No longer did students want the old, tired acts. With students clamoring for more variety and a bit more spice to the show, the demand grew for someone who would be a bit more adventurous on stage. There was no doubt that “Gator Growl” would be a family affair – no ifs, ands, or buts. The threat of forgoing future attendance at Gator Growl by those alumni and guests, had Florida Blue Key re-evaluating and going back to their roots, bringing in Bob Hope, Bill Cosby, The Smothers Brothers, Billy Crystal, and Jay Leno over the next five years. The students in the audience laughed and cheered the Williams performance, but others in the stadium had other thoughts, especially those with young children. The debate over the allowance of sensitive material at “Gator Growl” had been a constant struggle since the early-1980’s after a Robin Williams performance that included cursing and raunchy jokes that had never graced the stage at Florida Field. Hope, who also appeared in 19, was the first in the line of major headlining acts who would later grace the “Gator Growl” stage, including, George Burn, Rodney Dangerfield, Robin Williams, Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Jay Leno, Jerry Seinfeld, Jeff Foxworthy, Dave Chappelle and Mitch Hedberg.Īll is well in Gainesville for Florida Blue Key. Florida Blue Key was no longer just the group on campus that ran “Gator Growl” they became the group that was grooming future political leaders, lawyers, businessmen, and the like.Īs the event grew in production value, so did attendance, national notoriety, and the ability to attract larger names to headline the event became easier and in 1976 “Gator Growl” attracted its first nationally recognized headliner – Bob Hope. Over time as “Gator Growl” grew, Florida Blue Key grew into one of the most illustrious student-run organizations in all the country, limiting eligibility criteria to a mere few dozen students on campus each semester, and became an organization that would garner influence not only on the UF campus, but city-wide, state-wide, and nation-wide. In 1930, after years of growth and the completion of an on-campus stadium, the pep-rally was moved to “Florida Field”, and in 1932, the event grew to nearly 10,000 attendees and the name was changed to “Gator Growl” and the story begins. In 1924, “Dad’s Day”, the first under Florida Blue Key, became a Friday night pep rally, which featured a large bonfire that legend tells us was fueled by each freshman bringing their weight in wood to the bonfire, or else they would be referred to the Freshman Guidance Committee.

The first major task delegated to this group of students would be the execution of Homecoming festivities in 1924 and beyond. Florida Blue Key had two main responsibilities: host visitors on campus and assist the University President in any and all assigned tasks. Riley brought together eight exemplary students on campus to form an organization that would promote service on campus and recognize leadership on campus – that group would become known as Florida Blue Key. It was Novemjust a few days before the University of Florida’s 16th annual homecoming celebration and “Dad’s Day”, when then President Albert A.

Gator growl applications