Say Farewell to ‘Mr. 2-Bits’

ABC News On Campus reporter Marilia Brocchetto blogs: About this time tomorrow, University of Florida Gators across the world will bid farewell to a beloved tradition. Tomorrow, George "Mr. 2-Bits" Edmondson Jr. will take the field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the last time. Now, you may ask, "Who is Mr. 2-Bits?"  Well, legend has it Edmondson attended a Florida Gators game in 1949 against his then-alma mater, the Citadel. With the Citadel beating the Gators pretty badly, Edmondson led a small group of students in a cheer to boost the team morale. Initially, few students joined him in his cheer, but as time went on, it became a tradition. In his almost 60 years of cheering, Edmondson has only missed three home games, two of which he missed in the beginning of his career. Students here at the University of Florida are sad this tradition is coming to an end. “I look forward to seeing him at the games,” said engineering senior Christina Mills. “I’m gonna miss him, it won’t be the same anymore.” Though Edmondson was never a student at UF, the university did name him an honorary alumnus, and he has claimed it as his alma mater ever since. Mr. 2-Bits has already quit once, back in ’98 on his 50th anniversary, but the crowd wanted him back. And so he did. Another 10 years passed. "I doubt somebody new would have that same enthusiasm," said Edmondson when asked about a replacement. "The athletic program is on a high level — they really don’t need somebody like me anymore." But the feeling around campus is definitely different. Seniors and students who are yet to become Gators will all miss our beloved and honorary cheerleader. And for those of you who don’t know the Two-Bits cheer, it goes something like this:
Two Bits!
Four Bits!
Six Bits!
A Dollar!
All for the Gators, Stand up and Holler! Mills says she might not cry tomorrow when Mr. 2-Bits takes the field, but she will get a little choked up. “I was sad,” she said of his recent retirement announcement. “It’s too much of a tradition.” And diehard Gators fans are hoping that this year is a replay of ’98, when  Mr. 2-Bits decided retirement wasn’t the thing for him. Edmondson granted me special backstage access this weekend. I will get to see up close how he prepares for his games and how his family cheers him on.