University of Florida Homecoming and Gator Growl

Gator Growl is the flagship event of the University of Florida and a tradition that has continued to be a prominent for over 90 years. It is a University of Florida tradition that marks the culmination of Homecoming Week. The pep rally is rooted in the tradition of Dads Day when fathers of the then all-male students would visit their sons on campus. In 1924, Dads Day was replaced with a Friday night pep rally, which was then accompanied by the addition of comedy skits in 1932. Thus, Gator Growl was born. The massive production consists of musical and comedic entertainers, Gator athletics and performances by UFs Cheerleaders, Dazzlers and Pride of the Sunshine Marching Band. Hundreds of students work endless hours to create the annual spectacle. The amount of student participation that goes into an event like this has given Gator Growl the right to call itself the largest student-run pep rally in the nation. Pat ActsRodney Dangerfield 1982 Robin Williams 1983 Bob Hope, Irene Cara 1...