It’s hard to pinpoint the exact moment in which a mascot or nickname was adopted. There are some great stories from decades and even centuries ago and others that have been lost over time. So where did the reptile we’ve come to associated with the Florida Gators originate? Honestly, the details are sketchy.
January 1, 2011; Florida Gators mascots Alberta and Albert. Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
Some would have you believe it actually came to be at an entirely different university; the University of Virginia to be exact. Austin Miller, a student of Virginia’s law school in 1907, may have told his father – Phillip Miller – he favored alligators. His father then may have put the image of an alligator on pennants he intended to sell at the University of Florida. Or if may have come from Neal Storter who was a part of the Bo Gator Club. (No, not the Bull Gators, but the Bo Gators. Bo knows Gators?) Alligators may have been the original nickname before being shortened to Gators a few short years later. Or it may be attributed to a headline in the Macon Telegraph. Or finally, it may have a little something to do with Lake Alice.
Whatever the case, we ended up with Gators. It may be thanks to that school in Virginia, or it may not. Regardless, at least we never have to answer the question “so which Gators do you cheer for again?”
For more Florida Gators’ coverage, like our Facebook page and follow @HailFloridaHail on Twitter.
Tags: Austin Millier, Florida Gators, Neal Storter, Phillip Miller, Virginia Cavaliers
Loading ...
