Five UF History Facts You Probably Didn’t Know

About 91,000 students lock arms and sway to “We are the boys” as a Gator tradition during football games. It wasn’t until 1925, that women were able to join in and make their first entrance into Gator territory, according to the Gainesville Sun. Young aspiring ladies had to meet several requirements before they could enroll as a full-time student. In order to be admitted, a woman had to be 21 years of age, have two years of college education at another institution and their major must not have been offered at Florida State College of Women.  By 1947, co-education at state universities became established when Florida State College for Women became Florida State University, according to a report. That same year UF allowed a total of 601 female students into the institution.

About 91,000 students lock arms and sway to “We are the boys from old Florida” as a Gator tradition during football games. It wasn’t until 1925, that women joined in and made their first entrance into the Gator territory. As a once all-male institution, students used to hold signs that read “No girls allowed” during the chant. The song was later altered to include “where the girls are the fairest, “ after co-education at state universities was established in 1947.

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Just six years later UF would be celebrating 100 years since its establishment in 1853. In 1953, Century Tower was dedicated to the fallen heroes and UF alumni lost in World War I  and II, according to  UF Historic Campus. Every quarter hour, a total of 61 bronze bells ring to a student body of about 50,000 roaming through campus. The National Defense Act of 1916, led universities to provide military instruction to students. This was done to recruit for Reserve Officer’s Training Corps, according to a 1919 FloridaAlligator report.

In 1953 Century Tower became dedicated to the fallen heroes and UF alumni lost in World War I & II. The National Defense Act of 1916 led universities to provide military instruction to students. This was done to recruit for Reserve Officer’s Training Corps, according to a 1919 Florida Alligator report.

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       Journalists often times ran to the scene of breaking news that soon turned into significant historical moments. A local newspaper like the Gainesville Sun gifted UF in 1984 with a 3,500 pound machine used for newspaper production. Up to this day, the prototype of the machine known as Linotype, sits at the College of Journalism and Communications. Prior to the invention created by Ottmar Mergenthaler, all written words had to be by hand. With the technological advancement during that time, it helped triple the rate of speed for setting type, according to the description on the plaque. 

A 3,500 pound machine known as a Linotype sits at UF’s College of Journalism and Communications. Invented by Ottmar Mergenthaler, it tripled the rate of speed for setting type. The prototype was gifted to UF by the newspaper station the Gainesville Sun in 1984.

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In 1939, students were welcomed with a new residence hall now known as Murphree Hall. It was named after Albert A Murphree, the university’s second president, according to the plaque. The hall was built by architect Rudolph Weaver during the Great Depression. The residence complex initially housed Buckman hall and Thomas Hall in 1906. They were the first two building built at UF, according to UF Historic Campus. Though it is now commonly known to solely provide a home for students, those two building were used for numerous different reasons. Thomas Hall was originally the president’s office that included a kitchen and a four bed infirmary. Buckman hall was occupied by soldiers during World War 1.

During the Great Depressjon, a new UF residence hall was built by architect Rudolph Weaver. It was named after the university’s second president. The residency complex initially housed Buckman hall and Thomas Hall in 1906, the first two buildings created at the university. Buckman hall was later occupied by soldiers during World War I, according to a UF Historic Campus report.

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As the years passed by, one thing that sure never changed is the school’s love for football. The top three football players holding a special place in UF’s heart are Tim Tebow, Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel. Each of these former student athletes at UF now have a statue of them on campus. Tebow was the quarterback from 2006-2009. He won the Heisman Trophy in 2007. Spurrier was the quarterback in 1963-1966 and won the same award in 1966. Wuerffel played as quarterback in 1993-1996 and won the award in 1996. 

Three UF quarterback football players hold a special place in the Gator nation’a heart. Tim Tebow, Steve Spurrier and Danny Wuerffel each won the Heisman Trophy award. It is awarded to the most outstanding player in college football in the U.S. They must demonstrate excellence and integrity.

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