Something was missing from Friday's Homecoming Parade.
Everyone you'd expect to see was in attendance, including Gainesville Mayor Pegeen Hanrahan, Sen. Bill Nelson and our beloved Albert.
Everyone except UF President Bernie Machen and Gators quarterback Tim Tebow.
We can understand if Tebow was absent in preparation for Saturday's game - and to avoid a possible mob of hormone-driven Gators alumni who don't get to see the football star as often as we do.
But what about Machen?
If it's possible for the "legendary rock band" O.A.R. to ride in two parade cars, then surely the president of the university hosting the event could find the time to make an appearance.
And being busy isn't an excuse - Nelson managed to smile his way down University Avenue regardless of his job in, you know, the U.S. Senate.
We're not disappointed that we didn't have the opportunity to offer UF's head honcho a t-shirt and copy of the Alligator's Homecoming edition - though it was heartbreaking that both McGruff the Crime Dog and a Taco Bell hot sauce packet shot us down when we offered them copies.
But it doesn't reflect well upon the university when so many state and local dignitaries can appear, and our own president cannot.
