Since 1949
The Florida Gymnasium
From “Alligator Alley” to a modern hub for teaching, research and collaboration, the Florida Gym has been part of the University of Florida for more than 75 years.
A Landmark in UF History
The Florida Gym opened in 1949 as a 7,000-seat multipurpose arena, home to the Florida Gators basketball team, and the original facility built to house the College of Health & Human Performance. Located next to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the building is a contributing resource to the University of Florida Campus Historic District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Nicknamed “Alligator Alley,” the gym served as UF’s primary indoor gathering place for over three decades, hosting basketball games, commencements, concerts, lectures, and performances by nationally prominent musicians, public officials, and speakers before the O’Connell Center opened in 1980.
From arena to academic hub
The original basketball court remains in active use today for classes, recreation, events and other university activities.
The Florida Gym Today
Extensively renovated in the 1990s, the Florida Gym today is a hub of academic activity for the College of Health & Human Performance, housing the dean’s office, four departmental offices, four research centers, classrooms, six large lecture halls, and specialized research laboratories where faculty, staff, and students collaborate to enrich lives, influence healthy living, and enhance human performance.
Request or Reserve Space
Learn about available spaces, policies and the process for requesting space in the Florida Gym.
Florida Gym Rental Information