Have you ever been to an FSU football game and spotted two guys painted in glitter from head to toe, one in garnet and the other in gold glitter? Well, those are the famous Garnet and Gold Guys. We will be taking a closer look at our Gold Guy, Raymond Carl Feran, who just happens to be Irish. When asked if he believed in Leprechauns he answered, “Why not? Have you ever seen the news report about that leprechaun that was in that tree in that Alabama town? It has to be true. Where the Gold at? Or it could be a crack head?” Ray plans on eating the typical Corned Beef and Cabbage just like momma makes it on Saint Patrick’s Day.
Raymond, also known as Ray is a senior here at Florida State majoring in Marketing and Sales. He is Irish, Romanian, Swedish, but mostly American growing up in Delray Beach, Florida. Ray was Gold Guy for two years, his junior and senior year. Unlike most students who tailgate before every football game drinking beer, eating, and playing corn hole, Ray prepares to be Gold Guy for two whole hours before every game, putting on 3 pounds of glitter. When asked how long it takes to get the glitter off he answered, “about an hour and a half to wash off, one shower outside and then one in the tub.” Everyone who has been a Garnet and Gold Guy has come from the organization, the Baptist Collegiate Ministries. In order to be picked, you just have to be noticed by the previous Garnet or Gold Guy – and you have to be an avid FSU fan of course. Ray was friends with the previous Garnet Guy and got to work with him for one year until he left and chose the new Garnet Guy. Each person is on a two-year term: one as a rookie and one as a veteran. Recently, Ray chose his new successor for next season.
When asked what his favorite thing about being Gold Guy was, he said that there were many things he loved about it, including taking pictures with thousands of fans a game, talking to boosters and previous players, being able to pump up the crowd for our team on defense, and starting the Garnet and Gold chant. He said he wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.
As a senior, Ray’s most memorable experience as Gold Guy was his last home game here at FSU against Florida. He was in the front row for most of the game and pumped up the crowd throughout the whole game, which he thought helped us win against UF.
According to the Seminole Experience Book, the Garnet and Gold Guy tradition has continued without interruption since 1998. Their impromptu display of Seminole spirit has become a BCM and Florida State tradition and is also now an essential and highly-anticipated part of each football game. So next time you attend a Florida State football game, make sure to watch out for our new Gold Guy.