JOEL McHALE
Gator Growl is going to be "The Soup" du jour in Gainesville when comedian Joel McHale performs.
McHale is known around the Gainesville "Community" for many things - his hit NBC comedy, his E! talk show and various roles in movies, including the recent Anna Faris raunchy rom-com "What's Your Number?"
What fans might not know about the funnyman is that he was born in Rome, played on the University of Washington's championship football team and majored in history. However, between his wacky sitcom about community college life and "The Soup"'s melting pot of pop culture parodies, McHale is better known as a current comedic heavyweight.
Aaron Heger, the producer of Gator Growl, said, "I think he's an up-and-coming, very big name right now that both a lot of students and alumni responded well to. Just a popular comedian that everyone wants to see.
"From the start, we were just looking for acts that would appeal to both students and alumni. I think [McHale, the Goo Goo Dolls, and Sister Hazel] are acts that Gators of all ages have responded to well and will enjoy."
SISTER HAZELHometown celebrities Ken Block and Drew Copeland are back in Gainesville to celebrate Gator Growl, and it's "All For You."
"Come Around" to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. to see Block, the lead singer of Sister Hazel, and Copeland, the band's rhythm guitarist and vocalist, host the event.
"Hell yeah, I'm excited to see them," said public relations junior Alicia Slate, 25. "I like their sound. It's unique and old-school, and it's nice that they're bringing a band from the past to the modern days. Sister Hazel's a band for all ages."
Block and Copeland will also be performing the national anthem, so bring "Everybody" you know to enjoy the show.
Heger said he was "Happy" to bring Block and Copeland to the event because of their popularity within the Gainesville community.
"They'll be introducing everyone from the marching band to the football team," he said. "They're there to keep the show flowing with interaction with the audience between acts."
Missing this performance will surely be "Your Mistake," so arrive early enough to get comfortable before the show starts.
It'll be a "Beautiful Thing."
GOO GOO DOLLSOriginally called the Sex Maggots (promoters refused to book them until they changed their name), the Goo Goo Dolls are here to help you "Slide" into the Homecoming game to the sound of some of their most popular songs.
"Let Love In" as you watch John Rzeznik, Robby Takac and Mike Malinin perform as the first musical act for Gator Growl since 2009.
"I'm really excited that they decided to have a band come play," said occupational therapy sophomore Anna Fuhrer, 19. "I wasn't very impressed by Growl last year."
The musicians might not know your "Name," but that doesn't mean they're not here specifically for you. The band was selected after beating Maroon 5, Kings of Leon and Bruno Mars in a top-five student survey and a top-three alumni survey.
"I'm basically listening to Goo Goo Dolls like crazy," Fuhrer said. "I bought my ticket the second I found out they would be performing."
Heger wants to "Give a Little Bit" back to the students who voted to bring the band to UF.
"Every year, we do a survey to see what people thought of Gator Growl and what they'd like to see next year," he said. "Ninety percent of people on the survey said they wanted a musical act this year, so it was a no-brainer."
Seating is first-come, first-serve, so make sure you're at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium "Before It's Too Late" to get a good spot.
The Gators may have seen "Better Days," but we're ready to feel "Sympathy" for the Vanderbilt football team.
Don't miss this opportunity to be close enough to see the "Iris" in the Goo Goo Dolls' eyes.
Gear up for Gator Growl's superstar lineup this year with comedian Joel McHale and bands Sister Hazel and the Goo Goo Dolls.
