SunshineState

Hi Neil: Really enjoy your columns. Keep up the great work. I respectfully disagree that Stricklin’s fate is strictly tied to Napier. Stricklin’s greatest legacy at FLA is his successful track record of fundraising for facilities. His decision to make no decision (for now) is rooted in finances. In today’s era, top-tier athletic departments don’t have a revenue problem. They have a spending problem. Florida fits the bill. Napier’s $26M buyout (plus staff) isn’t prohibitive to well-heeled boosters, but that figure is large enough to create pause. With $400M-plus upcoming for a full-fledged renovation of Bill Hill Griffin Stadium, which has been pushed back during planning so that additional funds can be raised, the athletic department is paying close attention to finances. Remember, just two years ago, FLA paid $65M for Condron Family Ballpark and $85M for Heavener Football Training Center. A new roof (amongst other updates) is also needed for Exactech Arena.

Respectfully, Georgia fans very much enjoy one of college football's most storied traditions in Jacksonville, which has become a generational rite of passage amongst fans, students and alumni. UGA's "Fall Break," aka a three-day weekend, is always scheduled for FLA vs. UGA weekend to allow for no classes on Friday. No complaints there. Fans, students and alumni relish taking over St. Simons, Amelia Island and RV City in the days leading up to the game. A home-and-home in Athens also shortchanges UGA by AT LEAST $5 million every 24 months. They get paid out every season in Jax. The World's Largest Cocktail Party is a built-in financial advantage to both athletic departments. Total travel time is the same for both teams. 1h 45m drive in busses from Gainesville to the Sawgrass Marriott. 35 min flight from AHN - JAX, then a short hop downtown. Finally, both teams will soon play in the Jaguars' $600 million to $1 billion renovated stadium. With revenue splits, more corporate hospitality options in a renovated TIAA Bank Field will further enhance payouts to each school.

Tradition: Since 1933, Florida and Georgia have played in Jacksonville in all but two years ('94, '95). The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is truly one of college football's most iconic and unique settings. Financial: Both universities earn more money by playing annually in Jacksonville versus playing every other year in Athens or Gainesville. Jacksonville's overall package is strong. In fact, many taxpayers would be surprised (in a not-so-good way) to learn how well that each university is compensated by the city. Recruiting: Florida and Georgia can now offer prospects free tickets in their respective sections to experience the game's pageantry and atmosphere. While not formally "hosting them" per se, this is great progress. Next Steps: Instead of wiping out 100 years of tradition, Kirby should request that Josh Brooks no longer schedule non-conference neutral site season openers. If home-and-homes are so desirable, Brooks should take a page out of Florida's future playbook with Week 1 matchups: Utah ('22), at Utah ('23) , Miami ('24), at Miami ('25), Cal ('26), at Cal ('27), Colorado ('28), at Colorado ('29), Texas ('30), at Texas ('31), at Notre Dame ('31), Notre Dame ('32).

What Smart doesn’t understand is the unique experience his players – and Florida, Texas, and Oklahoma – have in being able to play in an annual neutral site rivalry game with decades of tradition. FL–GA and TX–OK offers players, coaches, fans and media a truly unique environment where half the attendees are for you, and the other half are against you. There is nothing else like it in college sports. The tradition of FL-GA in Jacksonville is so strong that it has its own hall of fame. THAT is the selling point and the recruiting story.