What was the East Florida Seminary?
The East Florida Seminary was a coeducational school that moved to Gainesville after the Civil War. It started receiving state funding in 1853 and is the oldest of several institutions that merged to form the University of Florida.
Color postcard of the barracks at EFS in Gainesville | Image from the Matheson History Museum Permanent Collection
At the East Florida Seminary, female students exercised every day for 30 minutes. Their drills included marching, breathing exercises, free gymnastics, and movements with poles, wands, and dumbbells. Just like popular exercise classes today, they exercised to music so that it would be more fun.
Image from the 1899-1900 East Florida Seminary Register in the Matheson History Museum Permanent Collection
The East Florida Seminary, unlike many schools at that time, accepted both male and female students. These women from the 1903 basketball team wore their uniform of a blue serge skirt and shirtwaist of the same material. Can you imagine playing basketball in a long skirt?
Image from the Matheson History Museum Permanent Collection
How did UF traditions in Gainesville get started?
How did the University of Florida become the Gators?
Some people say that Phillip Miller, a Gainesville merchant, realized the school had no mascot when he tried to order pennants and banners in 1908. His son suggested that the alligator would be a good mascot because it was from Florida and no other school had used it yet.
Other people say the name came from Neal Sommers "Bo Gator" Sorter, the captain of the 1911 football team.
We may never know which story is true.
Image from "100 Years - University of Florida Alumni Association - 2006" calendar in the Matheson History Museum Permanent Collection
Is this the first Gainesville Gator?
When Roy W. Corbett walked into the registration office of the University of Florida in September of 1906, they told him he was the first student to register.
The school had just moved to Gainesville and only had two buildings: Buckman Hall and Thomas Hall.
It's hard to say for sure, but the captain of the 1907 football team may have been the very first UF student in Gainesville.
Image from the Winter 1967 issue of the Florida Alumnus in the Matheson History Museum Permanent Collection
How have football uniforms changed since 1899?
Over the years, football uniforms have changed drastically. Players at the East Florida Seminary and Florida Agricultural College supplied their own uniforms of quilted pants and a light, unpadded jersey. Instead of helmets, they wore padded leather nose guards.
The Florida Agricultural College football team in Lakeland, 1899 | Image courtesy of the Alachua County Library District Heritage Collection
In 1906, these two schools joined with several others to form the University of Florida. They played their first football game at the old ballpark in downtown Gainesville and made $5.20. After a while, the team was able to earn enough money to provide the players with matching uniforms.
The 1902 football team of the East Florida Seminary | Image from the Matheson History Museum Permanent Collection
By 1924, the Gators had started to wear leather helmets. The team did not start wearing helmets with padding and face masks like the ones worn today until the 1950's.
The 1924 Florida Gators play at Fleming Field | Image from the 1924 UF Seminole in the Matheson History Museum Permanent Collection
For nearly twenty years, the University of Florida football team has worn Nike brand uniforms. But in July 2018, the Gators unveiled the new Jordan brand uniforms they have worn ever since.
Andre Debose as the kick returner for the Sports Illustrated All-SEC team before the start of the 2013 season | Image from the 2013 Sports Illustrated SEC Preview in the Matheson History Museum Permanent Collection