1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Americans Tommie Smith (center) and John Carlos (right) raised their fists after the 1968 Olympics 200-meter race as "The Star-Spangled Banner" played.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

“Stick to sports” mantra is just plain wrong. It always has been

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 21, 2018

Sport has always been political.

Students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, and supporters march in Tallahassee for gun control after 17 were shot and killed at the school Feb. 14.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF students are raising money for bus trip to D.C. for March for Our Lives

By Amanda Rosa | Feb. 21, 2018

As Brandon Taylor scrolled down the list of those killed in the Parkland shooting last Wednesday, he didn’t expect to see the name of a 15-year-old student he used to tutor.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF researchers found a new way to help prevent and slow down Type I diabetes

By Rachel Porter | Feb. 21, 2018

UF and international researchers discovered a new use for a high blood pressure drug — to prevent or slow down Type I diabetes.

Members of the Impact Party cheer after hearing the results of the 2018 Spring Student Government election. Impact Party swept the execute ticket and claimed a majority of the 50 Student Senate seats.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Impact Party sweeps Student Government elections for a third year in a row

Feb. 21, 2018

For the third year in a row, Impact Party will have another executive ticket in office.

JJ Schwarz hit a home run off the scoreboard in right field Wednesday night. He finished 3-for-4 with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

JJ Schwarz, Nelson Maldonado guide Gators past Bethune-Cookman

By Justin Ahlum | Feb. 21, 2018

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Gators fans started to get restless with Bethune-Cookman pitcher Branden Frank.

Pitcher Kelly Barnhill struck out 15 batters in 5.2 innings against Oakland.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida’s softball team dominates Oakland for pair of victories in doubleheader

By Mark Stine | Feb. 21, 2018

Florida’s softball team got its stark-white uniforms plenty dirty on Wednesday night.

The Junior League of Gainesville Thrift Shop, located at 430 N. Main St.

METRO

After being open for more than 80 years, this downtown Gainesville thrift store is closing

By Eman Elshahawy | Feb. 21, 2018

A Gainesville thrift store that opened in 1935 will sell its clothes and accessories for the last time this semester.

UF alumnus Alfonso Tejada, right, pitches his product Palmini on Shark Tank.

NEWS | CAMPUS

A UF alumnus’ diet-friendly pasta product will be featured on ‘Shark Tank’ this Sunday

By Sabrina Conza | Feb. 21, 2018

Alfonso Tejada made a pasta that fits every diet needs, from anyone who’s on a keto diet or allergic to gluten.

Gainesville moms support Stoneman Douglas students in Tallahassee on Wednesday.

METRO

Live Blog: Stoneman Douglas students march on Tallahassee

Feb. 21, 2018

Survivors of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida arrived at the state's Capitol on Wednesday demanding gun reform.

Coach Mike White said the Gators' issues with consistency could cost them a trip to the NCAA Tournament. “It’s been a rollercoaster ride,” he said.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Mike White: ‘There’s a chance we can go to the NIT’ if UF’s struggles continue

By Benjamin Brandt | Feb. 21, 2018

Florida men’s basketball coach Mike White stripped himself of certain formalities before Monday’s practice.

Sophomore Katie Chronister will see time in the circle today during UF’s doubleheader against Oakland, according to coach Tim Walton.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Underclassmen expected to contribute Wednesday for Florida softball team

By Mari Faiello | Feb. 21, 2018

One of the most notable factors about Florida’s softball team this season is its deep roster.

David Filipov spoke at the Bob Graham Center at UF on Tuesday. He focused on topics such as Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia and its relations with the United States.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Former Washington Post Russia reporter spoke at UF about fake news

By McKenna Beery | Feb. 20, 2018

David Filipov saw the lies. He watched first hand as “fake news” about Russia spread like a disease.

METRO

Bite Squad adds 20 new restaurant locations for delivery to UF students and Gainesville residents

By Sabrina Conza | Feb. 20, 2018

Shalena Hoang no longer has to leave her Hume Hall residence hall room to enjoy her Chick-fil-A order of eight-count nuggets, fries and sweet tea.

Students wait to vote in Marston Science Library on Tuesday.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

First day of SG elections has high turnout compared to 2017

By Christina Morales | Feb. 20, 2018

Anthony Neher collected four “I Voted!” stickers in Marston Science Library to take back to his fraternity, Delta Tau Delta, to win a prize. He said it’s normal for Greek life students to vote for Impact Party.

Zach Xu, a 20-year-old UF finance sophomore and 2016 alumnus of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, organized the event on Turlington Plaza on Tuesday night. He spoke about his experiences while at the school and paid his respects to those involved in the shootings.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Stoneman Douglas alumni hold vigil

By Meryl Kornfield | Feb. 20, 2018

More than 200 people stood quietly on Turlington Plaza on Tuesday night, and, among them, a cohort dressed in maroon and white cried.

NEWS | CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENT

SG elections commission didn't violate rules by holding meeting with extra members, officials say

By Christina Morales | Feb. 20, 2018

Although the Student Government codes specify the Elections Commission should be made up of six members, seven people acting as members discussed and voted on three election code violations at a meeting Monday night.

Quarterback Feleipe Franks was recruited to Florida as a four-star recruit out of high school according to 247Sports.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Recruiting is a necessary part of college sports. It’s also completely ridiculous.

By Ethan Bauer | Feb. 20, 2018

Feleipe Franks was a lucky one.

OPINION | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Letter to the editor from Mackintosh Joachim

Feb. 20, 2018

With three black students running for Student Body president in this Spring’s Student Government elections, many individuals are quick to jump the gun and state change is coming and bigotry and racism will no longer be a thing on this campus. The same thing was said when President Barack Obama was elected. It was said America had entered a new phase in its history, and the phrase “we are living in a post-racial America” became popular. Well, the 2016 U.S. presidential election showed otherwise.

Freshman starter Jack Leftwich threw 6.1 innings and allowed only two earned runs in his outing against Texeas Tech at the College World Series Thursday.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators baseball’s aggressive tendencies pay off in win over Florida Atlantic

By Morgan McMullen | Feb. 20, 2018

Gators pitcher Jack Leftwich had retired his previous 12 batters when FAU second baseman Eric Rivera stepped into the batter’s box to lead off the fifth inning.

UF coach Emily Glaser will put redshirt freshman Elin Esborn and freshman Addie Baggarly into the top two spots in the lineup for the Landfall Tradition.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Brooks dominates, Florida notches first win of the spring

By Chris O'Brien | Feb. 20, 2018

Sierra Brooks’ career at Florida is off to an impressive start.

El Caimán