News - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida right-handed starting pitcher Hudson Randall throws against William and Mary on Feb. 24. Randall did not throw last weekend due to a “tired arm,” and his status is unknown for this weekend.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators battling uncertainty with rotation entering ‘Vols series

Apr. 12, 2012

Everything was set in an orderly way when the Gators began their 2012 campaign.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Donovan hires Burno as new assistant coach to replace Roberts

By JOHN BOOTHE | Apr. 12, 2012

Billy Donovan’s coaching staff did not remain undermanned for long following last week’s departure of assistant coach Norm Roberts.

Florida attacker Caroline Cochran drives in an exhibition against England on Jan. 26. The Gators’ lone senior, Cochran suffered a torn ACL in the first game of the season.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Injured Cochran to sit out Florida’s first Senior Day

By JOSH JURNOVOY< | Apr. 12, 2012

The Gators’ Senior Day on Saturday will be an unusual one.

Oft-injured sophomore Alaina Johnson has benefitted from a lighter training load this season. Johnson shared two titles at NCAA Regionals with Ashanée Dickerson.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Johnson peaking at right time for UF gymnastics ahead of NCAAs

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 12, 2012

Ashanée Dickerson’s performance put her in the spotlight last Saturday, but another UF gymnast pieced together an impressive NCAA Regionals showing.

Florida senior outfielder Michelle Moultrie drops her bat to run after recording a hit against USF on March 28. UF has struggled in midweek games as of late.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida eager for weekend series against Auburn to begin

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Apr. 12, 2012

Everyone is looking forward to the weekend, especially the Gators.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Second-ranked Gators women's tennis still tinkering with third doubles team

By ELI MARGER | Apr. 12, 2012

Looking for the Gators’ weak spot can be quite a challenge.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Virus affects about 600 students’ Macs on campus

By Kelsey Grentzer | Apr. 12, 2012

About 600 Mac computers on the UF campus were suspected to be infected with a Trojan virus called Flashback as of Thursday, said Jim Hranicky, an information security monitoring specialist for UF’s Information Security team.

Elizabeth Graham, winner of ESPNU’s Ultimate College Sports Fan contest, poses in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Wednesday.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT LIFE

Student named ‘Ultimate College Sports Fan,’ gets trip to ESPYs

By Caitlin Hartley | Apr. 12, 2012

Elizabeth Graham will take the trip of her dreams this summer.

NEWS | ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Sheriff’s Office communications center announces missing children call center partnership

By Michael Scott Davidson | Apr. 12, 2012

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Combined Communications Center announced a partnership Thursday with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

NEWS | ONLINE EXCLUSIVES

Alachua County deputies find 870-grams of marijuana when serving warrant

Apr. 12, 2012

Alachua County Sheriff's Office deputies showed up to a northern Gainesville house Wednesday to serve a warrant. They left with a stash of marijuana and two people in handcuffs.

Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan talks to the media following Tuesday night’s win against Florida State. O’Sullivan said he started junior Brian Johnson because the Gators needed a win against the Seminoles after a recent slide.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Gators’ newcomers contributing, helping established stars

Apr. 11, 2012

It’s a mantra that UF coach Kevin O’Sullivan has repeated all season.

NEWS | CAMPUS

‘Parks and Recreation’ actor delivers standup, songs

By Kelly Price | Apr. 11, 2012

About 500 people watched “Parks and Recreation” actor Nick Offerman deliver standup and songs, but hundreds more couldn’t fit in the room.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida forward Pitchford to transfer for family reasons

By JOHN BOOTHE | Apr. 11, 2012

After just one season playing for the Gators, Walter Pitchford announced Wednesday that he is transferring from Florida’s basketball team.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Sustainability efforts expanded at O’Connell Center

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Apr. 11, 2012

In the past year, the O’Connell Center has taken steps toward running a more eco-friendly venue through paper and plastic recycling incentives.

Gabriela Barrios, a 21-year-old junior in the Bachelor of Fine Arts acting program, and Fernando Masterson, a 20-year-old telecommunications sophomore, play siblings in "The Bender Method."

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida Players presented life lessons during New Works

By Erin Jester | Apr. 11, 2012

The fifth annual festival, presented by Florida Players at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, featured three short plays by UF students Andrew Bailes, Amelia Harris and Josh Sallerson.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Davis, UF track using rare off weekend to continue its training

By KATIE AGOSTIN< | Apr. 11, 2012

After almost 24 hours of competition spread over two days at the Pepsi Florida Relays, the Gators will finally have a weekend off.

NEWS | CAMPUS

University of Florida's Center for NeuroGenetics receives $1 million grant

Apr. 11, 2012

The W.M. Keck Foundation gave UF’s Center for NeuroGenetics a $1 million grant to fund research investigating the role certain proteins could play in cell biology and disease.

Junior catcher Mike Zunino belted a two-run home run in the fifth inning Tuesday that tied the score at three in Florida’s 6-3 victory against top-ranked Florida State.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF completes sweep of FSU

By MATT WATTS | Apr. 10, 2012

TALLAHASSEE — It had been 54 years since Florida swept a season series against Florida State, and for three innings Tuesday it looked like that number would increase to 55.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Column: Open letter to The Gator Grind: Your site can be game-changing

By JOHN BOOTHE | Apr. 10, 2012

To the 36 University of Florida student-athletes currently grinding,

Freshman Kiersten Wang scored a career-high 9.875 on vault in the NCAA Regionals — her first time competing in the event since Jan. 20.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Wang’s vault performance helps spring UF gymnastics to NCAA Championships

By LANDON WATNICK< | Apr. 10, 2012

Kiersten Wang finally got her opportunity to shine Saturday.