The sea of bright blue and orange filling the Moorings Yacht and Country Club last Thursday evening was a blinding reminder that Gator Nation alum are proud of their University of Florida alma mater. More than 250 people gathered to celebrate incoming and matriculating Gators at the ninth annual Treasure Coast Gator Toast.
“We are here to honor 22 area scholars,” said Sean Mickley, Treasure Coast Gator Club president. “That’s the most we’ve ever done. We will be giving out $33,000 in scholarships tonight. It does two very important things. First, it provides assistance for well deserving students and, second, our scholarship program incentivizes these high-achieving students to become and remain part of our university.”
Diehard fans had been excited that UF ambassador and former head ball coach Steve Spurrier was to be this year’s guest speaker, but he was unfortunately forced to cancel at the last minute. In true Gator spirit the club rallied, with former teammates James Bates and Jevon Kearse scoring a touchdown with the crowd as they shared one Spurrier story after another. The pair echoed one of their coach’s oft repeated axioms, “We’ll get it done without you.” And they did.
Bates, a former UF linebacker, Gridiron LIVE host and Emmy Award-winning analyst, confided that it was a lot more fun to talk about Spurrier when he wasn’t in the room.
He shared that when Spurrier, who seldom went out of state to recruit players, visited his home, Bates’ mother told him, “If it were up to me you wouldn’t be sitting in my house right now.”
Kearse, who went on to play in the NFL for 11 years after college, said that during his freshman year he learned that Spurrier was a man of his word. The coach had warned two players that if they continued to get into trouble, they would be removed from the program, and upon returning to school in the fall the boys were gone.
“This was the time Steve Spurrier scared Jevon Kearse straight,” said Kearse, although it’s hard to fathom that a man nicknamed “the Freak” could be intimidated by anyone. At over 6 feet in height, the eventual first-round draft pick had an 86-inch wingspan and a 48-inch vertical leap.
“It helped me get through college and stay out of trouble,” said Kearse. “I had to keep my grades up so I could get to where I wanted to be.”
James and Kearse opened up the floor for questions and guests were happy to oblige, asking about everything from running up the score to favorite memories and toughest games.
The Treasure Coast Gator Club encompasses St. Lucie and Indian River counties, with more than 2,600 UF alumni living on the Treasure Coast it is an active club.
Scholarships are funded through sponsorship, legacy gifts and fundraising through events such as the Clint S. Malone Memorial Golf Tournament scheduled for Oct. 20, a May 13 Kickin’ it for Andrew Schmeer 5K Run and proceeds from the Gator Toast.
During dinner, a narrated slideshow highlighted the accomplishments of each of the scholarship recipients; a veritable Who’s Who of academic achievements with Dean’s List members, 5.60 weighted GPAs and Top 10 percenters among the group.
More than 100 students apply for the scholarship each year, which are awarded based on merit and need. The TCGC has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to local students attending UF over the years.
“It’s amazing how far we’ve come. We gave four scholarships the first year, and this year we gave out 22,” said Mandy Robinson. “We’re giving out the second highest amount in the nation this year.”
The evening closed with a spirited fourth-quarter favorite, “We are the Boys.” And as guests departed amidst a torrential rain, they put its closing line to the test, “In all kinds of weather. We’ll stick together for F-L-O-R-I-D-A!”
