Sports | Features - The Independent Florida Alligator

SPORTS | FEATURES

Sankey named next SEC commissioner

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Mar. 15, 2015

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Greg Sankey just got handed keys to the most luxurious kingdom in college sports. Sankey was announced Friday as the eighth commissioner of the Southeastern Conference in his 13th year of involvement with it — serving as Executive Associate Commissioner and the SEC’s COO. He succeeds two visionaries in college sports. Roy Kramer the longtime commissioner who instituted a conference championship game and helped usher in the framework for the BCS, and Mike Slive who in concert with ESPN created a lucrative television network launched last summer and cleaned a conference dealing with major compliance issues.

Emergency officials inspect the area near the finish line at Auto Plus Raceway in Gainesville following Top Fuel drag racer Larry Dixon's crash on Saturday at the 2015 Gatornationals.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Gatornationals: Larry Dixon OK after horrific crash

By Luis Torres | Mar. 14, 2015

Larry Dixon should thank the equipment in his dragster for saving his life.

John Force races down the quarter-mile track at the Auto Plus Raceway in Gainesville during the 2015 Gatornationals on Saturday.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Gatornationals: Force family enjoying opportunity to race together

By GRAHAM HACK | Mar. 14, 2015

The smell of burnt rubber.

Gators fans cheer during No. 19 Florida's 67-61 win against No. 13 Kansas on Dec. 10 in the O'Connell Center.

SPORTS | FEATURES

UF students gear up for basketball season

By Frances Verjano | Nov. 14, 2014

The sweat. The tears. The buzzer-beating fear.

SPORTS | FEATURES

DirecTV offers student NFL Sunday Ticket package

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Nov. 5, 2014

Fred Taylor spent 13 years playing football in the NFL.

Demarcus Robinson (11) reacts after an incompleted pass during Florida's 21-42 loss to Alabama on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Notebook: Robinson, Jones limited against Crimson Tide

By JORDAN MCPHERSON | Sep. 21, 2014

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — One game after tying the school record for most receptions in a game and making his imprint as Florida’s go-to receiver, Demarcus Robinson was relatively quiet against Alabama on Saturday.

Tim Tebow answers a question during a interview on the set of ESPN's new SEC Network in Charlotte, N.C. on Aug. 6.

SPORTS | FEATURES

The first 24: An hour-by-hour breakdown of the SEC Network's first day

By RICHARD JOHNSON | Aug. 15, 2014

Dear freshmen, and really anyone reading this: Don’t try this at home.

Will Muschamp speaks at a press conference in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Jan. 13. UF hosted Friday Night Lights on Friday for its top prospects.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Andrew Ivie commits to Florida, joins brother on defensive line

By MORGAN MORIARTY | May 29, 2014

Florida picked up its eighth verbal commitment for the 2015 recruiting class as defensive tackle Andrew Ivie announced that he was verbally committed to UF on Thursday afternoon. Ivie is the first defensive lineman to commit to the 2015 class.

Offensive coordinator Kurt Roper addresses the media during his introductory press conference on Jan. 13. Four-star quarterback Sheriron Jones, who was recruited by Roper, committed to Florida on Sunday.

SPORTS | FEATURES

McGee makes move, transfers from Cavaliers to Gators

By MORGAN MORIARTY | May 12, 2014

The tight end position at Florida has been virtually nonexistent since the end of the 2012-2013 season when Jordan Reed declared for the NFL Draft.

Sofie Oyen returns a ball during Florida’s 7-0 win against Florida State on Feb. 18 at the Ring Tennis Complex.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Seniors' run at Florida comes to an end

By IAN COHEN | Apr. 27, 2014

Florida’s three seniors waited four years for their Senior Day cake.

Sammi Burgess (2) drives to the net during Florida’s 21-5 win against Jacksonville on Feb. 12 at Donald R. Dizney Stadium. Burgess chose UF over several different schools.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Burgeoning star: Freshman attacker helps UF reload roster

By EDEN OTERO | Apr. 21, 2014

“Just close your eyes and tell me where you are.”

Eddie Lovett leaps over a hurdle during an NCAA East Preliminary Round in Greensboro, N.C., on May 24, 2013. Lovett played with former UF safety Matt Elam in high school.

SPORTS | FEATURES

On track: Lovett focuses on track to become SEC Champion

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Apr. 16, 2014

Walking onto the UF campus his freshman year, Eddie Lovett didn’t see track and field as his future.

Senior Elizabeth Beisel competes in the 200-yard butterfly during Florida’s match against Auburn on Jan. 25 in the O’Connell Center. Beisel listened to EDM and rap before races this season to get pumped up.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Getting ready: Florida swimmers share pre-race routines

By Logan McGuire | Apr. 15, 2014

Every race is unique.

UF tennis players Joanna Mather, front, and Lauren Embree compete in a match against Ole Miss on March 25.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Dominant partnership coming to close for Embree, Mather

By ELI MARGER | Apr. 24, 2012

Lauren Embree has always said that watching is 10 times worse than playing. But down 4-0 to Stanford’s Mallory Burdette in the third set of a match that would decide the 2010-11 national championship, Embree had her doubts.

Matt DeLancey paid $150 to have this fire hydrant shipped to his home. “It’s not even heavy,” DeLancey said. “This is nothing.”

SPORTS | FEATURES

Lifting more than weights: DeLancey brings passion to UF workouts

By ALLISON BANKO | Oct. 19, 2011

When it comes to the realm of weight training, where clinking metal echoes and beads of sweat stain the floor, Matt DeLancey jumped in early.

Florida left guard Dan Wenger, a sixth-year senior who transferred from Notre Dame, suffered two concussions while playing for the Irish.

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Wenger overcoming the odds to start for Florida

By TOM GREEN | Sep. 15, 2011

Dan Wenger doesn't remember much about Aug. 13, 2010, a day that changed his life.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Riding Clean: Doping inspires former Team Florida member

By JOHN BOOTHE< | Aug. 21, 2011

The story of how Phil Gaimon got a tattoo of a big, blue bar of soap on his right bicep starts like most late-night adventures — with a bad decision.

SPORTS | FEATURES

Sportsmanlike Conduct

By ALLISON BANKO | Jan. 28, 2010

The minute UF athletes slip on their orange-and-blue jerseys, they are shoved into the spotlight.