NewsWFLA News Channel 8 (Florida)September 8, 2026Hillsborough County
University of Florida revives 'gator bait' cheer six years after ban
Photo: WFLA News Channel 8 (Florida)
The University of Florida brought back the "gator bait" cheer during its season opener on Saturday night, reversing a ban enacted over six years ago due to concerns over historic racist imagery.
Read the full story at WFLA News Channel 8 (Florida)Why It Matters
University athletic events and traditions are altered for tens of thousands of attendees and fans as institutional policy regarding historical cheers changes.
Key Facts
- The University of Florida revived the "gator bait" cheer during its season opener on Saturday night.
- The cheer had been banned for more than six years.
- The initial ban was implemented due to "horrific historic racist imagery" associated with the phrase.
Who's Mentioned
OrganizationUniversity of Florida“The institution that banned and later revived the cheer, and eliminated DEI prog”PersonKent Fuchs“Former Florida president who announced the ban on the cheer in June 2020”locationTampa Bay“Region for weekly top headlines”PersonStuart Bell“New school president who hinted at and oversaw the return of the cheer”OrganizationOffice of the Chief Diversity Officer“University office closed as part of DEI program elimination”locationMinneapolis“City where George Floyd was in police custody”PersonGeorge Floyd“Individual whose murder in May 2020 prompted a national reckoning on race”PersonSanta Ono“Former president of the University of Michigan whose selection as president was ”OrganizationFlorida Atlantic“Football opponent during the season opener where the cheer returned”OrganizationFlorida's Board of Governors“Body that rejected the selection of Dr. Santa Ono”locationGainesville“City where the University of Florida is located”