It’s UF Homecoming week. Here’s how to celebrate.

The University of Florida Homecoming & Gator Growl will take place Friday at the Exactech Arena Stephen C. O’Connell Center with doors opening at 6 p.m. Flo Rida will headline this year’s Gator Growl with Danny Wuerffel hosting.

There will be a week of celebration at UF including the Homecoming Festival, Gator Gallop, Homecoming Parade and Soulfest.

Wuerffel is the executive director of Desire Street Ministries and the president of the Wuerffel Foundation. Following his career in football, Wuerffel felt called to serve those in under‐resourced neighborhoods, which continues to be his focus.

In 1996, Wuerffel won the highly acclaimed Heisman Trophy. Wuerffel played college football at UF, where he quarterbacked the Gators to four SEC Championships and UF’s first national football title. While at UF, Wuerffel set 17 NCAA and UF records and won several other awards, including the William V. Campbell Award, given to the nation’s top scholar‐athlete.

After retiring from the NFL, Wuerffel joined Desire Street Ministries and was named executive director in 2006. The ministry helps under‐resourced areas across the Southeast by partnering with leaders to create thriving and sustainable neighborhoods. In 2020, the Wuerffel Foundation was created to inspire even greater service and unity in the world. By leveraging his experiences, relationships and his brand, Wuerffel works to honor and further develop community service leaders.

Students and the general public can still purchase tickets at www.gatorgrowl.org or at the O’Connell Center Box Office.

Flo Rida, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter and composer from Carol City, Florida. His 2008 breakout single "Low" was number one for 10 weeks in the United States and broke the record for digital download sales at the time of its release. Flo Rida has sold over 80 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists. In June 2022, Flo Rida released his most recent single “What a Night.”

UF Homecoming is a festive week-long celebration culminating in Gator Growl before the football game. Gator Growl attendees enjoy live musical performances, the crowning of the homecoming king and queen, and more to celebrate the university’s achievements and embrace their inner Gator pride.

Doors will open for Gator Growl at 6 p.m., with the show starting at 7 p.m. The O’Connell Center is located at 250 Gale Lemerand Dr, Gainesville, FL 32611.

For more information, visit www.gatorgrowl.org or follow UF Homecoming & Gator Growl on social media (@HCGatorGrowl).