Sitting in my dorm room as a freshman, I stared at The Alligator’s Spring application and paused on the line that said, “Please submit three to five writing samples.”
As a nervous 18-year-old intimidated by sports journalism and with zero experience — and honestly, no understanding of what an SID was — I felt completely out of my comfort zone.
Still, I decided to take a chance on myself and try anyway. I thought, “It couldn’t hurt, right?”
So, I gathered the few clips I had and submitted the application.
Since I stepped foot on campus as a sports journalism major, I knew I wanted to work for the largest student-run independent newspaper in the country. What I didn’t know was how much The Alligator would shape me into the person I am today.
I quickly learned that sports reporting isn’t always glamorous, but it is rewarding and a privilege. I spent many late nights in the Donald R. Dizney Stadium and Stephen C. O’Connell Center, speed-typing gamers and adding quotes from pressers long after the lights shut off.
I even got soaked in the rain covering Florida soccer, eventually causing my laptop to give out on me mid-season. But with the support of my editors, fellow writers and the occasional free pizza, I learned to embrace the fast-paced, chaotic environment of sports journalism. I learned to trust my instincts and push my writing, but, more importantly, to tell untold stories that mattered.
I covered women’s basketball and somehow ended up sitting a few feet away from Shaquille O’Neal. I covered the highs and lows of Florida soccer and women’s basketball, and got to speak with unique and gifted Gator athletes. I also had the chance to cover non-sports stories, from changes in Venezuelan TPS and abortion laws to the California wildfires.
Through my work, I not only found my voice and confidence but also learned more about the incredible Gainesville community.
My dad, a 1992 alumnus, always told me stories about picking up Alligator papers from the orange boxes scattered across campus when he was a student. Being able to have my name printed in multiple Sunday newspapers and gifting them to my dad has meant more than I can put into words and has been one of my favorite parts of my time as an undergraduate student.
But the people at The Alligator are what made my experience unforgettable and made all the late nights and hard work worth it.
To Luke Adragna — from our very first phone call at the beginning of the semester, I felt supported and excited to work under your leadership. You truly have built the best sports desk culture I have ever been a part of, and have made my last semester experience the best I have had throughout my four semesters here. Thank you for all the time and care you put into our desk this semester, and for leaving us with invaluable advice we can carry beyond UF.
To Alissa Gary — who I met in our visual journalism class and who convinced me to apply in the first place, thank you for seeing something in me. Thank you for the opportunity to be an assistant sports editor and for allowing me to be a part of the behind-the-scenes of the newspaper. Your knowledge, poise and goodness set the tone for our staff this semester, and I wish you all the success and happiness possible in your next venture.
To my family — thank you for always being there to answer my calls after every late night on the job and for reading all my articles. I would not be where I am today without your endless support and love.
To every editor at The Alligator — your infectious energy and enthusiasm that you brought to each and every meeting made flat edits and print nights one of my favorite memories at The Alligator. You are all such intelligent, kind and hardworking people. I learned something from each of you, and I can’t wait to see where your bylines end up.
To every writer on the sports desk — you all made me so proud with your progress, professionalism and passion for sports. Watching each of you grow has been one of the best parts of this job, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
A special shoutout to Max Bernstein — thank you for being a team player, an extraordinary writer and for always helping Luke and me out when we needed it. You have been there with me since the beginning, always cheering me on.
And to Isis Snow — covering women’s basketball with you this semester has been the perfect end to my Alligator journey. Watching you grow as a reporter and getting to laugh with you in the press box has been such a gift. Keep going — I can’t wait to see you on the sidelines.
As I prepare to start my next chapter at UF Levin College of Law for Fall 2026, I feel extremely blessed and overwhelmed with gratitude. This paper gave me the opportunity to pursue my dreams and find my purpose and voice. The Alligator is the reason I am the writer and person I am today.
I will never forget the people I got to meet, the stories I told and the community I found here.
Thank you.
Mandy Roman was the Fall 2025 assistant sports editor.
Amanda is The Alligator's Assistant Sports Editor and a senior sports journalism student. She previously worked as the soccer and women's basketball reporter. She also interned at Fort Lauderdale United FC. In her free time, she enjoys weight lifting, shopping and reading.
