Billy Napier puts a new spin on Florida Gators' spring speaking tour

Untitled designby:Nick de la Torre•04/16/24•

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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.”

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

DateLocationOpen To:Venue
Monday
April 15		Gainesville, Fla.Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators FansBen Hill Griffin Stadium
Touchdown Terrace
157 Gale Lemerand Dr
Gainesville, FL 32611
Monday
April 22		Orlando, Fla.Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators FansRenaissance Orlando at Sea World
6677 Sea Harbor Dr
Orlando, FL 32821
Monday
April 29		Fort Lauderdale, Fla.Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators FansRenaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina
1617 SE 17th St
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Monday
May 6		Lakeland, Fla.Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators FansRP Funding Center
701 W Lime St
Lakeland, FL 33815
Monday
May 13		Jacksonville, Fla.Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators FansSawgrass Marriott
1000 Tournament Players Club Blvd
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Monday
May 20		Tampa, Fla.Gator Boosters, Alumni Association Members, Gators FansWestshore Grand
4860 W Kennedy Blvd
Tampa, FL 33609

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