When it comes to Homecoming week, there may be no one busier than UF's rowdy reptiles, Albert and Alberta, who spread spirit around The Gator Nation like its their job because, well, it is.
That's not to say they don't live for the moment.
With international recognition comes responsibility, said David Rountree, a UF graduate student in telecommunications who calls himself Albert's helper.
"He does not take that for granted," Rountree said, of Albert. "He's here to represent The Gator Nation in the biggest and baddest way ever."
The fuzzy friends go to at least two events daily the week before Friday's Homecoming parade to spread Gator spirit, Rountree said.
By the time the football team takes on the Kentucky Wildcats at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, the two mascots will have attended about eight events back-to-back today and Saturday alone.
So how do these hard-working reptiles stay energized?
"He feeds off the energy from the fans," Rountree said.
Even a national championship week doesn't compare to the hectic schedule of Homecoming, Rountree said.
Today, Albert and Alberta's day will start at about 9 a.m. as they wait for the start of the parade on University Avenue, he said.
After the parade, the reptiles will stop by the O'Connell Center for Shooting with the Stars, where members of UF's basketball teams will be paired up with Dazzlers and male cheerleaders for a dance off, according to Gatorzone.com.
After his appearance at the O'Connell center, Albert will make a dash across the street to Gator Growl, Rountree said.
Albert and Alberta will grace the stage of the 85th annual student-run pep rally to introduce comedian Jon Reep, during which Albert's magnified voice will boom out over Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Abbi MacFarlane, Alberta's helper, said about six hours have gone into rehearsing the mascots' movements to prepare for their moment in the spotlight.
MacFarlane said Alberta normally has a chance to chat onstage as well, but the girly Gator recently came down with laryngitis.
Albert will still be speaking, she said.
"It's the only time during the year that Albert will talk to a mass of people," Rountree said.
The couple - who their helpers said are just friends - will team up on stage in snazzy outfits.
About 95 percent of the time, they're wearing game-day clothes, MacFarlane said. She added that the mascots enjoyed getting "glammed up" for the occasion.
That's not to say Alberta hasn't met approval with her everyday style.
"Everyone compliments her red toenails," said MacFarlane. "She gets compliments all the time."
MacFarlane called the mascots "a perfect blend of goofball and classy."
"Alberta is definitely Southern belle: sassy, flirty, your sweet, Southern alligator," she said. "And Albert's the man: He's macho, smooth."
