What do YouTube sensation GloZell Green, author Carl Hiaasen and Saturday Night Live comedian Darrell Hammond have in common?
Answer: They all bleed orange and blue.
We all know how great it is to be a Florida Gator, and we are in good company; a number of celebrities and public figures call the University of Florida their alma mater.
Here are just a few of the Gator greats who once walked through Turlington Plaza – and maybe even sat in the same classrooms as you.
Carl Hiaasen
Hiaasen, the bestselling author of the young adult novel-turned-movie, Hoot, graduated from the UF with a journalism degree in 1974. Hiaasen is a columnist for The Miami Herald and has written a number of books for children and adults, including Bad Monkey, Scat, Star Island, Flush, Chomp, Razor Girl and many more.
GloZell Green
GloZell, the viral video mogul known for her hilarious interpretations of Internet challenges, graduated from UF with a BFA degree in musical theatre in 1997. GloZell is an iconic comedian and creator with a larger-than-life personality and over 4 million YouTube subscribers.
Stephanie Abrams
Abrams, a native of West Palm Beach, earned her bachelor’s degree in geography in 1999. She is now a meteorologist for The Weather Channel and is perhaps best known for co-hosting “Wake Up With Al.” (She even gives a shoutout to her fellow Gators on her Weather.com biography page!)
Dara Torres
Twelve-time Olympic medalist Dara Torres graduated in 1990 with a degree in telecommunication. This inspiring swimmer and mom was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame as a “Gator Great” in 1999. At the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, Torres, who was 41 at the time, was named the oldest Olympic swimmer in history.
Darrell Hammond
Hammond is a comedian and impersonator who is perhaps best known for his interpretations of Bill Clinton on Saturday Night Live. He graduated from UF in 1978 with an advertising degree, and he holds the record for the longest consecutive tenure of any SNL cast member.
Erin Andrews
Sportscaster and TV personality Erin Andrews is another J-Schooler, graduating in 2000 with a degree in telecommunication. She is currently a co-host of Dancing with the Stars and a reporter for FOX Sports, and she previously worked on Good Morning America and College GameDay.
From Olympians and writers to entertainers and comedians, Gator Nation is home to numerous alumni who make sporting orange and blue even more meaningful. The next time you’re feeling stressed about classes, graduating or navigating life as an adult, look to the many Gator greats who reflect UF in a positive light and prove that success is just a chomp away.
Photo Credit:
Cover Photo: theloop.tumblr.com, USA Today, Twitter
Carl Hiaasen: The Daily Beast
GloZell Green: Orlando Sentinel
Stephanie Abrams: LA Times
Dara Torres: WRUF
Darrell Hammond: theloop.tumblr.com
Erin Andrews: KABC