The University of Florida, the state's oldest and largest university, is recognized today as one of the country's most academically diverse public institutions. Though able to trace its history to 1853, the school did not begin its popular football program until the first few years of the 20th century. The program has had its share of scandals and embarrassments over time, but it has also produced two Heisman Trophy winners, a national champion, numerous players drafted into the professional ranks, and a visibility that consistently ranks the team in the top five in the country. Now attracting 85,000 fans to each of its home games, the Gators' football program has become a vital part of the University of Florida.
When the team won the national championship in 1996, no one could have predicted such success just 90 years earlier. Fortunately, that fascinating journey through the last century has been captured in great photographs that include formal portraits of teams; action shots on the field; views of "The Swamp"; and snapshots of fans from every decade. These images tell the story of the birth and growth of a football team, a team that has brought enjoyment to millions and national recognition to the University of Florida.