Gators Finally Moving Into Heavener State of the Art Facility
“They’ve been telling me that it’s going to be here since I was a freshman. That was like six years ago,” said Miller. “I’m glad to be able to have it and be a part of it this year."
By KYLE CURTIS
The wait is over.
After construction began in June of 2020, the James W. Bill Heavener Football Training Center is finally set to open. The $85 million stand-alone facility is quite the significant upgrade for the Gator’s football team with some luxurious features that more than exceed the
traditional workouts inside the weight room of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Ventrell Miller, a sixth-year senior, said he has been waiting for this day since he arrived on campus.
“They’ve been telling me that it’s going to be here since I was a freshman. That was like six years ago,” said Miller. “I’m glad to be able to have it and be a part of it this year.”
The facility will put Florida in the conversation of competing with some of the nicest facilities in the nation with other big-time programs.
“I think it is going to be really special,” said Billy Napier at a press conference in the spring, “It’s going to be a great day when we move in there.
"It screams 'commitment.'" But the Gator coach is happiest for those currently in the program.
Along with the facilities and tools for the football team, the new complex will also have a dining hall and lounge that all student-athletes have access to. This can be used in recruiting not only on the football trail but across the Gator athletic department.
Additionally, within the facility, there will be a coach’s office suite, state-of-the-art training and recovery stations, leading edge in strength and conditioning along with showcasing all the best gator gear and accolades both past and present. For the cherry on top, a barber shop will even be located within for all student-athletes.
One of the main beneficiaries of the new facility is the head strength and condition coach Mark Hocke. Hocke was elated earlier back when asked about the facility and said that all he needed were a few weights, mud and sticks to "make do," but also notes it's impossible to not be amped up for this kind of creation. Hocke looks at the new addition to the program as another way to master your craft and get better.
“I think you’re losing any and every excuse because, not just the weight room, that whole building is going to be really impressive head to toe,” Hocke said. “I think Coach Napier’s said it before, that that’s going to get us in the ballpark or conversations to where that can be the premier facility in college football.”
The way the coaching staff has expressed excitement for the new facility speaks volumes about what the commitment means to them from the administration. Napier described the facility as a “game-changer” for player experience and will not only influence current players, but also potential future players in the form of recruits coming to visit one of the most modern facilities in the nation.
Florida is keeping pace with schools such as Alabama, Clemson and Notre Dame -- just to name a few. With Gator Football trending in the right direction this offseason, this seems to boost spirits and hopes as an encouraging way to end this offseason chapter
“If you want to be the best,” said Hocke. “That’s what your resources need to be too.”
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