1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Florida Gators second basemen Justin Nadeau (1) throws to first in a baseball game against the Missouri Tigers on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Mississippi State snaps Florida’s seven-game winning streak in series finale

By Hugh Green | Apr. 20

Going into the series finale between Florida and Mississippi State, the Gators had scored 24 runs on 28 hits in the first two games of the weekend. They continued their offensive onslaught on Sunday, scoring eight runs on 13 hits in Starkville, Mississippi. But it wasn’t enough, as UF was unable to complete the sweep.

Florida Relays at the University of Florida on Saturday, April 5th, 2025.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Charlton’s senior-day double punctuates successful showing at Tom Jones Memorial

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | Apr. 19

It was a senior day celebration inside James G. Pressly Stadium, and Anthaya Charlton made the most of it. In her first competition of the outdoor season, the senior from the Bahamas picked up a pair of event wins at the Tom Jones Memorial Invitational.

Florida Gators outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) celebrates towards the dugout in a softball game against Providence in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 8 Florida wins rubbers match against No. 22 Alabama

By Jackson Colding | Apr. 19

With the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning, No. 8 Florida needed just one big play to take the game – and the series – over No. 22 Alabama.

Freshman and UF golf player Addison Klonowski plays at the Barbara Nicklaus Cup Day 1 on Oct. 7, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida women’s golf falls in the final round of the SEC Championship

By Brooke Bastedo | Apr. 19

Florida was able to excel in match play against LSU and Arkansas before falling to No. 1 seed South Carolina in the final round of the SEC Championship.

Florida Gators attack Clark Hamilton (21) runs with the ball in a lacrosse game against Loyola Maryland in Gainesville, Fla., on Saturday, March 8, 2025.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida wins 11th consecutive match in dominant all-around effort

By Max Bernstein | Apr. 19

No. 4 Florida lacrosse was dominant Saturday, as redshirt junior goalkeeper Elyse Finnelle made eight saves and the Gators cruised to a 20-2 win over Big 12 rival Cincinnati.

Florida Gators catcher Luke Heyman (28) watches his home run ball in a baseball game against the Missouri Tigers on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida beats Mississippi State in series opener with sixth-inning spurt

By Hugh Green | Apr. 18

The Florida Gators entered the sixth inning of Friday night’s series opener against Mississippi State down 3-2. Eleven batters later, UF went into the bottom half of the inning with a 9-3 lead after a red-hot hitting stretch. The Gators scored seven runs on eight hits, four of which went for extra bases.

UF tennis player Henry Jefferson pictured during a match against the University of North Florida on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2025.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis comes up short against South Carolina in SEC Tournament quarterfinal

By Curan Ahern | Apr. 18

Florida’s strong singles showing in a 4-2 comeback win over Arkansas propelled it to the quarterfinals of the SEC Tournament, reminding everyone just how dangerous the Gators can be. UF didn’t take time for a victory lap, staying hungry for more in a week of single elimination conference play. After losing to South Carolina 4-1 to end the regular season, Florida (14-11, 8-6 SEC) returned to Columbia to test its luck against No. 3 seed South Carolina in a Friday night contest, hoping to flip the script against the steamrolling Gamecocks.

Florida Gators outfielder Kendra Falby (27) celebrates as she arrives to home plate after her second home run of the season during a softball game against UCF in Gainesville, Fla., on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

No. 8 Florida evens series with No. 22 Alabama in run-rule fashion

By Jackson Colding | Apr. 18

After dropping the series opener on Thursday, No. 8 Florida responded with an offensive outburst to even its SEC series against No. 22 Alabama.

Mourners lay flowers at Langford Green for victims of mass shooting at Florida State University on Friday, April 18, 2025.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

‘We will move forward’: FSU community holds vigil after mass shooting

By Avery Parker and Vivienne Serret | Apr. 18

Around noon Thursday, a gunman opened fire at FSU’s student union, killing two and injuring six. A vigil was held Friday at 5 p.m. to honor and mourn the victims.

Florida Gators forward Thomas Haugh (10) celebrates after winning the National Championship against the Houston Cougars in the NCAA Tournament on Monday, April 7, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Stellar sophomore season leaves Thomas Haugh with a decision to make

By Jackson Colding | Apr. 18

After being a three-star recruit from New Oxford, Pennsylvania, Thomas Haugh has established himself as a legitimate NBA Draft prospect following his sophomore season.

Students and community members gather to attend one of the informative talks presented at the HSA museum night on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.

SPANISH

A legacy in color: Hispanic student association celebrates 40th anniversary with Museum Night

By Gabriella Chavez | Apr. 18

UF’s Hispanic Student Association hosted a Museum Night on Wednesday at La Casita and the Institute of Black Culture, celebrating the organization’s 40-year legacy and honoring the history, contributions and presence of the Hispanic and Latinx community on campus.

Florida tennis player Henry Jefferson finishes a swing during a doubles match against North Florida on Friday, Jan. 19, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis defeats Arkansas in SEC Tournament second round

By Curan Ahern | Apr. 17

Florida’s men’s tennis team entered Thursday’s match against Arkansas well-rested and seeking a much-needed victory after losing its final two regular-season matches against Tennessee and South Carolina. The Gators (14-10, 9-6 SEC) braved the second round of the SEC Tournament with confidence, prepared for a repeat performance of its dominant 4-1 win over the Razorbacks on March 15.

Florida Gators outfielder Taylor Shumaker (21) hits her seventh home run over nine games in a softball game against Boston College in Gainesville, Fla., on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida loses opening game of series with Alabama

By Noah White | Apr. 17

Florida softball allows seven runs in the first inning in a surprising series-opening loss to Alabama.

Florida Gators gymnast Victoria Nguyen preforms on the floor in a gymnastics meet against the Kentucky Wildcats in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, March 14, 2025.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

No. 3 Florida concludes season with stunning national championship semifinals loss

By Liana Handler | Apr. 17

No. 3 Florida concludes its whirlwind season with a national championship semifinal loss.

Reagan Parker catches the ball in her racket at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex on Friday, March 28, 2025. Jimena Gomez Alonso of University of Arkansas defeated Parker 6-3 and 6-0.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida women’s tennis exits in the second round of the SEC Tournament following

By Jeffrey Serber | Apr. 17

After defeating Alabama in walk-off fashion, Florida’s 2025 SEC Tournament run came to an end on Thursday following a second-round collapse to No. 13 Vanderbilt.

Three FSU students sit on Landis Green Thursday and face Strozier Library.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Two dead, multiple people injured after FSU shooting

By Alligator Staff report | Apr. 17

Two people died, and six were hospitalized after a shooting at Florida State University’s student union Thursday.

Senior guard Bennett Andersen smiles on the court in the Gators’ 96-57 win against the Grambling State Tigers on Dec. 22, 2023.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Bennett Andersen: From three-time intramural champion to Florida walk-on

By Hailey Hurst | Apr. 17

In the chaos of Florida’s historic postseason run, walk-on graduate student guard Bennett Andersen made his way under the bright arena lights, as his two minutes of play would later resonate beyond the court.

OPINION | COLUMNS

A letter to Gainesville educational leaders

By Ximena Villegas | Apr. 17

After UF student Felipe Zapata Velásquez was detained by ICE, tensions are high among UF students.

What are the different ways that people in Alachua County make friends?

METRO | ALACHUA COUNTY

Venturing beyond the Swamp: Navigating non-student friendships in Gainesville

By Annie Wang | Apr. 17

Making friends in Gainesville as a non-student can be tough. Gainesville residents share their experience with friendship outside of college.

Professor Tony Ramierz-Mata at the University of Florida School of Theatre and Dance on Friday, April 11, 2025.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

A look inside the UF musical theater program

By Rachel Mish | Apr. 17

Velazquez said most schools have large cohorts that can be as many as 40 people, and she was uninterested in the possibility of falling through the cracks. At UF, she feels like she’s receiving the education best suited to her future.

El Caimán