Building a Winning Culture at Florida

Tammi Reiss stepped onto the campus stage and first thanked a wide circle of mentors, from university leaders to her elementary teacher. Her gratitude highlighted that she believes strong relationships are the key to success on and off the court.

The athletic director praised her as a proven winner who can lift Florida’s women’s basketball program to new heights in the SEC and nationally. He noted that the school has invested more than ever before, showing a firm commitment to creating a contender.

Reiss’s past includes playing for Virginia, where she earned All‑American honors and helped the team reach conference titles and Final Fours. She was also a top five pick in the first WNBA draft and coached at Rhode Island, turning that team into a championship threat. These experiences shaped her belief that the SEC is the best place to compete.

She shared a story about her sixth‑grade teacher, Mr. T, who taught her work ethic and pushed her to excel academically and athletically. That early lesson in dedication stayed with her through her career, reinforced by mentors like South Carolina’s Dawn Staley.

Reiss laid out a clear plan: bring high energy, fierce competition, passion, compassion, and strong leadership to the program. She emphasized that winning matters not only on the court but also in academics and community service, and she challenged her players to commit beyond basketball.

When the transfer portal opens, Reiss acknowledged uncertainty about who will stay or leave, but she closed with a bold rallying cry: “Go hard or go home. Go Gators.”