Feb. 12, 2020

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VOLUME 114 ISSUE 58

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020 Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

Not officially associated with the University of Florida

SG parties debate

NAMASTE

THE PARTIES DISCUSSED ISSUES WITH IMPEACHMENT AND ILLEGAL RECORDINGS

By Meghan McGlone Alligator Staff Writer

Lily Strickland // Alligator Staff

Jackie Morone, 30, a certified yoga teacher, leads yoga at Bo Diddley Plaza Tuesday evening. It is free and is open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday at the same location.

Sheriff Sadie Darnell running for reelection She’s Florida’s only female sherif

By Allessandra Inzinna Alligator Staff Writer

Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell is making her fifth run as the county sheriff.

The Gainesville native has served in local law enforcement for 42 years and has been sheriff for more than a decade.

Darnell, 67, was first elected to the position in 2006 and currently serves as the only female sheriff in Florida.

Darnell said she has increased training

for 911 call takers and created a dog training program in the county jail.

“What our primary duty as law enforcement officers or deputies is to serve crime victims,” Darnell said.

To start her campaign, her campaign manager, Scott Austin, 26, set up a website for campaign donors with her motto “Proven Leadership” which represents her decades of experience, she said. Her total campaign contributions have reached more than $7,000 as of Tuesday.

Darnell, a Democrat, will be running against Republicans Steven Gordon and John Long and Democrat Clovis Watson for the Alachua primary election Aug. 18.

According to the Gainesville Sun, Watson, 60, is a fourth-term house representative and has experience as former deputy chief of police for Alachua County and city manager. Gordon, 52, is a retired Broward County sheriff’s deputy

Student Body executive candidates from Gator and Inspire Party got together Tuesday night to debate on topics such as diversity, sexual assault and personal political beliefs.

Inspire Party’s candidate for Student Body President, Matthew Diaz, was absent from the debate because he was sick. Matthew Barocas, candidate for Student Body Treasurer, and Emily Hyden, candidate for Student Body Vice President, represented Inspire Party.

Trevor Pope, candidate for Student Body President, Lauredan Official, candidate for Student Body Vice President, and Jessica Jesurajan, candidate for Student Body Treasurer, represented Gator Party.

In Inspire’s opening statement, Barocas talked about racial and gender equity, sexual assault on campus and funding for student organizations.

“Diversity shouldn’t just be for show,” Barocas said. “Funding for student organizations needs to be taken seriously.”

In Gator’s opening statement, Pope discussed his involvement on campus and said that UF needs to be more inclusive and accessible for students. He also said that Student Government needs better leadership.

“At the end of this debate, I hope we can come together and remember that we all want to make this university a better place,” Pope said.

Pope said Gator plans to improve representation by actively seeking out underrepresented groups, such as non-traditional students in PaCE and Innovation Academy.

He also said they want to work with transfer, international and graduate students.

Hyden said Gator Party makes SG cabi-

SEE DEBATE, PAGE 3

SEE SHERIFF, PAGE 3

UF physics professors debunk broom social media trend IT CLAIMED GRAVITATIONAL FORCES ON MONDAY COULD MAKE BROOMS STAND.

By Sarah Mandile Alligator Staff Writer

Despite an array of social media posts on Monday claiming otherwise, UF physics

Gators fall to Team USA in their exhibiSPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT Story description finish with comma, pg# tion game UF welcomed back several alumni Tuesday night to Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium, pg.10

professors say your broom can stand on its own any day of the year.

The #BroomChallenge trend stemmed from a viral tweet that claimed NASA said Monday was the only day a broom could stand on its own due to Earth’s gravitational pull. Since Monday, curious people have shared photos and videos of their upright brooms or attempts at the challenge.

On Tuesday, NASA clarified in a tweet, “There’s no special gravity that affects brooms, but the moon’s gravity creates tides on Earth.”

Imre Bartos, an assistant physics professor at UF, credits the reason people can balance their brooms to a concept called “center of mass.” He said brooms can stand by themselves because their center of mass is located at the bottom,

Got a secret? Can you keep it?

UF has group of student secret shoppers , pg.5

toward its bristles.

However, Bartos said the day of the year will not change how easy it is for a broom to stand on its own. Gravitational forces “do not change on any level that would be relevant to brooms,” he said.

Danielle Sleight, a 20-year-old UF nutritional sciences junior, first saw

SEE BROOMS, PAGE 3

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Ballin’ with the boys in blue

Local law enforcement celebrated the new basketball court they helped fund for a charter school, pg.4

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2 ALLIGATOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020

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Add it to the alligator’s online calendar:

alligator.org/calendar What: Sally B’s Dashing Holiday Revue is a burlesque show featuring jazz music performed by local swing band Swing Theory and burlesque performances by local and touring performers. Fancy attire is encouraged. Tickets are $18 in advance and $25 on day of show. Show is 18 or over unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and there is a $3 cover charge for those under 21.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH LGBTQ+ Affairs Celebrates Black History Month Where: LGBTQ+ Affairs at the University of Florida, located at the Reitz Union Room 2210 When: Twice a week throughout February at 1 p.m.

What: LGBTQ+ Affairs will showcase films that depict black queerness such as “I Am Not Your Negro,” “Moonlight,” “Brother Outsider” and “Paris is Burning.”

Trigger and content warnings will be placed throughout the viewing area. Event run times may vary.

Anne Moody and Voting Rights Leigh Ann Wheeler Where: UF Smathers Library, located at 1591 W. University Ave. When: Feb. 13 from 4-5:30 p.m.

What: Leigh Ann Wheeler, a professor at Binghamton University in New York, will lead a discussion on civil rights leader Anne Moody and her contribution to the civil rights movement and her memoir, “Coming of Age in Mississippi." Wheeler will discuss how Moody’s thoughts on the civil rights movement evolved and how voting rights in her hometown in Mississippi changed due to the civil rights movement. Event is free to attend.

Chef Empowerment’s Black History Month Pop-Up Restaurant Where: Working Food, located at 219 N.W. 10th Ave. When: Feb. 28 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

What: Chef Empowerment’s Underground Kitchen partners with Working Food to host an all-you-can-eat Southern buffet in collaboration with local blackowned businesses. Tickets are $20.

VALENTINE’S DAY Valentine’s Eve at the Museum Where: The Florida Museum of Natural History, located at 3215 Hull Road When: Feb. 13 from 7-10 p.m.

What: The day before Valentine’s Day at the Florida Museum of Natural History will feature three trivia games and admission into the museum’s currently running Amazing Pollinators exhibit.

The winners of the trivia games will get prizes provided by the Collectors Shop and the Florida Museum. Deserts and alcohol will be available for purchase.

Tickets are $30 and pre-registration is required. Only those aged 18 and over can attend the event.

Stop Light Valentine’s Day Party Where: Big Top Brewing Company, located at 201 S.E. Second Ave. When: Feb. 14 from 7-11 p.m.

What: At Big Top Brewing Company’s Stop Light Party, wear red if you are taken, yellow if you’re unofficial and green if you are single. Drink specials for the event to be announced soon.

Event is free to attend.

My Bloody Valentine II Where: The Midnight, located at 223 S. Main St. When: Feb. 14 from 8 p.m.-12 a.m.

What: The Midnight hosts its second “My Bloody Valentine” event, which will have you solving a murder mystery. Get your friends or significant other to put together a team, drink and collect clues to solve the case. Prizes will be given out. The event is free to attend.

Sally B’s Dashing Holiday Revue Featuring Live Music from Swing Theory Where: High Dive, located at 210 S.W. Second Ave. When: Feb. 14 from 9 p.m.-12 a.m.

Valentine’s Day Party and Singles Mingle Where: Silver Q Billiards and Sports Bar, located at 225 W. University Ave. When: Feb. 14 from 8-11 p.m.

What: Silver Q will offer $3 champagne on Valentine’s Day. Singles can come with friends or talk to others on the mezzanine.

People 18 years of age and older are welcome and there is no cover charge.

Love and Laughter Where: World of Beer, located at 3265 S.W. 34th St. When: Feb. 14 from 8-9:30 p.m.

What: World of Beer’s “Love and Laughter” is a standup comedy show headlined by Harry Snover and featuring comedians Houston Wells, Zachary Weidner, Emma Porter, Weng Peng and more.

Presented by Keg of Laughs.

Show is free to attend.

Valentine’s “Couple Up” Dancehall Class Where: 708 N.W. 23rd Ave. When: Feb. 15 from 6-7 p.m.

What: A beginner-friendly dance class focusing on Jamaican dance.

It is recommended to dress comfortably and bring water. There will be a complimentary toast.

Admission is $15.

Folk & Fire Where: Karuna Cottage, located at 3215 N.W. 17th St. When: Feb. 15 from 6-8:30 p.m.

What: Penn Johnson and 1FireGirl will perform at Karuna Cottage for its “Folk & Fire” event on Valentine’s Weekend. The event is a celebration of love and will feature folk music and fire dancing. A potluck will take place at 6 p.m with performers beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 at the door, though anyone who brings their own dish will receive a $5 discount for a door ticket. Bring your own chair and blanket.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020 ALLIGATOR 3

NASA debunked the hoax BROOMS, from pg. 1 posts about standing brooms on Snapchat Monday evening.

Sleight attempted the challenge after midnight when she saw the trend again on Twitter. She said she wasn’t surprised to discover it still worked.

“It’s interesting because everyone just automatically believed it,” Sleight said.

DEBATE, from pg. 1 nets, committees of people focused on specific issues, for underrepresented students. Hyden argued it’s not effective because cabinets, such as LGBTQ+ affairs, remain empty.

“This isn’t representation if there are no people actually in the categories representing you,” Hyden said.

Darin Acosta, another UF physics professor, said that while the moon’s gravitational influence does affect ocean tides, the tidal forces are too weak to influence something like a broom standing on its own.

Acosta said the concept of center of mass can be displayed by tipping a glass full of water on a table.

“If you tip it just a little bit, it

Jesurajan said if she gets elected, she will ensure all student organizations have access to some funding.

She also said she wants to raise awareness and representation for graduate and professional students.

Barocas said Gator Party did not address funding issues for student organizations after a lawsuit from the UF Young Americans for Freedom. He said Inspire Party will even the

Most discussed issues • Representation and Diversity * Representation for minority groups (LGBTQ+) and non-traditional groups (PaCE) • Funding * Fix the funding plan for student organizations, ensure all student organizations have some funding • Professional and Graduate Student Representation * Support and represent grad-students as well as improving their housing and decreasing their fees • Sexual assault * Reduce campus sexual assault and support survivors

usually will fall back to settle on the table,” he said. “If you tip it too far, it’s going to fall all the way over.”

Similarly, as long as the broom’s center of mass is low, it shouldn’t fall over, Acosta said.

“This is a really nice topic for my physics 1 class,” Acosta said.

“We are going to cover center of mass next week, so that’s great timing.”

playing field for all student organizations.

Both parties agreed that online voting would be beneficial. Hyden said online voting would end the “I Voted” sticker process in Greek houses, which she said excludes students. She also said it would increase voter turnout and allow students studying abroad or off-campus to vote.

Gator Party addressed the impeachment process for Student Body President Michael Murphy. Pope said personal political and ideological beliefs do not belong in SG. He said speakers and performers should appeal to the masses.

Barocas argued that Gator Party denied the right of the impeachment inquiry to be heard by the UF Senate. He agreed that there should not be personal political opinions in SG. Pope accused Inspire Party of recording Progressive Party’s transphobic remarks and said that they weaponized LGBTQ+ issues for political gain.

“If that’s something you can stand behind, then you

@sarahmandile smandile@alligator.org

should probably rethink your party affiliation,” Pope said.

Hyden said the most important issue impacting UF students is safety. She said she wants to extend SNAP and Uber Safe Rides hours and work with Green Dot and GatorWell.

Pope said the biggest issue facing UF students is opportunity. He said he wants to support and fund the “Bridges” minority outreach program to extend opportunities to high school students.

During closing remarks, both parties criticized each other. Hyden said Gator Party only sees diversity to be skin deep and said that they didn’t fix funding issues. Jesurajan said that Inspire Party does not follow through on its three pillars of inclusivity, transparency and accountability.

“The University of Florida deserves better,” Hyden said. “You deserve better.” @meggmcglone mmcglone@alligator.org

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SHERIFF, from pg. 1 and former private investigator.

Darnell is also involved in a legal dispute against a former Alachua sheriff candidate Zach Zedalis. The court date is set for July 7 and was made because of employee discrimination Darnell following his campaign for sheriff, according to WCJB. Alachua County Sheriff’s spokesperson Art Forgey said Darnell has brought a level of professionalism and excellence to the job as sheriff and was successful in reactivating the cold case unit, works on unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

“She is by far the hardest working sheriff that I’ve ever worked for,” Forgey said.

Her goals for the next term include improving in the areas of mental health, victim services and making the county jail a safe place for individuals to be incarcerated.

“The agency is in a constant state of improvement,” Darnell said. “We’re always looking to do better.”

@ainzinna ainzinna@alligator.org

Meghan McGlone // Alligator Staff

Inspire (left) and Gator Party (right) executive candidates argued in their first Student Government debate.

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4 ALLIGATOR WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020

Students represent democratic Charter school receives new court primary presidential candidates EIGHT STUDENTS REPRESENTED THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES

By Kaelyn Cassidy Alligator Staff Writer

A mix of suits and campaign T-shirts found their seats onstage at Pugh Hall. Armed with notes, the students in attendance were ready to act as surrogates for the Democratic presidential candidates and answer questions about their platforms.

The UF College Democrats and the Bob Graham Center for Public Service Student Fellows hosted an educational forum in the Pugh Hall Ocora Monday night to discuss the platforms of Pete Buttigieg, Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Joe Biden, Amy Klobuchar, Andrew Yang (who has since dropped out of the race as of Tuesday night), Tom Steyer and Michael Bloomberg. About 40 people came.

The student representatives gave one-minute prepared statements about their candidates’ policies on climate change, healthcare, gender equality and gun control. Afterward, the floor was opened to audience questions, and the student representatives had one minute to answer policy questions posed by the audience but could pass if they didn’t know their candidate’s views on a specific issue.

The audience brought up questions about foreign policy strategies, protections of LGBTQ+ Americans and how the war on drugs impacts low-income communities.

The organizations looked for passionate students to represent the candidates’ platforms on stage, said Hannah Townley, a 20-year-old UF political science sophomore and a main organizer of the event.

Townley said that both organizations wanted to hold the forum before the voter registration deadline on Feb. 18, and especially before the primary election on March 17. Students were able to register to vote and received information about early voting and polling locations at the event.

Claudia Tio, a 21-year-old UF political science and history senior, said that the forum helped her decide which candidate she plans to vote for.

“Before I was vacillating between Pete and Joe Biden; however, seeing the presentations, I think I’m more solid on Pete now,” she said. “Just hear-

ing how passionate [the student representative] was and how thoroughly he explained the different plans.”

Harrison Riumbau, a 19-year-old UF political science and economics sophomore, said that even after the forum he still prefers Joe Biden but appreciated hearing smaller campaign details at the forum.

“It’s easy to skip through all the news headlines,” he said. “This was a good way to open up on some of the smaller details.”

Tom Wells, 69, who is running for U.S. House of Representatives in Florida Congressional District 3, came to the forum after finding out about it on Facebook and said he thought it was impressive.

“This is beautiful,” Wells said. “I’m particularly impressed by the tremendous change in the conversation, both here on campus and in small cities.”

Townley said she hopes to hold another educational forum between the Democratic and Republican candidates for president closer to the general election in November. She also plans to expand the model to local elections. @kaelyn_cassidy kcassidy@alligator.org Key Points Discussed from Candidate Platforms • Pete Buttigieg’s net-zero emissions by 2050 climate change plan • Bernie Sanders’ single-payer national health insurance program • Elizabath Warren’s stance against the filibuster and structural change plans • Joe Biden’s plans to protect and build on the Affordable Care Act • Amy Klobuchar’s focus on the middle class • Andrew Yang’s basic income proposal of $1,000 each month • Tom Steyer’s focus on taking power back from corporations • Michael Bloomberg’s successes as mayor of New York City

MANY FUNDRAISERS WERE PUT TOGETHER TO GET THE COURT

By Lauren Reho Alligator Contributing Writer

The students of the Healthy Learning Academy always pictured law enforcement officers solving crimes and catching the bad guys — until they played basketball with them.

Parents of the charter school, located at 13505 W. Newberry Road, raised more than $10,000 to put in a concrete basketball court through a GoFundMe page, hosting a silent auction and selling butter braids. Additionally, a UF health intern donated $1,000 and one of the parents of a student, who is a contractor, gave the school a discount for the concrete pad.

The Basketball Cop Foundation donated and installed a new basketball hoop to accompany it.

To celebrate this new gift, between 12 and 15 deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s office came out to the school to play basketball and cook with the students. Some played kickball or cooked lunch with them by the playground, but each grade level had an equal amount of time to play with the officers on the new court.

The Basketball Cop Foundation was created by Gainesville police officer Robert “Basketball Cop” White to help generate resources and funds for community police efforts across the United States in 2016. White earned his nickname after responding to a noise complaint for a kids’ basketball game and deciding to play with the noisemakers.

One of its main goals is to encourage interaction between law enforcement and citizens to build trust and positive relationships within the community, according to the Basketball Cop Foundation website.

It is the first time the foundation worked with the Healthy Learning Academy, said Suzanne Borganelli, principal

How did the basketball court come to be?

Parents raised $10,000 through three fundraisers in six weeks, consisting of the following activities: A GoFundMe page A silent auction Selling butter braids A grant of $1,000 given by a UF Health intern Donation from a parent

of the charter school.

“The children had a wonderful time, especially because the cops brought them hot dogs,” she said.

White said he was happy to donate the basketball hoop to the kids and to have fellow officers interacting with the youth.

“Anytime that we have an opportunity to do something like this, that gives us a platform to bring law enforcement out to interact with the kids,” White said.

“We jump all over it.”

The officers stayed for about two and a half hours, and they gave three red, white and blue basketballs to the children. They were very generous with their time and gifts, Borganelli said.

“The kids absolutely loved it,” Borganelli said. “We’re just really thrilled about how everything turned out.”

Borganelli said one student thanked an officer at the end for teaching her how to play basketball. This is the first court installed at the school, so this experience not only gave students the ability to develop relationships with the officers but also learn how to dribble, she said.

“It was really nice that these students had this opportunity and felt safe,” Borganelli said. “It’s all about safety in our schools now.”

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020 ALLIGATOR 5

UF secret shoppers evaluate businesses THE PROGRAM FOCUSES ON BUSINESSES SUCH AS GATOR DINING AND UF BOOKSTORES

By Charlene Medders Alligator Contributing Writer

Maryanne Long has been secretly evaluating businesses on campus for four semesters, but she isn’t just looking for merchandise.

The 32-year-old UF doctoral student is one of more than 100 students who have volunteered to be part of UF Business Services’ secret shopper program.

UF Business Services hosts the program to ensure operations on campus are giving customers positive experiences, said Jenn Moyer, a UF Business Service spokesperson.

Moyer said the program consists of the four main operations that are under Business Services: Gator Dining, UF Bookstores, vending and Gator 1 Central.

Shoppers evaluate each operation based on customer service, speed of service, cleanliness and overall satisfaction.

The program, which lasts one semester, has a different time commitment for each operation.

Gator Dining is the longest, and it includes four phases and 12 meals.

Shoppers complete a survey after each meal at Gator Corner Dining Center, Fresh Food Company and a retail location. Each

time shoppers complete one survey from each of the three locations, a phase is complete.

Shoppers then repeat the process three more times throughout the semester, Moyer said.

The UF Bookstore’s survey has two phases, Moyer said. One survey asks questions about the students’ shopping experience.

The second survey asks about employee knowledge of the textbook or apparel section.

Moyer said the vending and Gator 1 Central surveys are much shorter than the others. The vending survey asks students about the purchasing experience, cleanliness of the area and quality of the product that was bought.

The Gator 1 Central survey has shoppers request a new Gator 1 Card and describe their experience getting a new card and describe the customer service they received.

The reward for being a shopper at Gator Dining includes 12 free meals. Four of these meals can be obtained at the Fresh Food Company, another four at the Gator Corner and the last four may be used at retail locations across campus, Moyer said.

If students choose to be a secret shopper at the UF Bookstores, they receive a $20 gift card to be used there. Students participating in the Gator 1 Central survey receive a new Gator 1 Card for free and a free meal of their choice at the Fresh Food Company or Gator Corner. For the vending survey, shoppers re-

ceive $40 to use in the campus vending machines.

During her time as a secret shopper, Long said she commented on the fact that some of her food at Gator Corner was not hot, and staff told her they would make changes to the equipment.

“My favorite part about the dining program was the post-dining meetings that were held by the UF Dining Business Services staff,” Long said. “The reason for this is because I sincerely felt that I was heard about my concerns as a diner. It was also an opportunity to share what went well and hear from other secret diners.”

Gator Dining marketing manager Jill Rodriguez said Gator Dining has been a part of the secret shoppers program from the start. She said the program helps all operations have the opportunity to continue to improve for customers.

“The program has been, and continues to be, very helpful,” Rodriguez said. “Secret shoppers provide insightful feedback that enables us to make changes.”

Wilcley Lima, an associate director for Business Services, who oversees ID card services and assists with contract management like the UF Bookstores, Gator Dining and vending, said this program is one of the best ways the division can get feedback from students.

“With this program, we can get specific feedback on very detailed questions that we ask people to look at for us,” Lima said.

Exhibit opens at UF natural history museum IT’S OPEN UNTIL SEPT. 7

By Bryanna Basilio Alligator Contributing Writer

A new exhibit at the Florida Museum of Natural History sends guests on an immersive roleplay adventure.

“Amazing Pollinators” is an interactive exhibit, available in both English and Spanish languages, where guests can navigate through a playable maze to learn about different pollinator groups. The exhibit opened Jan. 25 and will close Sept. 7.

It covers eight different pollinator groups such as bats, birds, bees, and butterflies.

“It was actually pretty neat,” said Simone Shamas, a 20-year-old UF psychology junior. “I didn’t expect the exhibit to be as big as it was.”

Guests can navigate through a maze with 48 missions depicting different pollinators, meet and learn about the pollinator groups and play themed parlor games such as shuffleboard and mancala.

“It was more collaborative than our temporary exhibits,” said Jonnie Dietz, museum exhibit developer. “Most of our traveling exhibits we find and book, and have them brought here, but with this exhibit, we actually took part in the content.”

Minotaur Mazes, a company that creates traveling exhibits, approached the museum with the idea of pollinators and asked the museum’s content developers to help. The content directors fact-checked to help the company put together a story. Dietz, who has been an exhibit developer for five years, has worked to create many of the exhibits at the museum.

Amazing Pollinators is more interactive than other exhibits, as guests can play it as a game, Deitz said. Guests take on the role as a pollinator us-

ing mission boards and solve puzzles and rack up points. There are two versions of the game: one intended for ages 9 and older and one for those younger than 9.

The version for older participants has different board games and guests still have to go into the different mission rooms and collect points. The version for younger ones is a more simplified matching game where the children must find the flowers in the maze.

For children younger than 6, there is a play area where children can dress up as pollinators, put on puppet shows and play matching games.

Admission to Amazing Pollinators is $8 for adults; $7 for Florida residents, seniors and college students; $5.50 for ages 3-17 and free to museum members and UF students with a valid Gator 1 Card.

Exhibits currently open at the Florida Museum of Natural History: Limited time exhibits: • Amazing Pollinators • Edible Insects: It’s What’s for Dinner • Gorillas in the Mist: Dian Fossey’s Legacy • The Lost Bird Project

Permanent exhibits: • Butterfly Rainforest • Indoor Butterfly Exhibits • Discovery Zone • Exploring Our World • Florida Fossils: Evolution of Life and Land • Northwest Florida: Waterways and Wildlife • Our Energy Future • South Florida People and Environments

Rewards for volunteering to be a secret shopper: Gator Dining: 12 free meals Four meals at Gator Dining, four meals at Fresh Food Corner and four meals at retail locations.

UF Bookstore $20 gift card to be used at the bookstore.

Gator 1 Central New Gator 1 Card for free and a free meal at Fresh Food Corner or Gator Dining.

Vending services $40 gift card to use in the vending machines

Buzz to a beekeeping class THIS WILL BE THE SECOND CLINIC IN A YEAR-LONG SERIES OF FOUR

By Katelynn Joyner Alligator Staff Writer

Honey bees are responsible for one in every three bites of food, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Gainesville residents will now get the chance to interact with these food producers Feb. 29 during an Alachua County beekeeping class.

The class, which is the second of four, is sponsored by the Alachua County extension of the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The February class, which is open to anyone in Alachua County interested in beekeeping, focuses on how to manage a bee colony and how to split the hive to create two colonies.

The classes are capped at 35 to 40 people, said Tatiana Sanchez, a commercial horticulture agent for the county’s IFAS extension.

Twenty-five people were registered as of Feb. 3.

This series is designed to assist those in their first year of beekeeping and strategically planned to coincide with each season, according to the IFAS website.

“For backyard beekeepers, honey bees are personally important, as they not only enjoy this as a hobby but bees can also provide them with wax and honey,” she said. “Honey bees, along with many other pollinators, have a crucial role in the productivity of many agricultural commodities and natural areas as they fertilize many different species of plants.”

A decrease in bees can be dangerous for our economy, environment and domestic crops, according to the Associated Press. The AP reported that a rapid decrease in bees can signal poor health of the planet.

Honey bees increase crop values nationwide by more than $15 billion each year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Ava Morgan, an 18-year-old UF psychology junior, said she has been interested in beekeeping since she arrived at UF. “There was a lot of attention around five years ago around the Save the Bees movement, and I guess I really got into it from that,” she said. “I just took it a step or two further than most people.”

She said she decided to continue working with bees her freshman year when she found out about UF’s Honey Bee Club. Since then, she has worked with bees more and has become the club’s vice president.

Morgan said the biggest thing she wants people to know about honey bees is they are not as scary as they appear.

She said a lot of people tend to demonize bees for being aggressive, but most of the time they will not mess with someone unless they are provoked.

“Just yesterday, I had my window open and a bee flew in and she was buzzing around,” she said. “I was like, ‘Oh, hello,’ and then she just flew right back out.” @katelynn_joyner kjoyner@alligator.org

Beekeeping Classes offered in 2020: Feb. 29: Swarms and Colony Management May 9: Honey Extraction and Hive Management July 11: Hive Pest and Queen Loss

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020 www.alligator.org/the_avenue

MUSIC

flipturn to kick off nationwide tour at High Dive Saturday The band will tour their new EP “Something You Needed”

By Marlena Carrillo Alligator Staff Writer

They’ve gone from house shows to festival stages — now, flipturn is returning to Gainesville’s High Dive before they embark on one of their biggest adventures: their very first crosscountry tour.

The band, formerly located in Gainesville, started their year with a bang. On Friday, flipturn released their new EP “Something You Needed,” a five-track compilation of brand new songs that will be performed on their tour of the same name.

Following the release of singles “Eleanor” and “Darling” late

Courtesy of Madison Steadman

flipturn’s new EP, “Something You Needed,” dropped Feb. 7.

This is the band’s first new EP since 2018.

last year, the band is eager to finally introduce a new EP — their first since “Citrona” in 2018.

“Something You Needed,” which comprises the title track, “Savannah,” “Poppies,” “Glistening” and “Did I Love You (Like I Promised To),” signifies a new era for the band. flipturn announced via their Twitter in December that keyboardist Taylor Allen would be parting ways after four years in the band.

The band said they will miss Allen, who is leaving to focus on school.

“We just have so many great memories with her playing with us,” Madeline Jarman, flipturn bassist, said, “She’s doing what’s best for her and it’s making her really happy and everything, but she loved her time with us in the band, and we just miss her so much.”

This year’s upcoming “Something You Needed” tour is flipturn’s biggest feat yet, as it is the first time they will be hitting the road nationwide. The band, which has yet to travel west of Memphis, Tennessee, will be touring across the country, hitting long-awaited California and several other destinations across the U.S.

ORANGE & BOO

By Alyssa Archard Avenue Staff Writer

February 14th. Every year, the day is met with disdain, joy, regret and, of course, that four-letter word.

A holiday all about love can feel like a real sucker punch for those who are single, but for those who are spoken for, how do you celebrate?

For Orlando Calas, a 21-year-old UF aerospace engineering senior, his plans certainly aren’t lacking the cute factor.

“I wanted to surprise my girlfriend with this small picnic at Depot Park,” he said. “I think any small, romantic gesture, as long as it’s meaningful, is really the point.”

Dojo] for the surf club,” he said.

“It was this really just like sweaty house show and everybody was really packed in together, but it’s cool to just see how some of those same people that were at one of those house shows still come out to shows, still support.”

According to Jarman, the tour opener at High Dive will be a significant moment for the band.

“Our first ever show as a band, as in not playing at like fundraisers and stuff in our hometown, was in Gainesville. It was the High Dive,” Jarman said. “So it’s always been a very special place in our hearts, before we even started college.”

The show Saturday, which is sold out, will feature opening acts Driveaway and Saint Simon and begins at 9:30 p.m. A second show at High Dive takes place Sunday with the band Driptones.

Tickets for this show are $15 in advance and can be bought on the High Dive website.

“Something You Needed” is streaming on Spotify and tickets for the tour can be purchased on flipturn’s website now.

@marcar313 mcarrillo@alligator.org

OSCARS

Things to do other than your boo DOES WATCHING ‘HER’ AND CRYING COUNT AS DOING SOMETHING FOR VALENTINE’S DAY?

Amid all these big changes, Jarman said the band has no intention on drifting from the adoration of current flipturn fans.

“Things may be a little bit different, but, like, not different at all,” Jarman said. “Things are changing, but in good ways, and we’re excited to keep moving forward and see what the future has for us.”

This landmark for the band is especially significant as they return to Gainesville to kick off the tour, the city where it essentially all started.

“We definitely did it on purpose,” Dillon Basse, flipturn’s lead vocalist, said. “We want to make sure that Gainesville feels special, as in we’re showing you guys this first. They get to be the first ones to hear these songs live.”

Looking back on the past few years for the band, it would be easy to see how Gainesville could get swept away after flipturn’s move back to Fernandina Beach. For the members, though, Gainesville still holds some of their most unforgettable memories.

Basse said his favorite show was an unusual one. “We played this house show at the [Gainesville

For Sasha Wuscovi, a 23-year-old UF animal sciences senior, her plans are a little bit different. Galentine’s Day is much more important.

“I actually got Valentine’s Day off, but I have a lab from three to six.”

That’s always rough, but her plans after seem like they’re going to make up for that.

“I’m actually going to go out with my best friend, and it’s one of my other friend’s 21st, so we’ll see where the night goes,” she said.

I also caught up with Leo Bergmiller, a 18-year-old UF mathematics freshman, to ask him what he’s doing for the holiday. As an actor who recently starred as the romantic interest in a short film, I figured he would have plenty to say about his plans this Friday.

“Nothing,” he told me with a chuckle.

As a fellow cinephile, I wasn’t

Keep up with the Avenue on Twitter.

Tweet us @TheFloridaAve.

The 92nd Academy Awards was one for the books.

How did your predictions stack up against the results?

surprised when he said, “Watch a movie or something. I don’t know.”

At the same time, Bergmiller does not knock those who go all out for this one day a year.

“If that’s what one of the partners values, then I think there can be importance there. If you don’t want to, both people in the couple shouldn’t feel pressure to do that.”

Insightful, and he’s single, folks.

To me, the whole Valentine’s Day thing feels sort of hokey. Whether you have plans or not, I think it’s important to love everyone in your life.

Between your partner, your friends and your family, make it more about your relationships than about roses and conversation hearts. This Friday, try to make time to love yourself as well. While it is so important, it’s easy to forget sometimes. @Alyssa_Archard alyssaarchard@ufl.edu

Gators Baseball to open season against Marshall The three-game series starts Friday. pg, 11

Best Picture: Your Pick: "Parasite" The Winner: "Parasite" Actor in a Leading Role: Your Pick: Joaquin Phoenix, "Joker" The Winner: Joaquin Phoenix, "Joker" Actress in a Leading Role: Your Pick: Saoirse Ronan, "Little Woman" The Winner: Renee Zellweger, "Judy" Actor in a Supporting Role: Your Pick: Brad Pitt, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" The Winner: Brad Pitt, "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" Actress in a Supporting Role: Your Pick: Florence Pugh, "Little Women" The Winner: Laura Dern, "Marriage Story" Director: Your Pick: Bong Joon-ho, "Parasite" The Winner: Bong Joon-ho, "Parasite"

Gainesville VegFest to be held at Bo Diddley Plaza Saturday The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020 ALLIGATOR 7

MOVIES

Tony, Emmy and Grammy award-winning UF alumnus gives campus talk SCOTT SANDERS CAME BACK TO GAINESVILLE TO SHARE HIS STORY

By Julia Collins Avenue Staff Writer

Oprah Winfrey, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Spielberg, Gloria Steinem and Diana Ross are among the celebrities Scott Sanders calls his peers and friends.

He also, at one point, called UF his home.

Sanders is a UF College of Journalism and Communications alumnus.

As part of the “Great Storytellers” series hosted by the college, he was invited back to Gainesville Thursday to give a talk to UF students in the Reitz

Union Chamber.

In his talk, Sanders emphasized how important it was for him to find “pockets of community” within his college experience. For him, those included the WRUF radio station, friends at The Alligator and his fraternity brothers.

“When you go to a university of this size, you have to find your tribe in whatever ways or shapes that comes in,” he said.

Though Sanders has fond memories of his time in college, he transitioned successfully into his career and is now producing many highly anticipated projects.

One of his newest projects is the movie adaptation of “In The Heights,” based on the original musical written

by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Sanders said

that in 2012 he produced the movie, “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” which Miranda had a small part in.

Miranda approached Sanders on set, telling him about his musical and how he wanted to adapt it into a movie.

Sanders and Miranda brought the “In The Heights” movie pitch to 11 studios, including Disney, and they all turned it down. After Miranda created the hit Broadway show “Hamilton,” Sanders and Miranda were able to successfully re-pitch the “In The Heights” movie. It’s now set to be released June 26.

Before “In The Heights” and other successes, Sanders co-produced the musical version of “The Color Purple” with Oprah Winfrey. In the talk, Sanders described how he had the idea of producing the book, written by Alice

Walker, into a musical for decades.

“I tend to gravitate towards stories of triumph over adversity,” he said.

Sanders continued to explain that famous stories from Shakespeare and the Bible would never have a conversation about race surrounding them.

But when he pitched “The Color Purple” and “In The Heights,” executives said the projects wouldn’t be successful because of the racial elements.

The original Broadway adaptation of “The Color Purple” got 11 Tony nominations in 2006, and the 2016 revival got four nominations.

At the end of the event, audience members had the opportunity to ask Sanders questions. One of those audience members was Maria Valdivia, a 21-year-old UF advertising senior.

Valdivia asked Sanders about the role

producers have in the #MeToo movement.

Sanders responded by telling Valdiva she was his “favorite person in this entire room” and explained how he always believes the victim and that people who do terrible things should be held accountable.

When talking about how a UF alumnus can become that accomplished, Valdivia said, “It does feel reassuring to know that there’s someone successful in the business that was an advertising major.”

@JuliaAnnCollins juliacollins@ufl.edu

SPOTIFY

MUSIC

Heart-opening kirtan to be held on Valentine’s Day LEE MIRABAI HARRINGTON WILL LEAD CALL-AND-RESPONSE MANTRAS AND MEDITATION

By Katie Delk Avenue Staff Writer

Sitting on the floor, everyone breathes deeply as they sing rich, warm Tibetan-inspired mantras. On the ground with everyone else, Lee Mirabai Harrington, a 50-year-old from New York, leads the group. As she gazes around the room, she directs the healing mantras toward each person in hopes that they truly heal the individual.

Harrington has been attending kirtans since 2000. At kirtans, participants sing sacred calland-response style chants that allow them to reach a meditative state.

“These kirtans that I do are really a way to

teach how to reconnect with your essence and refuel so that we can continue to have stamina as the world gets really crazy,” Harrington said.

On Friday, Harrington is holding her hearthealing kirtan at The Thomas Center for $35.

It will benefit the Gainesville Karma Thegsum Chöling-KTC, a meditation, dharma and healing center.

Laurie Reisman, a 51-year-old clinical social worker and therapist in Gainesville, will play music on her healing bowls. She says her crystal alchemy bowls balance the chakras (focal points of spiritual energy along the spine) and provide relaxation and create a meditative state.

“My vision for the event on Friday is to... help people have a really healing experience,” Reisman said. “To receive whatever it is that they need, to heal their heart, mind, body and soul.”

Harrington will lead the kirtan chants, which will focus on protection and compassion. She

says she intends to help balance the mental and physical states of participants and remove obstacles that prevent them from being their authentic selves.

Following the kirtan, Gyro Plus, Leonardo’s 706 and Taste of Saigon will provide vegan and vegetarian food options, included in the $35 ticket. Harrington says they should eat after the event to ground themselves.

Harrington says that often, participants don’t want the kirtan to end.

“At the end, I can see visible differences: brighter eyes, just a lot of joy, a lot of unencumbered hugging and a lot of honest conversation, people will just blurt out happy things and a lot of laughter,” she said. “You get kind of punchdrunk, it’s kind of an intoxicant.”

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 6 – 9 PM

BEYOND THE MASK FREE FOOD + ADMISSION

harn.ufl.edu/museumnights Made possible by UF Student Government and the Office of the Provost. Additional support from the UF Center for African Studies.

@katie_delk kdelk@alligator.org

Love is in the air. Here are the Avenue staff’s favorite love songs.

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Customer error or changes: Changes must be made BEFORE NOON for the next day’s paper. There will be a $2.00 charge for minor changes.

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Place an ad to sell your old stereo, cell phone, and more in the Electronics Section of the Alligator Classifieds. 373-FIND

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St. Francis House is a homeless shelter located in downtown Gainesville.

Our mission is to empower families with children to transition from homelessness to self-sufficiency by providing case management, housing, food, training and educational resources in a secure environment.

If interested in volunteering please contact the volunteer coordinator at 352-378- 9079 ext 317 or sfhcoor@stfrancis.cfcoxmail.com St Francis House depends on monetary support from individual donors and community businesses in order to provide meals to the homeless and the hungry.

To make a donation by mail, please send checks payable to St. Francis House P.O. Box 12491 Gainesville Fl 32604 or our website at

Stfrancishousegnv.org

14

Help Wanted

This newspaper assumes no responsibility for injury or loss arising from contacts made through advertising. We suggest that any reader who responds to advertising use caution and investigate the sincerity of the advertiser before giving out personal information or arranging meetings or investing money.

Students in Accounting, Aviation, Business/ Sales and computer science needed for various positions. Flexible schedules and competitive pay. Join our team! Learn more at www.gleim.com/employment 4-22-20-43-14 HIRING home/office/apartment cleaners(mf and every other sat). Day and night shifts available. Must own a car. weekly pay $10.00/hr. if interested please call 352-2140868 4-22-20-43-14 Compassionate Caregiver needed for young lady w/intellectual disability. Must be at least 18yo, have reliable trans, HS diploma or higher ed. Overnights & weekend shifts avail. If interested please contact Maryam Nikoonejad 352-246-6039 or Brooke Eason 352-246-5129 2-17-20-13-14

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

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ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

By

By Kurt RobinKrauss Stears ©2020 ©2020 Tribune Tribune Content Content Agency, Agency, LLC LLC

02/10/20 02/12/20 02/11/20

02/12/20 02/11/20

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2015 ALLIGATOR 9 6. ANIMAL KINGDOM: What is a group of leopards called?

2. GEOLOGY: What metal is produced by refi ning the ore bauxite?

7. LITERATURE: What was the birth name of author Toni Morrison (a pseudonym)?

3. EXPLORERS: Where was explorer Marco Polo born?

8. MOVIES: In which James Bond movie is the character of Jaws introduced?

January 27, 2020

King Features Weekly Service

1. GEOGRAPHY: Which is the least-populated continent?

4. ART: Which popular American artist referred to himself as "Painter of Light"?

9. HISTORY: Which country was home to the Contras guerilla force in the 1980s?

5. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What is the pH

10. LANGUAGE: What is a truel?

by Fifi value of pure water?

Rodriguez 1. MEASUREMENTS: How many inches are in a mile?

2. ASTRONOMY: What does the acronym SETI mean to the scientific community?

3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin prefix “sub-” mean in English?

4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms?

5. LITERATURE: Which 20th-century movie star penned the autobiography “Me: Stories of My Life”?

6. HISTORY: What was the first National Monument proclaimed in the United States?

7. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the island of Luzon located?

8. MOVIES: Which sci-fi movie has the tagline, “Reality is a thing of the past”?

9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What was the name of the United States’ first nuclear-powered submarine?

10. GAMES: What are the four railroad properties in Monopoly?

Answers 1. 63,360 inches 2. Search for extraterrestrial intelligence 3. Below or insufficient 4. Grover Cleveland 5. Katharine Hepburn 6. Devils Tower, 1906 7. The Philippines 8. “The Matrix” 9. The USS Nautilus 10. Pennsylvania, Short Line, Reading and B&O

answers below

Help Wanted

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Tutor for High Energy Calcs for the universe.

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020 www.alligator.org/sports

Everybody Hates Chris

SOFTBALL

UF falls to USWNT, welcomes back alumni

By Payton Titus Sports Writer

Three former Gators made the trip back to Gainesville last night in a different uniform.

Aubree Munro, Kelsey Stewart and Michelle Moultrie stepped out onto the diamond to greet their former head coach Tim Walton.

Clad in red, white and a different shade of blue, the Florida alumni

still received a warm welcome home. During team introductions, Munro, Stewart and Moultrie were greeted with a standing ovation.

Fans of all ages erupted each time their names were said over the PA system. Spectators who sat in the old Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium to watch them play and little girls who wore diapers the last time they took the field at UF and

Will Turner // Bulls 247 // Courtesy to The Alligator

Junior Natalie Lugo allowed four earned runs in two innings Tuesday night to Team USA.

now repped their own youth softball team jerseys were in attendance.

“To be able to hug them at home plate when they brought out the lineup card was really cool,” Walton said.

“That was a different feeling, to be able to see players that you’ve seen grow up a lot, so that was a really special feeling.”

In an emotional exhibition game, Team USA defeated Florida, 5-3.

Senior Katie Chronister started in the circle for the Gators (4-1 regular season)but was relieved by junior Natalie Lugo after facing just four batters. Chronister allowed no hits and forced two ground outs in the first inning. Together, she and Lugo became the second pitching staff to hold the Women’s National Team (7-0 in its Stand Beside Her Tour) runless for the first two innings in their Stand Beside Her campaign.

The Gators went through five pitchers

in seven innings: Chronister, Lugo, freshman Rylee Trlicek, and sophomores Danni Farley and Elizabeth Hightower.

Coming off of the fourth freshman nohitter game in program history, Trlicek allowed only one run in the fourth and fifth innings combined against Team USA. Farley’s second game of the 2020 season fared better than her first against then-No. 17 Michigan, as she and Hightower shut out the WNT in the sixth inning.

At the top of the third, however, the WNT started to make up for lost time, scoring four runs with two-RBI singles from Ali Aguilar and Hannah Flippen off Lugo. An RBI double by Aguilar allowed Janie Reed to score and extend the WNT’s lead to 5-0 over the Gators.

Read the rest online at alligator.org/sports @petitus25 ptitus@alligator.org

WOMEN'S GOLF

Gators struggle on the West Coast

By Christian Berry Sports Writer

No one expected the No. 7 Florida to struggle this much in Palos Verdes, California, but winning the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge this weekend was always going to be difficult.

The Gators finished 11th out of 16 teams, a staggering step back from never finishing outside the top five of any tournament during the fall.

Most of the blame can’t be placed on poor golfing, though.

The tournament was loaded with 13 ranked teams including the four best teams in the country.

The competition was tough, but shooting 22 over par and ending the day tied for 14th place was completely out of character for the Gators.

The lone bright spot for UF at

the end of the first round was the solid play of senior Marta Perez, who finished the day three-over par.

Day 2 was much closer to the Gators level, as the team collectively shot two-under par and jumped from 14th to 11th.

Emily Glazer’s group also saw much better performances on Monday out of junior Addie Baggarly, freshman Marina Escobar and sophomore Clara Manzalini.

In fact, Baggarly led Florida in Round 2 and tied her career best, shooting four-under par. The best of her performance came in the last nine holes, where she nailed five birdies and had a perfect back nine.

Florida’s Day 3 performance saw some regression back to what it witnessed on Day 1, as it collectively shot 11 over par and finished in the same spot it

For the third time in a row, Trinity Thomas is SEC Gymnast of the Week. She scored a 10 in the trimeet against Denver and Iowa State Friday night. This is the seventh time Thomas has claimed the award.

started the day.

It was a particularly rough day for Perez, who shot five-over par on her worst day of the tournament by far. Those struggles saw her fall from 21st to 36th on the individual leaderboard.

The Gators’ best finishers were Baggarly and Manzalini, who finished tied for 29th place.

Ultimately, No. 10 Duke dominated the tournament, beating second-place Southern California by a commanding seven strokes and the 11th-place Gators by 36 strokes.

Florida will have to turn things around quickly as the Allstate Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate Golf Championship starts this Sunday in New Orleans.

@Berry05219 cberry@alligator.org

It’s time to call a flagrant foul on refs

D

amian Lillard has tempted to protest the call, never been one to saying the referees “misapshy away from the plied the playing rules by spotlight. failing to grant a Coach’s Last postseaChallenge in connecson, he sunk a shot from tion with James Harden’s the logo to sink the hearts fourth-quarter dunk, and of Oklahoma City fans. In that this error had a clear 2014, his second season in By Christian Ortega impact on the outcome of Twitter: unofficialchris the Association, he made a the game by depriving the cortega@alligator.org three off an inbound pass team of two points.” with less than a second on The league determined the clock to clinch the series the protest was unwarrantover the Rockets. ed but said the officials were disciplined So on Friday, when he drove to the for misapplying the Coach’s Challenge rim with 14 seconds left in the game rule. The details of how the officials against the Utah Jazz to tie the game, it were reprimanded were not released. appeared as though it would be another Regardless of the sport, regardless instance where he would potentially of the league, time after time games are seal a win for the Blazers, possibly tying marred by officiating controversies. And their record with the eighth-seed Mem- time after time, those very referees are phis Grizzlies. not held accountable for mistakes. MisUntil Rudy Gobert blocked the layup. takes that put playoff odds at risk, and “That absolutely looked like it should in the case of the New Orleans Saints, have been a goaltend,” said ESPN play- resulting in an embarrassing playoff by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco. exit.

Replay confirmed Ruocco’s exclamaFrustration is a common emotion. tion. The subsequent two-minute report After games, players and coaches, rife verified it, but to the officiating crew on with frustration are forced to face the the court, the play stood. Lillard and the media and recount the moments that Blazers lost the game, 117-114. spoiled the game. Yet, if they dare fall “Cost us a f---ing game, man,” Lillard out of line and speak against the refersaid after the game. “There ain’t no way ees, they face a fine. to take the sting out of it. We can’t have But those who made the mistakes are the game back.” not held accountable.

In a surprising move, league officials The NBA Players’ Union goes out of did not fine the Portland guard for his its way in an effort to increase transparcomments. Instead, his team is pun- ency by posting its current collective ished as they sit two games behind the bargaining agreement on its website. final playoff spot in the Western Confer- The NBA Referees Association does not. ence.

In an effort to increase transparency Since no call was made on the floor, and “build a greater awareness and unthe league was unable to rightfully call derstanding of the rules and processes the block a goaltend. Since the play that govern our game,” the NBA began stood, Trailblazers’ head coach Terry issuing last two-minute reports in 2015.

Stotts was unable to call a challenge. In What has ensued has not led to an effort to make league officiating more greater awareness or understanding of transparent, the NBA instead created a basketball, but rather greater confusion catch 22. as to why the Association opts to let fans On Thursday, Orlando Magic coach know a game was lost over poor calls Steve Clifford was fined $25,000 for yet makes no effort to hold officials ac“verbally abusing officials” after they countable. missed repeated screams for a timeout.

It’s correct to point out that those Those who were on the receiving end of missed calls would not have guaranthe aforementioned abuse were not rep- teed wins. Lillard’s shot was only to tie rimanded for ignoring the timeout calls. the game, still leaving nine seconds for Rockets suffered a similar situation the Jazz to answer back and potentially on Dec. 3 when they were robbed of overtime. Clifford’s timeout may not a basket against the Spurs. With 7:50 have led to a scoring play. remaining in the game, Houston guard In fact, the Blazers had a wide-open James Harden stole the ball and dunked three at the buzzer to win the game. it, which would have increased the lead But poor officiating alters the course to 15. of games that could alter the course of They ruled the dunk a missed bas- athletes’ careers, and in turn, their legaket because it was “dunked with such cies. Leagues can’t improve officiating force that, as it cleared the net, the ball until referees are publicly held accountwas propelled around the basket and able. And it’s hypocritical to fine players upward, creating an initial appearance and coaches for speaking out of line. that it was not a successful field goal.

Fans deserve better. Players and Houston then called a timeout, and the coaches deserve better. It’s time to be officiating crew conference to discuss better. the play.”

The Rockets would lose in double @unofficialchris overtime, 135-133. Although they atcortega@alligator.org

Gators bolster their 2021 class with Rucker commitment Vanguard High wide receiver Trevonte Rucker announced his commitment to UF on Twitter Tuesday. He is a four-star prospect and UF's 11th commit in the class. Florida now has the top ranked 2021 class in the SEC.

Follow us for updates

For updates on UF athletics, follow us on Twitter at @alligatorSports or online at www.alligator.org/sports

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2020 ALLIGATOR 11

MEN’S BASKETBALL

UF in danger zone with must-win game against Texas A&M next

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Sports

Andrew Nembhard’s status is in doubt for Wednesday night’s game.

By Evan Lepak Sports Writer

It’s beginning to become a pattern.

A much-needed win followed by a head-scratching loss.

A step in the right direction accompanied by an ugly step back.

That’s been the split personality of this team over the past month.

The Gators are 5-5 in their last 10 games.

Parity is in abundance, and if Florida is going to make the NCAA Tournament, that trend of play

has to stop.

“You know, we’ve got a really good group of guys,” coach Mike White said at Monday’s media availability. “Good guys that will come in today with a great attitude, and they’ll be willing to work and ready to go.”

But, there’s a caveat.

“The immaturities have to decrease,” he said. “The amount of emotional moments have to decrease. Our level of consistency and stability, mental toughness, have to dramatically increase for this team to max out.”

Florida’s last six games of the remaining eight on its schedule provide a daunting task.

Four of those six are against teams currently ranked inside the KenPom top 35.

That’s why it’s essential for the Gators to mature, play up to their potential and dismiss the inferior teams that await on their schedule over the next three days.

Tonight, UF travels to College Station to face Texas A&M (11-11, 5-5 SEC).

The Aggies won’t be an easy out at home, where they’ve won eight of 12 games.

It doesn’t help that Florida is 2-5 in true road games away from the O’Connell Center.

Defensively, the Aggies will be disruptive, only giving up 63.1 points per game -- good for 33rd in the NCAA. “I think this A&M program, right now at least, extends more, pressures more,” White said.

“They are very athletic. They play really hard...I think their ability to turn you over and block shots on the interior, being more disruptive.

“I think that’s the biggest change from how these teams were playing from last year to this year.”

UF’s defense has improved, but

scoring on the road has been a challenge recently.

Against Vanderbilt and Ole Miss, the Gators combined to average 56 PPG and shot an abysmal 37 percent (40 of 108) from the field in those two games.

A low-scoring affair looks to be on tap either way, similar to Florida’s 61-55 victory against Vanderbilt on Feb. 1. That’s because the Aggies only average 60.6 PPG, which is 342nd in the NCAA. If the Gators can score into the 60s, they should secure a win on the road. Something that has slipped through their grasp more often than not this season.

“It’s pretty good,” forward Kerry Blackshear Jr. said, referring to A&M’s defense. “They’re holding teams to like 50 or 60 points a game...They stay

Florida Gators

connected. It’s pretty unorthodox the way they play, and I think that gives some teams trouble.”

Additionally, spacing and movement of the basketball may be an issue for the Gators if guard Andrew Nembhard can’t play. He injured his ankle against Ole Miss and has been limited in practice the past couple of days.

“Didn’t go yesterday, he’s sore,” White said. “We’ll just evaluate it today. I think he’s going to try to get some reps today. I’m not sure if he’ll be able to or not.”

Without Nembhard, Florida would have to rely on freshmen guards Ques Glover and Tre Mann to give the team some extra minutes. @evanmplepak elepak@alligator.org

Texas A&M Aggies

Wednesday night’s matchup by the numbers:

72.0 110.3 (44th) 96.5 (69th) 65.7 (298th)

Points Per Game Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Adjusted Tempo

60.6 97.1 (275th) 96.5 (70th) 64.4 (330th)

*Adjusted stats from KenPom*

BASEBALL

Gators excited for the lights to finally turn back on

By Dylan O’Shea Sports Writer

It’s Friday Night Lights, but on the diamond.

The Gators baseball team will open its season against Marshall in a three-game series starting Friday.

UF is coming off of a disappointing 2019 season in which the squad failed to make it past Regionals.

The Gators had made the College World Series fourstraight years prior to 2019, winning it all in 2017.

Junior pitcher and first baseman Jordan Butler is looking to get back to Omaha, and he said it all starts with Florida’s opener against Marshall.

He spoke on Tuesday about the heavily anticipated season opener on Friday, along with the benefit it will have to some of the younger players on the team.

“Everything is a lot different when the lights go on and it’s spring,” Butler said. “I’m excited to see how the freshmen react to the big stage.”

Butler also said it’s important for all of the freshmen to get thrown into the action early this year.

Youth and inexperience, especially on the mound, was one of the main reasons UF failed to book a flight to Omaha last season. Florida’s offense was stout, posting a cumulative .284 batting average. However, its pitchers sputtered in big-time moments, registering a 5.37 ERA, the second-worst in the SEC. Senior pitcher Trey Van Der Weide has the opportunity to provide leadership to the pitching staff.

The redshirt-senior transfer from the University of South Carolina Upstate has three years of Division I pitching experience. He said he transferred to Florida to get a chance to go to the College World Series, and he’s felt that energy from the team since

the first day of practice.

“The first or second practice we broke it down like, ‘yeah, on Omaha, one, two, three,’” he said.

“And I was like, dang, we got a shot.”

Van Der Weide’s goal to get to Nebraska doesn’t alter his approach to pitching.To him, it’s still a kid’s game.

“I don’t really care about starting, relieving, closing, any of that stuff,” he said. “Just going out there and playing baseball just like when I was a little kid.”

Coach O’Sullivan, 51, takes a more adult approach as head coach of the team. He said he’s anxious to get the season started.

O’Sullivan, entering his 13th season as Gators coach, said he’s not superstitious. He also said he makes himself drive by the Gators’ new stadium site every day, so that statement is up for discussion.

What he’s certain about, however, is his approach to opening weekend. He said it’s about gauging the talent on the roster and evaluating the starting lineup and rotation.

“Bottom line is, the lineup is not going to be the same at the end of the year as in the beginning,” he said. “I’m just trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together to give us the best opportunity to be successful this weekend.”

Whether you want to compare making lineups and rotations to puzzles or chess, O’Sullivan made it clear both are a work in progress.

“I do like our roster,” he said. “But the fact of the matter is, we got to go out there and we got to build.”

Alligator File Photo

@dylanoshea24 doshea@alligator.org

Jordan Butler appeared in 20 games on the mound last season, throwing 25 innings and logging a 1-1 record.

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