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

Page 20 text:

ALBERT UNMASKED ' W. McNeill W. McNeill S. Johnston 16 Albert Cary Reich is just like any other student at the University of Florida. He has to wait in lines, worries about phone bills, and looks forward to weekends. But, there is one thing that Cary does that no other UF student does. At least once a week, Cary transforms himself into a character that every Gator fan knows and loves, Albert the Alligator. Since April of 1982, when he was chosen the seventh male cheerleader, Cary has been entertaining fans of all ages. Being Albert has been very rewarding for Cary, although a lot of time and energy is involved. He practices with the cheerleaders, mainly spotting the dangerous stunts and pyramids they perform. The costume that he wears, made for UF by Walt Disney World at an approximate cost of 85,000, can get very hot while he is performing. Cary said that at the football game against Miami it was 108° on the field and at least 120° in the costume. He comments, Any weight loss is water loss and that is picked up again that night (at parties). Cary says that he has never experienced stage fright while performing. The only fear he has experienced is, the fear of not knowing what to do next. Still, Cary has proven that he can handle any situation. Remember the game against West Texas State when the dog came on the field? Cary has many memories of that time. I was just coming off my break and I heard all this noise. I knew I had to make a decision — fast. I decided I ' d take the opportunity and started chasing the dog. The rest is history. Most people agree that this episode was the highlight of the game. Cary was told I loved what you did with the dog. , so much, that he soon got a little tired of it all. He does admit, however, That was one of the highlights of my career as Albert. It ' s great to be Albert for a winning team, Cary says with a proud grin. This school is very enthusiastic about their sports. , which makes being the mascot even more rewarding. The caravan Club is the greatest. Those people are so supportive ... and they have the best victory parties, he adds. All of Albert ' s communication is through mime. He is not allowed to talk, which makes his job more of a challenge. I watch cartoons a lot, especially the Road Runner, for ideas. Albert must also be in constant motion. In mascot camp, which is held every summer, they teach us how to be a mascot, including always to be what is called FUAGNUM: fired up and going nuts. Albert vs. the Dog at the Homecoming game. Cary Reich, the man behind the mask. Albert leads the spirit in the Homecoming Parade.

Page 19 text:

D. Wheeler M. Boyette UNIVERSity OFFICE APPLICATION FOR regisTRAR CHANGE IMPORTANT! READ INSTRUCTIONS ON THE REVERSE SIDE BEFORE COMPLETING THIS FORM. REFER TO THE CURRENT CLASS SCHEDULE FOR SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION. ANY STRAY MARKS OR INCOMPLETE ERASURES WILL RESULT IN THE REJECTION OF THIS FORM. TERM ADD DEPARTMENTAL SIGNATURE COURSE PREFIX SECTION NUMBER PROPER MARKS STUDENT LAST NAME FILL IN YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER directions (see reverse) DROP DEPARTMENTAL SIGNATURE COURSE PREFIX USE ONLY SECTION NUMBER D. Wheeler Drop Add Well, this is one way to spend the first day of classes. Really. The line for Spanish had about 300 people in it. I know. We had to wade through all the people just to get up the stairs. Does anybody know what time it is? Twenty ' til one. Does anybody know when they ' ll be done with their lunch break? They ' ll probably never come back. Good grief! Look at this line! I ' ll never get the classes I want. We ' ll wait here until quarter after. Then we ' ll go to GPA, drop English, then go to the HUB for books. And wait in another line. Yeah, this is pathetic. Does anybody here have a pencil? I forgot my pencil and you can ' t use a pen on these drop add sheets. What time is it now? We ' ll wait ten more minutes, then we ' ll What ' s this line for? I ' m dropping physics class. For sure, for sure that class has got to go. Where is the end of the line? least someone ' s happy waiting in the CIS line. People had to wait in long lines to have their classes dropped and added during that hectic week. D. Wheeler Drop Add 15

Page 21 text:

W. McNeill Although being Albert takes up much of Cary ' s time, he still finds time to be involved in many other activities. He is a senior, majoring in marketing. He belongs to the UF Vocal Jazz Troupe which puts on at least one big concert a year as well as having a recording session. Cary is also a member of a professional business fraternity, two honorary fraternities, and is a big brother to a sorority. Cary has many good memories of being Albert. One of his favorite stunts was at a basketball game. While the band played the theme from The Greatest American Hero, he flew around the court, ending with a crash into the backboard post and falling; like the main character in the television show. The audience loved it. As Albert, Cary also started two new things this year. The first was riding the alligator out at the beginning of each home game. The second was stealing a cheerleader from the opposing team and having her mascot rescue her after two or three minutes. Against, Georgia, however, Cary didn ' t tell the mascot what he was doing, so Albert had the cheerleader for a while until the Bulldog came to rescue her. Albert making his getaway with an Auburn cheerleader. Cary Reich is a true Gator fan. Albert surveys the field during the Homecoming football game. Albert 17