Gainesville, Florida is about 40 miles north of Ocala. The University of Florida is located in Gainesville. People who attend or who have attended the University of Florida are called "Gators," for the alligator is the school's mascot.
To root for the Gator's various sports team is highly recommended for anyone living in the Gainesville area. Thus many, if not most of Gainesville's commercial establishments, exhibit item(s) to show their commitment to the Gators success in the world of college sports.
Some stores in Gainesville's mall, The Oaks, sell only Gator-themed merchandise. Macys, for example, has areas of the store devoted to Gator's merchandise. But Macys has taken this "fanaticism" to the extreme: At each point where the escalators meet the second floor, you will find a huge alligator holding up the store.
At first glance, that might seem silly, but in fact the staff, students and alumni of the University of Florida provide a great deal of financial support to boost Macys' bottom line.
19 comments:
There is no such dedicated attention given to one's university here. It all seems so strange to me! Like that gator pillar though. ;-)
The gator could use a break. Could Governor Scott spot him for awhile?
Wow, that gator is quite a conversation piece, Lowell!
The gator looks fit and trim. We have the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), it's Ireland’s largest sporting organisation. Some towns have stores and there is always online where you can buy just about anything.
Nice to see that the local businesses endorse the local schools!!
No love in Gainesville, then, for our Hokies?
Interesting! My alma mater San Francisco State had gators as our mascot. Actually, it was "Golden Gaters," (as in San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge, I think). Hadn't thought about that in decades.
Well if it's a mascot they sure used it well.
Fantástico o aproveitamento da coluna.
Um abraço e boa semana.
Andarilhar
Dedais de Francisco e Idalisa
O prazer dos livros
Hih... not so very beautiful statue, but funny.
The gator pillar looks very impressive.
I did not realize how close you are to a university town. The mascots that colleges select usually are pretty accurate to the surrounding environment, and this one seems to fit well. I suppose they hope that the Gators swallow up all opposing athletic teams.
He has a big load to carry, but he is very strong and manages it easily.
Well I'm glad there isn't a gator holding up my bottom line Lowell 😀😀
That gator would look much better with a spear running through its belly!
Hmmmm....still seems silly to me! But keep in mind, I say that about most things related to sports.
We have Ducks everywhere here in Eugene -- and yes, this comment is actrually relevant to this post. The Oregon Ducks are the university team and the UO is located here... all the same thing as you say about the merchandise, the importance to the local economy etc etc... except none holding up the roof at Macy's. No matter how mighty the Ducks are, they wouldn't be able to do that ;>) (and they aren't very mighty at all this year. By the way I think we have a new coach who came from Gainesville -- or at least some Florida school.... (we don't follow any of it closely, but don't tell anyone here ).
This is an interesting story. I hadn’t realized that the statue was an alligator till I read your explanation.
Yoko
Big giant friend 🙌
Un abrazo.
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