Gators and Beyond A Sports History of Alachua County

For many people it will be the Florida Gators. But did you know that this area has a vibrant history of sports teams outside of the University of Florida?

In the late 1800's, male and female students at the East Florida Seminary took physical education classes and played sports. The men played some of their earliest football games at the old town ballpark.

From 1936-1958 the G-Men minor league baseball team were the talk of the town. Turnout for games at Harris Field could reach as many as 2,900 people, making it a good place for people to see all their friends.

The Fighting Terriers of Lincoln High School drew huge crowds of black and white fans when they played other black football teams from across the southeast. The games were even more exciting when the Terriers took on their local rivals: the Hornets of A.L. Mebane High School.

Sports have always been part of the fabric of the community in Alachua County. Although the uniforms and rules of play have changed over time, the love of the game has stayed strong.

This exhibition was made possible by the Rick and Barbara Anderson Fellowship.

Special thanks to Matheson volunteer Alfred Awbrey for his tireless work researching the sports history of Alachua County. He has spent years digging through newspaper archives across the Southeast and compiled an unrivaled knowledge base. This exhibition would not have been possible without his efforts.

Thanks also to the donors who shared their own sports history with us. Former Matheson board member John Galm generously donated his entire collection of G-Men research and memorabilia, Arthur Campbell donated his mother’s cheerleading uniform, and Herman Williams donated a Gainesville Eagles jersey. We are also grateful to Lincoln High School Head Football Coach Jesse Heard, author Michael Gengler, and U.F. University Historian Carl Van Ness for sharing a digitized film reel of the final football game the Lincoln “Big Red” Terriers ever played.

Thank you to the A.L. Mebane High School and the Lincoln High School Alumni Associations for graciously allowing us the use of their photographs. We are so grateful to them for gathering and preserving these collections.

Curator: Kaitlyn Hof-Mahoney

Graphic Designer: Suzanne Gentilhomme

Virtual Exhibit: Kaitlyn Hof-Mahoney and Joanna Grey Talbot

This exhibition and related programming have been funded by grants from Visit Gainesville / Alachua County, FL; the City of Gainesville Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs; the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs; and the Capital City Bank Group Foundation.