The Swamp.
Instantly synonymous with Florida Gators Football. The name alone puts goosebumps on the arms of Gators everywhere simultaneously giving the opposing team nightmares.
This stadium is highly regarded by fans, alumni, players, football analysts, and even video games.
What makes this stadium so special compared to others?
Here are a few reasons:
The name: The official name of the stadium is actually Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field, but since former Head Coach Steve Spurrier tagged it 'The Swamp" in the early '90s, the name has stuck. Coach Spurrier said: "...a swamp is where Gators live. We feel comfortable there, but we hope our opponents feel tentative. A swamp is hot and sticky and can be dangerous. Only Gators get out alive."
The stadium: The Swamp isn't the largest stadium in college football, but the stadium does hold over 90,000 fans. The stadium design gives a distinct advantage to the home team. A portion of the stadium is below ground level, and the stadium is completely enclosed. This design traps noise extremely well while cutting off any breeze that could flow through the stadium. The stands are also 10 feet away from the players on both sides, and combined with the 90+ rows of stands behind them give the stadium a claustrophobic feeling.
The fans: Say what you want about jorts, mullets, and Natural Light beer, every school has some fans that give the school a bad name. Florida is no different. Over the years there have been isolated instances where fans have gotten out of line: Gator fans have cussed out Phil Fulmer's wife, tried to spit in the Tennessee water coolers, and thrown cups of piss at Tennessee fans, among other things. Hostility towards Tennessee aside, Gator fans are loud, loud, and loud some more, all game long. From the time the Orange and Blue chants quiet down before kickoff to the end of the 4th quarter, Florida fans are notoriously vocal. Make a big play on the field, and the the crowd doesn't just cheer. It erupts. Sometimes the crowd is so loud the stadium will shake. Look around during a game and count the number of opposing fans covering their ears.
The team:
The Florida Gators have not had a losing team since 1979, and have been relevant on a national level since the 1990 season. There were sporadic appearances on the national radar before, but nothing major. It is no coincidence that in this time frame people have started taking The Swamp into consideration as a tough place to play. The progress of the football program combined with rabidness of the fans and the confines of the stadium, and it makes for a daunting task to play in Gainesville.
I am not the only person who feels the Swamp is tough for opponents:
"The loudest, most obnoxious and notorious piece of real estate in all of college football."
-- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on The Swamp
9 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Nick The Only 10 months ago
Yea, its true.
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Havaiisteve 10 months ago
It's been 38 years since I've been in Fla Field...now the swamp. But I remember it like yesterday!
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David Wunderlich 10 months ago
Nice article Michael!
Thank goodness Spurrier also decided to get rid of the artificial turf when he arrived, sparing the team from the searing heat off of it. It also helps that the north end zone expansion was completed in 1991, completely enclosing the stadium to lock in the sound right has the team was hitting its stride.
It's also notable that the last three big expansions/upgrades - the new north end zone in 1991 ($17 million), the new home sideline skyboxes and Touchdown Terrace in 2003 ($50 million), and the brand new Gateway of Champions ($20+ million) - were all funded entirely by private donations and used no state money.
Gator Boosters, represent.
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James Doker 10 months ago
Yeah, it's nice that the Swamp is privately funded, as opposed to our neighbors in Tallahassee, who had the state build their brick monstrosity with taxpayer money. There are classrooms in that thing.
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James Doker 10 months ago
I don't have much to compare it to, but as a current student I know the Swamp is an amazing place on game day.
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Joseph Morgan 10 months ago
Great article. The Gator fan in me enjoyed that very much. Keep up the good work!
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Rob Sansing 10 months ago
September 29, 2007
Auburn 20 Florida 17 (at "the swamp")
chomp-chomp
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McLeod Neale 10 months ago
The only loss in the swamp during Meyer's career at Florida.
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Brian Smith 10 months ago
I was blessed to be like 10 years old when I went to my first game at the Swamp. I held my ears until late in the 3rd quarter. I was overwhelmed by the noise and the atmosphere and the Spurrier offense. I've been going ever since. 14 years in the making. Go Gators. Love the Swamp!!
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