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

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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

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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.

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THE PRIDE OF THE SUNSHINE Anticipation for something other than the football team exists among the fans before any Florida home gridiron contest. The collective excitement of the 73,000 Florida Field spectators can only be described as electric. Suddenly, Dave Strickler ' s voice shakes the From the Biggest Boom in Dixie, here comes the University of Florida Fightin ' Gator Band! Out of nowhere, over 250 orange and blue clad members invade the field to present their famous pre-game performance. Gator spirit rises to a peak as the band plays and Blue , Swanee , and We ' re Men of Florida . Such fine by the Pride of the Sunshine, the direction of Dr. Gerald Poe, are only created by the right amount of work and fun. Before the beginning of the Fall Term, the Marching Gators can be found working on musical precision as well as precise field movements. intonation, articulation, and contrast are variables that a musical Gator must consider in order to play songs like Duke Ellington ' s It Don ' t Mean a Thing , John Klohr ' s The Billboard March , and even The Time Warp from The Rocky Horror Show. The Gator bandsman also works on marching techniques so that the band can be presented as a unit in sight as well as sound. The Gator Band not only performs as a unit, but behaves as a unit as well. The bands chants 000 . . . ahh in unison when greeted with impressive sights like the Houston Astrodome. However, anything unpopular is met with a large reptilian hiss. Another band phenomenon is the curious practice of originated by the trombone During band practice, it is not for a few musicians to be attacked by several band members doing the crab-walk. The trumpet section warms up with the band before a game. Guard Captain Linda Moorhouse performs at Gator Growl. Drum Major Chris Henderson conducts the Pride of the Sunshine. The Houston Astrodome is not the only place that the band has seen during its travels with the football team. The Superdome and Bourbon Street of New Orleans fame also holds many great memories for the Gator Band members. The band program makes sure that the Pride of the Sunshine is represented during out-of-state games. As a result, the football players as well as the fans feel right at home outside of Keeping a crowd entertained during halftime is a challenge that requires a large amount of work. However, the social aspect of the band, the out-of- town trips, and the positive reaction of the fans makes the Marching Gator worthwhile. Like the in the stands, the Gator Band can also be described in one word — J. Rowland S. Rowland S. Rowland 18 Band