A little rain couldn’t keep UF students and President Kent Fuchs away from The Swamp on Sunday as the university got ready for the Fall football season.
Before the second annual Rally in the Swamp, Fuchs took selfies with students and decided to commemorate the event with a selfie of his own.
"This is my first year, so I’ve got to take a picture of you all — my first rally," Fuchs said before snapping the photo of students cheering in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
The budding UF tradition gets students ready for football season by teaching them the gameday traditions.
"I’m gonna be learning some, as well," Fuchs said.
Students learned chants like Mr. Two Bits, along with the classic right-over-left Gator Chomp. They also practiced singing the UF alma mater and "We Are the Boys," where students put their arms around each other as they sing in the stadium, swaying from side to side.
Fuchs and football Coach Jim McElwain spoke to get students excited for the first game of the season Sept. 5 against New Mexico State.
In his speech, Fuchs had three requests for students: cheer on the athletes, treat visitors with respect and be at the stadium "when we beat New Mexico State."
He said UF administrators told him this was a major school-spirit event and stressed the significance of his attendance.
"It’s really important that the administration have as much spirit as the students," Fuchs said.
Preparations for this year’s rally took about six months, said Alicia Longworth, an assistant athletics director for marketing and promotions for the University Athletic Association.
"We had our first annual last year, and that was about a year in the making," she said.
Because it was the second year the event was held, it was easier to plan, Longworth said. The event cost about $7,000 to $8,000 to execute.
Several stations served up enough Domino’s pizza for the first 3,000 students.
The UAA is planning to hold the event again next year, Longworth said.
Students, like UF biology freshman Megan Killer, said they enjoyed seeing university officials at the rally.
"I think it’s awesome that they’re involved with the student body," the 18-year-old said.
Alex Everitt, a business management freshman, said he thought it was fun learning about game-day events.
"It was kind of cool that they taught the traditions," Everitt said.
The 18-year-old said he will be coming to the football games this Fall and is looking forward to coming to the rally next year.
Fuchs said the Gators are ready for the upcoming season.
"We’re excited: new coach, new year," Fuchs said.
Students at the rally seemed to share that opinion. As the stands cleared, Gators started chanting: "Two bits, four bits, six bits, a dollar. All for the Gators, stand up and holler."
Aaron Rampersad, a 21-year-old UF microbiology and nutritional sciences senior, shouts “Go Gators!” at the Rally in the Swamp event at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Sunday. Rally goers were led through a series of chants and songs that will be used during UF sporting events.
