UF’s Black alumni commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Black student to graduate from the University of Florida

UF’s Black alumni commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Black student to graduate from the University of Florida

   GAINESVILLE, FL — Former Gators Coach Doug Dickey, who recruited and coached the first Black players to integrate the University of Florida’s (UF) football team, will join members of the UF Association of Black Alumni (UF ABA) on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 when UF’s Black alumni commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first Black student to graduate from the University of Florida.

    Saturday afternoon, alumni will participate in a Tailgate Reunion and Watch Party.  A special program will take place that honors alumni athletes and their contributions to UF Black alumni history.

    Special individual tributes will be paid to Ron Coleman, UF’s first Black scholarship athlete (track and field letterman); Willie Jackson, Sr. who was one of the first two Black players to integrate UF football; Don Gaffney, UF’s first Black quarterback; and John D. Williams, the SEC’s first Black kicker who, next week, celebrates the 40-year anniversary of the Florida-LSU downpour at the Swamp where LSU’s kicker missed seven field goals, and Williams kicked the game-tying field goal with 2:08 remaining, amounting to an upset tie against the highly ranked LSU Tigers.

    University of Florida Gators’ BCS National Championship Game Quarterback and MVP Chris Leak will pay tribute to Don Gaffney by video that will be shown during the Association of Black Alumni program in Gainesville next weekend.