Perry Colson McGriff, Jr. (June 29, 1937 – February 2, 2017) was an American politician, retired insurance agent, and former All-American college football and baseball player. McGriff was a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Mayor of Gainesville and Democratic nominee for a seat in the Florida Senate.
Perry McGriff | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the 22nd district | |
| In office 2000–2002 | |
| Preceded by | Robert K. Casey |
| Succeeded by | Larry Cretul |
| Mayor of Gainesville | |
| In office 1970–1971 | |
| Preceded by | Walter E. Murphree |
| Succeeded by | Neil A. Butler |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Perry Colson McGriff, Jr. June 29, 1937 Arcadia, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | February 2, 2017 (aged 79) Gainesville, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Noel McGriff |
| Alma mater | University of Florida (BS) |
| Profession | Insurance agent |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Men's baseball | ||
Representing  United States
| ||
| Pan American Games | ||
 |
1959 Chicago | Team |
Early life and education
editMcGriff was born in Arcadia, Florida, in 1937.[1] He attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity (Florida Alpha Chapter) and Florida Blue Key leadership honorary.[1] McGriff played college football for coach Bob Woodruff's Florida Gators football team in 1958 and 1959, and led the Gators with fourteen receptions for 360 receiving yards and was an honorable mention All-American in 1959.[2] McGriff was also an outfielder for coach Dave Fuller's Florida Gators baseball team from 1958 to 1960, and was honored as a first-team All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) selection in 1959 and 1960, a first-team All-American in 1959, and a second-team All-American in 1960.[3] He received his bachelor's degree in physical education from Florida in 1960,[1] and was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a "Gator Great" in 1969.[1][4]
Political career
editMcGriff, a Democrat, served as the 22nd district Representative in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2002.[1] He also served as an Alachua County, Florida, commissioner, as a Gainesville, Florida city commissioner and as Gainesville mayor.[5] In 2010, he was the unsuccessful Democratic Party nominee for Florida's 14th senate district,[5] losing to the incumbent Republican Steve Oelrich, 46 to 54 percent.[6]
McGriff lived in Gainesville with his family.[1] He died on February 2, 2017, at the age of 79.[7]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Florida House of Representatives, Representative Perry C. McGriff, Jr. Retrieved May 7, 2011.
- ^ 2011 Florida Gators Football Media Guide Archived April 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 111, 114, 115, 183 (2011). Retrieved August 30, 2011.
- ^ 2009 Florida Gators Baseball Media Guide, History Archived October 6, 2011, at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 87 & 89 (2009). Retrieved May 7, 2011.
- ^ F Club, Hall of Fame, Gator Greats. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
- ^ a b Chad Smith, "Perry McGriff will challenge Oelrich for Senate seat," The Gainesville Sun (June 17, 2010). Retrieved May 7, 2011.
- ^ Chad Smith, "Oelrich retans Dist 14 Senate seat," The Gainesville Sun (November 2, 2010). Retrieved May 7, 2011.
- ^ Former Florida Gators player and Gainesville mayor Perry McGriff Jr. dies
Bibliography
edit- Golenbock, Peter, Go Gators! An Oral History of Florida's Pursuit of Gridiron Glory, Legends Publishing, LLC, St. Petersburg, Florida (2002). ISBN 0-9650782-1-3.
- Hairston, Jack, Tales from the Gator Swamp: A Collection of the Greatest Gator Stories Ever Told, Sports Publishing, LLC, Champaign, Illinois (2002). ISBN 1-58261-514-4.
- McEwen, Tom, The Gators: A Story of Florida Football, The Strode Publishers, Huntsville, Alabama (1974). ISBN 0-87397-025-X.
External links
edit- Representative Perry C. McGriff, Jr. – Official website of Florida House of Representatives.
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)