The Gator Stompin’ tradition will live on in 2015 in order to pay off debt from last year’s event.
Tickets are on sale for the 33rd annual Gator Stompin’, a local pub crawl, which will be held on April 30. However, the Pledge 5 Foundation, a non-profit organization behind the event, still owes about $150,000 from 2014’s event.
Jason Bowman, the foundation’s director, said ending Gator Stompin’ in 2015 would have meant less revenue to pay off the debt.
“If we gave up and decided to close up shop, we don’t have any assets,” Bowman said. “The items we have in the thrift stores would not be enough.”
The debt accrued after the foundation spent around $200,000 for venues, an expanded staff and a concert featuring DJ Wolfgang Gartner and rapper Waka Flocka Flame.
Though almost 7,000 people participated in the event, Bowman had difficulty paying employees and venues for their participation.
“I made some business decisions that let a lot of people down in what they were contractually promised,” Bowman said. “I regret the way it played out.”
Bowman said moving forward with Gator Stompin’ 2015 will help the payment process. Nearly 1,000 tickets have been sold since opening on Dec. 1, and the sales are being funneled into an account that will go directly to the debt.
Bowman said he’s paying more attention to money while planning this year’s event.
“I think I was naive in thinking I could hire a team and have them immediately execute an event that has grown to this size,” he said.
Part of the difficulty this year is recruiting venues, which Bowman hasn’t had to do before.
Mel Crawford, owner of Sweet Mel’s Bar and Grill, committed to a fourth year of participation despite being owed about $800.
For her, upholding the tradition is more important than money.
“When you do Gator Stompin’, the event is not for the profitability,” Crawford said. “To me, it’s a rite of passage that the students feel strongly about.”
She estimated Bowman initially owed her $3,400 but has received three payments that cover most of the debt.
“I’m the kind of person that says bad things happen to good people,” Crawford said. “With a little bit more time, he will be standing straight and tall, and I trust him.”
Others have been less patient with the delay. Bowman has been to court twice to settle lawsuits over payment, one with the Midnight Bar and one with a former employee, Emily Sacco.
Bowman declined to comment on the settlements because of a confidentiality agreement.
“We’re dedicated to making things right and getting this debt paid off,” Bowman said. “The Pledge 5 Foundation can continue generating volunteers for the community, and the tradition of Gator Stompin’ will continue.”
[A version of this story ran on page 1 on 1/27/2015 under the headline “Gator Stompin’ 2015 will go on despite debt issues"]
