Why I Joined the UF Alumni Association (And Why You Might Want to, Too)
Hey, Gators! I wanted to take a moment to talk about something that’s been a huge help to me—and might be to you, too—a membership in the UF Alumni Association (UFAA). If you’ve been thinking about joining or you’re just curious about what’s in it for you, this is what I’ve found useful as a UFAA member.
Everyday Perks That Are Pretty Handy
First off, there are a lot of perks to UFAA membership, and a lot of discounts! UFAA members get all kinds of savings, and here are a few highlights:
Meal Delivery Kits: I know a lot of us are busy, so getting a discount on Home Chef is a solid (and tasty!) win. I love having meals ready to go without worrying about the prep—it’s such a time-saver during busy weeks!
Hotels: Whenever I travel, I save on stays at Choice Hotels, which is perfect for a quick weekend trip or something bigger.
Jewelry: If you’re gearing up for a big life moment (like picking out an engagement ring), the discount at the International Diamond Center can come in handy.
For me, though, it’s the car rental discounts that I use the most - I can even comparison shop between Alamo, Avis, Budget, Hertz, and National! On my last weekend trip, I saved $25 per day on an extremely fun-to-drive Dodge Challenger—which felt like a very cool way to show up to my brother’s wedding!
Honestly, I don’t book a rental car any other way anymore—it’s saved me plenty of money over the last several years. (Not to mention that the savings on that 2-day trip more than made up for the cost of the $40 annual membership.) And that's just one example—there are plenty of opportunities throughout the year where I feel like the membership pays for itself over and over again.
What We’ve Got Going on in New England
Here in New England, we’ve added a couple of local perks for UFAA members that I think you’ll like:
Merch Discounts: Whether you’re grabbing a shirt or some of our other gear, UFAA members get a little extra off the top.
Bonus Entries for Watch Party Drawings: If you love winning free Gator swag at our football watch parties, UFAA members get bonus chances to snag some cool stuff. It’s a fun way to make our events even more rewarding!
We’re also working on adding even more benefits. If there’s something specific you’d like to see, don’t hesitate to share your ideas with us!
Why It Matters to the NEGC and UF
Beyond the perks, joining UFAA helps us do more as a club. Membership fees help fund everything we do as a club - from website hosting to buying merch to funding scholarships. So, when you join, you’re not just helping yourself—you’re helping future Gators chase their dreams, too.
Plus, UFAA membership plays a role in UF’s national rankings, so your membership goes further than you might realize. It shows how strong and connected the Gator alumni network is, no matter where we are.
No Pressure, Just an Invitation
So, that’s the scoop! If you’ve been on the fence about joining, I hope this gives you a clearer idea of what’s in it for you and how it helps our community. No hard sell here—just a friendly nudge to check it out if you haven’t already. And if you’ve got any questions or want to know more, feel free to reach out!
As always, Go Gators!
Tyrel Clayton
President, New England Gator Club
