Steve Miller Band, known for songs such as "The Joker" and "Fly Like an Eagle," will perform at this year's Gator Growl.
The band was announced Saturday night during the football game against Miami as the musical act for Gator Growl 2008: Road to the Swamp.
Kelly Ann Packard, Gator Growl spokeswoman, said in a phone interview that several generations could appreciate the band because it has been playing music for decades.
Gator Growl also tends to seek out classic rock bands because they have a broad appeal, Packard said.
Lynyrd Skynyrd performed to a crowd of about 45,000 at last year's event.
"I think the students forget that alumni and the Gainesville community are big supporters of Gator Growl," she said, "so we have to take them into consideration."
The band will close this year's pep rally, the 85th annual show, with a 45-minute set of its greatest hits, Packard wrote in an e-mail.
Steve Miller Band will be paid $160,000 for their appearance.
Also performing is Jon Reep, winner of the fifth season of NBC's Last Comic Standing and known for his role in Dodge's "That thing got a Hemi?" commercials.
Reep will be paid $25,000.
Gator Growl, hosted by Florida Blue Key, is Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. The football team plays Kentucky the following day.
The event, billed as the world's largest student-run pep rally, is produced by more than 500 student volunteers and normally costs about $500,000 to put on, according to Packard.
Gator Growl earns money through ticket and T-shirt sales as well as sponsorships from local and national companies.
The event's main sponsor, Verizon Wireless, contributed $62,500 this year, Packard wrote. Last year, it contributed $50,000.
Student tickets cost $15 and can be purchased at Gate 13 of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the University Box Office on the Reitz Union Colonnade and online at http://www.gatorzone.com/tickets.
