Orlando, Fla. – Florida’s Emeritus Athletic Director Jeremy Foley received the distinguished Homer Rice Award during the NACDA & Affiliates Convention in Orlando on June 10, 2025. This prestigious honor recognizes retired FBS athletics directors who have made significant and lasting contributions to college sports, and Foley becomes the first University of Florida recipient since the award’s inception in 1989.
Foley’s career with the University Athletic Association (UAA) is a story of unparalleled success and visionary leadership. Starting as an intern in the Gator Ticket Office in 1976, Foley rose to become UF’s Director of Athletics in 1992. Over his 25-year tenure, he not only elevated the University of Florida’s athletic programs to national prominence but also ensured their financial stability and academic excellence.
Under Foley’s leadership, UF achieved historic success both on and off the field. The Gators were the only athletic program ranked in the top 10 of national all-sports rankings for 33 consecutive years. In 2007, the program became the first in NCAA history to win both men’s basketball and football national championships in the same calendar year. Overall, UF claimed 27 NCAA titles and 130 SEC titles during his tenure.
Beyond athletic achievements, Foley’s commitment to academics and infrastructure was transformative. He spearheaded $307 million in capital improvement projects, implemented a $100 million master facility plan, and contributed more than $76 million to UF academic endeavors. Foley also championed gender equity, introducing women’s soccer, softball, and lacrosse programs to UF’s roster.
Foley’s influence extended to the academic success of student-athletes, with 107 Gators earning Academic All-America honors under his guidance. His dedication to fostering both athletic and academic excellence earned him the title of Sports Business Journal National Athletics Director of the Year in 2006.
At the award ceremony, Foley expressed gratitude for his peers and the legacy of Homer Rice. “I am truly humbled to receive the Homer Rice Award. I have always believed in the power of college athletics to change lives, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have served the University of Florida.”
Heather Lyke, President & CEO of the FBS Athletics Directors Association, lauded Foley’s contributions, calling him a “visionary leader” whose impact on college athletics will inspire generations to come.
The Homer Rice Award is a fitting tribute to Foley’s enduring legacy in college sports—a legacy that continues to resonate with the Gator Nation and beyond.
