For three years, three very happy years, I pursued my doctoral degree in Gainesville. Gainesville, FL that is. What a great night, last night, in Phoenix Stadium. Really expected to fall victim to the Ohio State team, the Florida Gators demonstrated complete control!!! That first play of the game made me nervous. But after that the tide changed and Florida's Finest continued to move up and down the field with precision. Who would have imagined that the difference would be so great? The picture says it all: Gators riding high!
Did you know that Phoenix had such a stadium? What a sea of orange and red last night as thousands gathered with the hope that "their" team would become the number one team in the nation. I am sure that Gainesville will be hopping today. It may be a day when very little education takes place. I only wish my major professor, Dr. James Wattenbarger, could have been at the game. He was such a Gator fan. He had been the secretary of education before coming home to his alma mater to lead the Department of Higher Education Advancement at the University. Just a couple of months ago he finished his time with us. He was the Father of the Community College system in the state of Florida ... one of the best systems in the nation. Maybe, just maybe, he was continuing to do his thing, Gator Rooting, in the Lord's presence!!! What a game! Jim, I know you have even more happiness in the hallowed halls of heaven today.
