1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the Editor: We need to end the stigma around exploratory majors

Mar. 12, 2019

Throughout my three semesters as an exploratory major at UF, I was criticized and patronized for not knowing the exact path I wanted to follow. I had notable skills and traits, but no one field of study stood out to me as “the one.” It seemed like taking a variety of classes to see what I was passionate about would make sense, but to those around me, it didn’t.

OPINION | COLUMNS

Spring Break is a way to get back on track and to stay on track

Mar. 12, 2019

This semester has been hectic and stressful, so going home for Break was a good decision for me. I needed a change from the constant responsibilities I have at school. It allowed me to get back on track for the rest of the semester and spend time with family. Here are some ways to maximize relaxation and recharge even after Spring Break is over.

FILE - In this Feb. 28, 2019 file photo, actress Lori Loughlin, center, poses with daughters Olivia Jade Giannulli, left, and Isabella Rose Giannulli at the 2019 "An Unforgettable Evening" in Beverly Hills, Calif. Loughlin and her husband Mossimo Giannulli were charged along with nearly 50 other people Tuesday in a scheme in which wealthy parents bribed college coaches and other insiders to get their children into some of the most elite schools in the country, federal prosecutors said. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)

NEWS | NATIONAL

TV stars and coaches charged in college bribery scheme

By The Associated Press | Mar. 12, 2019

BOSTON (AP) — Fifty people, including Hollywood stars Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin, were charged Tuesday in a scheme in which wealthy parents allegedly bribed college coaches and other insiders to get their children into some of the nation's most elite schools.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Rises and falls: How UF graduate programs fare in U.S. News and World Report

By Kelly Hayes | Mar. 11, 2019

Sixteen programs increased ranking

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Police catch suspect in skimming credit card scheme

By Josephine Fuller | Mar. 11, 2019

He has a $950,000 bond

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man accused of threatening to shoot two women after disputes

By Josephine Fuller | Mar. 11, 2019

He also allegedly swung a tire iron at neighbors during fight

Robert DiPiazzas’s unusual home will take about 11 months to complete finish from ground work to finishing touches like flooring and window placement.

METRO

Boxed in: UF lecturer helps construct house made of shipping containers

By Ana Escalante | Mar. 11, 2019

It is projected to cost about $200,000

Sophomore Victoria Emma won her singles match, but she and McCartney Kessler lost their third consecutive doubles match as a pair. The Gators women’s tennis team fell 4-3 to the No. 30 Knights on Sunday night.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida tames Tigers in 4-1 win

By Victor Prieto | Mar. 10, 2019

Tsveta Dimitrova clinched her fist and casually strolled toward her opponent as Taylor Gruber’s shot collided with the net. Dimitrova claimed her fifth singles victory and the Florida women’s tennis team’s second-consecutive road win over a top-50 team.

Junior Marta Perez (+1) is in eighth after two rounds at the Longhorn Invite.  UF (+10) is currently in 10th.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Gators win their own event for the fourth-consecutive year

By Bryan Matamoros | Mar. 10, 2019

Florida’s women’s golf team entered the final round of the Florida Gators Invitational in second place at even par, three strokes behind first-place Miami.

Nestor Garcia, a 21-year-old industrial engineer major, attends the early voting session on Oct. 22, 2018, at the J. Wayne Reitz Union to vote for the first time.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

First day of early voting in local races sees three-year low

By Karina Elwood | Mar. 10, 2019

Only 324 residents voted

UF men’s tennis player Johannes Ingildsen won his match against UCF’s Trey Hilderbrand 6-4, 7-5 on Friday night.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

UF improves to 3-0 in SEC play

By Noah Ram | Mar. 10, 2019

The No. 9 Florida men’s tennis team knew that this match would be different.

Akiya Parks, a first-generation student and Machen Florida Opportunity Scholar, addresses the crowd on the Plaza of the Americas Feb. 26, 2019, for the “Stand Up and Holler: Gator Nation Giving Day.”

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF raised $12.6 million in one day. Here's where the money goes.

By Mikayla Carroll | Mar. 10, 2019

UF’s push for alumni donations differed among colleges, programs

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF’s university-wide commencement proves costly

By Lakshmi Gomez | Mar. 10, 2019

UF spent about $360,000 on Fall 2018 ceremony

Florida coach Mike White and the Gators lost their final three games of the regular season and finished 17-14. UF plays Arkansas in the SEC Tournament in Nashville, Tennessee, on Thursday.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators hope to boost NCAA resume at SEC Tournament

By Jake Dreilinger | Mar. 10, 2019

The future for the Florida men’s basketball team seems bleak.

Senior Nelson Maldonado went 2 for 3 at the plate with one run and three RBIs in Florida's 15-0 win over FGCU on Tuesday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

UF is trending upwards with difficult stretch ahead

By Kyle Wood | Mar. 10, 2019

The nature of the Florida baseball team’s opponents and outcomes through 18 games have made it difficult to gauge where the Gators are.

UF junior Grant Holloway ran the 60-meter hurdles in 7.43 seconds at the Tyson Invitational. The time was one millisecond off of his personal record.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators repeat as indoor champions

By Graham Marsh | Mar. 10, 2019

For the second time in as many years, and for the fifth time since 2010, the Florida men’s track and field team won the NCAA Indoor Championship.

UF first baseman Amanda Lorenz went 3 for 3 with two home runs and five RBIs against Tennessee on Sunday.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gators avoid sweep, run rule Volunteers at home

By Mark Stine | Mar. 10, 2019

Tennessee center fielder Cailin Hannon sprinted backward and tracked the softball as it gradually descended into her path. She outstretched her glove to make the catch, then ☺— WHAM!

METRO | CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Man accused of hurting woman, trapping her in home

By Katherine Wallace-Fernandez | Mar. 10, 2019

His bond is $240,000

Florida gymnast Trinity Thomas was named SEC Gymnast of the Week following her performance against Georgia on Friday. She collected 9.975s in both floor and bars.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

Gators wrap regular season, turn focus to SEC Championships

By River Wells | Mar. 10, 2019

The Gators were nearly perfect at the O’Connell Center during the regular season, with their only loss coming against Georgia. Now, however, they’ll leave it all behind following their victory against No. 25 Penn State on Friday.

Starter Tyler Dyson allowed just two hits in five innings in his first win of the season. He finished with a season-high six strikeouts in the Gators' 16-4 win over Winthrop on Friday night.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida escapes with weekend sweep of Yale

By Evan Lepak | Mar. 10, 2019

Junior right-hander Tyler Dyson had his best start of the season on Sunday, commanding the strike zone by allowing just one walk after giving up nine combined in his previous three outings. His performance helped No. 5 Florida to a 4-3 victory over the Yale Bulldogs to preserve a weekend sweep at Alfred A. McKethan Stadium.

El Caimán