University Of North Florida Athletics Announces Fundraising Initiative For Seventh Annual 904 Day
8/28/2026 10:30:00 AM | General, Osprey Boosters
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – University of North Florida Athletics announced its seventh annual 904 Day fundraising initiative for 2026 on Friday.
904 Day, which will run from Sept. 1-4, is an annual effort that supports the department's continued pursuit of providing a championship-caliber student-athlete experience.
North Florida will raise funds to purchase and implement state-of-the-art force plate technology, which will provide coaches, athletic trainers and performance staff with advanced data to enhance student-athlete performance, recovery and injury prevention.
"Adding force plate technology at North Florida will help our Sports Performance Staff bridge the gap between performance and healthcare, providing actionable data that enhances injury prevention, rehabilitation and long-term musculoskeletal health," Senior Associate Athletic Director and Chief Medical Officer Fred Burnett said.
Help North Florida kick off 904 Day on Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 5-8 p.m. at INK Factory Brewing with the launch our new UNF beer, "Ozzie Lager." Everyone who makes a donation of $90.40 or more at INK will receive an exclusive North Florida Ospreys 904 Day white trucker hat and a drink ticket for a pint of Ozzie Lager.
Since its inception in 2020, 904 Day has continued to elevate each year through the generosity of Osprey Nation. In 2025, North Florida set a department-record with nearly $30,000 raised from over 250 donors. The 904 area code covers five county regions of Northeast Florida, including Duval, St. Johns, Clay, Nassau and Baker counties. More than 50,000 UNF alumni reside within the 904 area code.
HELP US ELEVATE STUDENT-ATHLETE PERFORMANCE THIS 904 DAY
This 904 Day, we're inviting Osprey Nation to make a lasting impact on the future of North Florida Athletics by supporting the initiative of force plate technology for our student-athletes.
"Force plates will provide our staff with meaningful insight into how our student-athletes are moving, adapting and responding to training," Volleyball Head Coach Abby Gilleland added. "This real-time data allows us to make more informed decisions and even more personalized development plans. I have witnessed firsthand how much this technology can enhance the way we train and develop our student-athletes. I believe it would be a tremendous resource for our department and programs."
Force plates are among the most innovative performance tools in collegiate athletics, providing real-time data. The technology allows our performance team to monitor athlete readiness, evaluate recovery, track performance development and identify potential injury risks before they become significant issues.
Through this investment, North Florida will further enhance its commitment to student-athlete health, safety and performance. Force plates will have a positive impact on our sports medicine and performance teams, providing the tools needed to make informed decisions and deliver individualized care.
"Force plate technology will be a game changer for our strength and conditioning program," Assistant AD for Sports Performance Brian Bert added. "This is the type of advanced performance technology typically found at the highest levels of athletics, and it will provide our student-athletes with resources and insights that help maximize their development. The ability to access this level of data will enhance how we train, monitor and support our athletes every day."
Every gift made during 904 Day helps bring this vital technology to North Florida and directly impacts the experience of more than 300 student-athletes competing in NCAA Division I competition.
Our goal is to unite Osprey Nation in support of this important initiative and provide our student-athletes with resources utilized by some of the nation's leading athletic programs.
SPECIAL 904 DAY OPPORTUNITY
Donors who make a gift of $904 will receive a special 904 Day appreciation package in recognition of their commitment to North Florida Athletics and the future of student-athlete performance. The exclusive 904 Day hat and a UNF Osprey top are also received with this donation.
As a reminder, donors who make a gift of $90.40 or more will receive the exclusive 904 Day hat. Join us to help elevate the future of North Florida Athletics, one gift at a time.
MORE ON 904 DAY
The 904 Day campaign will run through a crowdfunding platform that provides opportunities for gifts of various amounts, as well as matching gift opportunities.
To make your impact on North Florida Athletics this 904 Day, visit the campaign page here to support the future of our student-athlete performance.
If you have questions about how you can make your impact, contact Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development Derek Marinatos at derek.marinatos@unf.edu.
