SARASOTA, Fla. — Want to be inspired? Share the same space as a group of kids who have battled cancer.

What You Need To Know

  • Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden attended his first Dick Vitale Gala

  • The pediatric cancer patients inspired him

  • Golden and the Florida Gators have been celebrating their National Championship at various events across the state

  • Golden was rewarded with a six-year, $40.5 million contract extension, making him one of the highest paid college basketball coaches

Florida Gators head coach Todd Golden was overwhelmed with inspiration when he attended his first Dick Vitale Gala. In 20 years of shining a spotlight on pediatric cancer, Vitale has helped raise nearly $100 million to battle the disease.

He enlists the help of his sports celebrity friends and this year, Golden lent his support.

“I’m just grateful for what you’ve done for me over these past few years in welcoming down here in Florida, allowing me to be a part of your event,” Golden said to Vitale.

The gala was another chance for Golden and the Gators to be celebrated. It’s been only five weeks since Florida clinched its third national championship with a thrilling come-from-behind victory over Houston. But in that short time span, the Gators have been honored and celebrated at various events.

Golden said he and his team have felt the love.

“Gainesville is a place that expects championships,” he said. “And it had been a while, a couple of decades since we had been able to do it in either basketball or football. And to be able to bring a national championship back to Gainesville has kind of reinvigorated the town and it’s been something that’s really special to us.”

The last time the Gators’ men’s basketball program won a title, they did it twice. Back-to-back championships. So how does Coach Golden feel about Florida’s shot at a repeat?

“It’s obviously a really challenging thing to do,” Golden said. “But I really like the group we have coming back. We’ve been able to add a few key pieces and for the most part, retain our staff and we have some really good continuity. So I’m excited to see what we’ll be able to accomplish next year.”