William R. Booth Scholarship

This fund was established in 2013 by William R. Booth to support a scholarship for a University of Florida Gator Band brass player.

Bill earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Florida in 1970, and was a member of the Gator Band. He is a pioneer in the skydiving industry. Bill invented the three ring release system along with numerous other technologies, such as the skyhook, which contributed to the growth and popularity of the skydiving as a sport. In 1982, he developed tandem jumping, a two-person skydiving method that has greatly impacted the skydiving industry. Bill was a music professor before founding the parachute company Relative Workshop in 1972. His company was sold to United Parachute Technologies in 2007.

Bill has received multiple awards for his contributions to skydiving, including a gold medal from the Federation Aeronautic International in 1984, and a service award from the United States Parachute Association in 2002. He was inducted into the Pioneers of Sport Parachuting hall of fame in 201