GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Four outstanding alumni of the College of Health and Human Performance will be inducted into the University of Florida Athletics Hall of Fame in recognition of their stellar athletic careers at UF and their contributions to the University.
Jerry “Red” Anderson (BSPE ’68), Larry Libertore (BSPE ’63), Errict Rhett (BSR’95) and Sophia Witherspoon (BSR ’91) are among nine individuals who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in spring 2005.
Anderson, who is being inducted as a distinguished letterwinner, is currently an assistant coach for football (defensive line) at UF. Anderson played football for UF and was co-captain of the 1967 team that won the Orange Bowl. The former Gator pursued a coaching career after graduation, which includes stints at Vanderbilt, Miami, West Point and Central Florida. Anderson began his UF coaching career in 1985. Ten years later, Anderson joined the Gator Boosters office and served as assistant director until football head coach Ron Zook hired Anderson in 2002.
Libertore is being honored as a Gator Great. Libertore, a second team All-SEC selection in 1960, lettered in football from 1960-62 and led the team in total offense and punt returns in 1960. He played both sides of the ball while wearing the orange and blue as he was the starting quarterback in 1961 and the starting defensive back in 1962. Since his playing days in The Swamp, Libertore was elected to the state legislature.
Rhett also is being honored as a Gator Great. Rhett earned first team All-America honors in 1993 as a member of the football team. During his career at Florida, Rhett rewrote the record books, as he completed his career with 4,163 rushing yards, which is the best in school history and fourth-best all-time in the SEC. Rhett caught 153 career passes to rank first in school history among running backs. He was the first player in NCAA Division I-A history to rush for more than 4,100 yards and catch 140 passes. Rhett was drafted in 1994 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was named the 1994 NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Witherspoon, a former women’s basketball player, joins Libertore and Rhett as Gator Greats in the Hall of Fame. Witherspoon, a first team All-SEC recipient, is the sixth all-time leading scorer in school history with 1,381 points in just three seasons. She still ranks in the top-five in several statistical categories in the UF record book. Witherspoon, a second-round selection in the inaugural WNBA Draft in 1997, won the WNBA title with the Los Angeles Sparks.
A committee of F Club members determines the inductees, who are placed into three different categories: Gator Greats, Distinguished Letterwinners or Honorary Letterwinners. Gator Greats and Distinguished Letterwinners cannot be nominated until 10 years after completion of their eligibility. Honorary Letterwinners are considered after they have contributed 10 years of employment with the University of Florida, the University Athletic Association or Gator Boosters, Inc.
Gator Greats are letterwinners or athletes who have brought recognition and prominence to the University and themselves by athletic accomplishments as an undergraduate. Criteria considered are All-America, All-SEC and exceptional leadership as witnessed by teammates and coaches.
Distinguished Letterwinners are letterwinners or athletes who have made major contributions to the University athletics program through personal time, effort and interest. They had many years of continued service and/or have distinguished themselves as exceptional in their chosen field.
Honorary Letterwinners are individuals, coaches, athletic officials, staff members and other University officials who were not letterwinners or athletes at the University of Florida, yet they have rendered outstanding service to the intercollegiate athletics program through personal time, effort, interest and through many years of continued service.
Other inductees are Tami Bruce (swimming), Ben Hill Griffin III (honorary), Mark Merklein (tennis), Dennis Mitchell (track), and Fred Ridley (golf).