InsideCollege recently ranked UF as one of the 24 most spirited schools in the country.
The college guide published two lists of “Colleges with Plenty of Campus Spirit” on its website. UF made “The Most Spirited” list, and a second list named 52 schools with “Lots of Spirit.”
The schools were not ranked in a particular order within the lists.
Travis Thibeault, a 21-year-old sociology senior, supported UF’s place on the list.
“Everybody in town loves the Gators, not just the students,” he said. “Eat, sleep and breathe Gators.”
UF was the only Florida school listed, and the only other school in the Southeastern Conference on the list was Louisiana State University.
Six of the 24 universities listed are private colleges.
UF spokesman Steve Orlando said UF’s inclusion was not a shock.
“I don’t think it’s any surprise for anyone who goes to the University of Florida,” he said.
He said alumni support boosts school pride.
“Students and alumni have a unique attraction to the school,” he said.
Trey Davis, a 23-year-old Ph.D. candidate in materials science and engineering, said his alma mater has a little more school spirit.
Davis earned his bachelor’s degree from Clemson University, another school on the top 24 list.
Davis said he thinks Clemson has more spirit because there are more opportunities for UF students to visit other cities or go to nearby beaches.
“There’s more here,” he said. “There’s nothing else to do [at Clemson].”
