Replies: 7
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Hall of Famer [22127]
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My First College Football Game
Jan 29, 2021, 8:03 PM
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My first college football game was in the fall of 1927. I had just entered the first grade. We lived about 16 miles from Gainesville, FL, so it was just a short hop to Gator Town. My Dad loaded up my older brother and I and off we went. First, we went by Florida Union where we gat a hotdog and a few other snacks. I thought that was a big deal. We walked over to the stadium, went to a ticket booth and bought our tickets. My ticket was no more than a quarter. Every year my Dad would take me and my older brother to at least one Gator game each season until his death in 1937. Going by the Florida Union for a snack became a ritual.
Several months ago I wondered if there was a Gator fan still living who had attended a Gator game before 1927. Maybe, just maybe, I had the record. So, I wrote a letter to the Gator Magazine (the alumni magazine). A lady called me and we discussed several topics. She asked me if I remembered who the Gator's opponent was in the 1927 game. I told her I remembered the hotdog but had no idea who the Gators were playing. I looked on the Gator's schedule for 1927 and nothing rang a bell. I happened to look at the 1926 Gator schedule and by golly Clemson had played the Gators in Gainesville. In the article in the Fall/Winter issue of "The Gator", she had retrieved a photo from the archives of the 1926 Florida/Clemson game and posted it along with a few blurbs from our conversation. She forgot to ask if there was anyone out there in radio and television land who had attended a Gator football game before 1927. In the meantime I'll assume I'm the winner unless someone claims they went to a game in 1921.
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All-In [38475]
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Re: My First College Football Game
Jan 29, 2021, 8:54 PM
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That is absolutely amazing to me. My parents are almost 92 and they weren't even born yet!!! I hope my wife and I can live to be as experienced as you. You have seen so many changes in the world (both good and bad). Tigernet wishes you many more interesting years Joe, and please keep the stories coming.
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CU Medallion [67997]
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Re: My First College Football Game
Jan 29, 2021, 11:29 PM
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Joe, a wonderful story. I did not realize we had ever played. Thanks for sharing
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CU Guru [1349]
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Re: My First College Football Game
Jan 30, 2021, 7:50 AM
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Thanks for the story Mr. C. What kind of transportation did you take to the game from home in 1927?
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Hall of Famer [22127]
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Re: My First College Football Game
Jan 30, 2021, 2:48 PM
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We had a Chevrolet sedan in 1927. It must have been one or two years old. I don't remember much about the cars before then but my older siblings told me my parents had a Maxwell and Overland. My Dad was one of the first to own an automobile (the Doctor was the first) and that was about 1910. My Mother, who was a petite lady, learned to drive when my Dad bought his first car. Can't imagine how she could navigate those sand roads with no power steering. I believe the Chevrolet may have been his first car with pneumatic tires. All of the others had solid rubber tires. (This info also from my older siblings). I remember my Mother driving alone from the Gainesville area to the Tampa area in the late 1920's and early '30's to visit one of her sisters.
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CU Medallion [52800]
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Re: My First College Football Game
Jan 30, 2021, 8:07 AM
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Thanks for sharing, Joe21. I love getting glimpses, through your eyes, of what it was like to live in those days.
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Letterman [299]
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Re: My First College Football Game
Jan 30, 2021, 9:43 AM
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Thanks for sharing the story. I have a friend in his 80's who has told me stories about going to games way back when and they are interesting to listen to. He had season tickets to Miami and Fla.
My first game was the Gator Bowl. The church I attended chartered a bus to see the game and we watched Woody Hayes punch the Clemson player on the sideline. One to remember for sure. I was born in Tenn but traded orange ( Tenn likes to call that color orange ) and became a lifelong fan. GO Tigers!!
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MVP [527]
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Re: My First College Football Game
Jan 30, 2021, 10:56 AM
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http://www.winsipedia.com/clemson/vs/florida
Clemson went back to Gainesville again in 1929.
Were you there, Joe21® ?
They played several times in Jacksonville too.
BTW, Love to read your stories, Joe21!
Message was edited by: CUAGRGRAD®
Message was edited by: CUAGRGRAD®
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