College Sports Established
1997
Location
Fort Myers, Florida
College Name
Florida Gulf Coast University
Collegiate History
2007 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
2007 - Present / ASUN Conference
Nickname
Eagles - The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles have become one of the most recognizable NCAA Division I teams in recent years, thanks to their impressive run to the Sweet 16 in 2013. But where did this team’s nickname come from?
The school was established as a two-year college in 1997 and adopted its current name after being granted university status by the State Board of Education. The Eagles moniker was chosen as an homage to Florida’s state bird and its reference to strength, courage, and freedom - fundamental values at FGCU.
In addition, there is a spiritual element behind choosing “Eagles”; it has been said that eagles represent divine power or even God himself, according to some Native American tribes like those found throughout Florida's panhandle region. As such, they can be seen as representing strength and hope for future success on behalf of FGCU students and alumni alike!
Furthermore, many people associate eagles with America itself due to their long history here. So having them serve as part of our athletic identity helps create an even stronger connection between our school community and the country! Combined with all these reasons, it makes sense why we chose this iconic symbol when naming ourselves after becoming a four-year institution nearly 20 years ago!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 2002
- 2007
- 2011
- 2013
- 2018
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The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles athletic program is established
In 2002, Florida Gulf Coast University established its athletic program, with the goal of competing in NCAA Division II athletics. The university’s first athletic director, Carl McAloose, was hired to oversee the development of the program. The initial sports offered were men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, and men’s and women’s cross country. Since then, the ... -
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles wins their first Atlantic Sun Conference championship
In 2007 – The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men’s basketball team, led by head coach Dave Balza, wins their first Atlantic Sun Conference championship. -
Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men’s soccer team wins their first Atlantic Sun Conference championship
In 2011, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles men’s soccer team won their first Atlantic Sun Conference championship. The team, led by head coach Bob Butehorn, finished the regular season with a record of 12-5-2 and advanced to the conference tournament, where they defeated Lipscomb University in the championship game by a score of 2-0. The victory earned the Eagles an ... -
Sherwood Brown – Player of the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament
One of the most famous players from Florida Gulf Coast University is Sherwood Brown, who played for the men’s basketball team from 2009 to 2013. Brown was a key player on the Eagles team that made a historic run in the 2013 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, becoming the first 15th seed to reach the Sweet 16. Brown was named the ... -
The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles women’s basketball team wins their second straight Atlantic Sun Conference championship
In 2018, the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles women’s basketball team won their second straight Atlantic Sun Conference championship. The team, led by head coach Karl Smesko, finished the regular season with a record of 28-4 and advanced to the conference tournament, where they defeated Jacksonville University in the championship game by a score of 68-62. The victory earned the Eagles ...
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History of the Eagles
The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles are one of the most successful college sports teams in recent history. Over the last decade, they have established themselves as a powerhouse in NCAA Division I athletics and have become one of the premier programs in all college sports. From its beginnings as an independent school to becoming part of Conference USA, FGCU has been on a meteoric rise since its inception.
Founded in 1997, FGCU began life as an independent university without athletic affiliations or conference memberships. In 2002 however, it joined up with Sunshine State Conference, which marked its first foray into NCAA competition, and from there, things took off for them athletically speaking. The Eagles quickly became known for having some very competitive teams across multiple sports, including basketball (men's & women's), baseball/softball (men’s & women’s), soccer (women’s only), and volleyball (women’s only).
In the 2012-13 season, everything changed for FGCU, though; this was when they made history by becoming just the seventh team ever to reach both men's and women's Sweet Sixteen rounds at once during March Madness tournament play! This accomplishment helped propel them even further into a national prominence that same year when they officially became part of Conference USA after leaving behind their previous affiliation with SSC shortly prior - thus making them eligible to compete against some much larger schools such as the University Of South Carolina Upstate Spartans who were also members at that time too!
Since then, Florida Gulf Coast Eagles have continued to be among top contenders each year, not just within CUSA but also nationally too - mainly thanks largely due credit going out to head coach Joe Dooley whose leadership style has enabled his players to excel beyond expectations while still maintaining focus on academics before anything else always comes first no matter what situation arises during gameplay itself or otherwise outside it all together! With so much success under their belt already, plus plenty more expected down the road ahead, there truly isn't a limit to what else they can achieve if they continue to strive for excellence like always done before...
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