Before the sun came up on Friday, a sea of Gators layered in orange and blue huddled in front of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center.
At about 7:14 a.m., the “Today” show switched to a live spirit competition between Florida Gulf Coast University and UF.
For about 34 seconds, UF went live in honor of the No. 3 seed UF men’s basketball team going up against the No. 15 seed “Cinderella” FGCU team later that evening in hopes of advancing to the Elite Eight.
UF won Friday’s game 62-50 and advanced to the Elite Eight.
Steve Orlando, UF’s spokesman, said he got the call on Thursday afternoon from an NBC producer.
The producer said he was going to have a crew and students cheering at FGCU and wondered if UF could do the same.
“You’d better believe we can,” Orlando replied.
The live shot was to include students cheering, holding signs and displaying school spirit.
About 150 students made themselves available at 6:30 a.m. to prepare for the live shot. Attendees included school-spirited students, the Gator pep band, the Dazzlers, cheerleaders, and Albert and Alberta.
“I’m not used to waking up this early,” said Christian Pierre-Canel, a 19-year-old political science sophomore, “but anything for The Gator Nation.”
FGCU was dubbed the winner of the spirit competition by “Today” show viewers.
“They had something to be excited for,” said Adam Janik, a 21-year-old sport management senior, “and that’s great for them.”
Students gather in front of the Stephen C. O’Connell Center on Friday morning as part of a live broadcast on NBC’s “Today” show in support of the UF men’s basketball team.
