2011-12 Highlights

UWF Athletics: Building Champions for Life!

The proposed campaign for Athletic Scholarships, Programs and Facilities

Click here to read the complete Athletic Case Statement

As the University of West Florida grows, athletics will serve as the front porch of the University to create even greater engagement between the campus and the Pensacola community. It serves as a connection between the University and its alumni and the community. Successful athletic programs also serve to drive enrollment, regional and national recognition for the institution and school spirit. Athletics has historically been a key component to the traditional campus and for student life. With a winning athletic program, UWF receives local, regional and national recognition on the road and in the media. UWF offers 13 intercollegiate sports that have tallied 57 conference titles and five national championships. Argonaut student-athletes have held a higher GPA than the general student body for 16 consecutive years and UWF has produced more than 200 All-Americans. The University is now prepared to undertake a $15 million fundraising campaign that will strengthen its athletic reputation and provide fresh impetus for institutional growth.

President Judy Bense appointed an Athletic Visioning Committee with broad representation from the university and the local community. That committee, assisted by a national athletics consulting firm and university senior staff, reviewed a significant amount of data and engaged in hours of discussion to develop a new vision for UWF Intercollegiate Athletics. The visioning team and the university worked together to recognize and develop the role athletics plays in promoting and representing UWF to the community. The Visioning Committee clearly identified the need to strengthen the program’s current position as the number one priority on which other goals would be predicated. While UWF Athletics has achieved remarkable results, the program has struggled with significant gaps in resources, support, and facilities. To remain competitive and to position UWF athletics for future program expansion, job one must be to strengthen the program through a comprehensive plan to improve facilities, staffing, scholarships and participation.

The Athletic Visioning Committee and the University have agreed that we must take the necessary next steps to strengthen the program, improve facilities and have a vision to add future sports. To strengthen UWF’s overall distinction and recognition, the campus must be energized by enhanced enrollment, strengthened student and alumni affinity, and both regional and national visibility. The revitalization of the intercollegiate athletic program is one critical element of achieving these goals. Therefore, the University of West Florida is considering a $15 million athletic fundraising campaign as the first phase to increase support for individual programs, scholarships and build new athletic facilities. UWF seeks to “Build Champions for Life” both on the field of play and in the classroom and your support is essential to our success.