Mascots: Albert and Alberta
Alligator
Nickname: Gators
Colors: Orange and Blue
School Founded: 1853
Florida
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It's odd to consider that one of the most iconic university
mascots was not even conceived of by someone affiliated with
the school! This, however, was the case for the University of
Florida.
Phillip Miller, the owner of the Gainesville bookstore on the
Florida campus, visited his son in Virginia. During the visit,
Phillip attempted to order University of Florida paraphernalia
from the Michie Company, only to realize that (unlike many of
the samples he was provided) the school had no mascot to put
on pennants and other merchandise. Alligators were a
suggested emblem by the younger Miller since they were native
to Florida and no other school had selected them as a mascot.
“I had no idea it would stick, or even be popular with the
student body,” Miller said. “We just wanted to get the Michie
firm started on the pennants as quickly as possible so they
would be available in time for the opening of the 1908 school
term.”A funny side note from this story is that the pennant-
maker was unable to draw an alligator because he had never
seen one, and persuaded the father and son to consider
another animal. Sticking to their guns, a picture of an alligator
was found at the University of Virginia Library. The gator-
themed items sold well, prompting other products to be
produced with alligators as the school's symbol. Rather than
through a vote, the alligator seems to have been adopted
simply by "voting with the pocket book."
It's odd to consider that one of the most iconic university
mascots was not even conceived of by someone affiliated with
the school! This, however, was the case for the University of
Florida.
Phillip Miller, the owner of the Gainesville bookstore on the
Florida campus, visited his son in Virginia. During the visit,
Phillip attempted to order University of Florida paraphernalia
from the Michie Company, only to realize that (unlike many of
the samples he was provided) the school had no mascot to put
on pennants and other merchandise. Alligators were a
suggested emblem by the younger Miller since they were native
to Florida and no other school had selected them as a mascot.
“I had no idea it would stick, or even be popular with the
student body,” Miller said. “We just wanted to get the Michie
firm started on the pennants as quickly as possible so they
would be available in time for the opening of the 1908 school
term.”A funny side note from this story is that the pennant-
maker was unable to draw an alligator because he had never
seen one, and persuaded the father and son to consider
another animal. Sticking to their guns, a picture of an alligator
was found at the University of Virginia Library. The gator-
themed items sold well, prompting other products to be
produced with alligators as the school's symbol. Rather than
through a vote, the alligator seems to have been adopted
simply by "voting with the pocket book."
