Event Location: Legendary Marina
Story & Photography by:
Event Date: August 20, 2026
The Emerald Coast Gator Club held a live and silent auction hosted by Legendary Marina on August 20, 2026. Gator fans and alumni, along with their friends and families from across the area, filled the fantastic location with enthusiastic pride for their university and accomplishments. Hugh Hathcock was able to secure Scott Stricklin, athletic director for the University of Florida, to come as keynote speaker for the event. Scott provided updated pertinent information regarding the entire athletic program as well as information regarding the significant renovation of the football stadium expected to be completed by 2030.
Over the past year, the Emerald Coast Gator Club raised a record breaking 32,000 dollars supporting 21 local students with scholarships. The silent auction held at the event served to further those funding initiatives. The Wade Shapiro Foundation, known for supporting glioblastoma cancer research, was also supported at the event by sharing proceeds of the collectible memorabilia up for bidding, provided by the late Wade Shapiro, an avid Gator fan and collector.
Many attendees came clad in the classic gator colors and enjoyed the hors d’oeuvres and beverages as they swapped gator stories and listened to the information provided by the keynote speaker. It was a successful and enjoyable evening that resulted in contributing to the needed funding for the next crop hoping to become part of the heritage and prestige of graduating as a Florida Gator.
