NewsWFLA News TampaSeptember 8, 2026Hillsborough County
University of Florida revives 'gator bait' cheer after six-year ban
Photo: WFLA News Tampa
The University of Florida brought back its 'gator bait' cheer during a Saturday night season opener, reversing a ban enacted over six years prior due to concerns over racist imagery.
Read the full story at WFLA News TampaWhy It Matters
University athletic events and traditions change as the institution alters its policy on crowd cheers.
Key Facts
- The University of Florida revived the 'gator bait' cheer on Saturday night during its season opener.
- The cheer had been banned for more than six years.
- The original ban was enacted due to horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase.
Who's Mentioned
locationGAINESVILLE, Fla.“City where the University of Florida is located”OrganizationUniversity of Florida“The university that banned and subsequently revived the cheer”PersonKent Fuchs“Former Florida president who announced the ban on the cheer in June 2020”locationTampa Bay“Region mentioned in the video headline overview”PersonStuart Bell“New school president of the University of Florida who indicated the cheer could ”locationMinneapolis“City where George Floyd was killed in police custody”PersonGeorge Floyd“Man whose murder in Minneapolis prompted a broader national reckoning on race in”PersonSanta Ono“Former president of the University of Michigan whose selection as president was ”OrganizationFlorida Atlantic“The opposing football team during the season opener”OrganizationFlorida's Board of Governors“Board that rejected the selection of Dr. Santa Ono in June 2025”