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

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Below: Dr. Drew Pinsky and Adam Carolla, stars of the hit MTV show Love Lines, came to Campus in March through an Accent sponsored event. The O ' Connell Center was transformed into the show ' s set for the production that drew over 4000 people. Left: Thousands of screaming fans look on as Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers perform in the O ' Connell Center. Held in the fall, the Wallflowers Concert was one of the biggest and most popular SGP productions on campus this year. Above: In March, SGP brought Jazz performer, Branford Marsalis, to the Bandshell for a free concert. Marsalis spent the afternoon entertaining a huge crowd of Gainesville resi- dents who came to hear him play. What did you like best about the ACCENT and SGP shows? I liked that they brought great speak- ers like John Single- ton, The Love Line Guys and bands like the Wallflowers for cheap or free. -Lora Brooks 1JM

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Inciting the crowd, legendary UF fan, George Mr. Two Bits Edminston, works up his famous cheer before a home game. No Gator fan was immune to the indefati- gable enthusiasm of Two Bits as Edminston worked his way around Ben Hill Griffin Stadium durin g each home game throughout the football season. Orange and You Gator Spirit was more than a football game, more than selling orange and blue clothing: It was a way of life. Whether it was the thrill of Gator athletics, the inclusiveness of campus organizations, or the scenery on and around campus, no student left the University of Florida without, in some way, being overwhelmed by Gator Spirit. Although some may think the enor- mity and diversity of UF ' s student body was an obstacle to such a feeling, the common bond that all UF students shared was a love for their school. Gator spirit starts from the day you step on this campus. It makes you not really want to go back home on the weekends, said Adeyanju Odutola, liberal arts and science sophomore. Gator spirit was more than just an idea, more than a feeling — it was our lives as UF students. Each student was able to carve their own niche and to redefine Gator Spirit in their own life. Jon Forsythe, 3LS, said Gator spirit was a sense of to a group that is more than you, the university. The university is more than just classes — outside of studies, it is a place you can have fun. The hysteria that called itself Gator Spirit was more than football, more than athletics at all. It was more than merchandising and tacky orange golf shirts. It was more than a fraternity or sorority, more than a Homecom- ing parade. And it was more than a beautiful sky over Century Tower. It was more than the sum of its parts. It was a year that UF students shaped in their own small way, and so contributed in a big way to their university. It was what reminded us again of why it was great to be a Florida Gator. Story by: Sean Kane Student Life 7

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Below: William B. Davis, Cancer Man from the popular t.v. show The X-Files, served as an Accent speaker in April. His presentation allowed hundreds of X-Files fans to hear about behind-the-scenes as- pects of the show, as well as ask ques- tions about the show and its stars. C me One, Come Accent and SGP Bring Inexpensive Entertainment to the University of Florida and the Gainesville Community When asked who his favorite speaker was, Chairman of Accent, Andrew Rosin, replied, Magic Johnson. Accent, the University of Florida ' s Speakers Bureau, has been working with various national agencies to bring prominent ers to Florida since the 1960 ' s. The best part about the program? It ' s all free. No student or member of the community has ever had to pay to hear a presentation. This year ' s venue included Bob Dole, the 1996 Republican Presidential Hopeful, Dr. Drew Pinsky and Adam Carolla, from the popular MTV program Love Lines, and John Singelton, producer of Higher Learning. Past speakers include Arthur Ashe, Oprah Winfrey, Kurt Vonnegut, and Pres. Jimmy Carter. In bringing these distinguished men and women to UF ' s campus, Accent hopes to enhance students ' education outside of the classroom. In addition to Accent, UF has another student-run entertain- ment organization on campus. Student Government Productions, or SGP, is a division of Student Government that works to bring inexpensive shows to the Univer- sity of Florida. This year it brought in the hit music group, The Wall- flowers, jazz-performer Branford Marsalis, and the Indigo Girls as well as many other popular enter- tainers. Although it must charge money for most of its venues, SGP concentrates on keeping the prices low and the energy level high. Student Life 9