Gingrich To Address UF Homecoming Banquet; 2nd Growl Comic Named

August 29, 1997

GAINESVILLE — U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich will be the keynote speaker Nov. 7 for the University of Florida’s 68th annual Florida Blue Key Homecoming Banquet.

In addition, Gator Growl 1997 organizers have chosen rising comedy star Jeremy Hotz as the opening act for headline comedian Howie Mandel.

Gingrich, R-Ga., will be the first sitting house speaker to address the banquet, one of the state’s largest gatherings of business, education and political leaders, said Mike Schmidt, Florida Blue Key Homecoming 1997 general chairman.

“He’s the third-most-powerful person in the country,” said Schmidt, a second-year law student from St. Petersburg. “He definitely follows in the long line of leaders who have spoken at the banquet.”

Gingrich currently is serving his 10th term in Congress. He was elected House Speaker in January 1995 and was re-elected in January 1997. He also served as House Republican Whip from 1989 to 1994, after which Time magazine named him Man of the Year in 1995.

Among his recent accomplishments is serving as chief architect of the Republican Contract with America, a series of sweeping legislative proposals. Gingrich, who taught history and environmental studies at West Georgia College before his election to Congress in 1978, also wrote the best-selling book “To Renew America” and co-authored “Contract With America” with U.S. Rep. Richard Armey.

By coming to UF for homecoming, Gingrich follows previous high-profile keynote speakers such as John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, George Bush and Lyndon Johnson, and U.S. Sen. and former Florida Gov. Bob Graham.

The Homecoming Banquet reception will begin at 3:30 p.m. in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center, and the banquet will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $27 each and are available by calling Florida Blue Key at (352) 337-0022. A limited number of tickets is available to the public.

The Florida Blue Key banquet precedes Gator Growl, which is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., featuring well-known comedian Howie Mandel and the up-and-coming Hotz. Growl ‘97 Producer Grier Pressly described Hotz as “one of the hottest young comedians today — a true rising star. I just saw a tape of his performances from the Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal … and his act drew unbelievable reviews.”

“Seventy-five thousand people? Wow! How many shows is that?” Hotz said when told of the typical size of audiences at Gator Growl, billed as the nation’s largest student-run pep rally.

Hotz was voted Eye magazine’s 1995 Stand-Up Comic of the Year. A favorite in comedy clubs across Canada, Hotz also has appeared in American venues such as The Laugh Factory and The Improv in Los Angeles.

Hotz’ television appearances include “Late Night with David Letterman,” “Comedy Central” and “MTV’s Half-Hour Comedy Hour.” He also appeared in the film “Speed 2″ with Sandra Bullock, Willem Defoe and Jason Patrick and is working on a featured role in the big-screen version of the 1960′s television series “My Favorite Martian.”

Tickets to the 72nd annual Gator Growl still are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and the University Box Office on campus. Prices are $9 each for students, $13 for alumni and student guests, and $14 for the public.