The silencing of Gator Growl....
- Thread starter ATXGator
- Start date
- Jun 12, 2014
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Will someone explain the origin and significance of Gator Growl for those of us outside the lizard loop?
- Jun 12, 2014
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It was the big pep rally before homecoming. The largest student-run event in the country, with pretty much the whole stadium packed. Aside from typical pep rally stuff like player intros, coach speech, firework and lasers, and student skits there were performances by top level entertainers such as Seinfeld, Cosby, Leno, Crystal, robin Williams, and a bunch more. Google it.
- Jun 12, 2014
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Zambo;n82047 said:
.Wikipedia article from Gator87
Amazing. I didn't know which begs the question how an event so unique and Gatorcentic erode over time?
- Jun 12, 2014
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Alvin York;n82011 said:
Did you read the article in the OP?
- Jun 12, 2014
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Alvin York;n82088 said:
Time, Money, Management,
- Jun 10, 2014
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Dana Carvey was hilarious in 2009, and I don't remember him being that raunchy at all.
- Jun 19, 2014
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Evolve or die.
Homecoming is about getting alumni back to campus because that's what gets them to open up their wallets (and their wills).
You gotta figure out what will travel for, what will make them happy, and turn THAT into homecoming.
I've been to a lotta Growls...dating back to the paperball fight days. There hasn't been much (if any) evolution.
What are people into? Incorporate events that cater to those interests. There is no longer a one-size-fits-all. Homecoming involves the parade, Gator Gallop, Growl, and the game, as well as smaller events at the law school, the med school, etc. More smaller events could work.
People like food and wine festivals. Have an open-air one on the Plaza featuring different student groups showcasing their cuisine. The Lebanese Student Association can offer falafel, the Hispanic Student Association can sample sangria, the white kids and show off ramen noodles and box mac n cheese. Have an alumni-only TailGator BBQ Cook Off. Prizes for best ribs, best brisket, etc. It will bring in competitors, and will also bring in people who just want to eat it. Lots of people. Feature the winner on video at Growl. That's a big deal, lotta bragging rights.
For the Prius-driving pseudo-intellectuals who love watching a TED talk, open up Little Hall and have the professors give a series of 20 minute mind blowing lectures they can post about on social media and feel like they're better than their SUV-driving friends and neighbors.
Everybody wants to be part of something that goes viral. 80,000 people is a great start. Identify something. With that kind of head start...it will trend. Then people will remember for years that they started whatever stupid thing it was.
Lots of folks are into fitness. Gator Gallop is fun, but what about incorporating something a little more extreme, like those Spartan Races? Call it Gatorathalon. Male and female and student and alumni divisions. You can air part of it during Growl. People running is boring. People dragging logs through mud...that's interesting. Hell, it's gotta be more interesting than crowning a homecoming queen from whichever sorority's turn it is this year.
You gotta get them to show up, and when they leave, they need to leave feeling that is is great (and very special) to be a Florida Gator.
Alex.
Homecoming is about getting alumni back to campus because that's what gets them to open up their wallets (and their wills).
You gotta figure out what will travel for, what will make them happy, and turn THAT into homecoming.
I've been to a lotta Growls...dating back to the paperball fight days. There hasn't been much (if any) evolution.
What are people into? Incorporate events that cater to those interests. There is no longer a one-size-fits-all. Homecoming involves the parade, Gator Gallop, Growl, and the game, as well as smaller events at the law school, the med school, etc. More smaller events could work.
People like food and wine festivals. Have an open-air one on the Plaza featuring different student groups showcasing their cuisine. The Lebanese Student Association can offer falafel, the Hispanic Student Association can sample sangria, the white kids and show off ramen noodles and box mac n cheese. Have an alumni-only TailGator BBQ Cook Off. Prizes for best ribs, best brisket, etc. It will bring in competitors, and will also bring in people who just want to eat it. Lots of people. Feature the winner on video at Growl. That's a big deal, lotta bragging rights.
For the Prius-driving pseudo-intellectuals who love watching a TED talk, open up Little Hall and have the professors give a series of 20 minute mind blowing lectures they can post about on social media and feel like they're better than their SUV-driving friends and neighbors.
Everybody wants to be part of something that goes viral. 80,000 people is a great start. Identify something. With that kind of head start...it will trend. Then people will remember for years that they started whatever stupid thing it was.
Lots of folks are into fitness. Gator Gallop is fun, but what about incorporating something a little more extreme, like those Spartan Races? Call it Gatorathalon. Male and female and student and alumni divisions. You can air part of it during Growl. People running is boring. People dragging logs through mud...that's interesting. Hell, it's gotta be more interesting than crowning a homecoming queen from whichever sorority's turn it is this year.
You gotta get them to show up, and when they leave, they need to leave feeling that is is great (and very special) to be a Florida Gator.
Alex.
- Jun 12, 2014
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AlexDaGator;n82136 said:
Are you saying Danny Thomas, the Lebanese founder of St. Jude, is a non white? Huh?
- Jun 13, 2014
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Zambo;n81889 said:
I thought the Stephen Wright Growl was the best I had ever been to. We were laughing our asses off at Seinfeld but had no clue who he was under later.
Damn shame what's happened to the Growl. My brother worked setting up the fireworks every year in the north endzone so I got to hang back stage. Actually got to shake Leno's hand!
LadyGator74
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- Sep 21, 2014
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Was anyone there last night?? Would love to read your take on this new version of our beloved HComing tradition.
- Jun 16, 2014
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Coach9;n82704 said:
Does that not defeat some of the purpose for homecoming? Now I did not live in Fl when my children would have been old enough to go to homecoming, but if I did I would want them to get the entire experience. Having foul mouthed comics seems bad. Surely some can be funny without being foul mouthed and entertain everyone. Perhaps the new format will be successful, I hope so.
