1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Dunk a basketball - every boy's dream

Feb. 23, 2016

Grown men can say it has always been their dream to end up with the jobs they have today, but they would be lying. For anyone who has ever picked up a basketball growing up, they can attest to the fact that they eagerly waited for the day they’d be able to slam a rubber ball into a metal hoop situated 10 feet off the ground professionally. Unfortunately, for many of us, that day never comes.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Remembering author Harper Lee

Feb. 23, 2016

On Feb. 19, beloved American author Nelle Harper Lee passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 89.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Column: Spelling black liberation with a capital 'B'

Feb. 23, 2016

I am not black, and I will never grasp the depth of the suffering, past and present, of the members of the African diaspora.

OPINION | EDITORIALS

Editorial: Common sense, not partisanship, can prevail

Feb. 23, 2016

When we talk about Florida politics, we usually do so in language expressing exasperation and disbelief. There is, after all, plenty to be angry about these days: Statewide, the ongoing battle over whether to allow fracking in Florida has intensified in recent days, and here in Gainesville, we’re contending with how to best correct overbilling and mismanagement on the part of Gainesville Regional Utilities and the Gainesville Renewable Energy Center.

Raymond Rawls rides one of his custom-made floats down University Avenue during the UF Homecoming Parade on Nov. 6, 2015. Of his five creations that will be featured at the Menagerie in Motion event on Saturday, Rawls said the alligator his favorite.

METRO

Handmade creatures to roam Gainesville on Saturday

By Madison Behm | Feb. 23, 2016

A shark submarine will roll down the streets of Gainesville on Saturday.

METRO

From Gainesville to Dapperville: a group's mission to improve wardrobes

By Hannah Ogden | Feb. 23, 2016

Five men are on a mission to make Gainesville dapper.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Students vote to pie a professor as part of Engineers Without Borders event

By Brenna McKenna | Feb. 23, 2016

Engineers Without Borders is letting students vote for a professor to pie.

John Egbunu shoots a free throw during Florida's 61-55 loss to Alabama on Feb. 13, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Defense carrying UF basketball near season's end

By IAN COHEN | Feb. 22, 2016

The 20-point scoring barrage began abruptly.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Voting open for sustainability contest at Library West

By Demi Wolfe | Feb. 22, 2016

Students can start voting online today for how to make Library West sustainable.

Attacker Shayna Pirreca leads Florida with 44 goals on the season.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Pirreca sisters stepping up for Florida lacrosse team

By Kyle Brutman | Feb. 22, 2016

The Pirreca sisters took over Chapel Hill, North Carolina, on Saturday.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Queer and transgender minority students unite for week of educational events

By Jaci Schreckengost | Feb. 22, 2016

A UF group is educating students about queer and transgender minority students this week.

UF's Dane Dunning pitches during Florida's 7-4 win against Alabama on March 28, 2015, at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF baseball hosts Eastern Michigan tonight

By Luis Torres | Feb. 22, 2016

After sweeping its season-opening series against Florida Gulf Coast, the Florida baseball team had little time before switching its attention to its next opponent, Eastern Michigan.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Experts discuss pesticide use before 2016 bee event

By Diane Illingworth | Feb. 22, 2016

Leading up to this year’s Bee College, UF experts shared the importance of protecting bees and the food they pollinate.

An accomplished runner who often dominated the competition in his age group, UF physics professor Steven Detweiler poses for a picture on New Year's Day after the Shorter Mile race in Gainesville,. Detweiler was 68 when he passed away.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Taking it in stride - friends remember UF professor, runner

By Martin Vassolo | Feb. 22, 2016

When 41-year-old Konstantin Matchev finished a half marathon Sunday, he hoped to see a familiar face at the finish line.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Second VP of Student Affairs candidate visits

By Katelyn Newberg | Feb. 22, 2016

Mental health and student diversity are important issues to the second candidate for vice president of Student Affairs.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Frank2016 encourages positive messages, open discussion

By Andrea Benaim | Feb. 22, 2016

Krewes and scrums are coming to Gainesville.

Kelly Grassel lines up a shot during the 2015 SunTrust Gator Invitational at UF's Mark Bostick Golf Course.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF women’s golf tops tourney leaderboard after second round

By Alfredo Morales | Feb. 22, 2016

Monday was a day of season bests as the Florida women’s golf team finished on top of the leaderboard after an explosive second round at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Golf Championship in New Orleans.

Bridget Sloan performs on the balance beam during Florida's win against Arkansas on Feb. 12, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators gymnastics fights past adversity in road win

By Alejandro López | Feb. 22, 2016

On Friday, the No. 2 Florida gymnastics team was set up for failure.

Sam Horsfield lines up a shot to start the third round of the SunTrust Invitational on Feb. 21, 2016, at UF's Mark Bostic Golf Course.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Florida men's golf learning from defeat after home loss

By Ray Boone | Feb. 22, 2016

Gradually, the No. 5 Florida men’s golf team is learning to deal with adversity.

Caeleb Dressel touches the wall at the end of his leg of the 400 meter freestyle relay during Florida’s meet against Auburn on Jan. 23, 2016, in the O’Connell Center.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

UF swimming and diving finishes SEC competition, prepares for NCAAs

By Sean Doty | Feb. 22, 2016

Before the Southeastern Conference Championships began in Columbia, Missouri, the UF men’s swimming and diving team, ranked No. 9, had a target painted on its back.

El Caimán