Just A Hometown Boy

In 1907, a young man, 16 years of age, sailed from Everglade to Fort Myers to catch a train for Gainesville. It was his first train ride. He was excited. His parents, George W. Storter, Jr. and his wife Nancy were not. They sadly parted from their son Neal Sommers Storter for the first time. 

Having been short the necessary credits to enroll as a freshman, Neal Storter was accepted as a sub-freshman at the University of Florida. He played football on the university’s “scrub” team, the varsity team’s scrimmage partner, until the following year, when became a varsity player. 

Neal’s classmates nicknamed the newcomer from Everglades’ pioneer stock, Brother Gator, which they shortened to Bo Gator. He played center offense and defense, became the team quarterback, and as captain in 1911, his team played an undefeated season. 

After a local vendor had banners printed featuring an alligator to commemorate the team’s victorious season, the name Florida Gators was officially adopted. Neal Storter graduated, leaving a trace of his Everglades heritage in northern Florida, and in the annals of football history.