College football fan and Florida Gator fanatic
JARRETT SINGER
“There is no better way to spend a Saturday in the fall, than at a college football game”
Meet Jarrett Singer: Your Quest Director
My name is Jarrett Singer, and I am a passionate Gator fan. People often ask what led me to embark on a quest to see a game in every Division I-A (FBS) stadium. The answer dates back to a single decision: attending the University of Florida.
From Long Island to The Swamp
I was born and raised on Long Island. Growing up in the Northeast, I was a huge sports fan, but college football wasn’t exactly a local religion. I used to think the only difference between pro and college ball was a few rule tweaks and the day of the week the game was played. I was misguided, to say the least.
When the time came to head off to college, I chose the University of Florida—much to my mother’s dismay, as she was pulling for me to attend Washington University in St. Louis. But Gainesville was calling, and arriving in the fall of 1990 changed everything. My arrival coincided with Steve Spurrier’s return to his alma mater, and I quickly learned that while pro football is a game, college football is an event. If you don’t know what I mean, just watch the RVs roll into town on a Wednesday for a Saturday night kickoff, or watch 75-year-olds tailgate for four straight days.
During my time at UF, I fell in love with the pageantry: the neutral-site battles against Georgia in Jacksonville, the SEC Championships (which back then felt like the “Florida Gator Invitational”), and the grit of the occasional road game.
The Birth of the Quest
After graduating in four years (yes, I was one of the few) and moving back to New York, I made it a point to return to Gainesville for at least one game every year. Eventually, it hit me: why stop at Florida? I wanted to experience this level of passion all over the country.
I decided then, that this would be my quest…
To see a college football game in all FBS stadiums
I am a firm believer that at the end of life’s journey, it is the experiences we’ve had—not the things we’ve accumulated—that remain with us. This quest allows me to see the great colleges, vibrant cities, and hidden-gem towns that make America unique.
A House Divided (Sort Of)
As my kids got older, both decided to attend the University of Alabama. Yes, a die-hard Gator ended up with two kids in Tuscaloosa. It’s not easy to take, but as I always say: It sure beats Ohio State or Georgia. Because of them, an annual trip to T-Town is now a permanent fixture on the schedule.
The Logistics of Obsession
I have other hobbies, but they’ve mostly taken a backseat to the Quest. I’d love to learn to fly—the pilot type, not the superhero type—to reach some of those out-of-the-way schools more easily. However, my wife, Beth, has strictly enforced a “no more expensive hobbies” rule. I can’t exactly blame her.
I thought that as the years passed, Beth would want in on some of the trips to California or Las Vegas. Beth is perfectly content avoiding any football that doesn’t involve Alabama, but she remains the backbone of this project. She jokingly (I hope) suggested I call this site questfordivorce.com. I owe a huge thank you to her and my kids for supporting the four or so trips a year required to keep this dream alive.
The Long Game
I recently relocated from New York back to Florida. I told Beth it was for the weather and the lifestyle, but between us, it’s really just part of my elaborate 40-year plan to finally secure Gator season tickets.
Hey Al, you think coming up with a Quest schedule has been hard so far, just wait until I have Gator season tickets.
The Quest continues. See you at the stadium!