Sports: Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

FILE - In this Oct. 15, 2011, file photo, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster against Wake Forest during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C. Foster found out quickly that just because his players have extra cash in the form of stipends, it does not mean he can fine them when they screw up. Coaches cannot take away scholarship money, but they can withhold things like tickets, bowl gifts and per diems. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone, File)

Sports

Column: Policy to fine student athletes is preposterous and illegal

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 27, 2015

Fining student athletes for breaking "rules" is unfathomable, and should be illegal.

New York Mets' Yoenis Cespedes (52) celebrates with teammate Wilmer Flores after scoring a run on a Michael Cuddyer double in the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2015, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Sports

Column: Get used to seeing the New York Mets dominate baseball

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Aug. 26, 2015

The New York Mets are the most exciting team in Major League Baseball.

Everton's Tom Cleverley, right, fights for the ball against Manchester City's David Silva during the English Premier League soccer match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park Stadium, Liverpool, England, Sunday Aug. 23, 2015. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

Sports

In need of a football fix? Check out these futbol leagues

By Luis Torres | Aug. 25, 2015

While most people in the U.S. are patiently awaiting the start of both college football and the NFL season, there’s another type of "football" currently being played around the world.

UF wide receiver Latroy Pittman speaks at UF's Media Day on Aug. 5, 2015, at Touchdown Terrace in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Column: Latroy Pittman wasting opportunity at Florida

By GRAHAM HACK | Aug. 25, 2015

When Florida announced on Friday that it had suspended three players for the season opener, there wasn’t much cause for concern.

Baylor coach Art Briles walks the sideline during his team's NCAA college football game against Buffalo in Amherst, New York, on Sept. 12, 2014.

Sports

Column: Football is scandalous year-round

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 24, 2015

Football is back, and with it comes the culmination of an offseason filled with controversy.

Vernon Hargreaves III runs to catch a ball during practice at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Column: What defensive back unit is the best in the country?

By GRAHAM HACK | Aug. 23, 2015

There was a lot of debate over who the real DBU (Defensive Back University) was during the offseason, most notably some Twitter trash talk between the Florida and LSU secondaries. The debate probably won’t be settled until the two teams play each other in October, but here’s an early stab at the top five:

Offensive lineman Trip Thurman speaks to media members during UF's Media Day on Aug. 5, 2015, at the Touchdown Terrace in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Lineman Trip Thurman will be the key for Florida’s offense this year

By GRAHAM HACK | Aug. 16, 2015

Trip Thurman will be the most important player on Florida’s offense in 2015.

UF wide receiver Ahmad Fulwood catches a pass from quarterback Will Grier (not pictured) during practice Aug. 8, 2015, at Donald R. Dizney Stadium.

Sports

Torres Tells It: Ahmad Fulwood running out of chances to break out at wide receiver

By Luis Torres | Aug. 16, 2015

Ahmad Fulwood has all the physical tools and talent in the world.

Antonio Morrison attempts a tackle during Florida's 38-20 win against Georgia on Nov. 1, 2014.

Sports

Answering five Fall camp questions before the players hit the practice field

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Aug. 5, 2015

With the first day of Fall camp at the forefront, there are still a plethora of questions surrounding the team that new head coach Jim McElwain hopes to have answered before the season kicks off on Sept. 5. Well, like you, I’m not a fan of waiting. So with that said, here are my answers to five burning questions that have yet to be answered from this team.

UF's Lauren Haeger pitches during Florida's 5-0 win against Florida State on April 22, 2015, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Who was the Best Female Athlete at UF in 2015?

By IAN COHEN | Aug. 3, 2015

The Alligator Awards continue this week, with the sixth award being for "Best Female Athlete." Editor-in-chief Jordan McPherson and staff writer Ian Cohen join alligatorSports editors Graham Hall, Luis Torres and Graham Hack in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

Florida football coach Jim McElwain speaks to media members during a press conference on March 10 in the Southeast End Zone meeting room at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Sports

Which five freshmen could start for UF immediately?

By GRAHAM HALL | Aug. 3, 2015

With the Florida football team opening Fall camp on Aug. 6, coaches will get their first look at the newest Gators arriving on campus from the 2015 recruiting class. Here’s a list of five freshmen who could start from the beginning for UF.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has a ball tossed to him during warmups before the NFL football AFC Championship game against the Indianapolis Colts on Jan. 18, 2015 (Photo credit Matt Slocum/Associated Press).

Sports

Tom Brady continues to escalate Deflategate, and it’s ruining his NFL legacy

By GRAHAM HACK | July 29, 2015

Deflategate has been blown out of proportion, and Tom Brady has no one to blame but himself.

Florida's Marquis Dendy leaps on his way to winning the triple jump during the NCAA track and field championships in Eugene, Ore., Friday, June 12, 2015.

Sports

Who was the Best Male Athlete at Florida during the 2014-15 season?

By IAN COHEN | July 29, 2015

The Alligator Awards continue this week, with the fifth award being for "Best Male Athlete." Editor-in-chief Jordan McPherson and staff writer Ian Cohen join alligatorSports editors Graham Hall, Luis Torres and Graham Hack in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

Luisa Seau, right, the mother of former San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau, wipes her eyes during a ceremony on Sept. 16, 2012, to retire Seau's No. 55 uniform before the Chargers play the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game in San Diego.

Sports

Column: Let Junior Seau’s family speak at Hall of Fame induction

By Luis Torres | July 28, 2015

Junior Seau was one of the best linebackers in the history of the NFL. His ability and his longevity were something that amazed his peers in the sport. He played for 20 seasons, which is an achievement in itself because the average NFL player is out of the league within three years.

Rhamat Alhassan (1) swings for a kill attempt during Florida's 3-0 win against Missouri on Oct. 24 in the O'Connell Center.

Sports

Who was the Best Freshman for the Florida Gators in 2014-15?

By IAN COHEN | July 23, 2015

The Alligator Awards continue this week, with the fourth award being for "Best Freshman." Editor-in-chief Jordan McPherson and staff writer Ian Cohen join alligatorSports editors Graham Hall, Luis Torres and Graham Hack in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

Sports

Brandon Powell looking to flourish following offseason position change

By Luis Torres | July 16, 2015

When the Florida Gators announced the three players who were going to attend Southeastern Conference Media Days, there were some people confused to as why Brandon Powell was chosen.

Freshman quarterback Treon Harris directs players during the fourth quarter of Florida's 10-9 victory against Tennessee on Oct. 4 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.

Sports

Alligator Awards: Best UF comeback in the 2014-15 season

By IAN COHEN | July 16, 2015

The Alligator Awards continue this week, with the second award being for "Best comeback Moment." Editor-in-chief Jordan McPherson and staff writer Ian Cohen join alligatorSports editors Graham Hall, Luis Torres and Graham Hack in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

Florida's JJ Schwarz (22) runs toward first base during the Gators' 15-3 victory against Miami in the NCAA Men's College World Series on Saturday, June 13, 2015 at the TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.

Sports

What Florida Gator had the Best Individual Moment of 2014-15?

By IAN COHEN | July 8, 2015

The Alligator Awards continue this week, with the second award being for "Best Individual Moment." Editor-in-chief Jordan McPherson and staff writer Ian Cohen join alligatorSports editors Graham Hall, Luis Torres and Graham Hack in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

Austin Dillon (3) goes airborne as he was involved in a multi-car crash on the final lap of the NASCAR Sprint Cup series auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Sports

Daytona crash highlights recent improvements in NASCAR safety regulations

By GRAHAM HACK | July 6, 2015

NASCAR will never be 100 percent safe.

The Florida gymnastics team celebrates wining the NCAA National Championship on Saturday, April 18, 2015 in Fort Worth, Texas.

Sports

Which Florida Gators team was the best in 2014-15: Softball or gymnastics?

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | July 1, 2015

With the start of the Summer B semester and the end of the 2014-2015 collegiate athletic season, it’s time for another installment of the annual Alligator Awards. This week, Alligator editor-in-chief Jordan McPherson and alligatorSports assistant editor Luis Torres debate which of UF’s national championship winning teams — the softball team or the gymnastics team — deserves the title of "Best Team."