Our History

Florida Blue Key was born when a University Administrator asked a group of students to undertake the task of planning and executing a special weekend celebration for the University. In 1923, President A. A. Murphree believed the University should have a day set aside when students would invite their fathers to come to the campus for a special celebration to see the University and learn about it with them. He asked Dr. B.C. Riley, dean, General Extension Division, to suggest the project to students. Dean Riley brought together some of the titular leaders of the Student Body, who, under his guidance, planned a Dad’s Day in the Fall with the key event being a football game. The event was successful and continued another year, with the name being changed to Homecoming. The students organized themselves into Blue Key.

The organization continues to sponsor and organize the University of Florida’s annual Homecoming celebration which has grown to encompass dozens of events and community activities throughout the fall semester. Beginning in the early 1980’s, the organization began to sponsor the Florida Blue Key Speech and Debate Tournament, recognized as one of the premier high school debate tournaments in the country. Florida Blue Key equips the next generation of leaders in the state through leadership opportunities in college such as the Florida Blue Key Speech and Debate Tournament and Florida Blue Key forums or debates for Florida’s Governor, U.S. Senate seats, or other elected officials, sometimes broadcast across the state.  Additionally, Florida Blue Key and the Florida Blue Key Alumni Society coordinates Gator Legislative Day, furthering the interests of the University of Florida and higher education in the state through advocacy efforts with state lawmakers and the Governor’s office. Florida Blue Key also provides real world leadership experiences by organizing the Miss University of Florida pageant, University of Florida’s Legal Professions Day,  Health Professions Day and service opportunities such as the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Gainesville.