The University of Florida will discontinue the use and the Gator Band’s cuing of the “Gator Bait” cheer as part of a large number of anti-racism reforms, the school announced Thursday.
Under a section subheaded “History, symbolism and demonstrating behaviors consistent with our values,” Florida President Dr. W. Kent Fuchs writes this:
While I know of no evidence of racism associated with our “Gator Bait” cheer at UF sporting events, there is horrific historic racist imagery associated with the phrase. Accordingly University Athletics and the Gator Band will discontinue the use of the cheer.