The Gator Nation mobile studio makes friends in Miami

February 3, 2009

The Gator Nation is everywhere — and it seems the mobile studio that films Gator stories is everywhere, too.

The mobile billboard vehicle, which also serves as a video recording studio, racked up more than 600 miles driving to, from and around Miami during the week of the recent BCS National Championship Game. The truck was very visible in the areas of the Fan Fest celebration, the stadium and other populated areas.

“When did you become a Gator?” is part of the current university branding campaign.

In addition to driving around town, the truck was an integral part of promoting University of Florida academic and research excellence during events surrounding the game. Although the mobile studio is a new addition this year, University Relations has journeyed to the bowl games for the past three years to promote academics and research.

In partnership with the UF Athletic Association (UAA), Gator Club of Miami and Florida Hispanic Alumni Association (FHAA), this year’s venues included “A Night With The Caimanes” alumni party in Little Havana, a five-hour pep rally event at Jungle Island in the downtown Miami area and a game-watching party at Shula’s Steak House in Miami Lakes.

A visual display highlighted various UF inventions and academic excellence. The display was accompanied by the mobile studio, as well as UF-invented air-cooled shoulder pads, Gatorade, the College of Engineering’s unmanned robotic submersible, SubjuGator, and autonomous vehicle, NaviGator.

The NaviGator was developed by UF engineers including Carl Crane and David Armstrong. The vehicle was featured during events of the 2006 BSC National Championship Game and last year’s Capital One Bowl prior to this year’s appearance.

“We want to show the public the impact UF research has on the state and on the country,” Crane said. Crane said he enjoyed talking with UF fans, alumni and the media.

Miami news media attended all of the venues this year and were interested in learning about UF research.

“We’re here to tell the media and fans alike that UF excels in academics and research, as well as athletics. It’s great when even the Sooners fans want a picture of themselves wearing the UF-invented air-cooled shoulder pads,” said Susan Stewart, associate director of public relations.

At all of the events, UF fans were encouraged to share their personal Gator stories. Stories included those from UF cheerleaders, Albert and Alberta and several UF marching band members. When Alberta was asked about the moment she became a Gator, she wrote on a poster that it was the moment she met Albert.

The mobile studio recorded more than 60 stories during the Miami events, and it’s not finished collecting stories. Gators back home in Gainesville continue to have numerous opportunities to share their stories.

Alpha PRoductions, a student-run public relations firm, has teamed up with The Gator Nation Campaign to record Gator stories at UF events. Upcoming filming events include prior to the women’s basketball game on Feb. 8, prior to the gymnastics meet on Feb. 20 and prior to the baseball game on Feb. 27.

Currently, more than 400 video stories and 200 written stories have been collected. To view or upload videos and stories, visit http://insidethegatornation.com.