University of Florida revives banned ‘gator bait’ cheer

The University of Florida has revived its ‘gator bait’ cheer during a football season opener against Florida Atlantic. The cheer had been banned for over six years following a 2020 decision by former president Kent Fuchs due to concerns regarding ‘horrific historic racist imagery’ associated with the phrase.

New university president Stuart Bell, who previously noted that ‘traditions matter,’ oversaw the return of the cheer to the stadium. The phrase and its accompanying musical cue were originally discontinued during a period of national racial reckoning following the death of George Floyd. The ban was rooted in historical art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries that depicted the use of Black infants to lure alligators.

The revival occurs as the university undergoes broader institutional changes, including the 2024 elimination of all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) positions and offices following new state regulations in Florida.