UGA Rivalry Review: Florida Gators traditions, rituals and more

Nov 2, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Florida Gators mascot, Albert, against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Mascot

The Florida Gator mascot has a history as brief as the University’s – but it has been eventful.

Actually, it’s been embarrassing.

According to the office of the Registrar, the 1911 Florida football team became the first and last to complete an undefeated season. Commemorating banners were ordered and a gator emblem was placed on each banner by the vendor.

Other tales date the introduction of the alligator around 1908.

I’ll leave it to our Florida neighbors to sort out the truth. However, every explanation of how the Gator came to represent the University of Florida involves scheming by someone not affiliated with the University. Therefore, one could suspect that the gator mascot is an ongoing joke played on the Florida Nation – a joke they still do not get. Considering the name Albert may have been taken from a comic strip and the first gator costume looked a lot like Pogo, the explanation seems likely.

And after reviewing pictures and images of Gator mascots past, it seems someone is certainly pulling someone’s leg.

The first live alligator, Albert, came to Gainseville in 1957 and several different live alligators assumed the role of Albert over the years.

To control a live alligator requires a bit more than a leash and Georgia fans have thoroughly enjoyed mocking the many artificial “Albert” creations that have prowled the sidelines through the years, including a somewhat robotic, motorized, mechanical Gator that further supports the notion that the whole gator thing did not start out very serious.

The first costumed Albert, the one resembling more Pogo than gator, appeared in 1970. The costume eventually morphed into the current Albert. Alberta the Alligator joined Albert in 1986 as a sidekick and friend and, one might presume, to appease rabid feminists and Title IX zealots – not that there is anything wrong with that.

Albert and Alberta are unique, easily recognized and known throughout the country thanks to the success of the Florida football team. With their bright green “skin” and orange sweaters, Bulldogs hate the sight of Albert and Alberta. Georgia fans are mostly disappointed, however, that they can no longer mock the ridiculous Albert creations from days gone by. (At least we can enjoy the joke.)