Campus Pride on the Coast: A Look at Alumni Clubs in the Region
The Gulf Coast region is a vibrant hub for university alumni associations, creating strong pockets of school spirit far from their respective campuses. From game-day viewing parties to high-level networking and community service, these clubs offer a sense of camaraderie for graduates in cities like Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Naples.
Here’s a look at the active groups and the types of activities they organize.
Local Home Team Heroes: Florida Gulf Coast University
As the region’s university, the Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) Alumni Association is deeply integrated into the Fort Myers community. The alumni network is focused on supporting the growth and development of the campus and its students.
- Key Activities: The FGCU Alumni Association hosts annual signature events like “Strikes for Scholarships,” a major fundraiser. Local chapters, such as the FGCU Fort Myers Eagles, organize community engagement projects like the annual “Make A Difference Day” initiatives, often partnering with local charities like the Make-A-Wish Walk. They also facilitate career development services and networking socials for graduates in the area.
Big Ten Presence: Purdue and Ohio State
The region’s draw for out-of-state residents means clubs from major national universities are highly active, especially those from the Big Ten conference.
Purdue Alumni Club of Southwest Florida
Serving over 4,600 alumni across the Naples and Fort Myers areas, the Purdue club is one of the most organized non-Florida university groups in the region.
- Key Activities: Their events calendar is packed with game watches for Boilermaker football and basketball, annual dinners, and golf outings. A primary focus for the club is raising scholarship funds to support local students attending Purdue. The Purdue Alumni Club of Sarasota operates similarly, serving the northern coastal counties with game watches and networking events.
Naples Buckeyes (The Ohio State University)
The Ohio State University alumni in Naples form a very active club, famous for its energetic watch parties during football season.
- Key Activities: The “Naples Buckeyes” host regular game watch parties, which are massive social gatherings. They also host sophisticated events like the OSU2U events, which bring high-profile university officials, including the Head Football Coach, to Naples for dinner receptions and alumni engagement. The club’s mission strongly includes providing scholarships to local honor students attending the university.
State Rivalries: UF and FSU
The enduring rivalry between the state’s largest universities is alive and well on the Gulf Coast, with both University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) maintaining strong local clubs.
Sarasota County Gator Club
The official UF Alumni Association club in Sarasota is nationally recognized, winning awards for its excellence.
- Key Activities: The club’s activities revolve heavily around football watch parties for major matchups like the Florida/Georgia game. They also host business networking socials and use the proceeds from all their events to fund an extensive scholarship program for Sarasota County high school graduates attending UF.
Seminole Clubs (FSU)
FSU’s alumni base is spread across the coast with multiple chapters that unite for game day.
- Key Activities: The Seminole Club of Sarasota holds official game watch parties at local establishments throughout the football season. Further south, the Seminole Club of Naples organizes its own regular watch parties, ensuring alumni and friends can cheer on the Noles together.
Ivy League Connections: Harvard Club of Naples
Demonstrating the sophisticated nature of the region, organizations like the Harvard Club of Naples bring together alumni from elite institutions for academic and social activities.
- Key Activities: Events are often high-brow, including a new dinner series called “Global Flavors,” a formal Welcome Back Mixer, and cultural outings such as a behind-the-scenes tour of Golden PAWS Assistance Dogs. They also host an annual “The Game” watch party for the Harvard vs. Yale football rivalry, often co-hosting with other Ivy+ alumni groups.
