Gator Athletics Program Ranks Third in the Nation

The University of Florida athletics program has finished third in the 2016-2017 Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings. This after the Gators brought home three national titles during the collegiate season. The three championships came from the men’s outdoor track and field, baseball and women’s tennis teams.

All-Around Excellence

The third-place finish marks Florida’s ninth consecutive top-five finish in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings. Points are awarded for the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup based on finishes and participation in 20 NCAA Division I sports. Florida is the only program to finish in the top-10 in each of the last 34 national all-sports standings. This is also the ninth consecutive season the Gator athletics program has won a national title. The Gators have captured 18 championships since the 2008-2009 academic year. A total of 13 Florida athletic teams placed in the top-10 of their respective sport, one shy of the program record. Here’s the complete list of the teams that finished in the top-10.

• Baseball: No. 1
• Women’s Tennis: No. 1
• Men’s Outdoor Track & Field: No. 1
• Softball: No. 2
• Men’s Indoor Track & Field: No. 2
• Gymnastics: No. 3
• Men’s Swimming & Diving: No. 3
• Men’s Basketball: No. T-5
• Women’s Outdoor Track & Field: No. 5
• Lacrosse: No. T-9
• Soccer: No. T-9
• Men’s Tennis: No. T-9

Seven Gators combined to capture 13 NCAA individual titles and five Gators were named national athlete of the year in 2017.

Athletics Director Scott Stricklin Reaction

“Our department was able to celebrate throughout this entire year because of the effort and competitiveness exhibited by Gator student-athletes and coaches. Having the opportunity to achieve at the highest level, against the very best competition, at one of the nation’s top public universities, is why people come to the University of Florida. As our fans often remind us, it’s great to be a Florida Gator.” -Florida AD Scott Stricklin

Along with the three championships, the Gators won five Southeastern Conference titles (baseball, women’s golf, softball, men’s swimming & diving and volleyball). The Florida Gators athletics program has now collected 39 championships.

Guess we'll keep adding more shelves! 39 championships… so far. #GoGators #EverythingSchool pic.twitter.com/62lmMPt3W4

— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) June 28, 2017