Elton’s Biggest Fan

By Debbie Williams Reporter

A Pensacola professor houses a shrine to her favorite performer in her collegiate office. Elton’s Biggest Fan

Published: Fri, April 25, 2008 - 3:22 pm

Debbie Williams

When the "Rocket Man" rocks the Pensacola Civic Center Friday night, a Pensacola professor will be sitting in the front row.
If you have to ask why she's one of Elton John's biggest fans, you probably haven't seen her shrine.
The hallowed halls of academia. where young minds are prepared for the future and Philosophy professor Sally Ferguson houses her obsession.
"I'm just a crazy goofball inside."
For Dr. Sal, as she's called, her fascination and collection started early, "It started in 1973 with "Crocodile Rock" from there Elton was the biggest thing on the radio he was the biggest pop star in the world everybody was crazy about him and I was right along with 'em."
When the collection outgrew the family music room, she brought it to her office on the campus of the University of West Florida.
"To see the shrine in person was a big draw to come to Pensacola," says Kelly Wilkins who flew in from Arkanasa for the concert and a peek. "It's Elton overload I'd seen it before in pictures so I knew what to expect but to see it in person is wild."
Picking your favorite piece of memorabilia would be like picking your favorite child for Dr, Sal but there is one piece that she has special affection for.
"It's the pinball machine cause I remember playing it when I was a kid."
The collection grows daily, "I just bought another one this morning in a black suit." In a place where Aristotle and Elton seem to be a perfect match.
Ferguson says at first students are a little surprised to see her office. It's not exactly what they were expecting but she says it's a great ice-breaker and helps the students see her more as a person and not just a professor.