Billy Napier puts a new spin on Florida Gators' spring speaking tour
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It’s a time-honored tradition. Every spring the head coach of the Florida Gators will hit the road to speak with Florida fans around the state and the country. This year, Billy Napier is putting a different spin on the spring speaking tour and bringing Voice of the Gators, Sean Kelley, with him.
The approach is different. In past years Steve Spurrier would hold court, sending some of his most famous one-liners to boosters from across the state. Other coaches made the rounds but the format was always the same. The head coach would speak and then take a few questions. It was formal. The newly developed Gator Caravan promises a more intimate conversation, led by Kelley.
“I think it will be more intimate, number one, and instead of a kind of stump speech, it’s more of a, ‘let’s have a conversation.’ And then, at some point, we bring those who are here, our fans, into that same conversation,” Kelley said on Monday before the first speaking event. “If we can create that, then I think we’ll have something different. It’s a chance to get to know their guy a little bit better.”
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With Kelley in tow, Napier aims to have conversations and help educate Florida fans throughout the state, hitting UF alumni hotbeds in Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Lakeland, Jacksonville and Tampa.
“First of all, it’s an opportunity to tell the story of the offseason. Obviously, this offseason has been eventful. We’ve made quite a few changes and we have a good group of young players that we’ve added to our team – both high school players and the portal players, not to mention a lot of new staff members,” Napier said on Monday. “Kind of telling that story going all the way back to December and giving our fans an update. I think a little bit of a different approach this year, excited to have Sean Kelly join us. Should be good.”
A complete schedule for the 2024 Gator Caravan with Billy Napier
All Times 5:45pm-8pm
| Date | Location | Open To: | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday April 15 | Gainesville, Fla. | Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators Fans | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Touchdown Terrace 157 Gale Lemerand Dr Gainesville, FL 32611 |
| Monday April 22 | Orlando, Fla. | Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators Fans | Renaissance Orlando at Sea World 6677 Sea Harbor Dr Orlando, FL 32821 |
| Monday April 29 | Fort Lauderdale, Fla. | Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators Fans | Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina 1617 SE 17th St Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 |
| Monday May 6 | Lakeland, Fla. | Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators Fans | RP Funding Center 701 W Lime St Lakeland, FL 33815 |
| Monday May 13 | Jacksonville, Fla. | Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators Fans | Sawgrass Marriott 1000 Tournament Players Club Blvd Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082 |
| Monday May 20 | Tampa, Fla. | Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators Fans | Westshore Grand 4860 W Kennedy Blvd Tampa, FL 33609 |
