1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Funding for student organization assemblies has been denied.

SPANISH

UF recorta miles de dólares en financiamiento y apoyo a asambleas de bienvenida centradas en la identidad

By Pristine Thai and Gabriella Chavez | Apr. 1

La UF está eliminando miles de dólares en financiamiento y apoyo al personal para varias asambleas de bienvenida centradas en la identidad, lo que podría poner en peligro los eventos hechos para asimilar a los nuevos Gators al campus. Los recortes afectarán las asambleas anuales de bienvenida de al menos cuatro organizaciones estudiantiles: la Unión estudiantil Afroamericana, la Unión estudiantil de Orgullo, la Unión estudiantil Hispana-Latina y la Unión estudiantil de Mujeres

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF cuts thousands in funding, support for identity-centered student welcome assemblies

By Pristine Thai | Apr. 1

UF is eliminating thousands of dollars in funding and staff support for four student organizations: the Black Student Union, Pride Student Union, Hispanic-Latine Student Association and Women’s Student Association.

Florida pitcher Jake Clemente (20) pitches as the Florida Gators face the Dayton Flyers on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at Condron Family Ballpark in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

From Stoneman Douglas to UF, the pitching pipeline breeding success

By Hugh Green | Apr. 1

The Gators baseball team has three former Marjory Stoneman Douglas pitchers this season, two of whom have important roles in Florida’s pitching staff.

University of Florida Gators Women’s Basketball plays against the Oklahoma Sooners for their senior night on Thursday, Feb. 27th, 2025.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida women’s basketball season ends in WBIT Semifinals

By Max Bernstein | Mar. 31

At the beginning of March, the season looked all but over for the Florida women’s basketball team. It had a 14-15 record and sat at 5-10 in SEC play. But after the Gators’ senior night loss on Feb. 27 to Oklahoma, head coach Kelly Rae Finley remained optimistic, saying, “It’s not the end of our season by any stretch of the imagination.”

OPINION | COLUMNS

Defining the dream: Generational views on women’s equality

By Isis Snow | Mar. 31

While women's push for equality pushes forward, each generation views its progress differently.

Three and a half years into his dual appointment, colleagues aren’t sure what Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo does at UF.

NEWS | CAMPUS UF ADMINISTRATION

‘Ladapo’s a charlatan’: Florida surgeon general’s tenure at UF is lackluster, colleagues say

By Garrett Shanley | Mar. 31

When Gov. Ron DeSantis hand-picked Joseph Ladapo as Florida’s surgeon general in September 2021, the role came with a second high-profile appointment: a tenured faculty position at UF. But Ladapo’s colleagues still aren’t sure what he does to earn his salary at the university. Some say not much.

Florida Gators plays against Texas Tech for the WBIT on Thursday, March 27th, 2025.

SPORTS | BASKETBALL

Laila Reynolds looks to usher in a new era of Florida women’s basketball

By Amanda Roman | Mar. 31

As Florida women’s basketball’s only sophomore, Laila Reynolds plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the program, inspiring and leading the next batch of players.

The SEC announced Monday it's delaying the start of men's and women's swimming and diving until October.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Florida men’s swim & dive places fourth at NCAA Championships

By Isabella Sanin | Mar. 30

The 2025 NCAA Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships unfolded with a fierce intensity over four days in Federal Way, Washington. But for Florida, the meet represented the conclusion of a season defined by growth, determination and relentless competition. Every race and every dive mattered, as the Gators had their sights set on a top-five finish to cap their season on a high note.

Florida Gators outfielder Kendra Falby (27) throws the ball in a softball game against Providence in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Gator softball sweeps Auburn in tight victory

By Liana Handler | Mar. 30

With one out, the bases loaded and her squad down by two, Florida first baseman Reagan Walsh laced a ball past the Tigers’ diving first baseman. Two runners – senior center fielder Kendra Falby and shortstop Rylee Holtorf – crossed home to tie the game.

UF Women's Tennis player Talia Neilson-Gatenby returns the ball toward her opponent during the Florida Invitational on Jan. 11, 2025. (Credit: Kade Sowers)

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Short-handed Florida women’s tennis swept on the road by No. 10 Oklahoma

By Jeffrey Serber | Mar. 30

Beating a top 10 team on the road is a difficult task in itself. Having to do so with only five players, despite needing a minimum of six for a complete dual match, is even tougher.

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 team ends regular season with Chattanooga Classic win

By Brooke Bastedo | Mar. 30

Sophomore Ines Archer led the Florida women’s golf team to its fifth regular season win of the season in the Chattanooga Classic this weekend.

Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) dribbles the ball in a basketball game against Texas A&M on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida advances to Final Four after Clayton Jr.'s late game heroics

By Noah White | Mar. 29

In Florida’s most notable game of the last decade, Walter Clayton Jr. put together the strongest performance of his career, including a dagger three in the final seconds, to send the Gators to the Final Four.

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

It’s not New York or nowhere: UF theater seniors discuss prospects following showcase

By Rachel Mish | Mar. 29

The UF Senior Showcase is an annual event in which acting and musical theater majors graduating that year perform in front of potential casting agents and industry professionals. The event is designed to pair students with representation and launch their post-grad careers.

METRO | POLITICS

Florida’s fetal personhood bill raises concerns over criminalizing pregnancy

By Amanda Roman | Mar. 29

Anything a woman does that could potentially injure a fetus, whether that be accidental or intentional, could be deemed as child abuse and neglect according to the proposed fetal personhood bill (Senate Bill 1284).

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. 4 Florida takes road SEC series over Auburn

By Jackson Colding | Mar. 29

After a month of action away from the diamond, 18 games and 14 wins, Florida starting pitcher Keagan Rothrock finally made her return to the circle on Saturday.

Florida freshman field athlete Alida Van Daalen winds up a discus throw at the Florida Relays Friday March 31, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Van Daalen’s return, Harris’s debut headline outdoor opener for Gators track and field

By Paul Hof-Mahoney | Mar. 29

Florida athletes picked up nine event wins, including six in the field, in the team’s first taste of outdoor action. Alida van Daalen’s return to action was the standout performance.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Florida men’s tennis sees win streak end with loss to No. 17 Mississippi State

By Curan Ahern | Mar. 29

Florida men’s tennis came up short in a 5-2 loss to No. 17 Mississippi State, ending its four-game win streak in conference play.

Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) poses with a young fan during ESPN’s College GameDay show on Saturday, March 1, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Drawing historic comparisons, Walter Clayton Jr. launches into spotlight

By Noah White | Mar. 29

Walter Clayton Jr. got three college basketball offers out of high school and commanded a sub-65 transfer ranking two years later. As of Tuesday, he is a finalist for the highest single-player award in college basketball.

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

Gator softball captures first win over Auburn in a high-scoring affair

By Liana Handler | Mar. 29

With homers from junior Kenleigh Cahalan and sophomore Mia Williams, Gators softball outlasted the Tigers, 11-7.

Florida Gators outfielder Ty Evans (2) sprints to first base in a baseball game against the Air Force Academy in Gainesville, Fla., on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Gators split doubleheader against No. 15 Ole Miss, win first SEC game

By Hugh Green | Mar. 29

The Gators fell to 0-8 in conference play in game one of the doubleheader against No. 15 Ole Miss but used a big ninth inning in game two to win their first SEC game of 2025.

El Caimán