Ken Willis' comments about the Gator Gathering:
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Columnists/MyTwoCents/colCENT053109.htm
Now my turn:
If ever there was a great weekend to be a Florida Gator, this past weekend was one of them - at least for me.
I had a GREAT time at the Volusia Gator Club Gathering in Daytona Beach, and it couldn't have been held at a better setting or on a better day. Naturally I got up there early from Orlando, and as soon as I hit the parkway, I pulled into the first gas station I could find and dropped the top down on my car - that's how awesome of a day it was.
The event was at the Daytona Beach Oceanfront Hilton, and thinking back I wished I would have had a bathing suit on underneath my polo shirt and jeans - it was perfect beach weather.
Even so, the event was nicely organized; there were speakers and scholarships awarded, but two Gator VIP's were also in attendance at this, Coach Meyer's last Gator Gathering appearance for the year: Gale Lemerand (for whom the street alongside The Swamp is named after) and the President of Gator Boosters, Stumpy Harris (who I had a chance to meet at the Orlando Gathering this past April).
This Gator crowd seemed to be more warm and receptive towards Coach Meyer than in Orlando, based on the ovation he received when he was introduced and at the end of his speech. The theme of his speech in Daytona was "love, passion and enthusiasm" - for football, for life. Sure he was disappointed and disgusted after the 1/1/08 Cap One loss to Michigan, but as he said, he was reassured and pumped back up again by some positive words from his wife Shelley. As he had said during the 2008 Orlando Gathering, he would be taking nothing for granted.
Being careful of what he was saying knowing the media was in attendance and that "the bloggers" would also have something to say, Coach discussed the 2008 season, the off-season conditioning - and described S&C coach Mickey Marotti as his "right-hand man". He also noted that good conditioning played a key role in our SEC championship win over Alabama as well as in the BCS title game wins, especially in the fourth quarter of both games. Later he discussed the 2009 team, and alluded to the fact that there would be some competition for starting slots - good decision on Meyer's part; this is one of the ways he is preventing complacency coming off this National Championship win as opposed to what happened after 2006.
One of the other keys to the success of the 2008 team was leadership in the locker room - just as he had explained at the Orlando gathering, he presented a highlight video and the equation for success - recruiting, talent and attitude can get the team far, but leadership is the final factor in winning on the field. (Meyer's passion for Florida football need never be in doubt; I couldn't help but notice that during the screening of a second video during his speech, he was moved to tears.) He also shared with us a video of the visit to the White House and President Obama's speech to the team.
He also paid tribute to former Gators who helped build the program to where it was today, and Meyer's testament to his respect of the heritage of Gator Football is the new Heavener football complex, of which he had a pivotal role in bringing to fruition. (When I go to Gainesville for the Women's Clinic the weekend of the 20th, I plan to take a tour of the complex.)
He also made mention of the fact that the Florida coaching staff help each other out and work together as a team; one anecdote he shared was a thank-you note he received from our softball star Stacey Nelson while he was out to dinner one night. If you also notice in his Twitter posts, he's a HUGE follower and supporter of other Gator sports.
Tim Tebow's famous "Promise" speech was aired once again, and Meyer did castigate those in the media who keep saying that Tebow won't make it in the NFL; one thing is he's very protective of his players.
At the end of his speech, he remarked that he and Shelley are
at home in Gainesville, and appreciate the support from Gator fans and others in the community making them feel welcome.
Coach Meyer was presented with a key to the city of Daytona Beach, and a proclamation issued by the mayor proclaimed Saturday as "Coach Urban Meyer Day". Before Coach spoke, the wife of the president of the Volusia County Gator Club had presented a very nice gift to Shelley Meyer, who was in attandance (and with whom I was able to briefly chat after I had a book autographed by Urban and before I headed back to Orlando).
I never felt prouder to be a Gator fan after this gathering; the hospitality was
awesome. Even moreso, I also feel that not only are Urban and Shelley Meyer a great First Family of Florida Football, they're just plain
good people - and I for one hope that they always keep that same enthusiasm, as well as stay with us for many more years to come.
I'm really looking forward to attending the Women's Clinic two weeks from this coming Saturday, as well as to the start of the 2009 season - and oh BTW, Dr. Machen -
show Urban the money (meaning raise and possibly even a contract extension).
GO GATORS!!!!!!!!! :gator::gator:
