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

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lWhen it came to UF spirit, the Gators have it all: packed stadiums, mascots everywhere, die hard fans and students involved in organizations that helped motivate the unspirited. PilotOS by Jose Otcro .1 gm gkf' j. .A ma His. '0: :. Three friends unite in ' front of the Swamp J . t y, a l' . before the game to show 1 z: 'f ti 35335 their true Gator Spirit. ' ' ' ' ' t l ' 7 5 't These students had season tickets and were always eager to support their school. Photo by Jose Otero I .4 Q The drum major of the Florida band conducts tunes to help the crowd get into the spirit of the game. The Florida band could be seen at all home games supporting the team. Photo by lose Otero Members of Kappa Delta sorority are pictured at a football game showing off their Gator pride in blue and orange, While holding up words of encourage- ment for the football team. Photo by lose Otero Fans of all ages gather at the Swamp for old time cheers. At the Swamp, the crowd never goes still. Photo by lose Otero 16 GATOR SPIRIT

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Freshman Luke Passler accepts his bid to Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Most new members, when they accept a bid, get thrown into the air by the brothers. Photo By fose Otero During round one of Sorority recruitment, the Ladies of Pi Beta Phi introduce themselves to their potential new members. Photo by Jose Otero GREEK LIFE RECRUITMENT For over 100 years Greek Recruitment has become an essential part of campus life here at the University of Florida. Each year The Panhellenic Council hosts its annual formal recruitment which offers female students the opportunity to meet the 16 Panhellenic sororities. The days of recruitment are broken down from Sorority 101, Philanthropy and Preference dinner. This year about 1,200 girls went through Formal recruitment the week before classes began and only 900 bids were extended on Bid Day. The Interfraternity Council held its recruitment the second week of school in hopes of a huge turn out for the 22 fraternities. Greek Recruitment is a terrific opportunity for students to learn about the Greek community and all of our phenomenal chapters. Recruitment is by far the largest facilitated program within the Greek commu- nity, as over 2000 students each year partici- pate. Going through Greek Recruitment is an outstanding experience which you will remem- ber for the rest of your life, stated IFC Presi- dent Brian Blank. Fraternities pledge classes increased by 20020 at each house with over 872 accepting their bids into fraternity life. The National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Council held it recruitment throughout the se- mester hosting various informational meetings and setting up table displays in Turlinton plaza in order to recruit potential new members. Since these councils do not have fraternal housing they are faced with a challenge in order to get their organization name out onto the college campus. This year numerous Greek Organizations colonized here at the University of Florida. Tau Kappa Epsilon and Sigma Pi decided to recolonize there chapters. In addition, Sigma Beta Rho and Delta Phi Omega were selected to be official members of the Multicultural Council. Going Greek has been a timeless attribute that has not only benefitted respective members but has left a permanent cam- pus tradition. Jose Otero During Fraternity rush, interested students attend rush activities to get to know the brothers. Once the fraternity got to know some of the students, they would present a bid to the potential new members they felt would fit in fraternity most apprOpriately. Photo by lose Otero GREEK LIFE RECRUITMENT 15

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GATOR SPIRIT Whether students cheered as athletic teams competed for top spots in the SEC or presented research findings at national conventions, Gator pride ran deep in the hearts of students and alumni. There was good reason for 50,000 alumni to return back on game day and for the number 12 rank in alumni giving. The love of a university of which they had been a part, a university they helped develop, Clearly gave them that reason. As the flagship university in the F lorida school system, the academic and research colleges rank top in the nation. A federally-funded brain institute, the world's largest citrus research center, a microkelvin facility and a 100- kilowatt research reactor are just some of the factors that help hold positions in national rankings. True Gator pride can only be seen on the athletic fields and in the stands, as bragging rights and national titles are routinely on the line. Dominating the SEC, the Gators have 1 1 straight SEC All-Sports trophies and are one of only two teams to have ranked among the nation's top 10 athletic programs for each of the past 20 years. What all this translates into is heated rivalries between schools like Ten- nessee, Georgia and Florida State. Evident around campus, students' pride could be seen hanging from balconies, attached to cars and most notice- ably worn. These extensions, occasionally taken to ex- tremes were evidenced on game days with painted faces and orange and blue outfits and a bus painted orange and blue with a gator head on the hood. With the continued growth of the student body, it is obvious that the accomplishments of the university will continue to grow, expanding on an already diverse back- ground. And while only time will tell, it is clear even now that, It's great to be a Florida Gator. -Sean Riley SCHOOL SPIRIT AT UF IS LIKE NOWHERE ELSE. YOU CAN TELL THAT THE STUDENTS AND THE FACULTY LOVE BE- ING HERE! -DIANA DELGADO FREQHMAN Members of the Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity get ready to attend a home game by painting GO GATORS on their bodies. This was only one of the ways that they would exhibit their enthuthiasm about Florida games. Photo by lose Otero GATOR SPIRIT l7