Who was Ben Hill Griffin and why is the stadium named after him?
Posted on Mar 09, 2026 / Travel
Ben Hill Griffin Jr. was a Florida businessman, citrus industry leader, and major supporter of the University of Florida. The stadium was originally called Florida Field when it opened in 1930. In 1989, the university renamed the stadium to honor Griffin because of his financial support for the school and its athletic programs. Even after the rename, the playing surface itself continued to be known as Florida Field for many years. Griffin’s donations helped fund important improvements to university facilities and athletics. Because of that impact, the university decided his name should be permanently tied to the stadium. Today the official name is Steve Spurrier–Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, though most fans simply call it The Swamp.
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