Everyone you meet on Gator game day
It’s the most wonderful time of the year
There truly is something special about Gator game days. The entire city of Gainesville stops and honors the tradition in some way, shape, or form. Even former Gators from out of town come back for this occasion because, let’s be honest, four years of game days aren’t enough.
Many freshmen experienced their very first game day this Saturday. Maybe you had friends or family who have never experienced this phenomenon come into town because you wanted them to know what all the hype is about.
Luckily, we broke down all the different people one encounters on a game day.
The freshman boy who spent all of Summer B at one frat and now thinks he’s a brother
Many freshmen begin their UF careers during Summer B. Since all the fraternities need to scope out their next pledge class, all their parties are open to everyone. People usually start off going to each and every party, but slowly become more selective of where they show face as time passes. By the time Summer B ends, some boys leave with the mindset, “Yo, I’m totally getting a bid from this house.”
These sorts of thoughts have followed him through the first couple weeks of fall semester and it shows. He introduces other GDI boys to the brothers he has already met while sipping, possibly chugging, a watery, cheap light beer to show his fraternal prowess.
From kindergarten to Gator game days
The girl who has developed a discreet, yet noticeable feeling of superiority because she’s carrying a bottle
The tailgate is well under way at this point. Everyone is mildly to decently inebriated. Empty red cups and beer cans have already begun to hit the floor. At this point in time, the hosts of the tailgates become a little less vigilant of their surroundings. This is the queue for this girl’s entrance.
She is found parading around the tailgate with a newfound confidence. She is pouring straight shots into people’s mouths and taking pulls like a camera man from Total Frat Move is following her around. This is her house. Today is her day and you can’t take that away from her.
Technically, though, you can. It’s just alcoholic capture the flag.
Don’t ask why I thought it was a good idea to be the only one squatting
The frat boy who is too turnt up way too early
Game days are notoriously known as days where people really get loose and let their hair down. That’s putting it politely. Somehow, there always manages to be one kid whose behavior can only be explained by inferring his tailgate started at approximately 7:30 a.m. that morning.
The tailgate hasn’t really picked up speed and this dude is already smashing beers over his face to shotgun them. He is all systems go and you haven’t even finished your first drink. There is a high chance of this person talking a whole bunch of smack about the game, only to pass out early and never make it to the actual game.
The tailgate isn’t over until you say it is, even if everyone’s gone and it’s already dark out
The graying alumni who came to relive the glory days
Usually, older Gator fans spend their time at their reserved tailgate spots where there’s food, civility, and drinks that don’t taste like what I assume would happen if you mixed rat poison and fruit juice. They are spread out all over campus playing corn hole and watching the game from a flatscreen someone has miraculously hooked up and put in the bed of their truck. Sometimes, these people are students’ parents here to cheer on their favorite football team with their offspring.
Whatever kind of tailgater they are, every Gator fan is there for the same reason – to cheer our team on. But let’s be honest, we will probably all end up being the graying alum one day.