Disney Institute
Jacksonville
The city of Jacksonville boasts boundless opportunities as the most populous city proper in the state of Florida - making it the perfect place for a weekend professional development trip through GatorMade’s Sunshine State Series. Duval county hosts corporate headquarters, professional sports organizations, and over 14,000 University of Florida alumni living and working in the city. Our visits included: the Jacksonville Jaguars - featuring Swamp Alumni Ryan Stamper, Ventrell Miller, and Josh Evans - discussing the transition from collegiate to professional player roles, Wounded Warrior Project showcasing the resources and support avaible to service men and women, Florida Blue educating the group on insurance processes and employment opportunities, and the PGA Tour sharing the many careers and connections within golf, as well as a our through studios and a golf swing session at Sawgrass. The weekend was equally fruitful in mentorship identification, especially at the UF Alumni Entrepreneurship Panel and networking event hosted by partners at Dream Finders Homes.
Tampa
Playing professionally is a common goal and motivator for the young men of Florida Gators Football. GatorMade seeks to expand that connection into sport by not only playing for a professional organization, but considering the front office operations of successful teams. Our Tampa Pro Sports Summit exposed 10 leaders to the roles and responsibilities of executives within the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New York Yankees, including facility tours, personnel presentations, and Q&A sessions. From General Managers and Chief Operating Officers, to Media & Marketing and Ticket Sales, we are incredibly thankful for not only those that shared their expertise but also the Gators Staff members that serve our team each and every day.
Miami
Our football scholar-athletes have a wide array of professional interest, one of the most common being Real Estate. In Spring of 2024, GatorMade created its inaugural Real Estate Summit, featuring sessions on residential and commercial properties, investing strategies, and best practices in the industry. Partnering alongside UF’s Kelley A. Bergstrom Center for Real Estate, our 14 selected leaders networked, attended educational sessions, and explored property site visits to advance their knowledge and futures in Real Estate.
While in Miami, the Miami Gator Club hosted a professional networking event with its members, as well as a panel of Swamp Alumni that currently serve in roles within Real Estate. Mack Brown, Scott Peak III, Adam Shuler, and Brandon Powell all shared in their experiences and learned lessons within the industry, creating connection and brotherhood with the next generation of Gator Football leaders.
Orlando
Disney’s College Program provides opportunities for students to learn and work within the hospitality industry on one of the most frequented campuses in the planet – Walt Disney World. In the spring of 2023, 12 of our football scholar-athletes were trained in leadership and service through Disney’s Imagination campus, featuring interactive tours through the park and engaging sessions throughout the world of Epcot.
Our students left with a certification from one of the top companies in customer service and had some fun along the way. While at Disney, our group also held a networking mixer with the Orlando Gator Club, connecting with local alumni and business leaders in the city. This trip provided a platform for team connection and professional development, right in our own backyard.
