No one can argue that there is an older organized club – anywhere – dedicated by its charter to University of Florida football and is the “Oldest Gator Booster Club in the World”.
The Club is not affiliated with nor is it an official part of “Gator Boosters, Inc.” - the official fundraising arm of the University of Florida Athletic Association. But, ironically, one of our founders, Colonel Everett Yon, was also the first executive director of Gator Booster’s Inc.
But just how old is “old?” Where did we come from and why are we here? How did we become the first Gator Quarterback Club in Florida and the oldest Gator Booster Club in the World?
HISTORY OF THE GAINESVILLE QUARTERBACK CLUB
It all began in 1950, at a club organizing meeting on M. M. Parrish’s back porch. (Back then, houses had back porches!) Participants included several prominent community members: Parrish (an up and coming real estate developer), Lindley Cellon (a cattleman/farmer from Alachua), Latham Davis (the local Chevrolet dealer), Earl Powers (a prominent CPA/Businessman), and Colonel Evert Yon (recently retired from the Army who later became the first executive director of Gator Boosters, Inc.) Earl Powers presided at that first meeting and “M” Parrish was elected the first Captain. The budget was slim. Colonel Yon managed to get all speakers to donate their services. They shared one thing in common: Love for the Gators. As so it all began… The team’s record that year was 5-5, and “Wait ‘Til Next Year!” was first uttered about that same time among the fans!
Again, the aforementioned meeting took place in 1950! Thus, no one can argue that there is an older organized club – anywhere – dedicated by its charter to University of Florida football and is, thus, the Oldest Gator Booster Club in the World. (Note: The Club is not affiliated with, nor is it a part of, “Gator Boosters, Inc.”, the official fund-raising arm of the University of Florida Athletic Association).
The Club has a rich history of fun, fellowship, and service to the University of Florida football program. Club trips in the early days were by train to Miami and New Orleans. Later, chartered prop, then jet planes have taken us to California, New York, Las Vegas and other places to watch the Gators play.
Ironically, the Club did not have a slogan until 2004. That came about when Perman Roberts, then Captain, conceived the idea of the need for an official club slogan and presented it to the Board for approval. It was promptly approved, as presented, and has remained unchanged (The Oldest Gator Booster Club in the World!). The first official use of the new slogan was for a plaque naming Ron Zook an honorary member of the club.
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The Gainesville QB Club was one of the first organizations to be designated a “Bull Gator”. Some of our financial contributions include:
Eight fully endowed $50,000 football scholarships and working on our 9th.
Currently, the Club has surpassed $1.5 million in total donations.
Equipped the first computer lab for UF student athletes.
Purchased the first portable X-Ray machine to travel with the team.
Charter sponsor of the “Ray Graves Award”, the highest award given to a Gator player at the annual Gator team awards banquet.
Our club has grown from five friends on a back porch, meeting only during football season, to meeting year ‘round; from “Wait ‘Til Next Year” to winning 8 SEC Championships, playing in 4 national championship games and winning the 1996, 2006, and 2008 National Championships!
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In 2018 the Club expanded by admitting women to membership for the first time. They have become a wonderful addition to the Club atmosphere!
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Sadly, all of our founding fathers are gone. There is no question that without them we just might not be here today. They were an inspiration locally and throughout the State of Florida. Their vision, loyalty and energy helped to build the Gators into one of the finest football programs in the nation, and, over the years, has brought hundreds of friends together who are proud members of the Gainesville Quarterback Club ---”The Oldest Gator Booster Club in the World”.