University of Florida - Tower / Seminole Yearbook (Gainesville, FL)

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TfllLCiflTinQ 23 Gator fans entice their opponents as they arrived to the Stadium. Photo by Jose Otero This students display the Gator chomp at his tailgate barbecue. Photo by Jose Otoro

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These students cheer with excitement dur- ing the their tailgate at Norman Hall field. Photo by Jose Otero The scene is crawling with trucks, cars, motor homes, tents and of course people. Owners who are looking to make a little extra while fans socialize, eat, and exchange tickets with family, friends, or even perfect strangers rent out their yards. The term tailgating generally imposes the image of pick-up trucks, but there is so much more to the pre-kickoff mad- ness. ustas many people can be found at the fraternity-sorority barbeques and Emerson Alumni Hall. Some go back and forth between where they choose to spend their pre-game hours. In a grassy spot right outside the stadium was where third- year marketing student David Manz was for the Ole Miss game. He said he doesn't usually tailgate there, but was entertaining a visiting friend that weekend with the outside festivities. In the alumni hall, you can find stu- dents from long ago. like John Giblin, from the graduating class of 1952. Although it's been over 50 years since he attended class here, he still makes the 340-mile trip to Gainesville with his son-in-law to the occasional game. The two of us have been coming to games for ten years or so. says Giblin. “He enjoys it. On any given home game day. pretty much anyone and everyone in the Gainesville area is taken hold of by Gator game day spirit. As long as UF football has been a tradition, so has been tailgating, which is not just limited to current students only. People of all ages, from infants and children to alumni and senior citizens, can be found in any available space on campus and the surrounding area. People such as Cory Veiley, who faithfully shows up with his camper tent, grill, and cooler to the basebal field every time the Gators are in The Swamp and who has not missed a home Gatorfootball game since 1969 I've been to every Florida-Georgia game since '69. the one in Athens anc the one here, all the games in Tallahas- see and all the games here. I've got the oldest motor home in the parking lot ' He, his father, and now his son have all been University of Florida students at one time or another. -Diana Delgado 22 amis lift

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 The University of Florida's one-of- a-kind mascots Albert and Alberta are irreplaceable to UF sport teams. They bring smiles to many faces when they perform at volleyball matches, football games, basketball games as well as most other sporting events. They can be seen at appearances and games on campus as well as throughout the Gainesville community and across the state, and are extremely active members of the spirit program at UF. Albert and Alberta travel to the football bowl games each year as well as to most of the Southeastern Conference Championship tourna- ments for various other sports. Public appearances for the mascots average two per week, not including scheduled games. They range from performances for charities such as the March of Dimes. American Cancer Society, and Gainesville Literacy Program. Often forgot about at first thought, Ollie and Baseball Al are also part of the mascot team at UF. They appear along with Albert and Alberta at all kinds of events. Of course we can't forget the people behind the mask. UF has a group of students who have been carefully selected to be the mascots who represent the university. The group is made up of 7-10 members Usually, there is a group of 3-4 girls for Alberta and 4-6 guys for Alben and Ollie and Baseball Al. I love it when Albert dresses up in a tux, he looks so sexy! said Laura Stamper. It's true, these mascots are always decked out in orange and blue and never fail rally spirit where ever they go. -Rachel Gomez Albert and Alberta display the Gator chomp during the Homocoming parade. Photo by Jose Otero 24 CflAPUS lift