Jim Johnson

I met the 2 bits guy last year at Beef's USF area for the Army game.  He is one cool guy and his wife is a USF professor.  I could not find a table to sit at, and he made room for me at his table.  He even bought me a beer. ::drinker::

Not sure why he does the 2 bits cheer, but that is his gig.  Does not bother me.

He's doing it to because he wants to copy the Gators.  Their Mr. Two Bits did it for fifty years (1949 - 1999).

I think our guy should stop.  I don't want to copy someone else's traditions -- let's start our own.

From the Alligator (11/05/99)

Even in retirement, Two Bits keeps fans cheering

By Shawna Sundin

Alligator Staff Writer

Of all the people who have followed UF football over the years, few have remained loyal fans through both winning and losing seasons. Few have been to almost every home game for the past 50 years, not to mention hundreds of away games.

But one person has done just that.

He's 77-year-old George Edmondson Jr., a retired insurance salesman from Tampa, better known as Mr. Two Bits.

Everyone knows Edmondson as the man who, until he retired last year, ran all over the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, urging fans to shout, "Two bits! Four bits! Six bits! A dollar! All for the Gators, stand up and holler!"

People recognize Edmondson almost everywhere he goes. Many ask for his autograph. He said he signs "Mr. Two Bits" and usually adds "Go Gators." A lot of people, especially children, also ask to take pictures with him.

"It's very gratifying. Everyone wants a picture with Mr. Two Bits," Edmondson said. "It just got as big as it is today and it's unbelievable."

Despite retiring Nov. 14, 1998 at the UF-South Carolina game, Edmondson will make an appearance in today's Homecoming parade.

"I'm gonna ride the fire engine with the senior football players," Edmondson said.

This is not the first time he's been a part of the Homecoming parade. In the '70s, the Homecoming Committee selected him the honorary grand marshal of the parade. He also has been a judge in the parade for several years.

"It's always a fun thing," he said. "It's great to see all the people."

Edmondson said he also is going to be in Gator Growl tonight.

"I don't know what they have planned yet," he said. "I'll probably make an appearance with the cheerleaders and do my thing."

He does his thing wearing the same outfit he's been wearing since 1949 - a yellow long-sleeve button-down shirt, blue trousers, orange- and blue-striped tie and black-and-white saddle shoes.

"Back in those days, everyone dressed for the games," Edmondson said, adding he just kept dressing up because people wouldn't recognize him out of uniform.

Since his retirement, Albert has even begun dressing like Mr. Two Bits.

"I think that's real cute, a real tribute to me, which I really appreciate," Edmondson said.

Over the years, Edmondson also was named an honorary cheerleader and an honorary alumni member. His path to fame began one day in 1949 when he says he adopted UF.

His adoption began at a UF-Citadel game. The 27-year-old Edmondson, who attended the Citadel but didn't graduate, said he got mad because Florida fans were booing their own team, so he started leading the cheer that eventually gave him his nickname.

"All the Gator fans were booing their players and the coaches," he said. "I had never booed and I didn't believe in it."

He said he got a group of about 10 people together who started cheering, rather than booing, when the team made a mistake, and the size of his group just got larger and larger.

"I'd get 10 people, 20, 50, 100 people," he said. "People would say 'Hey, are you the guy leading the cheer over there? We want to be a part of that.'" And as time went on, Edmondson said fans came to know him as the Two Bits man and eventually everyone started calling him Mr. Two Bits.

Since 1949, Edmondson has missed only about four home football games. Edmondson said he and his second wife Jane Edmondson also make it to most of the away games, including the Tennessee game in Knoxville, the Florida State game in Tallahassee and the Louisiana State game in Baton Rouge.

"We can't plan anything during football season," Edmondson said. "It's a way of life for our family, at least my wife and I. Everything is geared around the Gators."

The couple also has made it to most of the bowl games in which UF has played, including the Orange Bowl in Miami, the Citrus Bowl in Orlando and the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans.

"We just love it. It's just part of our life," 66-year-old Jane Edmondson said. "We enjoy all the games and everything connected to them."

To show their support for the Gators, the Edmondsons started a cheerleading scholarship fund about 20 years ago. Every year, two deserving cheerleaders are awarded $1,000 each.

Edmondson and his wife also attend quite a few basketball games, several soccer games, some volleyball matches and a few gymnastics meets.

"The University of Florida is a great school and has been very kind to me in that they've let me do what I've done," Edmondson said.

He said UF Athletic Director Jeremy Foley asked him when he retired to keep himself open for cameo appearances. He led his cheer during the pre-game festivities earlier this season at the UF-Tennessee football game and led the cheer in a couple sections of the stadium.

"He's been a special person in this program ever since before I got here," Foley said. "His energy level is phenomenal. It'll be 83 degrees in the Swamp, and he runs around making sure everyone's cheering. He just never let down. His enthusiasm was something to be admired."

One of them was a broken play -- you could see on TV that he was pissed at the center -- I think the center snapped the ball early, so PJ could only fall forward.

There was also the "option" play down by the goal line ... PJ took about two steps then was swallowed up by three USM defensive linesman.   Can't for the life of me figure out why it was an option instead of a pitch to Hall, [sarcasm] but hey who am I to question Mike Hobbie? [/sarcasm]

what do you mean.....our band is good for a band that is only about 5 or 6 years old....I was a member last year, but due to academic reasons, I had to quit.  I feel that the band is fine the way it is...there is nothing wrong with them

You mean other than the fact that at a college football game they decide to play Bohemian Rhapsody as a tribute to Queen??  C'mon.  That was lame.

Look, we all know the problem here -- and CJL admits it.

He also said that all the running in practice hasn't helped.

I have a solution: bench them.  For a play, a series, a quarter, or a game.

Royals had a bad mental problem he took his helmet off, gave USM another 11 yards -- and coach left him in there!!  Royals should have sat down - for the rest of the game for that dumb mistake.

When one offensive lineman commits two holding penalties, he should be benched.  Sit him down and make him think about why he is sitting.

Believe me, any player that starts the game - or plays on a regular basis - will learn VERY quickly not to make such dumb mistakes if he doesn't get the chance to play.

If we had an employee that made a mistake that could cost us $$, we would suspend or fire him/her immediately.  However, Jim Leavitt bitches, moans, makes 'em run in practice, then lets them play anyway.

Which is worse? A first string player who has mental breakdowns or a second string player with less ability??

C'mon Coach - take 'em out and really punish them!

Please tell me you dont consider the sports chix a sports show.

Please tell me you dont consider the sports chix a knowledgable sports resourse.

Please tell me you dont listen to that godforsaken show.

I don't. I don't. & I don't.  Just pointing it out that "technically" it is a sports show.  Of course, 1010 is also the station that airs the Howard Stern show...

I must say that I liked the student section chant to Rock & Roll (you know the one by Gary Glitter that's played everywhere)...

(Rock and Roll) Hey! Go Bulls!

(Rock and Roll) Hey! Go Bulls!

(Rock and Roll) Hey! Go Bulls!

We're gona beat the **** out of you. and you and you and you...

I love it!

Nope.  The Special Teams coach is none other than Jim Leavitt himself.  He feels that it's so important that he coaches them personally - USF does not have a special teams coach to blame on this one.

I assumed you meant the one on their winning drive, where we also had a stupid unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that gave them the ball at the 11... then USM had an 11-yard run for a touchdown.

That play was over the middle, Jenkins tipped it by diving in front of the receiver -- but the penalty was called on Gipson about five yards short of where Jenkins and the intended receiver were.

Remember, the play was Jenkins tipping away the pass -- but they called the interference on Gipson.  Still need to see the replay to be sure... but when you do watch it -- bear in mind that you need to watch Gipson not Jenkins.

Also remember these two parts of the rule: the pass does not have to be intended for the receiver with whom the defender interferes AND interference starts once the pass is thrown, even if it takes a second or two to get there.

And since we're on this subject, the officials blew a call that I know for sure.  PJ did a great pump fake to Peyton, the defender almost stopped Peyton as he tried to do a stop and go fly pattern.  The ball went about 2 yards too far - thanks to the fact that Peyton interefered with by the corner back.

TCU struggled against Army having to score three touchdowns in the 2nd half...

Louisville is 4-0, winning by a combined score of 173-28 (and 21 of that 28 was scored by Army).

Thankfully, Army comes to Tampa, so USF should be okay against them -- even with the problems the team has been having.

Louisville came in to today ranked #22 in both polls... several teams ahead of them lost today (West Virginia, Tennessee, LSU, & Fresno State [Ohio State is losing 27-20 in late the 4th]).  The Cards could move up to #18 or 19 after this week.

Southern Miss came into tonight with 17 points in the Coaches Poll... Notre Dame (83 pts), Colorado (36), Kansas State (29), & Arkansas (20)  were all ahead of the Eagles and all lost today.  USM's win could propel them closer to the Top 25, if not in (depending on how far those ranked losers fall].

Could ECU be the worst team in the conference?  Houston and Army would give them a run for the cellar.

UAB, Louisville, & Southern Miss are all 2-0 in C-USA.  USF is tied for fourth with TCU, Memphis, Cincinnati, & Houston at 1-1.)  Southern Miss and Louisville do not play each other - both could end up 8-0 in C-USA.

Next week's C-USA games:

Cincnnati @ Army

Tulane @ ECU

Houston @ Southern Miss (Thursday)

UAB @ Mississippi State

Louisville, Memphis, TCU,  and USF are all IDLE.

Their secondary did very well tonight... PJ helped - two of his interceptions looked like he was playing catch with them (totally missed any intended receivers).  Made the game hard to watch.

Not sure why we only have one sports radio station.   What makes it worse is they don't even have local shows throughout the day.  

We have two sports stations (620 & 1470) and the Sports Chicks are  on 1010...

Something to think about when posting stories like this. By you posting the entire story without a link there are many Bulls fans who will read your copy of this story and not bother to go to the website. You should at least post the link to the story and every Bull fan should click on that link, even if they already have read the story. Why you might ask? Becuase the more people who are going to the website shows the Tribune that this stuff is important to us. Also, the more hits they probably make more money in online advertising which again leads them to do more of these stories.

Please post a link with the text......and readers, please click on that link.

Excellent points, Leavittation.  I will do that from now on when I post articles.  Forgive my previous omissions.

I know we are all focusing on Southern Miss right now -- but this was a story from today's Tampa Tribune.

Louisville Shutting Down Opponents

Published: Sep 30, 2004

TAMPA - While losing three of its last five games last season, Louisville allowed an average of 40.4 points a game.

This year the Cardinals (3-0) haven't allowed 40 points - total.

Returning nine starters on the nation's fifth-best offense, Louisville's offense was supposed to be the Cards' strength. Someone forgot to tell the Cardinals' defense, which has already posted shutouts against Kentucky and North Carolina. Louisville is the nation's only team with two shutouts.

Louisville held UNC to 222 yards, less than half its average.

``I don't know Louisville is going to hand anything to you except a big spanking,'' UNC coach John Bunting said. ``They took us out behind the shed, took our pants down and belted us.''

The Cardinals' first-team defense hasn't allowed a score through three games, a pleasant surprise for Coach Bobby Petrino.

``I knew we had a bunch of guys [seven starters] coming back,'' Petrino said. ``They're really doing a good job of playing together and making plays. They're a lot further along that I expected.''

ODDS AND ENDS: For the first time this season, USF nominated a player (RB Andre Hall) for C-USA's player-of-the-week honors. However, UAB QB Darrell Hackney (398 yards passing, three TDs) was selected by league media members as the offensive player of the week. ... UL's win at North Carolina was the Cardinals' seventh consecutive against teams from BCS conferences. Louisville goes for No. 8 in a row Oct. 14 at Miami on ESPN. ... Southern Miss leads the nation in turnover margin (plus-3.5). The Golden Eagles have won 10 consecutive C-USA games, tied for the second longest in league history with Louisville (2000-01). USM won a league-best 14 consecutive C- USA contests from 1998-2000.

Brett McMurphy

From the Tampa Tribune:

USF Offense Awakes From Slumber

TAMPA - It's interesting how a win and a commanding performance from sophomore QB Pat Julmiste can change the perception of South Florida's season.

Things got so low after USF's thumping at South Carolina, some wondered whether the offense needed a map to find the end zone and if Glen Gauntt had any eligibility remaining.

But after a 45-44 double- overtime win at TCU in which the Bulls tallied 407 yards, it appears the demise of USF's offense was greatly exaggerated. ``We always knew the offense could do it,'' FS Javan Camon said. ``It makes the defense feel good because we know they're there. They backed us up last game because we weren't playing too good.''

When USF (2-1, 1-0 Conference USA) hosts Southern Mississippi (2-0, 1-0) on Saturday, Camon, who leads the Bulls in tackles with 35, says USF's defense must improve to complement the now-confident offense.

``It's good to know your offense can put up those numbers and they're capable of it,'' Camon said. ``But from a defensive standpoint, we can't ask them to score 40 points a game. We have to really step our game up and make it an equal partnership.''

INJURY UPDATE: Junior OG Chris Carothers (ankle), who has started 25 consecutive games, returned to practice in a limited role Wednesday. Freshmen Walter Walker and Jerome Springfield platooned at right guard in Carothers' absence, USF coach Jim Leavitt said.

Gregg Becnel

USF Shorts

Published: Sep 30, 2004

The women's golf team hosts the Beacon Woods Invitational this weekend at Beacon Woods Golf Club in Bayonet Point. Included in the 12-team field are Louisville, Southern Miss and UCF. USF is coming off a fourth-place finish at the Napa River Grill Cardinal Cup, Sept. 20-21 in Louisville, Ky., where sophomores Daniella Ronderos and Kylene Pulley tied for seventh.

* Sophomore D Kareem Smith was named Conference USA's men's soccer defender of the week. It marks the third consecutive week a Bull has been honored. GK Dane Brenner won the award the previous two weeks. USF visits Florida International on Sunday before hosting Memphis on Oct. 9.

* ``A colossal mistake.'' - A television executive describing how ESPN Regional Television let the satellite feed expire after four hours, causing viewers to miss the final two plays of USF's double-OT football win at TCU on Saturday night

Somebody should provide a quick link or email to do just that .............

John Gerdes, Assistant Director of Athletics

974-4086

gerdes@admin.usf.edu

I still say if we go into Louisville at 4-1 and pull out a win, we will begin getting votes.  Especially if UL pulls out a win against Miami, whose Offense is highly suspect this year.  Look at how respectable Houston played them, I think they have a shot at pulling out a BIG upset.

Remember FSU 2 years ago!!

If they beat Miami, they will most likely be ranked around #17 or so coming into our game.  

Let's talk hypothetical for a sec - to see where Louisville could be IF they beat Miami - @ Miami

These are all 11 of the games featuring two teams currently ranked ahead of Louisville between today the week BEFORE USF plays Louisville. Georgia, LSU & Wisconsin play 2 higher ranked teams. 17 of the 21 teams ahead of Louisville have a game against a Top 21 opponent.

Note: E = ESPN Coaches Poll, A = AP Poll

Week of 10/2

LSU (#13 A, #13 E) @ Georgia (#3 A, #3 E)

Auburn (#8 A, #9 E) @ Tennesee (#10 A, #8 E)

Week of 10/9

Wisconsin (#20 A, #20 E) @ Ohio State (#7 A, #6 E)

Minnesota (# 18 A, #19 E) @ Michigan (#19 A, #18 E)

LSU (#13 A, #13 E) @ Florida (#16 A, #16 E)

Tennessee  (#10 A, #8 E) @ Georgia (#3 A, #3 E)

California (#10 A, #10 E) @ USC(#1 A, #1 E)

Texas (#5 A, #5 E) @ Oklahoma (#2 A, #2 E)

Week of 10/16

Wisconsin (#20 A, #20 E) @ Purdue (#15 A, #15 E)

Arizona State (#21 A, #25 E) @ USC(#1 A, #1 E)

Virginia (#12 A, #12 E) @ Florida State (#9 A, #11 E)

Louisville (#22 A, #22 E) @ Miami

So, I figure LSU could be #15 - #12 coming in to the matchup against USF if the Cardinals can manage to pull off the upset in Coral Gables. Arizona State, Wisconsin, Minnesota/Michigan, LSU, Florida, Tennesee, Auburn, California Virginia/FSU, & Georgia could drop some in the polls - creating an opening for the Cardinals to move up 7 to 10 spots.

Glazers are a$$e$ and nothing will ever pass by them.

Wait until you see how bad we are going to get raped on our next lease.  People associated with USF are going to start developing some serious hatered for those greedy ba$tard$.

It's not like have SO MANY choices... Football at the Soccer stadium? Maybe Trpicana Field can be re-done?  We all know an on-campus stadium is still 10+ years away...

Memphis was boosted so much that Lee Corse actually predicted they would be one of the three undefeated teams this year (Southern Cal & Oklahoma).

Yeah, he may come to USF to play he's been to a few of our summer camps...  oh, you meant STEVE...

I seriously doubt we would make a change at head coach -- but Spurrier would make a GREAT Offensive coordinator. :-)

Gotta like the props for CJL on the Cards' board.

9-1 is essentially running the table, only Pitt would be remaining.

Right -- but you said we'd have to do that to be close ... I think if we win the next four, we're getting votes - probably more than just a few -- to me that's "close".

NOPE. We will see 40K. Plus we are having it broadcast on TV 28 again! This will add to the viewing and our popularity.

Does anyone have records about how televising home games affects attendance??  It would be interesting to see if there has been any effect in recent years.

From the St Pete Times:

Senior might return to original position

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer

Published September 29, 2004

TAMPA - Is Bruce Gipson headed back to playing primarily on defense?

A surprising guest appearance at cornerback late in Saturday's double-overtime win against Texas Christian could be a sign of things to come for the versatile senior. Asked which side Gipson would be playing on, coach Jim Leavitt said, "probably both."

But Gipson, a cornerback the past two seasons before shifting to receiver this spring, hinted he could be spending more time on defense than offense.

"Possibly, but I can't really say," Gipson said Tuesday. "It's all on the coaches. Wherever they want me to play, I have no problem. I'll play offensive line if they want me to. I don't want to get down in the trenches, but as long as I'm helping the team."

In three games at receiver, Gipson has a modest five catches for 28 yards. His experience would be an asset on defense, where freshman Danny Verpaele is starting at strong safety and redshirt freshmen Mike Jenkins and Trae Williams are platooning at one cornerback spot.

Gipson played some of the fourth quarter and both overtimes at cornerback Saturday and blocked a field goal in the fourth quarter. His success was more impressive because one week earlier, his stepbrother, 21-year-old Del'Trone Gomilla, drowned while saving a family from a rip current.

"I think it was extraordinary," Leavitt said of Gipson's performance, which came one day after he and teammate Javan Camon, a friend of both since childhood, were pallbearers at Gomilla's funeral. "It's a lot for a young guy to handle, and I think Bruce and Javan did an admirable job."

Gipson wrote his stepbrother's initials on his shoes and on the tape wrapped around his ankles. And he wrote a message on the tape he put around his belt: "Del, We love you."

"I knew he wanted me to play. I knew he was looking down on me to make something happen," Gipson said. "And I dedicated the game to him."

Gipson's stepmother, Kimberly, is home and recovering after a heart attack sustained when she learned of her son's death. Before Saturday's game, Gipson's father will bring him a shirt with Gomilla's picture on the front.

"I'll wear that shirt for the rest of the year," he said.

SEEING YELLOW: USF leads Division I-A in penalties and penalty yards, averaging 12.67 for 103 yards in three games.

"It will be hard for us to be very successful (if it continues)," Leavitt said. "Maybe we can lead the nation in penalties and win. We've got to play more disciplined if we expect to make a run at everything. All you can hope is that the guys see that."

MORE TV GAMES: Sunshine will air the only remaining games not previously designated for broadcast, home against East Carolina on Nov.13 and at Cincinnati on Nov.20. The Cincinnati broadcast is contingent on the Bearcats approving a change in the kickoff from 1 p.m. to 3:30.

POSSESSION OF DIRT: Several players, savoring Saturday's win, took plugs of turf from the field as souvenirs to be buried FSU-style in a "Sod Cemetary."

"They left last year with grass in their palms, and we left with grass in our palms," said running back Andre Hall, who scored four touchdowns.

The most amusing aftermath came from killerfrogs.com, where fans complained police stood by while the Bulls "vandalized" their field. More classless than the grass theft, they lamented, was the way USF "waited until almost everyone was gone to throw the contents of (the) ice chests onto the playing field."

"We all know that ice will kill grass, and it was no accident that he carried 2 ice chests from deep behind the sidelines and tossed 5-10 pounds of ice onto the field," one post reads. "The same cop watched him as well."

THIS AND THAT: After 10 matches on the road, the volleyball team finally gets to play at home at 7 p.m. Friday against Charlotte in the Conference USA opener for both. USF (2-8) has been close in recent losses, including 30-28, 28-30, 30-21, 32-30 at Central Florida on Friday. ... Despite two recent ties, the men's soccer team (5-0-2) will be unbeaten halfway through its season if it can avoid a loss tonight at Florida Atlantic. Defender Kareem Smith was C-USA's co-defensive player of the week, the third consecutive week a Bull has claimed at least a share of that honor.

From the St. Pete Times:

Got a Minute? Joe Bain

By GREG AUMAN, Times Staff Writer

Published September 29, 2004

I see you have a pair of praying hands tattooed on your left forearm. Tell me about the other ones you have

On my right wrist, it says "ninetynine boys," a group of friends back home in Dade City. They graduated in '99, and I didn't graduate until 2001. But since I hung with them, they let me do that. Another one says "One life to live," and that's how I try to live my life every day. The praying hands, I got that with my brothers, Michael and Maurice, same arm, same spot. On my neck, I have my mother's name, "Cheryl." I got that for her on her 45th birthday.

Another Pasco High receiver, Johnny Peyton, almost made a tremendous catch for his first career reception Saturday. How's he coming along?

He's coming along real well. He's going to get his hands on it, and it's going to be exciting. That catch Saturday, the ground caused it to come out, but it was an ESPN-type catch right there.

When the game went to overtime, did it help you guys to know you won three games in double overtime last year?

I had never played in overtime before, but I wasn't worried. When we went into overtime, I kind of felt we were going to win. We won three of them that way already, so it's second nature.