1990s-2000s
On Dec. 31, 1989, Steve Spurrier accepted the head coaching job at UF. This would mark an incredible turnaround in the Gator football program and would lead to more renovations in a 14-year span than had occurred in the stadium’s entire history.
Starting in the end of June 1990, Spurrier replaced the artificial turf with natural grass, much to the liking of fans and players alike.
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| Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in the early 1990s |
In September of 1991, construction was finished on the completion of the north endzone, bringing the total capacity to 83,000 strong. This addition now made Ben Hill Griffin Stadium the largest stadium in the state of Florida and one of the eight largest collegiate stadiums on a college campus in the United States.
These 1991 renovations racked up a total of $17 million, but it was all paid from private funding through alumni and the University Athletic Association.
On Nov. 30, 1991, against bitter rival Florida State, the Gators hosted the largest sporting crowd ever in the state of Florida, which totaled 85,461 fans.
At the end of that 1991 season, Spurrier’s second season at the realm, the “Head Ball Coach” as Gator fans knew him, dubbed the stadium as “the Swamp.”
“A swamp is where Gators live,” Spurrier said. “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.”
In 1996, the University of Florida Gators won its first national title under the leadership of Coach Spurrier and the school's second Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback, Danny Wuerffel.
As the 1998 season came around, more transformations were sought for the Swamp. A video board was placed on the top of the south endzone stands and television screens were placed throughout the stadium in a venture that cost roughly $2 million. The locker rooms, also located in the south endzone, were expanded and a conditioning and training area was added.
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| The Swamp as it is Present Day |
In 2001, a plan to expand and renovate the stadium had begun. The plan involved adding almost 3,000 seats in the expanded press box, Bull Gator (wealthy supporters of the university and Gator athletics) seating and 35 skyboxes; all of this located on the west stands. The project totaled over $50 million and was paid for mostly through private funding.
The major construction on the stadium came to an end before the 2004 season when the south endzone video board was expanded and another video board was added to the north endzone. The seating capacity present day is at an astounding 90,000.
All of the construction over the decade did not come without a hitch, however. While construction and remodeling was going on in the endzones, said Rick Ross, after talking with Athletic Director, Jeremy Foley, it was apparent that some fans in the endzone would not be able to view 10 yards of the field (including the endzone itself). Plans were made to fix the error, but seats were moved around which caused "a huge mess and changed people's assigned seats around"
Ticket-holders who were originally sitting in one area, were forced by default to move to another. But the problem was solved nonetheless and construction went on as planed and ran very smoothly.
In 2006, current Head Coach Urban Meyer's second year, the Gators won the National Championship for the first since 1996. In the weeks leading up to the game, Quarterback Tim Tebow became the University of Florida's third Heisman Trophy winner, and the youngest player ever to do so. Tebow also became the first quarterback to throw for 20 touchdowns and rush for 20 touchdowns (he finished the season with 3,286 yds. passing with 32 TDs and 895 yds. rushing with 23 TDs).
Since Urban Meyer took over (after Ron Zook), the Gators have gone 19-1 in the Swamp, and until 2007, had the second longest home winning streak in the nation. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium definintely lived up to its reputation.
On Sept. 30, 2006, the "Ring of Honor" was placed on the north endzone, commemorating four outstanding Florida football players: Emmitt Smith (Running Back, 1987-1989), Steve Spurrier (Quarterback, 1963-1966), Jack Youngblood (Defensive End, 1967-1970) and Danny Wuerffel (Quarterback, 1993-1996). On Sept. 29, 2007 Wilbur Marshall (Deffensive End, 1980-1983) was added to the list. For more information on these players and the "Ring of Honor," visit Gatorzone.
Currently, there is a new addition to the south endzone, on the west side of the stadium. The project is called "Gateway of Champions" and has an estimated budget of $21.4 million to complete. It will add offices, meeting roms, an interactive exhibition and a reception room. The expected date of completion is sometime in July of 2008.