A group of eight individuals representing six sports were inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024. The ceremony took place at the Kia Center in Orlando on October 16. The inductees include athletes, coaches, and for the first time, an athletic trainer.
The 2024 class includes William Floyd, Linda Gooch, Ashlyn Harris, Mike Holloway, Scott Hutchinson, Tracy McGrady, Chris Patrick, and Jan Stephenson.
William Floyd was recognized for his football career. He played for Lakewood High School in St. Petersburg and later helped Florida State University win its first national championship in 1993. Drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1994, Floyd became known as “Bar None” after a notable rookie season that included three touchdowns in a playoff game and a touchdown in Super Bowl XXIX.
Linda Gooch is noted for her long tenure as UCF’s cheerleading coach. She has led UCF’s spirit program for 39 seasons and coached the cheerleading team to four national championships since they began competing nationally in 1994.
Ashlyn Harris was honored for her soccer achievements. A Cocoa Beach native, Harris was part of two World Cup-winning teams (2015 and 2019) and won three NCAA Women’s Soccer Championships with UNC. She also played for the Orlando Pride from 2016 to 2021.
Mike Holloway has served as head coach of the University of Florida men’s track and field teams since 2003 and both men’s and women’s teams since 2008. Under his leadership, UF has won 14 NCAA Division I National Championships and set nine collegiate records.
Scott Hutchinson played college football at the University of Florida before being drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1978. He also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Orlando Renegades during his professional career.
Tracy McGrady is a seven-time NBA All-Star who began his career with the Toronto Raptors after being drafted out of high school. He later played for the Orlando Magic where he led the league in scoring twice before joining the Houston Rockets.
Chris Patrick became the first athletic trainer inducted into the Hall of Fame. Over a career spanning nearly five decades at UF starting in 1970, Patrick expanded healthcare services to cover more sports programs including those added after Title IX. He worked with Dr. Robert Cade on Gatorade development and has received multiple honors within his profession.
Jan Stephenson moved from Australia to Florida over twenty years ago after starting her golf career with wins like the Wills Australian Ladies Open in 1973. She joined the LPGA Tour as Rookie of the Year in 1974, won three major championships among her sixteen LPGA Tour victories, co-founded the LPGA Legends Tour, and entered the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2019. Off-course contributions include designing golf courses such as Indian River Preserve near Titusville and supporting veterans through her foundation’s ownership of Tarpon Woods Golf Club.
FSHOF President Ginger Kane attended alongside this year’s inductees at their ceremony.
