1 - The Independent Florida Alligator

NEWS | CAMPUS

State bill could eliminate gender studies, grant hiring power to trustees

By Alissa Gary | Feb. 27, 2023

If passed, House Bill 999 would ban the instruction of gender studies and critical race theory, give hiring powers to each state university board of trustees and allow them to call post-tenure review at any time for any purpose. It would also prohibit any campus programs or activities that say people are discriminated against because of their race, sex or national origin.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Black women express identity through hair in sports

By Namari Lock | Feb. 27, 2023

Black women in sports frequently face scrutiny for their hair. Many of them have to jump through hoops to maintain practical hairstyles while keeping their identity.

Natalia Pluzhnyk, 47, wrapped in a Ukrainian flag stands in the crowd of Ukrainian Gainesville residents at Depot Park Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

METRO

Ukrainians find strength in Gainesville community, 1 year into war

By Claire Grunewald | Feb. 27, 2023

For many Americans, Feb. 24 is the date the war between Russia and Ukraine began. However, for Ukrainians, this date is only a reminder of conflict that’s gone on for nine years.

Florida senior Skip Donald dives in the Gators' meet against the Florida Atlantic Owls Friday, Jan. 13, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS SWIM AND DIVE

Gators leave Bulldog Last Chance Meet with 21 B-cut times

By Krisha Sanghavi | Feb. 26, 2023

Florida’s men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams sent 14 Gators to the 2023 Bulldog National Collegiate Athletic Association Qualifying Meet in Athens, Georgia. The invitational was the swimmers' last chance to qualify for the NCAA championships.

Florida redshirt senior Imogen Barrett runs during the Razorback meet Friday, Jan. 27, 2023 at Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas / UAA Communications

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TRACK

Gators track and field takes home 3 titles at SEC Indoor Championships

By Namari Lock | Feb. 26, 2023

The women's team earned 84 points and 10 medals, three of which were gold. The men finished with 73 points.

Dr. Dan Berger, a UF alum and author, signs his books and talks with attendees at a UF Samuel Proctor Oral History Program event on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023.

NEWS | CAMPUS

UF hosts talk, signing for new civil rights book ‘Stayed on Freedom’

By Ben Crosbie | Feb. 26, 2023

As Black History Month comes to a close, Dan Berger and Zoharah Simmons brought a personal piece of history to life in UF’s Smathers Library on Thursday, Feb. 23.

Florida guard Leilani Correa shoots the ball in the Gators' 61-54 win against the Texas A&M Aggies Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

SPORTS | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida wins regular season finale behind Correa’s career day

By Topher Adams | Feb. 26, 2023

The shot capped off a career day for Correa and helped the Gators secure a victory in their regular-season finale. The Florida Gators (16-13, 5-11 SEC) defeated the Missouri Tigers (17-12, 6-10 SEC) 61-52 Sunday afternoon. UF shot just 31% from the field but forced 14 turnovers and held the Tigers to 34% from the field to win the game.

Florida infielder Josh Rivera celebrates his home run as he trots toward home plate in the Gators' 13-7 win against Cincinnati Bearcats Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Super 8: Gators set program home run record in weekend sweep of Cincinnati

By Ethan Eibe | Feb. 26, 2023

Caglianone’s three home runs were the tip of the iceberg in the 7-1 Gators’ 13-7 win against the 2-5 Cincinnati Bearcats Sunday afternoon.

Florida forward Colin Castleton guards Vanderbilt forward Liam Robbins in the Gators' 88-80 loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Florida fails to get in tune in Music City

By Brandon Hernandez | Feb. 25, 2023

The Florida Gators (14-15, 7-9 SEC) was defeated by the Vanderbilt Commodores (16-13, 9-7 SEC) 88-72 Saturday at the Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville, Tennessee. UF shot 43% from the floor but allowed Vanderbilt to shoot more than 40% from the floor and from 3-point range.

Florida third baseman Charla Echols prepares to field a ball in an 11-0 victory against the Jacksonville Dolphins Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball falls in extra innings against Cal State Fullerton to end doubleheader

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Feb. 25, 2023

The No. 3 Florida Gators (11-3) were defeated by Cal State Fullerton (9-6) 5-4 Saturday to finish their doubleheader in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic in Big League Dreams-Yankee Sports Park .

Florida pitcher Hurston Waldrep pitches the ball in the Gators' 13-3 win against the Cincinnati Bearcats Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

No. 7 Gators mercy-rule Bearcats to win weekend series

By Ethan Eibe | Feb. 25, 2023

Evans blasted a two-run shot beyond the left-field fence to complete No. 7 Florida’s (6-1) 13-3 mercy-rule victory against the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-4) Saturday. Gators starting pitcher Hurston Waldrep electrified the Condron Ballpark crowd with a six-inning, 13-strikeout performance.

Local Gainesville musician JulyART performs a 45-minute set at The Hippodrome’s February edition of “Basement Sessions” Thursday night.

THE AVENUE | MUSIC

Hippodrome’s February ‘basement session’ celebrates local Black artists

By Clare Meyers | Feb. 25, 2023

Getachew hosted her fourth basement session Thursday, attracting about 40 attendees from the UF and Gainesville communities. In honor of Black History Month, the event focused on highlighting local Black artists and small businesses.

Florida center Jason Jitoboh dunks the ball in the Gators' 82-74 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023.

SPORTS | MEN'S BASKETBALL

Moving forward: the state of a Castleton-less Florida squad inside the paint

By Brandon Hernandez | Feb. 25, 2023

The Gators’ forward depth was put into question as soon as Ole Miss junior forward Jaemyn Brakefield collided with Florida graduate student forward Colin Castleton’s right hand.

Florida infielder Kaila Pollard swings her bat in the Gators' win against the Jacksonville Dolphins Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida fails to find home plate in loss to Oregon in Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Feb. 25, 2023

The No. 3 Florida Gators (11-2) were defeated by the No. 24 Oregon Ducks (10-3) 8-0 Saturday afternoon. The defeat gave the Gators their second loss of the season and of the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.

Florida attacker Emma LoPinto runs with the ball in her crosse during the Gators' 17-8 win against the Michigan Wolverines Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS LACROSSE

No. 7 Florida loses to No. 6 Maryland after last-minute goal

By Kate Wiggins | Feb. 25, 2023

The No. 7 Florida Gators (1-2) were defeated by the No. 6 Maryland Terrapins (3-1) 14-13 in their third game of the season. The Gators put up an admirable fight, going shot-for-shot through the majority of the game.

The P.K. Yonge Developmental Research School in Gainesville Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2022.

THE AVENUE

P.K. Yonge’s Black Student Union hosts annual event for Black History Month

By Gracey Davis | Feb. 25, 2023

The annual Black History Month event hosted by the P.K. Yonge BSU will be hosted at the school’s Performing Arts Center Feb. 27. The theme will be BSU Awards: A Celebration of Black History, Black Culture, and Black Excellence.

Florida pitcher Brandon Sproat pitches the ball in the Gators' win against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.

SPORTS | BASEBALL

Florida cruises past Cincinnati behind strong bats

By Topher Adams | Feb. 24, 2023

The No. 7 Florida Gators (5-1) defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-3) 13-6. Florida scored in seven straight innings in the victory. Junior Brandon Sproat started on the mound for the Gators and struck out a career-high nine batters. He allowed four hits and three runs in five innings of action.

The Florida Gators gymnastics team celebrates its Southeastern Conference championship win following its victory against the Kentucky Wildcats Friday, Feb. 24, 2023.

SPORTS | GYMNASTICS

No. 2 Florida closes out Southeastern Conference regular season as champions

By Jori Rzepecki | Feb. 24, 2023

The No. 2 Florida Gators (9-1, 6-1 SEC) competed at home against Kentucky (7-3, 4-2 SEC) for the Gators’ senior night. Florida finished with 198.150 — its second-highest score of the 2023 season — to defeat the Wildcats, who finished with a score of 197.575.

Florida freshman Anastasia Sysoeva swings her racket during the Gators' match against the Pepperdine Waves Friday, Feb. 24, 2023 at Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville, FL.

SPORTS | OTHER SPORTS TENNIS

Pepperdine Waves thrash Gators in dominant shutout

By Luke Adragna | Feb. 24, 2023

The No. 15 Florida Gators (5-2) fell to the No. 25 Pepperdine Waves (4-2) 4-0 Friday evening.

Florida pitcher Olivia Gigante swings her bat in the Gators' 11-0 win against the Jacksonville Dolphins Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023.

SPORTS | SOFTBALL

Florida softball blows past UC Riverside in Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic

By Alyssa Britton-Harr | Feb. 24, 2023

The No. 3 Florida Gators (11-1) blew past the California, Riverside, Highlanders (6-8) 7-0 Friday afternoon in Big League Dreams - Fenway Sports Park. This marked the Gators’ first win in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic after their first loss of the season against the California, Los Angeles, Bruins Thursday.

El Caimán