Stephen C. O'Connell Center

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Florida's Stephen C. O'Connell Center has a reputation around the Southeastern Conference and throughout the nation-enthusiastic and friendly if you're a Gator...noisy, deafening and menacing if you're the opposition. In 1999, ESPN The Magazine dubbed it the House of Horrors, the nation's scariest arena for opponents. UF welcomes its competition, affectionately known as "Gator Bait," with a pre-match show like none other. Spotlights, a light show and thunderous music highlight the team introductions before the crowd erupts in darkness with the playing of the Gator fight song. Fans roar with the final "Come on, Gators, get up and go!" as the lights burst on and the whistle for first serve blows. Additionally, Florida's mascots-Alberta, Albert and Ollie-the band, cheerleaders, the state-of-the-art shutter lighting system, four scoreboards and in-game statistics boards, and, of course, the best fans provide an atmosphere that is unmatched in Division I volleyball.

The Gators play on their own volleyball-specific floor, which has been home to many Gator volleyball achievements. The O'Connell Center is home to the Gators' 58-match home win streak (Oct. 14, 1990-Sept. 4, 1994), which is the second-longest streak in NCAA history. The O'Connell Center is such an intimidating venue that Florida has posted eight undefeated seasons at home and has won nearly 90-percent of its matches in the O'Connell Center - one of the top percentages in the nation. It has been the home venue in 15 of UF's 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 14 of the last 15 years. Six NCAA Regionals have been held in the O'Connell Center, four of which sent the Gators to the Final Four. UF has a 32-2 NCAA Championships record at home and has won its last 25 matches at the O'Connell Center in NCAA play.

Top 10 Florida Home Crowds
Opponent	Date	Attendance
1. Georgia	10/14/94	8,163
2. LSU	10/15/04	6,311
3. Stanford	9/4/94	6,204
4. Florida St.	11/9/93	6,132
5. Ole Miss	10/12/01	5,831
6. Miss. State	10/11/02	5,521
7. Georgia	11/10/95	5,039
8. Minnesota	9/13/03	5,019
9. Alabama	11/13/92	5,011
10. UCSB	9/3/05	4,798

Built at a cost of $14 million, the O'Connell Center (named for former UF President Stephen C. O'Connell, 1967-73) has become the showplace for college volleyball in the Southeast. In 1999, the O'Connell Center received $10.3 million worth of renovations. The old bubble top was replaced with a permanent cap and internal improvements were made, as well. With seating for 12,000, Gator faithful have ranked UF in the nation's Top 10 attendance averages each year since 1991.

The Lemerand Athletics Center
	The Lemerand Athletics Center was designed to meet the needs of the Gator volleyball team, housing three practice courts, a team locker room and a sports medicine area. The facility is on the same block as the Gator Corner Dining Hall and across the street from residence buildings. The complex opened in 1995 and boasts more than 43,000 square feet with the volleyball practice courts accounting for 12,000 square feet. In 2005, the facility received a facelift as part of a $13 million dollar project involving McKethan Stadium with the Lemerand portion set to be complete for the 2006 season.
The facility also includes a fully staffed training center with an emphasis on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Built at a cost of more than $3 million dollars, the facility gives the Gators an advantage second to none.

Strength and Conditioning
	Florida volleyball players also benefit from training in one of the most comprehensive weight rooms in the nation. The Gators have the advantage of the Ben Hill Griffin Jr. Athletic Training Center, which houses nearly 11,000 square feet devoted solely to strength and conditioning equipment.

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