1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

THE AVENUE

Summer staff applications for the Avenue now open!

By Avenue Staff | May 6, 2019

Apply by May 8 at 11:59 p.m.

Brady McConnell's two solo home runs were responsible for the Gators' entire offensive output as it was swept in a doubleheader at Georgia on Sunday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators outscored 13-2, lose both games of doubleheader

By Evan Lepak | May 5, 2019

Georgia's pitching staff was elite during Sunday's doubleheader, and Florida simply couldn't keep up.

Bestselling author James Patterson speaks to an estimated 2,500 students at UF's university-wide commencement on Saturday. "If you only take one thing away from today, please take this: Passion is the key reason for choosing a career,” Patterson said.

NEWS | CAMPUS

James Patterson, Tom Petty and boycotts: UF hosts weekend of graduations

By Josephine Fuller | May 5, 2019

An estimated 2,500 graduates of the more than 7,000 who ordered regalia attended the hour and a half university-wide commencement at the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, said UF spokesperson Steve Orlando. The ceremony featured a speech from bestselling author James Patterson and a new tradition of singing Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down.”

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean, David Richardson, gestures to pause the commencement ceremony. Richardson announced the ceremony would be delayed by 30 minutes, but the ceremony was later moved to an insidehallway of the stadium.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF College of Liberal Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony rained out

By Kelly Hayes | May 5, 2019

About 200 to 300 students were not called on the main stage.

The Gators softball team dropped its series to Mississippi State.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators split doubleheader, drop series vs Mississippi State

By Brendan Farrell | May 4, 2019

The Florida softball team came into Saturday’s doubleheader needing to win both games against Mississippi State to not only win the series but to also have a chance at hosting a super regional.

The Gators women's tennis team suffered a season-ending loss to Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida falls short in season-ending loss to Kansas

By Victor Prieto | May 4, 2019

When it seemed like the Gators women’s tennis team might pull off yet another come-from-behind victory, Marlee Zein faltered.

The Gators men's tennis team eliminated FSU and advanced to the Sweet 16 on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators move into Sweet 16 with win over FSU

By Noah Ram | May 4, 2019

Alfredo Perez knew this wasn’t just a normal win for the Florida men’s tennis team.

Senior Lindsey Ronbeck led the way with six goals as Florida won its first American Athletic Conference Tournament championship on Saturday.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida takes down Cincinnati to win AAC Tournament

By Bryan Matamoros | May 4, 2019

The Florida women’s lacrosse team won the regular season conference title and the conference tournament in each of its four seasons as a member of the Big East from 2015-18.

Pitcher Tommy Mace struggled as Florida dropped the opener of its series with Georgia.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Mace bounced early in Florida’s loss to Georgia

By Kyle Wood | May 3, 2019

Tommy Mace has kept the Florida baseball team close in many of his starts on the mound this season.

The Gators managed only one hit in Friday's loss to Mississippi State.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators’ two-out rally comes up short in loss to Mississippi State

By Brendan Farrell | May 3, 2019

Bottom of the seventh, two outs, bases loaded.

The Gators sailed to a 4-0 win over FGCU in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators get first round NCAA Tournament win

By Noah Ram | May 3, 2019

The Florida men’s tennis team was ready to hit the court on Friday for the first time in 13 days.

The Florida women's tennis team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with Friday's 4-1 win over Boston College.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Gators dominate Boston College, advance to second round of NCAA Tournament

By Victor Prieto | May 3, 2019

Sydney Berlin focused Boston College’s Laura Lopez into her sights.

Midfielder Sydney Pirreca tied the program record with 11 points as UF advanced to the AAC Championship.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Gators defeat Vanderbilt to advance to conference championship game

By Bryan Matamoros | May 2, 2019

The Florida women’s lacrosse team has been at its best when playing on the road throughout the 2018-19 campaign.

Julian Obligado, a 21-year-old UF business management senior, was known for his love of cooking, video games and Supreme clothing.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Supreme garments and robot dances: Remembering Julian Obligado

By Lina Ruiz | May 2, 2019

Julian Obligado could always be seen wearing Supreme. When he wasn’t wearing it, he was buying more of the skateboarding brand or selling what he owned to his friends.

UF freshman quarterback Jalon Jones was accused of two instances of sexual battery on April 6 according to two University Police reports. Charges were not pressed for either incident.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Jalon Jones accused of sexual battery

By River Wells | May 2, 2019

He was accused of two separate incidents, but no charges were pressed.

The Swamp Restaurant's current structure opened in 1994 after the previous building was destroyed in a fire. The beloved restaurant and game day destination will remain open despite construction around it.

METRO

The Swamp Restaurant survives new development plans

By Josephine Fuller | May 1, 2019

Director of construction clears up confusion in statement on Wednesday.

Chauncey Gardner-Johnson was selected in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the New Orleans Saints.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Three Gators picked on day three of NFL Draft, two sign as undrafted free agents

By Graham Marsh | Apr. 30, 2019

Three Gators had their name called on day three of the 2019 NFL Draft.

Students gather on the campus of the University of North Carolina Charlotte after a shooting Tuesday afternoon, April 30, 2019, in Charlotte, N.C.

NEWS | NATIONAL

North Carolina campus shooting leaves 2 dead, 4 injured

By The Associated Press | Apr. 30, 2019

A shooting on a North Carolina university campus left two people dead and four wounded Tuesday, prompting a lockdown and chaotic scene in the state’s largest city.

NATIONAL

North Carolina university issues alert on apparent shooting

By The Associated Press | Apr. 30, 2019

Reports of shots fired on a North Carolina university campus Tuesday prompted a lockdown and chaotic scenes in North Carolina’s largest city.

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Former middle school teacher sentenced for child sex trafficking

By Josephine Fuller | Apr. 30, 2019

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison

El Caimán