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Jeremy N. Foley  Photo by the University Athletic Association "We have an outstanding
academic institution and fantastic coaches, student-athletes, administrators, facilities
and fans. With hard work, patience and a commitment to excellence and integrity, we will
achieve the success this University deserves." Jeremy N. Foley, who has handled virtually every aspect of the University of Florida's $38 million athletic program during his athletic administrative career - which began with an internship in the Gator Ticket Office in 1976 - was named UF's Director of Athletics in March of 1992. A man with great leadership, vision and experience, Foley, 45, brings a die-hard dedication, neverending enthusiasm and hands-on approach to the top athletic post at the University of Florida. Foley's philosophy involves the continued building of a comprehensive athletic program, with the goal of having the overall UF program ranked as the top athletic program in the nation. Says Foley, who had served as UF's Senior Associate Athletic Director since 1987, "We have an outstanding academic institution and fantastic coaches, student-athletes, administrators, facilities and fans. With hard work, patience and a commitment to excellence and integrity, we will achieve the success this University deserves." Thanks in great part to a tireless effort by Foley, Florida has consistently ranked among the nation's 10 best total athletic programs. As chief financial officer for the University Athletic Association (UAA), Foley helped make Gator athletics profitable, eliminating a three-quarters of a million dollar debt. He has been the driving force and directly responsible for more than $70 million in capital improvements as well, including two major expansions of the football stadium, a multipurpose athletic fieldhouse, new facilities for tennis, track & field, soccer, baseball, golf, softball, and swimming. Foley also played a role in the new $4.1 million academic advising center on the University of Florida campus, which serves UF students and Gator student-athletes and assisted in funding the $8.1 million renovation of the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. Also, in an era when the NCAA estimates 70 percent of Division I schools are losing money on inter-collegiate athletics, the University of Florida Athletic Association has contributed more than $14.3 million since 1990 to help fund University of Florida academic endeavors. Florida has been equally successful on the field of lay and in the classroom during Foley's administrative tenure. The Florida athletic program has ranked among the nation's top 10 for 15 straight years (1983-84 to 1997-98) and among the top five nine consecutive years, according to national all-sport rankings. On the national level in 1997-98, UF had another stellar year, as nine teams finished among the nation's top 10 in their respective sports. The tennis team won the school's 18th national title to highlight Florida's school best second place finish in the National All-Sports Rankings, conducted by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. In Southeastern Conference action, Florida won a league-high seven championships in 1997-98, raising its total to 47 league titles since 1990, the top total in the SEC over that time span. For an unprecedented fourth time, the University of Florida completed a sweep of the Southeastern Conference All-Sports Trophies, winning both the men's, women's and combined crowns. Florida became the first school in SEC history to win all three in 1992 and repeated the feat in 1993, 1996 and now in 1998. No other school in the league has won all three titles in the same year. Florida has now won nine of the last 11 All-Sports Trophies, including seven in a row. UF's commitment in the classroom is equally impressive. The Gators had a league and school-record 100 student-athletes honored fro being named to the Southeastern Conference's Academic Honor Roll in 1997-98. It was the 10th consecutive year more than 50 UF student-athletes were honored for academic achievement. In addition, Florida's 483 Academic All-SEC honorees over the last five years is the best five-year total in UF and SEC history. Since 1980, Florida has had 921 student-athletes named to the SEC's Academic Honor Roll, the highest total for any SEC school over that span as well. The gator athletic coaching family, which Foley had a large part in assembling, has collected 28 SEC Coach-of-the-Year awards over the last seven years. Gator student-athletes, coaches and administrators have also been a fixture in the community, taking part in a variety of community-related endeavors. In fact, Florida was honored with a White House commendation for volunteerism in 1994, Foley's reputation as one of the nation's top athletic directors was further enhanced in August of 1994, as he was named to the NCAA Council - arguably the most powerful and prestigious committee within the NCAA. Born in Washington, DC, but calling New London, NH, home, Foley received his undergraduate degree in 1974 from Hobart College in Geneva, NY, where he also coached and scouted for the tradition-rich lacrosse program following graduation. He went on the earn his Master's Degree in Sports Administration from Ohio University in 1976 and then joined the Gator athletic program as an intern in the ticket office. In 1995, the Sports Administration Graduate School presented Foley with the school's Distinguished Alumni Award. There is a continuing line of leadership in the Foley family, as his younger brother, James, commanded troops during Desert Storm and won two silver stars. In Foley's UAA office, an orange Gator sweatshirt which was worn by his brother at the battle of the Kuwait International Airport is encased in glass. An avid sports and Boston Red Sox fan, Foley ran the Boston Marathon in a 3:39.51 clip in April of 1995 and completed the course in 3:28.10 in 1998. He married the former Molly McCaughey in October of 1990.
-- This bio was sent to us by Mr. Foley's Office <--- Return to GLSA Coming Activities
The Gator Libraries Staff
Association Last updated:
15 April 1999 by Kelly Darby, swingsetgirl@usa.net |
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