The University of Florida ‘F Club’ and Gator Boosters, Inc. have announced its class of 2016 University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame inductees and two of the eight inductees are sure to stand out to the swimming community. All athletes are being recognized as “Gator Greats”, which, according to the announcement, symbolize letter winners who have brought recognition and prominence to the University of Florida by athletic accomplishments as a student-athlete.
Swimmer Greg Burgess, originally from Baltimore, Maryland, was a member of the Gator men’s swimming squad from 1991 to 1994. During that time Burgess set four American records across the 200 IM and 400 IM events en route to becoming four-time NCAA champion in 1993 and 1994. Burgess is a 12-time All American who represented USA at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games, earning a silver in Barcelona before later joining the U.S. Marine Corps. His swimming prowess earned Burgess recognition in that realm as well, where he was inducted into the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. Burgess served two tours of duty in Iraq during his service.
The second swimmer within the 2016 inductee class is Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte. While a Gator (2002-2006), Lochte swam his way to 7 NCAA titles, 8 SEC titles and was a 24-time All American. Lochte’s college career was capstoned by his winning three individual NCAA titles during his senior year in 2006, where the now-31-year-old set a new U.S. Open and American record in the 200 IM and 200 backstroke events. Lochte is still going strong and represents Team USA on its national team roster.
The candidates are nominated and voted on by the aforementioned ‘F Club’, a group of former Florida athletes. The eight members of the 2016 class will be recognized at an induction banquet this spring at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Below is the complete list of inductees.
2016 UF ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES
Greg Burgess (Men’s Swimming, 1991-1994): 12-Time All-American; 9-Time SEC Champion; 4-Time NCAA Champion
Kerron Clement (Men’s Track & Field, 2003-2005) 11-Time All-American; 7-Time SEC champion; 4-Time NCAA Champion
Jane Collymore (Volleyball, 2002-2005) 3-Time All-American; 3-Time All-SEC; 4-Time SEC champions; 2-Time SEC Player of the Year
David Lee (Men’s Basketball, 2001-2005) 2002 SEC All-Freshman Team; 2-Time All-SEC; Member of 2005 SEC Tournament Championship Team
Jessica Lehnhoff (Women’s Tennis, 1999-2002): 2001 NCAA champion in Doubles; 7-Time All-American; Member of 1999 & 2001 SEC Championship Team
Ryan Lochte (Men’s Swimming, 2002-2006): 7-Time NCAA Champion; 8-Time SEC Champion; 24-Time All-American
Mike Miller (Men’s Basketball, 1998-2000): 1999 First Team Freshman All-American; 2000 Unanimous First Team All-SEC; Member of 2000 SEC Championship and Final Four team
Jeff Zimmerman (Football, 1983-1986): 2-Time First Team All-American; 2-Time First Team All-SEC; Earned All-American and All-SEC accolades at two different positions
Ryan Lochte – the greatest male swimmer ever, not named Michael Phelps. Period.
Or Mark Spitz.
Cool for Mr. Burgess. I remember when he was tearing up the pool as an age grouper in Virginia. Went on to greatness. Congrats!