About Us

About Us

Mission Statement 

The mission of the Windy City Gator Club® is to foster and enhance the relationship between the University of Florida, its alumni, students and friends in the Chicagoland and surrounding areas, including Wisconsin, Northwest Indiana, and Northern Illinois, and to support the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. Proceeds from Windy City Gator Club® events and merchandise sales benefit the Windy City Gator Club® Scholarship Fund, which awards scholarships to outstanding incoming UF students from the Chicagoland area.

Every spring, UF Alumni Association will provide our Club's Academic VP with a list of incoming UF students from the Chicago area, and they will be invited to apply for the scholarship. Our Board will vote for the most deserving students and the winning student will be notified. We are proud of the truly outstanding quality of students who apply for the scholarship every year, and we are proud to support this mission with our Club sponsors.

 

Club President's Welcome Message 

Greetings Gators!
 
The first thing I did when I moved to Chicago in the summer of 2010 (before I even found an apartment) was to attend a Windy City Gator Club® event, and I'm so glad I did.  Not only did I find a friendly community of socially active Florida Gators fans, I met some lifelong friends and changed my life along the way.  I've been inspired to take on a bigger role in this great club, building on past successes to help it become even better with your support.  If you haven't joined us for an event or viewing party, I'd like to personally invite you to come out and meet some new Gator friends.
 
The Windy City Gator Club® continues to grow at a steady rate, finding new members through word of mouth, social media and our fun events.  Along with our dedicated Board of Directors, I hope to spearhead even more events that engage not only the more recent graduates, but also established alumni. There are nearly 5,000 UF Alumni in the Chicagoland area, and we want to be sure to plan a calendar of events that has something for everyone.  We're looking at planning some new types of events as well as bringing back events that have been very popular in the past, so this year should be very exciting! 
 
The year 2015 has already proven to be a year of great change, and we'll be fielding a rejuvenated Gator Football team under new head coach Jim McElwain this fall, as well as welcoming new basketball coach Michael White next spring. We hope you'll join us at one of our viewing parties to watch the Gators reach new heights of success!  Feel free to reach out with your suggestions through our social media accounts, email, or at one of our viewing parties.  We want to make this the best Gator Club possible, and thank you for your continued support of Gator Nation!
 
Go Gators,
Maria Evans, BS Mechanical Engineering '99
Incoming 2015-2016 President, Windy City Gator Club®