The Super Gators
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The Super Gators are a group of students from the University of Florida that attend football games dressed super heroes. The group's legendary wardrobe consists of a neon orange hunting style (or beanie) hat, face paint, orange shorts, blue knee socks, and usually no shirt. Most super gators REFUSE to attend games out of costume, and their face paint design never changes. They march to the games each week, leading thousands of fans in cheers and posing for pictures.
The group began attending games in costume in 2001, Florida's last season under coach Steve Spurrier. The first four guys to dress in the traditional super gator outfit were Paul Johnson, Steve Gillbert, Dan Murphy and Dave Smith.
In 2002, the group added a few more members that would later be regaurded as the "founding fathers" of the group. Johnson and Gilbert remained, and were joined by Jarrod Morgan, Mike Wallace, and Brian Barnes. By the end of that season, the group would routinely swell to more than 11 fully dressed super gators per game.
[edit] Notoriety
The first TV appearance of the super gators was before the University of Miami vs University of Florida football game in 2002. The group was asked to shoot a promo and open sports center that morning. After that, the group was seen on CBS, Jefferson Pilot Sports, several more espn spots, an Old Spice Commercial, and local media outlets. Several Super Gators have been featured in various news papers also. On August 12, 2006, the super gators were featured in the lead picture on espn.com's homepage.
Original founding member, Paul Johnson, was recently approached about shooting a documentary on the group. Documentary cameras will follow the group around on game days, filming the unique rituals and spirited actions that have made the group cult heroes in Gainesville, FL. They will also be following Johnson to his classes on some days.
[edit] Continuing tradition
The tradition has continued each season, as the original super gators are gone, but a host of younger students have taken over, and kept the traditions alive.
