Gator Growl Promises Legendary Experience

After getting backstage access to the official Gator Growl 2009 "Legends of the Swamp" press conference, we’re more pumped than ever for tomorrow night’s big event in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Former UF quarterback and this year’s Growl host, Danny Wuerffel, Growl producer Matt Sloan and winners of the first season of America’s Best Dance Crew, the JabbaWockeeZ were on hand to fill us in and promise a night to remember. The theme revolves around this year’s graduating football class, namely quarterback Tim Tebow and linebacker Brandon Spikes.

The JabbaWockeeZ will be joined onstage by headlining comedian Dana Carvey and rock band O.A.R. The acts are expected to draw a crowd of 40,000. “There’s no better combination of talent in Gainesville to honor the best graduating class in college football history,” Matt says.
The production team focused especially hard on finding acts relevant to students’ wishes, and the buzz on campus is something Matt hasn’t seen in the past five years. This year is also the first time the high-definition video boards and surround sound audio will be used to provide a front-row experience throughout the stadium. The technology has gotten so advanced that “Dana Carvey’s not actually going to be here, he’s just a 3D hologram,” Danny joked.

For their first ever stadium performance, the JabbaWockeeZ will be incorporating both dance routines that took it to the top on ABDC and brand-new moves into its 360-routine. “We’re so excited to get the crowd hyped up and just have fun,” crewmember Ben says. With influences as diverse as Gene Kelly and New Kids on the Block, we can’t wait to see what they have in store.

The action-packed show starts at 7pm in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Tickets can be purchased online and at the University Box Office and are $15 for students, faculty & staff and $25 for the general public. For more info, visit gatorgrowl.org.

-- Ashley Spencer; Photos by Rodney Rogers