said. "I would raise mine, too."

And while the backup spot is still up for grabs, former Gatorade Player of the Year Brantley is making a push for the job. He's garnered praise several times this week from Meyer.

"He's as natural a passer as any that I've had," Meyer said.

Brantley said the learning curve is steep and at times he feels overwhelmed, but he's having the time of his life.

"I've been a fan since I was about 8 years old, so it feels good to finally wear the colors," he said.

SPEAKERS' TOUR: Meyer is continuing his practice of bringing in well-known people to speak to his team. Basketball coach Billy Donovan is expected to speak with the team soon about the burden of being the defending national champion. And earlier this week, former NFL All-Pro Cris Carter gave the team some advice. On thing Carter said really stuck with tight end Cornelius Ingram, who finds himself among a large group of receivers who all want to play.

"He was saying how he had to play with Randy Moss and a lot of other talented guys, and he knew when he got the opportunity to catch the ball, he was going to catch it because he might not get it again," Ingram said. "So I'm definitely ready to take care of whatever I have to, no matter how many catches you give to me."

IT'S ME, NO, IT'S ME: If you can tell the Pouncey twins apart, you're either their mother or one of the teammates who played with them for four years at Lakeland High.

Mike and Maurkice, the 6-foot-4, 313-pound offensive linemen, are identical twins, although they swear after a few years people say they don't look alike. They've never lived apart - until now. They'll get new roommates at the hotel for the next week. They share similar tattoos, finish each other's sentences and hate most of the same foods and like the same things. As for girls ... well, that depends. Asked if they like the same type, Mike replied: "We're not picky." Maurkice's take? "If they're pretty, they're pretty."

NO WORD: Meyer declined to comment on whether sophomore running back Brandon James has been suspended for the opener after pleading no contest to possession of fewer than 20 grams of marijuana after his arrest in June. "As in all things, unless it has to be public, it's not going to be public," Meyer said. "Brandon James has fulfilled everything we've asked him to do. I don't believe (James) is a bad guy; I think he made a terrible mistake.'

Antonya English can be reached at english@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3389.

[Last modified August 10, 2007, 23:52:24]