1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

Bo Diddley Plaza pictured on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

A colorful display of entrepreneurship, talent and community: Gainesville’s first annual Asian festival

By Carlos Alemany | May 20, 2024

With Japanese martial arts demonstrations and musical performances, authentic Asian cuisine and local vendors, UF students and Alachua County residents alike gathered at Bo Diddley Plaza May 18 to commemorate the City of Gainesville’s first annual Asian festival.

A golfer tees off at Ironwood Golf Course on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Ironwood Golf Course looks to stay afloat as staple of Gainesville golf community

By Jack Meyer | May 20, 2024

Despite financial struggles, Ironwood Golf Course continues to be a staple for golfers in the Gainesville community.

The Florida Gators lacrosse team celebrates its 22-2 win in its exhibition match against the Scotland National Team, Feb. 14, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Unseeded Florida lacrosse reaches second-ever Final Four

By Max Bernstein | May 20, 2024

The Florida Gators lacrosse team started its season 0-2. However, UF has since gone on a 20-game win streak and is now two wins away from the program’s first national championship.

NEWS | CAMPUS

Federal aid delays leave students in limbo after one million errors

By Avery Parker | May 20, 2024

As college decision deadlines approached May 1, students anxiously awaited their financial aid offers after a botched federal student aid rollout left current and prospective students unsure if they could afford college tuition.

Robb Eggleston stands dressed as Thor at 4th Ave Food Park on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

THE AVENUE | LIFESTYLE

Hammer time: Gainesville’s Thor brings joy through weekly runs

By Ben Nielsen | May 20, 2024

Donning a winged helmet, a lightning-decorated fanny pack and a toy hammer, Eggleston embarks on a weekly run every Thursday — or as he calls it, “Thorsday.”

THE AVENUE | ART AND THEATER

Fresh out of the kiln: the ceramic story of a colorful Colombian-born artist

By Noor Sukkar | May 20, 2024

On the outskirts of Gainesville, the homogeneous blur of suburbia can tend to disguise the lives of those it houses. Take a couple of right turns, and you won’t miss the teal, eclectic home of Soraya Sus.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF graduates its first class of teacher apprentices from new state program

By Grace McClung | May 20, 2024

The program, funded by the Florida Department of Education, is part of an alternative teaching pathway initiative that allows students to remain employed in schools while working toward their degrees and professional certifications.

Florida freshman right-handed pitcher Keagan Rothrock pitches in the circle during the Gators' 9-1 win over South Alabama on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball run-rules South Alabama to bring home NCAA Regional Championship

By Hailey Hurst | May 19, 2024

An explosive third inning offensively set in motion Florida’s (49-12, 17-7 SEC) run-rule victory over South Alabama (34-20-1,16-8 SBC) 9-1 to secure UF a spot in the NCAA Super Regionals.

Florida junior left fielder Korbe Otis at bat during the Gators' 6-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, May 17, 2024.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball run-ruled South Alabama with explosive fifth inning run

By Hailey Hurst | May 18, 2024

The No. 4-seeded Florida Gators (48-12) run-ruled the South Alabama Jaguars (33-19-1) 9-1at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, Saturday afternoon.

Gators baseball left-handed pitcher Jac Caglianone pitches the ball in the team's 12-5 win over Columbia University on Sunday, February 25, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida earns much-needed series win over No. 9 Georgia

By Max Tucker | May 18, 2024

Florida (28-26, 13-17 SEC) dismantled No. 9 Georgia (39-14, 17-13 SEC) 14-3 largely in part from the Gators’ 12-run fourth inning to earn a win in Athens, Saturday afternoon.

NEWS | CAMPUS BREAKING NEWS

Former UF administrator will not face charges for alleged assault

By Garrett Shanley | May 17, 2024

A former UF administrator who was trespassed from campus will not face charges for an alleged assault. The university has since lifted its trespass order against Griffith.

Florida baseball head coach Kevin O' Sullivan takes the ball from Brandon Neely in the team's loss to the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday, April 12, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida evens series against No. 9 Georgia to keep NCAA Tournament hopes alive

By Max Tucker | May 17, 2024

Florida (27-26, 12-17 SEC) battled No. 9 Georgia (39-13, 17-12 SEC) into extra frames in a back-and-forth affair and claimed a 7-4 victory in Athens, Georgia.

Florida head coach Billy Napier during the No. 18 Gators narrow victory over the South Florida Bulls Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators land former ASU wide receiver Elijhah Badger

By Jack Meyer | May 17, 2024

Florida secured a commitment from former Arizona State wide receiver Elijhah Mitchell on Friday afternoon. Mitchell is the fourth top-100 prospect from this year’s transfer portal class to sign with the Gators.

Florida freshman Mia Williams at second base during the Gators' 6-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast on Friday, May 17, 2024.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball shutout FGCU in Game 1 of NCAA Regionals

By Hailey Hurst | May 17, 2024

The No. 4-seeded Florida Gators' (47-12) offensive production defeated the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles (37-20) 6-0 to take a Game 1 victory at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, Friday afternoon.

Florida baseball head coach Kevin O'Sullivan takes a mound visit during the Gators' win over Columbia University on Saturday, February 24, 2024.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida drops Game 1 of pivotal series against No. 9 Georgia

By Chandler Hawkes | May 16, 2024

The Florida Gators baseball team (26-26, 11-17 SEC) dropped a critical game one of its final series of the regular season to the No. 9 Georgia Bulldogs (39-12, 17-11 SEC). The Bulldogs put up three runs in the first inning and never trailed.

METRO | CITY COUNTY COMMISSION

Gainesville City Commission approves first reading to put GRU board control on the ballot

By Morgan Vanderlaan | May 16, 2024

Gainesville City Commission passed its first reading to potentially let voters change how the Gainesville Regional Utilities Authority operates in the November election.

Senior midfielder Madison Waters goes to pass the ball in the Florida lacrosse team's 21-4 win over Jacksonville University on Wednesday, February 28, 2024.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

Florida lacrosse advances to second Final Four in program history

By Max Bernstein | May 16, 2024

The No. 10 Gators (20-2, 6-0 AAC) rolled into their quarterfinal matchup against No. 4 Maryland (14-6, 4-2 ACC) on the nation’s longest winning streak of 20-straight wins. UF cruised to a 15-9 win over Maryland to advance to the Final Four for the second time in program history.

Protesters gather at the Plaza of the Americas in commemoration of the 76th anniversary of the Nakba on Wednesday, May 15, 2024.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF, Gainesville communities rally on Nakba Day

By Timothy Wang | May 16, 2024

A crowd of about 50 UF and Gainesville community members wearing keffiyehs and carrying Palestinian flags gathered in the Plaza of the Americas Wednesday evening to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Nakba.

Florida's Fred Biondi tees off during the SEC Match Play Championships at Shoal Creek Club in Birmingham, Alabama. Biondi will compete in the U.S. Open this year.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS GOLF

Florida men’s golf qualifies for 2024 NCAA championships

By Aiden Wacksman | May 15, 2024

The Florida men’s golf team earned the No. 3-seed in the West Lafayette Regional after securing five regular-season tournament victories and a spot in the SEC championship match-play quarterfinals. The Gators needed to place within the top five in the regional to secure a trip to the national championship.

UF head coach Billy Napier and the Gators prepare to enter Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Florida's 24-15 loss to the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | FOOTBALL

Gators land former five-star recruit Cormani McClain from transfer portal

By Max Bernstein | May 15, 2024

The Florida Gators made a splash on Wednesday, landing former Colorado cornerback Cormani McClain from the transfer portal. McClain is a former five-star recruit, who was ranked as the No. 14 overall player and No. 1 cornerback in the 2023 recruiting class according to 247Sports.

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