sports - The Independent Florida Alligator

To determine who will be able to attend home games this season, students must enter a lottery system. Of the 17,000 available seats in Ben Hill Griffin stadium this season, 2,000 will go to students.

Sports

Students torn over limited attendance this season

By Christian Ortega | Sep. 20, 2020

He spent his life as a Gators fan.

The Gators will play 10 conference-only games this year. The 2020 season kicks off Sept. 25 in Oxford, Mississippi.

Sports

Despite all-SEC opponents, Gators draw easy schedule

By Brendan Farrell | Sep. 19, 2020

Sophomore Ricky Castillo wrapped up his first major start Friday, shooting 152 on the tournament.

Sports

Ricky Castillo misses cut at U.S. Open

By Michael Hull | Sep. 19, 2020

Gator sophomore Ricky Castillo missed the cut at the U.S open, shooting 12-over-par over the first two rounds.

Junior Lauren Waidner at Mark Bostick Golf Course. The Gators' fall season begins Oct. 5 at the Blessings College Invitational.

Sports

Gators unveil women's golf schedule

By Michael Hull | Sep. 18, 2020

Head women’s golf coach Emily Bastel Glazer revealed the Gators’ updated fall schedule Friday.

The Gators placed third at the Mountain Dew Invitational Friday. It was the first UF sporting event in six months due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sports

Florida cross country finishes third in first UF sporting event in six months

By Myles Herbert | Sep. 18, 2020

The opening meet of the season for Florida took place Friday morning as the Mountain Dew Invitational took place at Mark Bostick Golf. The Gators took third as they welcomed three ACC schools to the Swamp in Florida State University, University of Miami, and Georgia Tech.

UF enters the season ranked 7th on the men’s side and tied for 5th on the women’s.

Sports

Gators ready at the starting line for new season

By Myles Herbert | Sep. 17, 2020

Every sport has dealt with challenges presented by COVID-19 this year. As a new season begins on Friday for UF, it too has had to change.

Brian Berdusco at the ITA Tournament in Gainesville last season. This year, the Gators will play in three SEC-only invites.

Sports

Florida men’s tennis releases schedule for fall season

By Ryan Haley | Sep. 17, 2020

The University of Florida men’s tennis team released its schedule for the 2020-21 season on Thursday.

Sophomore Ricky Castillo will travel to Winged Foot Golf Club to compete at the 2020 US Open.

Sports

Castillo looks to make history at Winged Foot

By Michael Hull | Sep. 16, 2020

Sophomore Ricky Castillo will make his first PGA tour appearance in one of golf’s biggest tournaments this week.

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

Sports

SEC announces Swimming and Diving schedule updates

By Sara Kate Dyson | Sep. 15, 2020

The SEC announced Monday that the men’s and women’s swimming and diving seasons will begin no earlier than Oct. 1 and will end no later than Jan. 25.

Coach Dan Mullen touched on Friday's fire at the stadium, how COVID-19 will impact the team's travel routine and wide receiver Justin Shorter at Monday's media availability.

Sports

Mullen talks Fire, possible positives, Shorter

By Brendan Farrell | Sep. 14, 2020

It was pouring down rain outside Saturday, and Gators coach Dan Mullen was inside scripting practices. The Mullens welcomed in a few neighborhood kids who were caught in the rain.

Senior captain Duarte Vale is one of nine returning players to the team as it begins the 2020 season.

Sports

Florida Men’s Tennis 2020-21 Roster Preview

By Ryan Haley | Sep. 13, 2020

The Florida Gators men’s tennis team will be allowed to compete beginning Oct. 1st for the 2020-21 season, coming off of a season where it finished 9th in the final ITA Division I rankings before the season was suspended.

Dak Prescott, the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys, recently opened up to the public about his struggle with mental health.

Sports

Dak Prescott’s openness about his depression shows true strength

By Dylan O'Shea | Sep. 13, 2020

I was 19 when my therapist reached into the top-left drawer of her desk and handed me a pamphlet on suicide prevention.

The USF Bulls played their first home game without fans, but they plan on allowing them in future games. UF will be at 20 percent capacity for home games this season.

Sports

What will the stands look like at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium?

By River Wells | Sep. 13, 2020

When the USF Bulls ran onto the field at Raymond James Stadium, it was business as usual. The team burst through a makeshift pen beneath a slew of pyrotechnics and smoke as music blared over the loudspeakers.

Junior Maria Fernandez announced via Instagram that she'd tested positive for COVID-19.

Sports

Florida distance runner announces she tested positive for COVID-19

By Ryan Haley | Sep. 11, 2020

University of Florida distance runner Maria Fernandez announced on Instagram Friday that she had tested positive for COVID-19.

Sports

Fall high school sports adjust to COVID-19 guidelines

By Sophie Feinberg | Sep. 11, 2020

High school sports have a new competitor this season: COVID-19

After months of waiting, wide receiver Justin Shorter will be immediately eligible to play for the Gators this season.

Sports

UF's Justin Shorter granted eligibility by the NCAA

By Evan Lepak | Sep. 11, 2020

Former five-star wideout Justin Shorter will be in a Gator uniform on the sidelines for the 2020 season, he announced on his Instagram page — a huge boost for Florida’s wide receiver group

Head Coach J.C. Deacon was picked to represent Florida at the 2021 Arnold Palmer Cup.

Sports

Gators represented at 2020 and 2021 Arnold Palmer Cups

By Michael Hall | Sep. 10, 2020

Head Coach J.C. Deacon, Ricky Castillo and Addie Baggarly will all represent the Gators at the 2020 and 2021 Arnold Palmer Cups.

Kyle Pitts flexing after he scored a touchdown at home against Vanderbilt last season. Tight Ends Coach Tim Brewster had only good things to say about Pitts to media Wednesday.

Sports

TE coach Brewster sings praise of deep group ahead of season opener

By River Wells | Sep. 9, 2020

Florida tight end Kyle Pitts has been praised for his size and receiving ability by dozens of outlets and players alike. But to Tight Ends Coach Tim Brewster, his talent is far more simple.

This season's eight-game, conference-only schedule could pose a new challenge for the Gators, as they usually have a healthy out-of-conference schedule to prepare for SEC play.

Sports

Gators soccer releases 2020 schedule

By Declan Walsh | Sep. 9, 2020

After a tumultuous period of cancellations, re-drafts and waiting, Gators soccer finally has a schedule for 2020.

The Gators celebrate a successful play at home against Texas A&M last year. This season, Florida will only play the four SEC schools it's closest to due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sports

Gators volleyball schedule released

By Noah Ram | Sep. 9, 2020

During typical times, the O’Connell Center would be packed in mid-September with fans hoping to see coach Mary Wise and the team finally win that elusive national championship they’ve been seeking for years.