UF President Kent Fuchs to Take on New Role vs. FSU
Tuesday, November 24, 2015 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- In less than a year on his new job, University of Florida President Kent Fuchs has already taken charge of the football program.
Sure, it was an April Fool's Day gag, but Fuchs relished an opportunity to replace Gators head coach Jim McElwain for a day.
Fuchs will once again take center stage at The Swamp on Saturday when he serves as Honorary Mr. Two Bits prior to No. 10-ranked Florida's annual showdown with archrival Florida State.
Fuchs has traveled the world, served as provost at an Ivy League school, spoken to influential boosters and politicians, and accomplished much more in his distinguished career in academia.
But Fuchs will add a new experience to a life well-lived on Saturday.
“I've never led any cheer, ever,'' he said. “So this is going to be special.”
Fuchs has been omnipresent around UF's campus since arriving from Cornell University as UF's 12th president, even greeting McElwain often when the first-year coach exits the team bus for Gator Walk.
Fuchs has quickly learned the traditions around Florida athletics and plans to do his homework for Saturday's role as Mr. Two Bits.
“I've already got the yellow shirt and the Gator tie,'' he said. “So I'm ready. I'm going to watch a few videos on YouTube of Mr. Two Bits, that's for sure.”
Original Mr. Two Bits George Edmondson started the tradition in 1949 at a game against the Citadel. He became a Gators icon over the next 60 years until officially retiring in 2008.
However, in 2013 the University Athletic Association started to invite honorary Mr. Two Bits to pump up the crowd before every home game. Fuchs is the first school president to take a swing.
Fuchs hasn't been at UF long, but he understands the role Edmondson played in creating one of the Gators' most enduring traditions.
“I love that he was part of the tradition of engaging the fans, even indeed in a time when the Gators weren't doing so well,” Fuchs said. “He sort of took this on on his own and it has now become this great tradition that has outlived his own appearance so guests get to come in.”
Fuchs has some special guests of his own Saturday.
Fuchs and his wife Linda will host their four kids, who are spread across the country, at Saturday's game: Micah, Eric, Isaac and Christine.
“They have never been to a Gator game,'' he said.
Oh, and Fuchs has another prominent person on his guest list.
“I've developed a great relationship with John Thrasher, the FSU president,'' Fuchs said. “He'll be here. The friendship goes away when it comes to the football game.”
Sounds like Fuchs will do just fine as Mr. Two Bits.
