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alligatorSports Picks Column: Week 1

Sep. 1, 2016

SITE: The Swamp (cap. 88,548)

FILE - In this Dec. 2, 2000, file photo, Florida head coach Steve Spurrier is carried off the field by Mike Pearson (71), Kenyatta Walker (78) and Gerard Warren (61) after the Gators downed Auburn 28-6 in the SEC Championship NCAA college football game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Florida is renaming its football field after former coach Steve Spurrier. The university's board of trustees approved the change Thursday, June 9,2016, making it Steve Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: With Spurrier back in The Swamp, UF needs to make statement

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 1, 2016

Steve Spurrier put Florida football on the map.

FILE--In this Nov. 8, 2015, file photo, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick sits on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons in Santa Clara, Calif. A northern Nevada airport is getting an earful about a decorative display that, in part, highlights Kaepernick, a treasured product of the University of Nevada's football program who in recent days has been in the spotlight over his decision to sit down during the national anthem. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Kaepernick shows that in sports and social issues, subtlety doesn't exist

By Ethan Bauer | Aug. 31, 2016

You’re probably sick of hearing about Colin Kaepernick not standing for the national anthem.

Former NFL quarterback, Tim Tebow finishes his work out for baseball scouts and the media during a showcase on the campus of the University of Southern California, Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2016 in Los Angeles. The Heisman Trophy winner works out for a big gathering of scouts on USC's campus in an attempt to start a career in a sport he hasn't played regularly since high school. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Don’t quit your day job, Tebow

By Patrick Pinak | Aug. 30, 2016

Let me start by saying Tim Tebow was one hell of an athlete.

San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick, left, and Blaine Gabbert stand on the sideline during the second half of an NFL preseason football game against the Green Bay Packers on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016, in Santa Clara, Calif. Green Bay won 21-10. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Dear Colin Kaepernick: Stand now, before you’re sitting on the bench

By Ray Boone | Aug. 30, 2016

The NFL regular season is almost here. And with it comes yet another fresh set of controversies.

Amanda Butler calls out instructions during Florida's 92-69 loss to Kentucky at the SEC Tournament on March 4, 2016.

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Rally: Who had a better year: Butler or White?

Aug. 1, 2016

In its first year under Mike White, the men’s basketball team went 21-15, falling in the quarterfinals of both the Southeastern Conference Tournament and the National Invitation Tournament.

Treon Harris looks on during Florida's 27-2 loss to Florida State at the 2015 SEC Championship Game in Atlanta.

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Column: Harris’ decision to transfer best for everyone involved

By IAN COHEN | July 25, 2016

This is for the best.

Ronni Williams jumps during the tipoff of Florida's 85-79 win over Kentucky on Jan. 31, 2016, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Alligator Awards: Best Team of 2015-16

July 20, 2016

Alligator Awards: Best Team of 2015-16

UF linebacker Jarrad Davis pursues FAU quarterback Jaquez Johnson during Florida's 20-14 overtime win against Florida Atlantic on Nov. 21, 2015, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Credit UF’s Davis for speaking candidly at SEC Media Days

By IAN COHEN | July 18, 2016

Among teenagers in college, among Greek life and dorm rooms and around campus living, sexual assault is inevitably present.

Florida's Caeleb Dressel reacts after winning the 100-yard freestyle at the NCAA men's swimming and diving championships Saturday, March 26, 2016, in Atlanta. The initials on his face are in honor of a former teacher. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Alligator Awards: Who was Florida's best male athlete?

July 13, 2016

In this edition of the Alligator Awards, we debate which male athlete was the best of the 2015-16 season. Sports writers Ray Boone, Matt Brannon and Alejandro López join alligatorSports Editors Ian Cohen and Ethan Bauer in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Predicting SEC East rankings

By Ethan Bauer | July 13, 2016

UF's Carli Snyder (left) and Rhamat Alhassan celebrate during Florida's 3-0 win against New Hampshire Dec. 3, 2015, in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Alligator Awards: Who was Florida's best female athlete of 2015-16?

July 11, 2016

In this edition of the Alligator Awards, we debate which female athlete was the best of the 2015-16 season. Sports writers Ray Boone, Matt Brannon and Alejandro López join alligatorSports Editors Ian Cohen and Ethan Bauer in a roundtable discussion to debate the five nominees. Debates will go in alphabetical order by the writer’s last name.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant (35) and head coach Billy Donovan watch from the sideline against the Golden State Warriors second half in Game 3 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals in Oklahoma City, Sunday, May 22, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Three observations ahead of the NBA offseason

By IAN COHEN | June 29, 2016

The Summer-sports lull is here, but most importantly, the NBA season is over, leaving avid basketball fans grasping and clinging at whatever small sliver of sports gossip falls through the July news wires. With NBA teams officially allowed to begin wooing free agents at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, here’s a few observations ahead of the impending NBA offseason.

Aleshia Ocasio pitches in the first game of Florida's doubleheader against Jacksonville on Feb. 17, 2016, at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium.

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Rally: Which Florida team had a more disappointing finish?

By IAN COHEN | June 29, 2016

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: In times of crisis and uncertainty, put sports aside

By Ethan Bauer | June 27, 2016

When the news that the UK voted to leave the European Union broke on Thursday, my Twitter feed was predictably flooded with tweets about it. But those tweets were contrasted with a different type of 140-character blurb.

Jeremy Foley addresses reporters during a press conference Monday.

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Column: Foley leaves legacy of leadership

By Ethan Bauer | June 13, 2016

People love to talk about how it’s important to be a leader.

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Column: Billy Donovan deserves credit for managing Thunder

By IAN COHEN | May 25, 2016

In a tense Oklahoma City locker room, broadcasted on TNT’s telecast just before Game 4 of the NBA's Western Conference Finals, Billy Donovan sits in a chair and stares at a semicircle of millionaires.

Toronto Blue Jays Jose Bautista (19) gets hit by Texas Rangers second baseman Rougned Odor (12) after Bautista slid into second in the eighth inning of a baseball game at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas, Sunday May 15, 2016. (Richard W. Rodriguez/Star-Telegram via AP)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Why is fighting OK on a field?

By Ethan Bauer | May 18, 2016

If I were to walk into the Alligator office today, get upset at my boss and punch him square in the jaw, I’d probably be arrested. And rightfully so.

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Column: Alligator helps editor find passion, career path

By Luis Torres | Apr. 19, 2016

When I walked through the doors of this old building back in January 2014, I was in limbo.

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Goodbye Column: Sports writer says goodbye

By GRAHAM HACK | Apr. 19, 2016

I get overly sentimental about sports.