History of the Ospreys
The North Florida Ospreys are the athletic teams of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. The Ospreys competed in the ASUN Conference in NCAA Division I. UNF became a full-fledged member of Division I in 2009; previously, the Ospreys were members of the Sunshine State Conference and Peach Belt Conference in NCAA Division II. UNF fields teams in seven men's sports and ten women's sports.
College Sports Established
1969
Location
Jacksonville, Florida
College Name
University of North Florida
Collegiate History
2005 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
2005 - Present / ASUN Conference
Nickname
Ospreys - The osprey was adopted officially as the University of North Florida mascot in November 1979 in an election conducted by the Student Government Association. The osprey received 47 percent of the votes and won over the armadillo, seagull, manatee and shark. Ospreys can often be seen gliding majestically over the campus. The osprey — a member of the hawk family with a wingspan of up to 6 feet — is capable of diving 80 mph in pursuit of fish, which constitute its main diet. UNF’s mascot has the characteristics that UNF students hope to have when they graduate. Ospreys have been described as seemingly inexhaustible, tenacious, opportunistic, cosmopolitan, loyal to their species, adaptable, resilient and fond of living near other ospreys. Described as “trendy birds” in National Geographic magazine for their success in adapting to suburban neighborhoods, ospreys also are into recycling.
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
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