2 - The Independent Florida Alligator

“Dia Days” musical production inspired by the music-making process featured record label Dion Dia’s signed artists as the playwrights Thursday, March 17 at Bo Diddley Plaza. (photo by Dazion Prosser)

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

'Dia Days' embodies the late Bo Diddley through music, art and fashion

By Dazion Prosser | Mar. 22, 2022

On St. Patrick’s Day, a swath of culture was on display as people from all ages rolled out their picnic blankets and lawn chairs to witness history. “Dia Days” played on for two hours at Bo Diddley Plaza on March 17. Dion Dia, a Gainesville-based record label, hosted the event featuring live performances by Florida artists and an eclectic fashion show; as well as a culmination of art and expression.

Annabell Fuller competes for Florida Gators women's golf Feb. 23, 2021 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course in Gainesville, FL / UAA Communications photo by Leslie White. Fuller led the team at the MountainView Collegiate Sunday and was the only Gator to place inside the top-10.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida places sixth in the desert at MountainView Collegiate

By Lillian Randolph | Mar. 21, 2022

Annabell Fuller Florida Sunday and was the only Gator to place inside the top-10

The Florida Gators softball team avoided the sweep Monday night by handing No. 5 Alabama a 2-1 loss.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida bounces back to claim series victory against Texas A&M

By Brenda Bogle | Mar. 21, 2022

After suffering its second shutout loss of the season, Florida rallied to execute an impressive 11-3 victory Sunday to clinch the series against Texas A&M.

Florida lacrosse overcame a first-quarter deficit to take down the Vanderbilt Commodores 16-8 Saturday afternoon.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators lacrosse showing championship quality after early struggles

By Topher Adams | Mar. 21, 2022

After a 2-4 start, the Florida lacrosse has new life with huge wins against Syracuse and Drexel, showing the makings of a championship contender

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Student Government website crashes from funding request overflow

By Maia Botek | Mar. 21, 2022

Student government opened the ability for student organizations to submit requests for operational, event and travel funding Monday morning. Less than an hour later, an overflow of people on the website caused it to shut down. In an email, Budget and Appropriations Committee Chair Catherine Giordano informed organization alerted leaders and Senators of the form’s crash and apologized for inconveniences.

Becky Fields, a teacher at Talbot Elementary School, and Fields' two children hold a "We Say Gay" sign to protest Florida's Don't Say Gay bill at Heartwood Soundstage on Saturday, March 19. The bill has passed the state legislature and is on the governor's desk.

METRO

Gainesville activists rally against Don’t Say Gay bill

By Emma Behrmann | Mar. 21, 2022

The Pride Community Center of North Central Florida, the Unspoken Treasure Society and PFLAG Gainesville hosted the We Say GAYnesville Rally Saturday at the Heartwood Soundstage in downtown Gainesville. Over 20 organizations participated in the rally, PCCNCF President Tamára Perry-Lunardo said.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Two UF students victims of hit-and-runs last week

By Troy Myers | Mar. 21, 2022

Mackenzie Mullen and an unidentified student — two UF students — were involved in hit-and-runs last week. Mullen had serious injuries, and the other student was killed.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Tim Tebow to speak at April’s commencement

By Lily Kino | Mar. 21, 2022

Former Gator quarterback Tim Tebow will return to The Swamp this Spring to address the 2022 graduating class in a commencement speech. Tebow will speak April 29 at 7 p.m. in the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium for the university-wide ceremony, a celebration of students from all colleges. Graduates, their families and members of the public are invited to come to the special night under the lights.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

‘Make art, not war’: Gainesville, UF community show solidarity with Ukraine

By Amanda Friedman | Mar. 21, 2022

Images of once-tall buildings and busy streets Iryna Kanishcheva used to walk in Lviv, Ukraine, are now billows of smoke and ashes on her television screen. “I understand that all this can be destroyed with just one missile,” Kanishcheva said. “It’s really terrifying.”

Model Asteria Kennedy shows off her hair to the judges at the Ultimate Braiding Battle at the Hilton hotel on Southwest 34th Street on Saturday, March 19. Kennedy's stylist Rashawnda Thomas won the $1,000 prize.

METRO | BUSINESS

Braiders battle for $1,000 cash prize in inaugural styling competition

By Thandie Brown | Mar. 21, 2022

Gainesville hair stylists hosted the first Ultimate Braiders Battle Saturday with a $1,000 cash prize. About 50 people watched the competitors braid and perused the tables of hair care products lining the walls.

Oreo, a pitbull up for adoption at the Humane Society of North Central Florida, lies in the shade outside a play pen on Friday, March 18.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Gainesville groups and pet owners confront pit bull misconceptions

By Dazion Prosser | Mar. 21, 2022

Allison Martineau was surrounded by the affection of pit bull breeds at an early age. Now, the memory of the true nature of pit bulls motivates the 28-year-old substance abuse lead technician to foster the misunderstood dog type. “They love you like no other,” Martineau said. “Every dog has the ability to be a blessing.”

Emad Nasif, a 21-year-old Gainesville Twitch streamer, sits in front of his gaming set up where he streams his Fortnite plays to up to 1,500 viewers.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Santa Fe College dropout makes six figures as a full time Twitch streamer

By Omar Ateyah | Mar. 21, 2022

Emad Nasif, a 21-year-old Gainesville Twitch streamer, spends much of his day shouting. Nasif believes that a high level of energy and enthusiasm is required for him to maintain his audience, and attaining success in the streaming world is no easy task.

Florida softball huddles on the field to talk strategy against Mississippi State on March 14, 2022. The Gators compiled too many errors Friday night, falling to No. 7 Arkansas by a 9-1 score.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida travels to Texas A&M for second SEC series of the year

By Jose Tovar | Mar. 20, 2022

Florida softball (23-2, 2-1) is back in SEC action this weekend as it faces Texas A&M (16-8, 0-3) March 18-20 in College Station, Texas.

Florida outfielder Jud Fabian and the Gators collapsed in the ninth inning Sunday afternoon, falling to the Alabama Crimson Tide, 8-7.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators ninth inning meltdown takes away shine from big names

By Ethan Budowsky | Mar. 20, 2022

After nearly escaping an epic disaster Friday night, the Gators melted down even harder Sunday en route to a Sunday loss.

Sophomore Ben Shelton awaits a serve against Ole Miss Friday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida continues to roll with shutout win over Mississippi State

By Joshua Morgan | Mar. 20, 2022

Florida (14-2) continued their march through the SEC schedule with another convincing performance Sunday, scoring a 7-0 shutout at the hands of Mississippi State (11-8).

Florida forward Colin Castleton in the huddle against Iona March 16. The senior likely played his final game for the Gators Sunday versus Xavier.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida finishes season with underwhelming loss to Xavier

By Jackson Castellano | Mar. 20, 2022

Florida’s season came to an end Sunday in a 72-56 loss to Xavier. “This is a low, they need to learn from it and it’ll make them better,” interim head coach Al Pinkins said.

Graduate student Megan Skaggs and the Gators beat out three SEC opponents Saturday to clinch the Conference championship

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics is lights-out at the SEC Championship

By Madeline Lawson | Mar. 20, 2022

Florida sweeps both 2022 SEC trophies and Trinity Thomas wins the all-around title.

Kevin O'Sullivan before a weekend series with Missouri in 2021. The Gators head coach earned his 600th career win in a Saturday night bout with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

O’Sullivan wins his 600th, Gators outscore Tide to secure series win

By Carson Cashion | Mar. 20, 2022

Win number 600 for the O’Sullivan era in Gainesville came in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Florida women’s basketball added a new coach to its staff Tuesday, as Jackie Moore was named assistant to the head coach.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida falls to UCF in NCAA Tournament, magical season comes to a close

By Caleb Wiegandt | Mar. 19, 2022

Down three usual starters, Florida ended their NCAA Tournament hopes with a 69-52 loss to UCF Saturday.

No. 6 Florida was shut down by Texas A&M Saturday afternoon, 5-0.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida falls 5-0 to Texas A&M’s spectacular pitching

By Vanessa Sanchez | Mar. 19, 2022

No. 5 Florida was upset and shut down, 5-0 Saturday afternoon by the Texas A&M Aggies.

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