Florida announces Hall of Fame class

Florida is known for its proud athletic tradition.  Surely, the latest crop of athletes entering the University’s athletic hall of fame reflects just that.

Congrats to our 2022 UF Athletic Hall of Fame class!
🐊Mike Zunino-@GatorsBB
🐊Michelle Moultrie-@GatorsSB
🐊Jeff Demps-@GatorsTF, @GatorsFB
🐊Christian Taylor-@GatorsTF
🐊Joe Haden-@GatorsFB
🐊Chandler Parsons-@GatorsMBK
🐊Conor Dwyer-@GatorsSwimDv
🐊Jeremy Foley
🐊Steve Beeland pic.twitter.com/lQun53SYaC

— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) March 31, 2022

Florida Qualifications

The F club committee picks based on three categories: Gator greats, distinguished letterman and honorary lettermen. Notably, Gator greats are players who brought recognition and prominence to UF through their athletic accomplishments as students-athletes. Additionally, Distinguished lettermen are athletes who have a major contribution to the university’s athletic program in their personal time with continued service to the University.

Conversely, Honorary lettermen are coaches or athletic officials (after retirement) that was not a letterman or athlete at UF. Chiefly, this is chosen based on service to the program through personal time, effect and service.

Class

Certainly, UF’s Hall of Fame class for 2022 is headlined by a group of fan favorites. Overall, each member of the class provides a lasting impact on Florida athletics. So, here’s the class of 2022:

Football

Jeff Demps: He is the only UF athlete to win a national championship in both track & field and football. On the track, he won three indoor titles consecutively in 2010.  On the football field, he was a running back and ranks top 1o all-time in career rushing yards with 3,592 and eleventh in career rushing touchdowns with 23.

https://twitter.com/GatorsTF/status/1509614090070593557?s=20&t=rvFtX-5BmV_SztCy2unppw

Joe Haden:  He is the first true freshman to start at cornerback in his 2007 season opener. Also, he was also a member of the 2008 BCS championship team. Additionally, he is a former NFL All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler.

Congratulations to @jeffdemps7 and @joehaden23 on being named to the UF Athletic Hall of Fame!#GoGators | #GatorMade

— Florida Gators Football (@GatorsFB) March 31, 2022

Basketball

Chandler Parsons: He became the first player in program history to be named SEC player of the year in 2011. In addition, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman team in 2008. Even further, he has the ninth most rebounds in program history.

Congrats to @ChandlerParsons for being named to the UF Athletic Hall of Fame!

🔸SEC Player of the Year & first in Florida history
🔸#15 scorer in Florida history (1,452 points)
🔸2 buzzer-beaters in a 3-week span to beat NC State and South Carolina his senior year pic.twitter.com/zBKpQ0Vsld

— Florida Gators Men’s Basketball (@GatorsMBK) March 31, 2022

Baseball

Mike Zunino: The former third overall pick is a 2012 Golden Spikes award winner. Furthermore, he is an ALCS champion. Even more, he is a 2021 MLB All-Star and former Dick Howser award winner.

Softball

Michelle Moultrie: a four-time world cup of softball gold medalist and member of Team USA since 2012. Crucially, she won the 2017 Softball Female Athlete of the Year.

Swimming

Connor Dwyer: a Swimmer, who is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the 4 x 200 free. Significantly, he was teammates with Gator great Ryan Lochte during the 2012 games.

Track & Field

Christian Taylor: a four-time world champion in the triple jump in 2011, 2015, 2017 and 2019.

https://twitter.com/GatorsTF/status/1509614182710186016?s=20&t=rvFtX-5BmV_SztCy2unppw

Tennis

Steve Beeland: a two-time SEC champion and SEC Doubles Champion. Also, he was a two-time second all-team SEC player in 1968 and 1969.

Contributor

Jeremy Foley: the former Atheltic Director, responsible for the 119.3 million athletic budget as well as  $397 million towards capital improvement projects. Under Foley, the University won the most championships with both football and basketball, winning within a two-year span of each other. Crucially, he hired Gator legends such as Billy Donavan.

What’s Next?

While the class has been announced, they will not be inducted until Oct. 7.