Sports | Columns - The Independent Florida Alligator

Jeremy Foley addresses reporters during a press conference Monday.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

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.

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: 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.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

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.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Goodbye Column: Sports writer says goodbye

By GRAHAM HACK | Apr. 19, 2016

I get overly sentimental about sports.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: To the Alligator, the sports department and the readers: thank you

By ALEX MAMINAKIS | Apr. 19, 2016

I can’t believe that I’m writing this.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Bruce Arians' comments on CTE in football were insensitive, inaccurate

By Ethan Bauer | Apr. 13, 2016

Bruce Arians used to be one of my favorite NFL coaches.

Washington Nationals' Bryce Harper (34) celebrates with teammates after a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Nationals Park, Tuesday, April 12, 2016, in Washington. Harper hit a two-run double in the eighth innings. The Nationals won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: New generation of athletes bring fresh air to stale sport

By Luis Torres | Apr. 12, 2016

Bryce Harper, one of baseball’s great young stars, recently wore a hat that said "Make Baseball Fun Again," playing off Donald Trump’s campaign slogan of "Make America Great Again."

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Saying student athletes "have it made" misses the point

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 29, 2016

Using flawed reasoning to quell discontent — in sports or otherwise — is nothing new.

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

Column: Never heard of Caeleb Dressel? You will

By IAN COHEN | Mar. 27, 2016

You may not know the name Caeleb Dressel.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: CTE evidence will lead to fall of football

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 16, 2016

For many years, the NFL followed in the footsteps of the tobacco industry.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Separation of church and state championships — when religion and sports collide

By Ethan Bauer | Mar. 7, 2016

Sports and religion rarely come into direct conflict.

FILE - In this Aug. 23, 2015, file photo, Tiger Woods watches his tee shot on the second hole during the final round of the Wyndham Championship golf tournament at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C. Tiger Woods has posted a video of him swinging a 9-iron in a golf simulator. His agent says the video was posted to rebut rumors on social media that he had taken a turn for the worse following two back surgeries last fall. Mark Steinberg of Excel Sports Management said Monday, Feb. 22, 2016, that the rumors were ridiculous. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton, File)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: It’s time to stop comparing golf’s young stars to Tiger Woods

By GRAHAM HACK | Feb. 24, 2016

In an interview with Golf.com, five-time major champion Phil Mickelson made headlines by saying the present group of golf’s young stars is not close to the level Tiger Woods reached during his prime, adding that we are "decades away" from someone matching Woods’ feats.

Chase Elliott walks to an interview during NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: NASCAR entering transitional season

By GRAHAM HACK | Feb. 18, 2016

Change is in the ocean breeze at Daytona.

UF freshman catcher Mike Rivera throws the ball back to pitcher Logan Shore (not pictured) during Florida's 14-3 win against South Carolina on April 10, 2015 at McKethan Stadium.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: It’s championship or bust for UF baseball team

By Luis Torres | Feb. 1, 2016

This year has the makings of something special for the Florida baseball team.

Jordan Cronkrite runs into the end zone for a touchdown during Florida's 24-14 win against South Carolina on Nov. 14, 2015, at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: A way-too-early list of Florida football players to watch in 2016

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Jan. 7, 2016

After a lackluster ending to the 2015 season, Jim McElwain and the Florida football team now turn their attention to Spring practice. The Gators return a plethora of starters -- most notably All-Southeastern Conference corner Jalen Tabor, freshman phenom Antonio Callaway and prolific punter Johnny Townsend. But for each starter coming back, Florida sees a veteran heading to the NFL.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Taking a risk to do what you love can change your life

By GRAHAM HALL | Dec. 8, 2015

Before I worked at the Alligator, I had intended to drop out of college.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Florida’s unpredictable season was both a triumph and a wasted opportunity

By GRAHAM HACK | Dec. 6, 2015

After Saturday’s loss in the Southeastern Conference title game, Gator fans will be split into two camps.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Picks column: SEC Championship

Dec. 3, 2015

Site: Georgia Dome (Cap. 71,228

UF football coach Jim McElwain walks down the sideline during Florida's 27-3 win against Georgia on Oct. 31, 2015, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville.

SPORTS | COLUMNS

Column: Jim McElwain’s turnaround is something to be marveled at

By GRAHAM HACK | Nov. 30, 2015

Saturday, Florida will play Alabama in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game, a contest even the most optimistic of Gator fans couldn’t have dreamed of being in for at least another two years.