Gators past are tried and true, poor economy or not.
While current students will get the traditional sunburns on Saturday that come from afternoon games in the student section, alumni will stand opposite them, remembering the sunburns they once received before graduating to the shady half of the stadium.
Ready to reminisce about the "glory days" with current students, they are more interested in visiting old Greek houses and hangouts than staying at home and saving money on gas.
Mark Nouss, president of the UF Alumni Association, said alumni numbers haven't decreased due to the economy. In fact, numbers are steadily increasing, a reflection of alumni's dedication to UF.
Diana Diaz, a Tampa Bay resident who graduated in 1978, goes to most of the home games with her husband, a fellow Gator. They take their party bus, called the "Swamp Thing," a school bus they bought and renovated with all things Gators, she said.
Diaz said she usually brings friends, family and employees with her on the bus, which they attach to a trailer that pulls a grill, satellite TV, keg and other supplies.
While in town, she likes to see how the campus has changed and walk by the sorority and fraternity houses.
While at UF, she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, and her husband was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity.
She said she loves to come back to Gainesville because it's a "party town."
"It brings back memories," Diaz said.
Bill Forshee, a Miami native who received his bachelor's degree from UF in 1983 and his master's degree in 1985, has had Champion's Club season tickets for the last four years.
When he comes into town, Forshee said he always makes a stop at Burrito Bros. and Calico Jack's.
A Delta Chi, he looks forward to visiting his brothers and seeing the house.
He usually makes it to about four games a year and has not missed a Homecoming game yet.
"A lot of the people who I went to school with only come into town for Homecoming," he said. "It's the one time of the year we get to see each other."
Forshee said he usually carpools with family, friends and clients to watch the game.
Diaz said the declining economy hasn't affected her attendance at the games.
"It's not a logical or rational thing," she said. "It's fun to do, it's a recreational activity and it's a good value."
Forshee said Gators fans would save up if they want to go to the game.
"The Swamp always fills up, no matter what the gas prices are," he said.
