Great Teams and Eras: 1956
Tuesday, August 29, 2006 | Football
As part of the celebration of the 100th season of Florida football, gatorzone.com will run a series of historical features throughout the preseason and the 2006 campaign. The series will give Gator fans an appreciation and understanding of the past teams and players that helped build the Gator football program.
During preseason practice, readers can learn about ground-breaking Florida teams of the past on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the “Great Teams and Eras” series. In addition to those stories, each Friday from the beginning of preseason practice until the season's first game will feature a look at one of Florida's legendary players as part of the “Gator Greats” series.
Once the season is underway, the look back in time will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays with “Rivalries and Series” and “Great Games” entries relevant to the week's opponent. Occasionally, additional stories will be unveiled on Wednesday of game weeks when the opportunity arises.
As the 2006 football season approaches, take some time to sit back and reflect on the teams, players and moments that all lead up to this, the 100th season of Florida Gator football.
1956 Reunion
By: Norm Carlson
Time has evaporated at a pace which appears to escalate with each passing year. From my perspective, the football season of 1956 doesn't seem that long ago. The big story, which I wrote several times for the Alligator, dealt with whether or not Coach Bob Woodruff's Gators could adequately replace graduated star Steve DeLaTorre.
But, it has to be long ago. DeLaTorre became a brilliant engineer in Atlanta. He also became an elected member of the UF Letterman's Athletic Hall of Fame, and no youngsters need apply for that honor.
The leading receiver that year of '56 caught eight passes. Would Dallas Baker get a chuckle about that?
The most exciting plays of that era were long touchdown returns of intercepted passes by Jackie Simpson and Joe Brodsky, who went on to coach the Dallas Cowboys running backs. Not a bad job as long as Emmitt suited up each week.
The most memorable social hours were spent at Sam's at 13th Street and University, the KitKat Club on highway 441 north, the 400 Club, out on highway 441 south, or eating with friends at The Park Inn or Humpty-Dumpty on 13th Street. That, too, seems like yesterday.
But it has to be long ago. There establishments are long gone, spots your daughter laughs about when you attempt to give them an identity.
Was it that long ago that accounting classes were held in temporary quonset huts just west of Dean Matherly's business administration building on West University? Or Journalism classes were in the stadium?
It has to be long ago. That business administration building is now Matherly Hall, named for the dean, who passed away in 1954. The huts are gone and there is a parking lot in their place.
