An Open Letter to Jeremy Foley

Written by James Brown, Gatorsfirst.com Co-Founder

Dear Mr. Foley,

I am a lifelong Gator fan, and a Gator alumnus (’04 and ’05).  I literally grew up with Gator basketball, as I attended nearly every game from the time I was around four until my graduation. My fanaticism grew; even as Florida’s athletic program’s success waned.

I suffered as Billy Donovan’s teams were a frequent first-round casualty, and I ran the gauntlet of emotions (yes, there were highs as well as lows) of the Ron Zook era. After graduation, I left Florida, as I was offered a job in Texas. 

This brought an end to the streak of my attendance at Gator games. It also brought with it a meteoric rise for the Gators in the revenue of sports.

By now you have done the math, and realized I left Gainesville just as the Gator men’s basketball team was 17-0 and on their way to the first of back-to-back titles. I watched emotionally as they completed the journey, not really believing my TV in my North Texas apartment. 

Could my Gators really conquer the great basketball dynasty—UCLA—for a National Title? The entire next season, to me, was a celebration of that first title. No one saw the first one coming, so there was no time for giving that team its due as a great team.

Then the second year was almost sweeter- everyone spent the entire season trying to find another team to prop up as No. 1—and we pulled through anyways. Now, this team would get the respect it deserved. Along the way the completely unthinkable had happened- the Florida Gators had arrived as a nationally prominent basketball program (and then some).

And I watched from afar. The reward for my years of love and devotion was paid beyond my wildest dreams- but I was not there to see it.

Taken alone, the basketball situation is curious enough. But sandwiched between those two NCAA men’s basketball tournament championships was a BCS Championship.  And the following year, a Heisman. 

And the next year, another BCS Championship. My loyalty as a fan has been extraordinarily repaid, as Florida is the preseason No. 1 for 2009. But the repayment has come at a time when I have lived farther from the University of Florida campus than at any time in my entire life. 

Yes, I was born at Shands.

I have come to terms that for my team to reach this level of glory, I must be living in Texas. So, in light of the evidence presented above, I offer you, Mr. Foley, and the University Athletic Association a deal of a lifetime. 

I will remain in Texas, and you will continue to win titles. Your investment to cover my mortgage is less than Urban Meyer spends trying to hire a new Tight Ends coach. Given the benefits the Gator Nation has reaped due to my exile to the Lone Star State, this small repayment is a fantastic way to ensure future continued success.

So, Jeremy (may I call you Jeremy?), when you are ready to accept this deal, please contact me using the ‘contact us’ feature on this Web site. I am more than willing to do my part to keep up the ludicrous success the Florida athletic program has experienced these last three years… are you?

Go Gators,
James

You can find the original article here.