It's more than just a byline

I have dedicated five semesters to the Alligator, yet I don’t know how to put into words what it meant to me.

What do you mean I have to say goodbye to what has become my personality in the last two years?

When I applied as a sports beat reporter for Summer 2023, the application said, “Please provide your best writing samples.” 

I had only ever written eight sports stories up to that point, but I submitted them anyway. One Zoom call later, I received an email offering a position as a remote Florida Gators track and field beat reporter. I couldn’t tell you anything about the track team, but I was thrilled!

I didn’t grasp it then, but pursuing a role at the Alligator isn't easy. With only my high school game recaps, Big 3 gave the rising sophomore, who had no idea who a SID was, a chance to write for one of the largest student-run newspapers in the country.

I had no idea it'd be something I would stick with for so long. I came into college thinking I would be a physical therapist and study journalism on the side — that abruptly ended after one semester of taking biology. 

Working at the Alligator helped reassure my true passion and love for sports journalism. It also became where I had my many “firsts” as a student journalist.

I conducted my first-ever interview with an international athlete over a Zoom call, sitting in a classroom at my summer job as a camp counselor. After an entire summer of being ignored by my SID, my first feature was finally done and in print!

I attended my first live sporting event as a reporter at Donald R. Dizney Stadium to cover women’s soccer. I turned in my first recap with no quotes because I had no idea how to get to the field to interview players.

One of my favorite memories from my time at the paper was sophomore spring as the softball beat reporter. It was the first time I sat in a press box and asked questions at a real press conference. 

If I wasn't in class or at home, I was at Katie Seashole Pressly stadium. One semester, 59 games and 57 recaps later, I wouldn’t have traded it for anything. I covered an up-and-rising team of freshman star pitchers, Skylar Wallace’s last collegiate season and a run to the Women’s College World Series. It was the most challenging semester to balance by far, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

After taking a semester break to study abroad in Europe, I was honored to be one of two assistant sports editors for my final semester at the Alligator. It’s no easy job, dedicating every Sunday to creating our weekly paper. But, I was lucky enough to be led by three amazing women: Ella Thompson, Kylie Williams and Nicole Beltran — our Big 3! Thank you for being so motivating and always having my back.

If it wasn’t for Beltran sharing her Alligator experience with me over lunch at Sweet Berries freshman spring, I wouldn’t have ever applied or been in this position today. Thank you for being a great friend to me, and I can’t believe our time on the paper is ending.

To the group of Spring 2025 editors, thank you for always filling the room with laughter to keep us sane every Sunday. I will miss visits from special guest Lucy, sharing my snacks with Sophia Bailly, adding to the quote bag and guessing what Jack Meyer will DoorDash to the office. 

And to every talented sports editor before me, I couldn’t thank you enough for your patience and for sharing advice that has stuck with me. Jackson Reyes, Topher Adams, Brandon Hernandez and Bennett Solomon, I looked up to you guys more than you know.

I wouldn’t have survived my busiest softball spring and slow Gainesville summer without Krisha Sanghavi, Alyssa Britton-Harr and Max Tucker. Thank you for your acts of kindness always.

Watching my sports writers grow and develop their skills has been one of my most rewarding experiences. I couldn’t have done it without my sports editor ‘Music by Meyer’ and my co-assistant, Noah White, for making this semester one to remember.

To all the friends and editors I met along the way: Luke Adragna, Max Bernstein, Hugh Green, Amanda Roman and many more. I am so glad I met you all.

But I cannot appreciate anyone I met or the memories I made without mentioning the support of those who pushed me in the first place: the Hurst family. Thank you to my parents, Frank and Milagros, for always encouraging me to pursue my dreams no matter how big or small. Thank you to my siblings, Kimberly and Justin, for cheering me on but keeping me humble in the process.

A very special shoutout to my boyfriend, Enrique Maduro, for being there for me since the moment I submitted my application. Thank you for being my chauffeur for every sports game and weekly staff meetings. You’re free now!

Picturing my college career without the Alligator is impossible. Entering my last year without it feels weird. But as I move on, I’m taking more with me than just a byline. I’m carrying memories of watching the Super Bowl from the Gainesville Sun office, taking home every paper plate award and experiencing a national championship as a college student.

If you have the opportunity, don’t be afraid to apply. I promise the memories from every Sunday meeting will stick with you always, long after your last deadline.

I am forever grateful to this paper. See you later, Alligator.

Hailey Hurst was the Spring 2025 assistant sports editor.

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