Monday, Nov. 29, 2021

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 15

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Florida football hires Billy Napier as next head coach THE FORMER LOUISIANA HEAD COACH REPLACES DAN MULLEN, FOURTH FLORIDA COACH SINCE 2014

By Ryan Haley Sports Writer

Courtesy of the Associated Press

Louisiana-Lafayette head coach Billy Napier is congratulated by LouisianaMonroe Offensive Coordinator Rich Rodriguez after the Ragin’ Cajuns won 21-16, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.

Florida football has found its next head coach — Louisiana’s Billy Napier.

The team announced Napier will arrive in Gainesville on Dec. 5, with his introductory press conference on the same day.

The Ragin’ Cajuns head coach, who spent the past four seasons in the Bayou, led Louisiana to a 39-12 record across his tenure, including a 27-5 record in the Sun Belt. He leaves UL with the highest winning percentage in school history (76.5%), and he reached the conference championship game in each of his four seasons.

After UL never won more than nine games in a season in school history, Napier strung together three straight seasons with double-digit wins in his final three years with the program and elevated the team to its first-ever Associated Press ranking.

Napier went 32-5 overall and 22-2 in the Sun Belt across his final three seasons.

UF African American Studies course title sparks controversy among students It’s not the first time the course has been offered

By Desiree Anello Alligator Contributing Writer

A course meant to recognize the diversity of Florida’s history has stirred up some unintended emotions in students, causing them to question the value of the course.

The African American Studies department is offering a course next semester titled “Blacks in Florida” under the course code AFA4225. Some students said the wording of the course title is off-putting and may take away from the intentions of the

Senior day success leaves more SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT Story description with comma, pg# questions thanfinish answers

course. Others believe the course offers a different look into Black experiences in Florida.

Tyler Thomas, a 19-year-old UF biology major, said the phrasing of the title and its presentation of the term “Blacks” seemed demeaning.

Thomas, who is Black, feels it is insensitive.

“It kind of makes us subhuman in a way because it calls back to the time of segregation and when it was used like that,” he said.

Thomas said it’s important to learn the history behind language

when it comes to topics of race and ethnicity and educate people who don’t realize their words can be offensive and rude.

The course is making a comeback after it was taught in 2014 and again during the Spring 2020 semester, said David A. Canton, UF African American Studies department director. While he said he was not responsible for naming this course, replacing the current phrasing with something that sounds more pleas-

SEE BLACK HISTORY, PAGE 4

@ryan_dhaley rhaley@alligator.org

UF ties up loose ends in academic freedom scandal, criticism mounts

By Camila Pereira & Elena Barrera Alligator Staff Writers

Last week, UF wrapped up its internal investigation into conflicts-of-interest and outside activities policies, offering policy recommendations to avoid future scandals.

Although the report followed recommendations made by a task force created to reimagine UF’s conflict of interest policies, the proposed changes would still allow the university to bar professors from testifying in the future.

President Kent Fuchs sent the

Shock therapy

Shands patient was forcibly given the treatment, pg. 4

Gators ride Dameon Pierce and Anthony Richardson to a victory against Florida State Saturday — so why didn’t they do so earlier this season? Read more on pg. 11

“Our team, staff and entire organization will work daily to establish a program with integrity and class that we all can be proud of,” Napier said in the team’s release.

The newest Gators’ head coach learned under both Alabama’s Nick Saban and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney. Napier was Swinney’s assistant coach and tight ends coach from 2006-08 and his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2009-10. He was the youngest offensive coordinator in the FBS at the time of his promotion at just 29 years old, but the Tigers let him go before the 2011 season.

Saban came calling next, and Napier spent the 2011 season with the Crimson Tide as an offensive analyst. He left for Colorado State to be an assistant coach and quarterbacks coach, but returned to the Tide in 2013 to work as a wide receivers coach and assistant coach for four seasons before Louisiana gave him his first head coaching job.

Former head coach Dan Mullen won 34 games and made a Southeastern Conference championship appearance in four seasons but was fired after an overtime loss to Missouri on Nov. 20.

A word from UF President Fuchs

announcement in a universitywide email Tuesday, where he also wrote UF had sent documents to its accreditor to comply with its investigation.

Fuchs created the task force Nov. 5, and it concluded right before Thanksgiving break — a week earlier than its scheduled deadline. The task force’s final report recommendations stated UF could still deny testimony if it thought professors were engaging in too many outside activities restricting them from duties at UF. In Tuesday’s email, Fuchs wrote that he accepted the

SEE TASK FORCE, PAGE 5

FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR UPDATES @FloridaAlligator @TheAlligator_ @TheAlligator_ @TheAlligator @TheAlligator @alligator_newspaper @alligator_news-

Read the president’s latest column, pg. 7

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2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Today’s Weather UF, UPD respond to sexual violence at Reitz Union AS OF NOV. 19, THERE HAVE BEEN FOUR INDECENT EXPOSURES ON CAMPUS THIS YEAR

By Isabella Douglas Alligator Staff Writer

Equipped with pepper spray, a young woman now chooses her seat placement cautiously — always making sure a camera is in sight.

She hasn’t felt safe on campus since Oct. 23 at the Reitz Union food court, where a man who hasn’t been found by police masturbated in front of her.

She doesn’t know if she will ever feel safe on campus again.

The victim made a post on Reddit in November, detailing the incident.

But one key portion of the post recognized a shortcoming: the need for more security on campus. An image of the suspect obtained by the University Police Department is grainy, black and white.

Still, the incident at the Reitz Union lingers in her memory.

“It is still encouraging that there are more security cameras being put in place and that UPD is recognizing the situation,” she said. “But it doesn't doesn't fix what happened.”

She said UPD called her and apologized for the way it handled her phone call after the incident was reported. Initially, her report was dismissed.

On the phone, a dispatcher told

her father the victim didn’t want to open an investigation.

However, the victim said she was never asked whether she wanted one. After UPD called and apologized on Nov. 19, she was told the dispatcher, although trained by the university, was new to the position.

UPD Chief Linda Stump said there was likely a miscommunication between the victim and the dispatcher.

“We are all the time going back and reviewing our protocols, reviewing our dispatcher's conversations and how direct they need to be,” Stump said. “We’ll go back and retrain. We’ll go back and take a look at the protocols and make sure … what’s getting reported to us is taken very seriously and is responded to appropriately.”

After the victim called a second time affirming her desire to open an investigation, uniformed officers were sent to the Reitz Union to patrol, Stump said. Officers not in uniform were also sent out to investigate undercover.

A Nov. 22 updated version of the bulletin described the victim’s assailant as a 30-to-40-year-old mixed race male. On Nov. 16 and Sept. 24, UPD received reports of suspicious people around the Reitz Union.

As of Nov. 19, there have been four indecent exposures on campus in 2021, according to UPD data obtained by The Alligator.

“I think some people look at sexual harrassment as a victimless crime.

It’s not, it’s a serious crime with serious consequences,” the victim wrote

Catherine McCarthy // Alligator Staff

The Reitz Union is seen on Nov. 14, 2021.

VOLUME 116 ISSUE 15

ISSN 0889-2423

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in a text. “I hope that UF and UPD take the necessary steps to prevent another girl from having to live with this feeling.”

Stump said if the man is found he will be barred from campus. If he comes to campus afterward, a sworn complaint will be filed with the State Attorney’s Office with charges against him.

“This is obviously a crime that nobody wants to happen,” Stump said.

“It shouldn't happen. It shouldn't happen in our environment and we want to find these perpetrators and ban them from campus activities.”

UF has also been working to bolster security on campus.

In February, the Division of Student Life requested the installation of cameras for the Reitz Union, UF Spokesperson Cynthia Roldan wrote.

The request was approved by the State University System’s Capital Improvement Trust Fund Committee for $105,000. In August, UF’s Student Government agreed to contribute an additional $45,000 for the cameras.

The university will begin installing the cameras in the Reitz Union in Spring 2022, Roldan wrote. However, she wrote the university cannot disclose the number or locations of the cameras because of a Florida statute.

Roldan encourages everyone on campus to report any crime or suspicious behavior.

The victim, although frustrated, recognizes the university’s efforts.

“It is encouraging to hear that this is a problem that’s recognized and something that is recognized as being needed to change,” she said. @Ad_Scribendum idouglas@alligator.org

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021 ALLIGATOR 3

The left winger: Family, friends remember Santa Fe High School athlete The sophomore died Nov. 22

By Faith Buckley Alligator Staff Writer

With his heart racing, chest pounding and eyes locked in, Anthony Arambula darted downfield, fighting for the ball. He gave everything for the sport he loved most: soccer.

Just a few weeks later, tears streamed down the faces of family and friends at the Santa Fe High

School football field as they joined together to celebrate Anthony’s life Tuesday.

Anthony, a sophomore at Santa Fe High School, died at 16 on Nov. 22.

Paul Richardson, a Santa Fe soccer coach, worked with him four times a week on the field “The good thing about Anthony is you could kind of use him as a wildcard,” Richardson said. “He

Courtesy to The Alligator

was versatile in many different positions.”

Anthony, a left winger for Santa Fe High School, moved up to the varsity level to conclude the 20202021 season and stayed there this season.

Richardson said Anthony was honest with himself and his mistakes. The coach wishes he could’ve watched him become an even better player.

“If he messed up or he did something incorrectly, he always wanted to make it better,” Richardson said. “He made us feel like we might be doing something good as coaches.”

Growing up, Anthony wanted to pursue a career in STEM, focusing on marine biology. That aspiration soon dissolved as he was introduced to sports.

As a kid in football, he moved around on offense — quarterback, fullback, general running back. He stuck with linebacker on defense and specialized in the position in high school.

He yearned to become a professional athlete, either in soccer or football. A Miami native, Anthony dreamed of attending the University of Miami to play football because the university does not offer a Division 1 men’s soccer team.

Countless hours dedicated to playing basketball, soccer, tennis and football defined his life since he was 6, said Anthony’s father, Jonathan Arambula.

Jonathan holds on tight to memories he made when his son was little. He’ll always remember holding Anthony in his arms night after night carrying him to bed.

Jonathan would do it forever if he could, he said His mother, Angela Arambula, said he used to fall asleep twirling her hair. She would laugh as she combed her untangled hair later in the night. He started twirling his own hair as he grew older. “[He was] my sunshine,” Angela said.

Santa Fe High School organized a vigil for Anthony Nov. 23. About

Courtesy to The Alligator

150 students, teachers, friends and family gathered on the field. Poster boards with his portrait on them were passed around the bleachers for everyone to sign and 16 candles circulated around the crowd.

Although hesitant to go, Jonathan and Angela attended the vigil to be present for everyone who knew their son.

“As soon as I crossed the gate from the concession stands, I felt like tearing up,” Jonathan said.

The family paused on the stand’s walkway to hug one another before they sat on the bleachers. The vigil helped their 13-year-old daughter, Isabella Arambula, cope with loss.

“It showed [Isabella] how many people’s lives he touched — how many people loved him,” he said.

He was in a state of shock until later in the week when he had a complete breakdown.

Anthony’s cousin, 16-year-old Santa Fe junior Adrian Roman, held a strong bond with him as they played soccer recreationally and on the high school team.

When Adrian would get flustered on the soccer field, Anthony always reminded him it was just a game.

Aside from seeing each other at school every day, the two often hung out, playing Call of Duty, Minecraft and FIFA together.

When Anthony passed, many students thought it wasn’t real.

Roman was bombarded with texts asking if the news was true, he said. But he had to be the bearer of bad news.

A viewing was held Sunday.

The school is offering counseling on site and a public funeral will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church in Williston on Monday at 11 a.m. It will be an open casket.

The Gainesville Soccer Alliance is also creating a scholarship in dedication to Anthony. It will offer financial aid to a recipient that mirrors Anthony’s characteristics on and off the field, his father said. @_faithbuckley fbuckley@alligator.org

Santa Fe College launches high school counseling program SF Achieve THE SF ACHIEVE PROGRAM WILL PLACE COLLEGE COUNSELORS IN EVERY HIGH SCHOOL IN ALACHUA AND BRADFORD COUNTIES

By Eve Thompson Alligator Staff Writer

Alachua and Bradford County high school students will now receive collegelevel counseling at their local high schools because of SF Achieve, Santa Fe College’s new mentorship program that launched Nov. 4.

The program places Santa Fe college counselors in every high school in Alachua and Bradford counties. The goal is to provide scholarships and textbook stipends, and show high school students higher education options — from community colleges and trade schools to four-year universities.

Quinten Eyman, director of the SF Achieve program said the Alachua County School Board approved the agreement Nov. 2, and P.K. Yonge passed it two weeks later while the Bradford County School Board approved it in October.

More than 70 students have signed up for SF Achieve as of Tuesday, Eyman said.

He said SF Achieve will create more college-aware, college-prepared students.

“We want college to be as big a reality for everybody as possible,” Eyman said. “We look at it as the golden ticket to a better, more prosperous and more satisfying future for everybody.”

There are four SF Achieve trained college coaches who offer one-on-one support, as well as classroom presentations on career exploration, time management and financial aid.

Marie Young is one of the four specialists, working at Buchholz High

School, Gainesville High School, North Central Florida Charter School and Pace Center for Girls. She hopes to help students understand what college is really about.

“It’s helping them down the road, but it’s also empowering them right now, to give them a reason for all the hard work that they’re already having to do,” Young said.

Once a student signs up for SF Achieve, they are enrolled in a Canvas course about college readiness, which they complete at their own pace.

From there, students can apply to be an Achieve scholar and commit to be enrolled at Santa Fe College. The Achieve scholarship will fill in gaps between financial aid and what the student is able to contribute.

Robert Gregory is another SF Achieve specialist who works at Newberry High School and Santa Fe High School, among

others. He was a high school teacher for almost 20 years.

“What I hope to come out of this is a much better connection to the idea for high school students that going to college isn’t as intimidating or as big of a process as they might think,” Gregory said.

Eyman said he hopes the program, along with the scholarship and book stipends it offers, will inspire high school students to consider higher education as not only an academic decision, but a financial one.

“The college experience is a great one,” Eyman said. “It’s a great personal experience for a lot of people. But really, it’s meant to be a launching pad. It’s meant to be a place from which you can get to that future, to that career, to that starting salary that you want.” @evealanaa ethompson@alligator.org

4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

Advocates demand change following forced shock therapy case at Shands UF HEALTH SHANDS CLAIMS SHOCK THERAPY IS SAFE AND EFFECTIVE WHILE ADVOCATES SAY IT’S DANGEROUS AND INHUMANE

By J.P. Oprison Alligator Staff Writer

A UF Health Shands psychiatric patient was cornered by staff, shocked by force and left with lasting memory damage.

In early June, Brian Henley attempted to leave his assisted living facility, suffering a shoulder injury in the process. After being in the emergency room for the fracture, he was forced into UF Health Shands Psychiatric Hospital. There, he told staff he had a heart condition that could make electroshock deadly.

Henley was cornered by about 20 staff members and forced into shock therapy for weeks, said Michele Diamond, Henley’s Shield Campaign Manager for MindFreedom International, a nonprofit advocating for people with mental health disorders. Henley said he was forced to undergo 12 shock procedures. Diamond said she talked with Henley by phone while he was at Shands and has spoken with him since his release.

Electroconvulsive therapy uses an electric current to the head to treat mood disorders, like depression and bipolar disorder, according to UF Health. The current causes a seizure in the brain, which doctors believe helps it rewire itself, helping relieve symptoms of mood disorders.

ECT is legal in the U.S. and is generally safe and effective, according to UF Health. In some cases, with courts’ permission, doctors can force very sick patients to get the treatment, according to a Business Insider article.

The therapy’s response rate is high, even when prior medication and therapy trials have failed, according to UF Health. It’s also used for mania, catalonia and psychosis when individuals don’t improve with other treatments. Many tolerate ECT better than multiple medications, according to UF Health.

But that wasn’t the case for Henley. He had been living in an assisted living facility near Orlando for years after trying to harm himself.

When he attempted to escape, he was forced into the hospital.

UF Health did not comment on Henley’s case, citing patient privacy laws.

Despite heart complications being a side effect of ECT, Henley was forced into the therapy after telling doctors he was at risk for heart problems, Diamond said.

“He was very fearful,” Diamond said. “I just prayed for him during these treatments.”

After shock, Henley began forgetting things, mixing up his words and repeating himself, according to MindFreedom International. Despite nerve pain and shaking legs, staff didn’t help, Diamond said.

Diamond believes Henley was admitted to Shands the week of June 6, and said he received shock three days per week until being discharged July 20. Diamond estimates he was in the hospital for about six to seven weeks.

But shock’s effects lingered long after Hen-

ley’s discharge, Diamond said, causing depression.

“He couldn’t even walk out of the assisted living up to the store. He said ‘I’ll get lost,’” Diamond said.

Henley refused to comment but agreed to let Diamond represent him.

With risks as severe as death, Diamond said electroshock should be banned and replaced with more humane treatments, like talk therapy.

“That’s what most people need, is just to talk to somebody non-judgmentally, without having the fear of being locked away for how they feel,” Diamond said.

While anesthesia can impair memory, the effect is variable and can be decreased with unilateral ECT, Elias Sarkis, medical director of Sarkis Family Psychiatry and Clinical Trials, wrote in an email.

“ECT is associated with lifesaving improvement in patients,” Sarkis wrote.

UF Health offers ECT to hospitalized patients and outpatients. Its website provides more information. UF Health declined to comment on ECT for this story.

Ron Bassman, executive director of MindFreedom International, said he was forced into shock therapy in 1969, when he was 25. He lost his memory for about a year and a half and believes shock hindered his creativity.

Bassman’s experience pushed him to help others as a psychologist. His success the past 40 years has led others who’ve undergone shock to come see him, asking if their memory would return.

“It’s unpredictable,” Bassman said. “There’s

Here is what you missed in Student Government this Fall SG PASSED FEWER BILLS THAN SPRING

By Allessandra Inzinna Alligator Staff Writer

The number of bills that have appeared on the Senate floor this semester pales in comparison to the Spring semester.

Last Spring, SG passed 19 bills — at least 11 of which were resolutions.

This semester, SG passed less than half of that. Seven bills were approved in the Senate chamber since September: three of which were resolutions.

The chamber lacked its typical liveliness this semester as debate ceased to exist and senators got to call it a night within an hour of establishing quorum for several meetings. Gator Party senators called “previous question,” or a motion to end debate, at any spark of conversation.

As many as six Senate meetings did not take place this semester, along with at least four Judiciary Committee meetings due to senators declining to submit legislation or failing to meet quorum.

The bills passed include a resolution recognizing the COVID-19 crisis in South Asia; the Senate Reapportionment Act, which decides how many seats election districts receive in the Senate; and the Honor Code Administration Independence Act, which takes away the Senate’s power to approve vice chairs in the agency by a twothirds vote.

Senate also passed two revisions to the 800 codes. One keeps student organizations from using SG funds to pay dues to national organizations or items that are unapproved by UF for P-card transactions. The other makes available semester funds carry over

only to the next corresponding semester.

The last two resolutions passed include one supporting the restoration of Liberty Pond and another advocating for a crosswalk on the intersection of University Ave and NW 26th Street.

Senator Oscar Santiago (Change, District D) wrote in an email that much of the work some members of SG accomplish take place behind the scenes.

Change senators have met with or plan to meet with departments such as the Field and Fork Pantry to discuss expansion, Nightlife Navigators to expand safe transportation options, and Internal Affairs to expand mental health services on campus, Minority Party Leader Gabrielle Adekunle (Change, District D) wrote in an email.

Change Party has not authored any passed legislation since the Fall elections when 12 minority party senators won seats in the chamber. However, Change Party currently has four bills set to be reviewed by the Judiciary Committee. Santiago authored three of those himself.

The bills include a resolution supporting funding for 24-hour libraries, an amendment that would allow people to sign up for public comment up until 5 p.m. the day of a Senate meeting as opposed to the night before, and another amendment that would allow anyone who isn’t an SG official to sponsor a bill.

Senator Daniel DiBari (Gator, District A) authored a resolution demanding an expansion of plane travel to and out of Gainesville and Deputy Minority Party Leader Faith Corbett (Change, District D) authored a resolution condemning the sexual assault that occurred in the Reitz Union on Oct. 23.

The Judiciary Committee will re-

view the bills and when passed to the Senate floor, it is most likely that the resolutions regarding expanding air travel, supporting funding for 24-hour libraries and condemning the sexual assault in the Reitz will pass. These topics are generally bipartisan in the chamber.

It is unclear how senators will vote on Santiago’s proposed amendments focusing on bill sponsorships and public comment.

“There are so many ideas and initiatives that I and our other Change Senators constantly have in the back of our minds or are actively working on at all times,” Adekunle wrote.

“This semester alone was not enough time to be able to accomplish all that we want.”

Senate Pro-Tempore Noah Fineberg (Gator, District A) is thrilled with the work SG has completed over the past several months. Some projects include allocating an additional $500,000 to student organizations, expanding the size of the RecSports weight room, providing free engineering paper, index cards and graph paper to all students, along with starting the Stay Fresh Laundry Grant Initiative.

Students bring many issues to the attention of SG, Fineberg wrote, but oftentimes those problems are out of the scope of the Senate’s power in terms of policies.

While Fineberg feels satisfied with the amount of work SG has accomplished, Santiago does not.

“I feel as though more can be done,” Santiago wrote. “In the Spring, I hope to work with our caucus to write even more pieces of legislation, fighting for the causes we campaigned on.” @ainzinna ainzinna@alligator.org

usually some fragments that don’t come back.”

For the past year and a half, Bassman said he has worked with a woman who had 99 electroshock treatments and lost her memory. But her doctor said the memory loss was from depression. Despite rationalizations about side effects, studies reveal the damage shock does, Bassman said.

“It’s probably a mystery why I was able to go on,” Bassman said.

While some have said their lives were saved with electroshock, Bassman hypothesized it’s a small proportion of patients.

While Bassman said people should be free to choose their treatment, forced shocking should be banned. But he said there isn’t true informed consent, because doctors don’t tell patients the irreparable damage shock does.

“This is pretty much an ongoing fight to inform the public,” Bassman said.

Most people who chose to undergo electroshock were angry they weren’t told the truth about it, Jim Gottstein, an attorney and founder of PsychRights, said. Shock causes more permanent memory loss than any other closed-head injury. Gottstein also said electroshock doesn’t treat mood disorders. It may work for a day or two because of the euphoria from a head injury, but once effects wear off, doctors have to keep performing it, causing progressive brain damage and memory loss.

“Electroshock is as barbaric as it seems,” Gottstein said. @joprison joprison@alligator.org

‘Makes us subhuman’ BLACK HISTORY , from pg. 1 ing may prove to be limiting.

“It’s inclusive in terms of looking at the different experiences in the state of Florida,” he said. “I believe that makes it more inclusive than when we used to say the Black experience. There has never been just one Black experience.”

The experiences discussed in the course may also be based upon class, gender and sexual orientation. The title “Blacks in Florida” allows for these experiences to remain separate and equally important, he said.

Amanda Concha-Holmes is the professor that will teach the course for the first time during the Spring 2022 semester. She said it will be a learning experience for both herself and her students.

When she committed to teaching the course, the title had already been solidified.

She said she would have chosen Black lives or Black experiences rather than “Blacks” as a category, but she still believes the title represents the foundations of the course well.

“The whole point of it is to be able to better value the complexity of Black lives in Florida and to recognize a much richer history that often gets overlooked if not erased from the textbooks, from the classrooms and from even media representations,” Concha-Holmes said.

People of African descent were major players in nearly every significant event in the history of Florida, she said.

The course is designed to tell those stories and show students how to take that knowledge beyond the classroom and into communities and conversations.

Regardless of intent, students showed concern others might be deterred from taking the course because of the initial implications of the title.

“Blacks in Florida just sounds like you’re looking from the outside with a microscope,” said Ashanti Brown, a 22-year-old UF public relations major. “It just sounds like you’re almost judging them.”

Brown said people don’t know what a class has to offer until they take it. The title provides the first look into the course and a title that can be taken as controversial may steer some students away, she said.

Concha-Holmes said she hopes students will not be discouraged by a title that was already in the books.

“We have such a mix of histories,” she said, “And that’s part of the goal is to recognize the diversity that’s here and then allow for that to come to the fore.”

Desiree Anello is a contributing writer for The Alligator.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021 ALLIGATOR 5

Gators soccer refuse to surrender fight for social justice Several players kneeled in unison to promote social change

By Jesse Richardson Sports Writer

The shuffling of shoes on bleachers quiets as the national anthem begins to shake the stadium. Fans rise, remove their hats and place their hands over their hearts.

Some athletes on the sideline of Donald R. Dizney Stadium stand with the crowd. But most of the team members kneel to make their voices heard with silence.

When the first note of the anthem reverberates, the athletes take a knee or stand upright.

The squad places a hand over their hearts and another over a teammate’s shoulder to express unity among the team.

Demonstrations like kneeling for the anthem, which became

commonplace a year ago during the COVID-19 pandemic, have grown scarce. The Florida Gators soccer team, however, refuses to surrender the fight against injustice as some communities in the U.S. struggle for equality.

The form of protest stems back to 2016 with professional athletes, such as former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick, at the forefront.

It reignited after the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man killed by a police officer, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May 2020.

Kouri Peace, a junior forward, kneels with her teammates to bring awareness of ongoing racial injustices in the country.

“There are people who are treated unfairly because of the color of their skin in America, and

it’s not right,” Peace said. “Even though [kneeling], right now, may not seem like the right thing to do, I feel like it is in my heart because I’ve had personal experiences and worries about my loved ones.”

A year and a half ago, the UF roster met to discuss each athlete’s perspective about the injustices taking place. Everyone was transparent with how they felt and if they were going to participate in the demonstrations.

The team said no hateful comments or gruesome debates were sparked, despite the heavy topics. The squad came to an agreement within minutes, and the season continued with no offfield quarrels.

Peace said she’ll never stop fighting and wants to set an example for the next generation.

Courtesy of the University Athletic Association

Florida soccer junior Kouri Peace on the field during a game against UCLA. She kneels with her teammates to bring awareness of ongoing racial injustices in the country.

Disappointed, not surprised TASK FORCE, from pg. 1 recommendations and asked the appropriate offices to begin implementing them. In order to implement the changes, some employees’ collective bargaining agreements may need to be modified, he wrote.

These developments come after weeks of UF facing criticism for its decision to limit professors from testifying against the state.

The university’s decision has led to questions over how much control outside entities, such as Gov. Ron DeSantis, have over the school following revelations that some Board of Trustees have political ties with DeSantis.

Those accusations eventually led to UF’s accreditor investigating the school. UF is also being investigated by a congressional subcommittee and its Faculty Senate has asked to conduct its own investigation.

Additionally, some professors who were barred from acting as expert witnesses in cases against the state joined a lawsuit against the school.

Some of the professors involved in the

lawsuit against UF said the recommendations are not enough. They argue the changes still preserve the university’s right to deny requests that pose a conflict of commitment.

“We are disappointed but not surprised that a task force created as a public relations tool has returned with window-dressing recommendations,” read a statement from David O’Neil and Paul Donnelly, lawyers representing six UF professors suing the school.

The statement read that the proposed changes to the policy failed to resolve the constitutional problem with UF’s conflicts-ofinterest policy, only addressing the narrow issue of expert testimony.

“We will continue to press the University to make the real change that the Constitution requires,” the statement read.

In a letter sent to Fuchs Nov. 12, three UF professors also pointed out that two of the task force members — UF College of Law Dean Laura Rosenbury and UF Chief Compliance, Ethics, and Privacy Officer Terra DuBois — had been involved in the same conflicts-ofinterest policies that prevented the professors in the first place.

“Always do what you feel is right, even when there are people telling you that it’s wrong,” she said.

A specific line of the pledge of allegiance motivates Cameron Hall, a junior, to kneel before games.

With liberty and justice for all.

She said her sign of protest symbolizes inequality against women, oppression of the LGBTQ+ community and unjust imprisonment and abuse of minorities.

“Until all — every creed, race, sexuality, nationality, and religion — have justice within our country, I will be kneeling for the national anthem,” she said.

Hall wrote in a September 2020 tweet the fight is not over.

“There has been case after case over this past summer that have shaken our country into protests,” Hall wrote. “I will be kneeling to protest inequality that has put people of color under oppression for over 400 years.”

Syd Kennedy takes a knee for racial equality and the end of racism put forth by the criminal justice system and the courts. The defender also uses the moment to magnify the oppression of the LGBTQ+ community, a society of which she’s a proud member.

The team hasn’t received any backlash from fans or fellow students around campus. While social media holds some heinous dialogue, the team usually removes any hateful comments.

Peace said the official team email does receive a few messages critiquing the demonstration.

Comments ranging from accusations of disrespect toward the country and the military

UF reversed course on its decision to bar the professors Nov. 5, but the landslide of investigations and criticism continued to pile.

The task force’s four-page final report listed a total of seven policy recommendations.

It stated that UF’s policy needs to affirm the academic freedom of faculty and their First Amendment right to free speech on matters of public concern. It specifically singled out cases that challenge the constitutionality, legality or application of a Florida law.

It also recommends that UF should clarify how such public comments, including those to the media, are considered outside activities when made by faculty and staff as individual citizens. The list also asks if a professor’s request is denied, the university should provide a written explanation with evidence as to how it is a conflict of interest.

As for the process recommendations, the task force recommends the university create a Provost’s Advisory Committee to increase transparency in the decision-making process and include faculty perspectives.

The proposed committee, consisting of both faculty and UF administrators, would review employees’ potential denied requests to serve as expert witnesses in litigation when the state is involved, among other proposed denials.

After a review, it would provide a documented

poured in, but the team refused to stop. “[The emails] don’t affect me,” Peace said. “I know the reasons why I’m doing what I’m doing.

It doesn’t change the fact I’m kneeling for equality in America, which I do not have yet.”

Peace also made it clear the demonstration doesn’t mean any disrespect toward veterans or those serving in the military.

Gators fans who berate the team, Hall said, never truly supported them in the first place.

“We’re not going to change our protest stance, no matter if someone pushes back,” Hall said.

“If they’re not going to support us as complete humans, then we don’t really want your support on the soccer field … At the end of the day, we’re going to stand up for what we believe in.”

First-year head coach Tony Amato is an on-and-off participant of the demonstration at the back of the line.

Amato, former coach for the Arizona Wildcats, was hired late in the offseason. He was never told the protest would take place at the start of the season, but he didn’t push back when he found out.

“We’re not going to change what we do, whether he has a different opinion or not,” Hall said.

In a post-game press conference, Amato said he would never prevent his players from sharing important messages and speaking out against racial injustice.

The fight against injustice has been a long battle but Florida soccer athletes like Peace, Hall and Kennedy kneel for its end. @JesseRich352 jrichardson@alligator.org

recommendation to the provost who will make the final decision.

Faculty members will be nominated to join the committee by the Faculty Senate and appointed by the Provost serving threeyear terms. Administrators will be chosen by Fuchs and will serve as long as they remain UF administrators. The report also recommends the implementation of an appeal process for all denial requests relating to outside activities and to revise the operating procedures of the Conflict of Interest Program office.

UF maintained its decision was affected by external entities or individuals in its response to its accreditor’s investigation. It also wrote the school’s Board of Governors was not involved in the decision-making process at any time.

Now that the documents have been sent, UF’s accreditor can continue the long process of investigating the university.

It is unlikely UF will lose accreditation, but the process is expected to take several years.

Alexander Lugo contributed to this report. @CamilaSaPereira cpereira@alligator.org @elenabarreraaa ebarrera@alligator.org

6 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

SENIOR DAY

Football Senior Day Here are just a few of the Gators seniors who played their last game in The Swamp Saturday

Career statistics • 75 solo tackles • 138 total tackles • 6.0 tackles for loss • 3.0 sacks • 2 interceptions • 9 passes defended

Amari Burney, LB (2018-2021)

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Career statistics • 47 catches • 617 yards • 7 touchdowns

Career statistics • 316 attempts • 1,749 rushing yards • 22 rushing touchdowns • 44 receptions • 423 receiving yards • 5 receiving touchdowns

Dameon Pierce, RB (2018-2021)

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Career statistics • 277 attempts • 1,384 rushing yards • 7 rushing touchdowns • 70 receptions • 726 receiving yards • 2 receiving touchdowns

Kemore Gamble, TE (2017-2021)

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Career statistics • 39 solo tackles • 107 total tackles • 28.5 tackles for loss • 17.5 sacks • 8 passes defended

Malik Davis, RB (2017-2021)

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Zachary Carter, DL (2017-2021)

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021 www.alligator.org/section/opinions

Editorial

UF, UAA has failed its students, alumni, faculty and staff (again)

U

F reached top 5 status in September. But as the semester progressed, our staff uncovered news beyond the university’s nagging pursuit of rank. Our reporters were busy covering the gaps in university administration’s decisions that made national headlines.

Our sports desk uncovered the abuse of a former women’s basketball coach, and our university desk has spent the last weeks breaking down the university’s handling of UF professors testifying against the state and potential loss of accreditation as a result.

This coverage unveiled a common theme: The university and its leadership need to take more responsibility for the effects of its actions.

Keeping professors from their freedom of speech and overlooking abusive behavior in sports, UF’s administration has disappointed its community — and everyone watching. These actions do not reflect a top 5 university, nationally recognized for its research and achievements.

UF barred multiple professors from testifying against the state of Florida. When it came to light in early November, the university took corrective action fast. Alumni started hesitating with their checkbooks, but that only scraped the surface of UF’s reputation.

On Nov. 23, UF President Kent Fuchs sent an email to the university community announcing his task force’s recommendations to fix their conflict of interest policy. Their decisions took some steps but left the door open for more issues — just like the one that got us here in the first place.

Ask any of the professors involved, and they’ll tell you UF didn’t go far enough. The recommendations of the task force were a band-aid approach in the eyes of these professors, many of whom are in active litigation against the university over this issue.

At least everything is great with Gators sports, right? Athletic Director Scott Stricklin just nailed the hire for head football coach, the basketball team looks poised to make a big run this season and women’s athletics just celebrated its 50th year at UF. That’s all great, except Stricklin has yet to comment on the ongoing developments with The Alligator’s report on abusive behavior from former women’s basketball coach Cam Newbauer. When our report was first published, Stricklin met with four reporters of his choosing to respond.

The Alligator was not included in the closed-door meeting, despite breaking the story. That is unacceptable. You might try to stop professors from doing their job, but it’s against the Constitution to try to stop us from doing ours.

Weeks later, when Stricklin fired former head football coach Dan Mullen, he was forced to face the media for a press conference. When asked, he refused to comment on the situation.

Take some responsibility for what happened. Answer our questions. Players who experienced abuse under Newbauer depicted suicidal episodes and the experience degraded their mental health. Yet, mum’s the word from university leadership on it.

Stricklin likes to tout the “Gator Standard” for the athletic department, but if this is what the standard is, that is pathetic.

It’s embarrassing a university that touts its excellent journalism program would punish its own students for doing good journalism. ​​It is embarrassing a university that prides itself on the excellence of its faculty silences professors from speaking on their expertise. It’s embarrassing the leadership at a top 5 university acts this way.

Do better, UF. The Alligator Editorial Board is composed of the editor-in-chief, the engagement managing editor, the digital managing editor and the opinions editor.

Steven Walker EDITOR-INCHIEF

Kristin Bausch ENGAGEMENT MANAGING EDITOR

Carolina Ilvento DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR

Chloe Greenberg OPINIONS EDITOR

Looking forward to celebrations ahead

Holiday light and song for a strong finish

T

hese final, hustling weeks of Fall are tickets will be distributed starting today at noon among my favorite times on campus. We at the Phillips Center Box Office. return refreshed by Thanksgiving break, As we join in the cheer and warmth of this ready to finish the semester strong and holiday season, I also want to share some news looking forward to the celebrations ahead — about holiday breaks in future years. The Faculty from graduation to the holidays and New Year.

Senate last month approved a calendar, effective One celebration I look forward to is this 2024-25, with no scheduled classes during the week’s lighting of UF’s Holiday Gator. Watch entire Thanksgiving week, though the campus for this artful alligator sculpture to appear on will remain open Monday through Wednesday Kent Fuchs the University Auditorium lawn today. Then on of that holiday week.

UF President Wednesday, I hope you’ll join me to celebrate Starting in 2024-25, the calendar also starts our official “Lighting of the Holiday Gator.” All are invited the Fall semester earlier and ends the semester earlier — to gather at 5 p.m. Dec. 1 to enjoy hot cocoa, apple ci- lengthening the winter break — and moves Spring Break to der and other holiday treats — and great performances by later in the year. Syncing UF’s Spring Break with the Alachmembers of three UF student groups: the Gator Marching ua County school system’s will benefit those with children Band, the UF Sunshine Steelers and the UF Concert Choir. in the local schools.

Gainesville metal artist and College of the Arts alumna Planning an academic calendar is always a thorny chalLeslie Tharp created the Holiday Gator in 2019. Its com- lenge. I’m thankful to the provost’s office, particularly Dr. mission was intended to provide encouragement, light and Angela Lindner, UF Registrar Steve Pritz, all the colleges joy to everyone on campus as the days get shorter and the and everyone on the Faculty Senate who worked hard to semester draws to a close. The sculpture’s orange and blue make these enhancements possible.

LED lights were brightened last year, making it especially And to all — my very best as you complete your papers, luminescent — more so when backlit by the beautiful lights projects and research; prepare for exams; and get ready for of Century Tower, which have also been brightened and the holidays. I wish you a strong finish to the semester and I colorized. encourage you to infuse these days with joy, light and song.

This is the season of light and of song. Another campus The Holiday Gator will do its part for that cause through celebration I love is the Sounds of the Season concert pre- the end of the semester, at which point it will return to storsented by 300 performers in the UF School of Music. This age until it reappears next year. It’s quite a sight to behold, year’s concert, “A Celebration of Healing & Harmony,” is and I look forward to welcoming its return Wednesday and set for 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5, at the Phillips Center. Free celebrating this season with all of you.

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator.

EL CAIMÁN

UF ata cabos sueltos en escándalo de libertad académica, aumentan las críticas Por Camila Pereira y Elena Barrera Escritoras del El Caimán

Traducido por Melissa Hernandez De La Cruz Escritora del El Caimán

La semana pasada, UF concluyó su investigación interna sobre conflictos de intereses y políticas de actividades externas, y ofreció recomendaciones de políticas para evitar futuros escándalos.

Aunque el informe siguió las recomendaciones hechas por un grupo de trabajo creado para reimaginar las políticas de conflicto de intereses de UF, los cambios propuestos aún permitirían a la universidad prohibir a los profesores testificar en el futuro.

El presidente Kent Fuchs envió el anuncio en un correo electrónico de toda la universidad el martes, donde también escribió que UF había enviado documentos a su acreditador para cumplir con su investigación.

Fuchs creó el grupo de trabajo el 5 de noviembre y concluyó justo antes de las vacaciones de Acción de Gracias, una semana antes de la fecha límite programada. Las recomendaciones del informe final del grupo de trabajo indicaron que UF aún podría

negar el testimonio si pensaba que los profesores estaban participando en demasiadas actividades externas que los restringían de sus deberes en UF. En el correo electrónico del martes, Fuchs escribió que había aceptado las recomendaciones y pidió a las oficinas correspondientes que comenzaran a implementarlas. Para implementar los cambios, es posible que sea necesario modificar los acuerdos de negociación colectiva de algunos empleados, escribió.

Estos desarrollos se producen después de semanas de que UF enfrentara críticas por su decisión de limitar a los profesores a testificar contra el estado. La decisión de la escuela ha generado dudas sobre cuánto control tienen las entidades externas, como el gobernador Ron DeSantis, sobre la escuela tras las revelaciones de que algunos miembros de la Junta Directiva tienen vínculos políticos con DeSantis.

Esas acusaciones finalmente llevaron a que el acreditador de UF investigara la escuela. UF también está siendo investigada por un subcomité del Congreso y su Senado de la Facultad ha solicitado realizar su propia investigación.

Además, algunos profesores a los que se les prohibió actuar como testigos expertos en casos contra el estado

se unieron a una demanda contra la escuela.

Algunos de los profesores involucrados en la demanda contra UF dijeron que las recomendaciones no son suficientes. Argumentan que los cambios aún preservan el derecho de la universidad a denegar solicitudes que planteen un conflicto de compromiso.

“Estamos decepcionados, pero no sorprendidos, de que un grupo de trabajo creado como una herramienta de relaciones públicas haya regresado con recomendaciones de decoración”, se lee en una declaración de David O’Neil y Paul Donnelly, abogados que representan a seis profesores de UF que demandaron a la escuela.

La declaración decía que los cambios propuestos a la política no resolvieron el problema constitucional con la política de conflictos de intereses de UF, y solo abordó el tema estrecho del testimonio de expertos.

Lee el resto en línea en alligator.org/section/elcaiman Alexander Lugo contribuyó a este informe. @CamilaSaPereira cpereira@alligator.org @elenabarreraaa ebarrera@alligator.org

The Alligator encourages comments from readers. Letters to the editor should not exceed 600 words (about one letter-sized page). They must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s name, classification and phone number. Names will be withheld if the writer shows just cause. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, style and libel. Send letters to opinions@alligator.org, bring them to 2700 SW 13th St., or send them to P.O. Box 14257, Gainesville, FL 32604-2257.

Columns of about 450 words about original topics and editorial cartoons are also welcome. Questions? Call 352-376-4458.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

ENTERTAINMENT

UF student launches music podcast Kara Williamson breaks down the Gainesville music scene in ‘On Loop with Kara’

By Tara Carroll Alligator Contributing Writer

A 12-hour car ride and encouraging words from a professor inspired a UF student to launch her own music podcast.

Kara Williamson, a 21-year-old advertising senior, created “On Loop with Kara” in July.

She’s uploaded 13 episodes on Spotify since the podcast’s initial launch.

Most episodes feature Williamson discussing a specific artist and the songs she enjoys.

Williamson said she hopes the podcast will become popular and allow her to have conversations with the artists.

“Interviewing musicians is where I want to take [the podcast] and hopefully start traveling a little bit and interviewing musicians across the U.S. or even the world, if possible,” Williamson said.

When in-person classes shifted to online in 2020, many UF students traveled back to campus to move out of their dorms or apartments.

Williamson drove down to Gainesville from Bethesda, Maryland, to pack up her belongings. Growing tired of music and podcasts, Williamson shut off her radio at one point during her drive.

“I just started talking to myself as if I was being interviewed on a podcast.” she said. “I was able to talk to myself for so long that I was

like, ‘I guess I could start a podcast.’”

Originally, Williamson said she planned for her podcast to focus on the lifestyle of a college student. But as she started recording it, she realized she didn’t love the idea.

It would take Williamson another nine months to fully commit and plan out a process for her podcast.

In the Fall of 2020, she enrolled in a content marketing course led by UF professor Robert Padovano.

“He was amazing,” Williamson said. “Every day [in class], he would basically just tell us to create our own content. He was like ‘you just need to do it.”

She credited Padovano as one of the reasons she decided to go for the podcast.

“I should just do this — why not?” Williamson said. “If it doesn’t go anywhere, it doesn’t go anywhere — that’s not the goal. The goal is to just create something that I’m proud of, and that is mine.”

Padovano, 50, has been teaching at UF since 2012. He said Williamson was an active participant in his class and frequently engaged in the conversation.

“I think it is fantastic that students like Kara are inspired to take the initiative and create their own content,” Padovano wrote in an email.

Padovano has listened to a few of William-

son’s podcast episodes, and he was impressed.

“Students should give themselves permission to try something, learn from the experience and not give up on their dreams and aspirations,” Padovano wrote.

Padovano wants his students to try something while time is on their side, so they can look back with no regrets.

Williamson said she’s the busiest during the weeks she releases an episode.

“It’s probably an hour or two of recording, an average of six hours for editing and then another two [to] three hours for social media graphics and promos,” she wrote in a text.

After launching the podcast in July, Williamson said she wanted to find a way to continue her passion for music on UF’s campus.

She applied to Swamp Records, Gainesville’s student-run artist resource agency, in August and was accepted. She is currently on an artist relations team for the Driptones, a local band.

Shannon Mercatante, the president of Swamp Records, said that 40 applicants out of a total of 60 were accepted to the student organization.

Mikey Saltzman, a 21-year-old UF finance junior, serves as the director for the Driptones.

“When I interviewed Kara, she was very charismatic and very passionate about helping out and really wanting to get involved with

Courtesy to the Alligator

Kara Williamson, 21, UF advertising senior, launched “On Loop with Kara” in July.

helping out local artists in their social media, in their graphics … and increasing their brand awareness as a whole,” Saltzman said.

Saltzman selected Williamson to join his team of only eight people.

“All her skills really lined up to the skills that the Driptones needed,” Saltzman said.

In collaboration with the Driptones, Williamson interviewed the band on the podcast and released the episode Nov. 4.

Tara Carroll is a contributing writer for The Alligator.

LIFESTYLE

Young adults struggle with alcohol misuse more than other age groups THE STIGMA AND STEREOTYPES AROUND THE TOPIC MAKE IT HARD FOR YOUNG ADULTS TO COME FORWARD FOR HELP

By Luigi Bencosme Avenue Staff Writer

Alcoholism doesn’t conform to a stereotype. Alcohol misuse can affect anyone.

Robert F. Leeman, a UF College of Health and Human Performance associate professor, said although people may have an image of an older man with liver problems, there is no true image of what a person with alcohol use disorder can look like.

While many may expect older people to be affected, data from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism shows those aged 18 to 25 have the highest rate of alcohol use disorder.

Unlike older adults, he said, young adults don’t usually present major physical health issues, like liver func-

tion problems, until later in life. This is partially why people don’t perceive young people to struggle with addiction in the same way as elders.

“A young adult who drinks heavily could face withdrawal,” he said.

“But on average, that’s something that probably is going to take a long drinking history to get to.”

But someone doesn’t have to suffer from these issues to be considered an addict.

Burton Burt, owner of Recovery Awareness counseling center in Gainesville, said aside from the recognizable health signs — like having a fatty liver or cirrhosis — there are other warning signs of alcohol addiction. These include failing to complete daily tasks, drinking while at work and drinking earlier in the day.

Additional signs of a problem are constantly craving to drink, underperforming in school and jobs, damaging relationships due to alcohol use and repetitively losing consciousness while drinking or “blacking out,” Leeman said.

Burt also believes college culture

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sets students up for failure.

“You’re in a culture that promotes exploration on dangerous levels, in some cases, without regard for the consequences,” he said.

Leeman said although it’s true for most college towns, UF’s close proximity to local bars makes students more susceptible to drinking.

Midtown Plaza, which houses Grog House Grill, Fat Daddy’s and JJ’s Tavern, is located across the street from campus. This makes it easy for anyone, especially those living on campus, to go out drinking.

Marina Sachs, a 27-year-old graduate student who identifies as a sober alcoholic, said Greek life and the bars’ proximity to campus encourage this dangerous lifestyle. Also, they believe UF itself plays a role.

“I don’t think that there are adequate resources for young people on campus, if we’re just talking about UF campus, to acknowledge and address addiction,” they said. “I just haven’t seen it.”

While Sachs said UF’s lack of resources on campus is terrifying, they

also attributed students’ reluctance to seek out help to the perpetual stigma associated with alcoholism.

“The stigma emerges from this really incorrect notion that if you are drinking too much, or if you can’t stop using drugs … it’s because you don’t know how to control it,” they said. “And the thing about addiction is like that’s the point; we can’t control it.”

Even the idea of being too young to be an addict stigmatizes the entire topic, Sachs said. From their experience, it made them feel like a “failure” when they wanted to get help.

Leeman said clinicians and researchers have even begun using terms such as “alcohol misuse” and “alcohol use disorder” because, from their expertise, there exists a certain level of stigma associated with the term “alcoholic.”

But Sachs takes issue with these newer terms.

“The fact that it is so kind of medically determined, oftentimes by white cis-het[ero] professionals who aren’t addicts themselves, feels

like it’s an externally placed marker of a group of people who didn’t get a chance to determine that name,” they said.

They also believe this term, like other terms used against marginalized communities, can be reclaimed and used to empower others.

While Leeman said the 18 to 25 age group is most susceptible to struggle with alcohol misuse, he also pointed to the period of “maturing out,” during which most young adults will slow down the heavy drinking on their own.

“We want to try to predict the folks who are less likely to mature out, but we don’t want to focus all on that, because even folks who down the road will mature out, they could face some negative consequences in the here and now from drinking,” he said.

For additional support, you can contact Alcoholics Anonymous for Gainesville at (352) 372-8091 or on their website. lbencosme@alligator.org

Florida’s elite encounters

Gators volleyball rode into Kentucky with a nine-match winning streak and left 1-5 against ranked opponents, pg. 12

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solution on page 10 Release Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis DOWN 1 Partially cook, as rice 2 Employ excessively, as muscles 3 Overdo the flattery 4 Last word of Kansas’ motto 5 Macduff rebuff 6 Econ. measure 7 Old photo hue 8 Battlefield furrow 9 “What’s more ... ” 10 Norman who created Archie and Edith Bunker 11 French pilgrimage site 12 Trying a case, say 13 Prophetic woman 19 Prefix with stat 21 Overdo, as a point 24 Twinkler 25 Soccer standout 29 Frequently, to a bard 30 More irritable 33 Fireplace grate buildup

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UTREGD OANCE CLESI ESPYLE DOWN

Type of award Eating ____ Authentic Selfish, penny-pinching

ANSWER

ROYPTH NSTULEI ENNEIUG YREGED

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fishing village in the 10th century.

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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021 www.alligator.org/section/sports

FOOTBALL

About time: Richardson and Pierce lead Gators over ‘Noles QUARTERBACK ANTHONY RICHARDSON AND RUNNING BACK DAMEON PIERCE SAW THE BULK OF THE WORK AT THEIR POSITIONS IN THE SECOND HALF

By Michael Hull

finished the afternoon an efficient five-forseven passing for 55 yards and a touchdown and added 11 carries for 27 yards with his legs.

He by no means lit the world on fire, but he kept away from the cardinal sin of football: turnovers.

The Gainesville native’s second-half

Sports Writer

Quarterback Emory Jones stood calmly in the pocket, searching for an open receiver. He fired a rocket intended for Trent Whittemore in the back of the end zone but instead found Florida State corner Jarvis Brownlee, Jr. for his third interception of the half. Jones walked off the field, head hung low as a flurry of boos rang out from the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium crowd.

Jones’ near-fourth interception early in the third quarter solidified the change Florida fans clamored for all season. Redshirt freshman Anthony Richardson came in off the bench to the crowd’s raucous approval and proceeded to play the rest of Florida’s 24-21 victory over the Seminoles Saturday.

Richardson and running back Dameon Pierce’s performances Saturday, coupled with the glimpses of greatness shown throughout the year, left Florida fans wondering what could’ve been. Would this season had been more successful if former head coach Dan Mullen committed to Richardson and Pierce as the starting workhorses early on in the season?

Richardson entered with the game knotted up at seven and strung together three scoring drives in four possessions, expanding the Gators lead to 24-7. The redshirt freshman

Samantha Harrison // Alligator Staff

Florida’s Anthony Richardson pictured handing the ball to running back Dameon Pierce during the Gators’ Nov. 27 game against Florida State.

heroics are nothing new to Gator Nation.

Richardson led four straight touchdown drives in the team’s eventual loss to LSU and showed flashes of greatness early in the season against FAU and USF. His lone start of the year came against the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs and their historic defense.

He struggled against the ‘Dawgs, throwing for just 82 yards and two interceptions.

Jones racked up 19 passing touchdowns in 2021, but he threw 13 back-breaking interceptions. That type of inconsistency on offense limited Florida’s downfield passing attack, as the Gators completed just 17 passes over 20 yards with Jones under center this season, eight of which came against the likes of Vanderbilt and Samford.

Richardson completed six passes of 20 or more yards despite throwing nearly 250 less times than Jones (64 attempts to 310).

After the game, interim head coach Greg Knox did not commit to Richardson nor Jones as the starter for the team’s bowl game.

“What we’re going to do is enjoy this victory,” Knox said. “Then, when we get to that bowl game, we’ll let them figure it out.

They’ll go to work and they’ll compete and we’ll make a decision from there.”

Speaking of competing for snaps, Pierce once again shined in The Swamp. The senior back carried the ball 12 times for 62 yards and a touchdown, including a helmetless run for the ages that was called back because of a technicality in the rule book.

“My mama been calling me hardheaded since I was little, so that ain’t nothing new, Pierce said of the run after the game. “That was just basic instinct.”

Entering Week 13, Pierce owned the highest PFF rushing grade in the country (93.4) despite never seeing double-digit carries in a game.

After logging just two carries in the first half against FSU, Pierce commanded 10 in the second half. He took over late in the third quarter, ripping off runs of six, eight, 12 and 12 yards on a single drive. He completed that drive in the fourth quarter with the vicious helmet run that didn't count followed by a 3-yard touchdown plunge.

“I ain’t got good intentions (when I’m running), I’m gonna tell you that,” Pierce said.

Pierce’s angry running style led to 15 total touchdowns, the most in a single season by a Gator since Percy Harvin had 17 in 2008. Pierce averaged 5.9 yards per carry this year, over a yard more than fellow starter Malik Davis (4.7).

Despite the obvious discrepancy in stats and production, Pierce just barely outsnapped Davis (87 to 85). Florida’s rushing offense cleared 200 yards each of its first four weeks, but fell off quite a bit since, hitting that mark just once in the past eight games (Samford).

There’s no guarantee more Pierce usage would’ve helped the offense, but numbers don’t typically lie.

Florida won Saturday because it finally played its best players. The problem is it took a coaching change and nearly missing a bowl game to get them on the field. Maybe if the more efficient players saw the field earlier in the season, 2021 could have been a more successful year in Gainesville. Maybe. @Michael_Hull33 mhull@alligator.org

MEN'S BASKETBALL

Gators leave Ohio State Buckeyes bleeding scarlet red A shot and a prayer from Tyree Appleby led to a cathartic Florida win at the horn

By Karina Wilson Sports Writer

Guard Myreon Jones hurled the rubber ball to guard Tyree Appleby.

The senior leapt into the air and launched the ball toward the basket. The swoosh of the net at the buzzer sent the entire Gators bench onto the court to mob the senior.

“It was like a movie,” Appleby said. “It’s probably one of the best moments of my college career, really my life.”

Florida emerged victorious.

The Florida Gators slipped past the Ohio State Buckeyes 7168 Wednesday in Suncoast Credit Union Arena in Fort Myers, Florida.

With the win, the Gators claimed the title of Fort Myers Tip-Off champions.

Florida head coach Mike White’s squad looked sluggish and started

slow early. Ohio State scored the first four points to assert dominance.

UF guard Brandon McKissic came to play, though. The graduate student throttled the ball back into play to keep possession for the Gators.

Defense defined the game — nothing out of the ordinary for Florida — but Ohio State kept up.

“Our team prides ourselves on defense, that’s what we do,” Appleby said. “If a team wants to bring that physicality back, that’s fine.”

Eventually, a fire lit under the Gators. The orange and blue sprinted away with a 9-0 run to take their first lead of the night.

All-American E.J. Liddell captained the Buckeyes with 23 points throughout 33 minutes. The junior boasted five rebounds and five blocks.

Forward CJ Felder dunked out a

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buzzer-beater to close out the first half, slicing Ohio State’s lead to six.

Graduate transfer Phlandrous Fleming Jr. kept the ball rolling for UF to start the final frame. But the elation didn’t last long, as a lob to Ohio State fifth-year senior Kyle Young hushed the sea of orange and blue.

“We could be so much better,” Fleming said. “Luckily, we scrapped this one out and got the win.”

Forward Colin Castleton swatted the ball out of the air for an early block in the second half. Castleton recorded his sixth career doubledouble with 11 points and 13 rebounds, and Florida’s reliance on the big man earned him the title of tournament MVP and a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

The sea of Gators fans were swallowed by the traveling scarlet and red fans. However, as fouls piled up for Florida: UF lost its composure.

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A dunk from OSU’s Zed Key granted the Buckeyes a 47-37 lead, their largest of the game.

However, the Gators wouldn’t back down. A no-look behind the back pass from Castleton found Felder to give the team some momentum.

Loud and proud Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann earned a technical foul, allowing Fleming to capitalize on four shots for Florida, and the Gators drew closer.

As the second half slowly came to a close, forward Anthony Duruji saw an opportunity to make a bucket. The senior took two steps and ascended toward the net before dunking the leather ball into the hoop. The tie ballgame put UF back on track.

“Let’s go Gators,” rang throughout Suncoast Credit Union Arena, and Liddell’s last-minute jumper got swallowed with the noise. He

couldn’t save the sinking Ohio State squad as the final stellar play from Jones and Appleby sent the scarlet and grey back to The Buckeye State.

Fleming said the intensity was there the whole ball game. He said the team was determined to win this game.

“It was crazy,” Fleming said.

“We kept telling everybody ‘Believe, believe, believe.’”

The guard and Appleby both earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.

“We’ve got a tough, gritty team,” Appleby said. “I don’t really think [anybody] else in the country is going to be as tough as we are night in and night out.”

White agreed. He said the team overcame adversity.

“A tough-nose group that just found a way,” he said. “Hopefully, our fans enjoyed what they saw.”

Follow us for updates

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

@kk_rinaa kwilson@alligator.org

12 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2021

VOLLEYBALL

Gators’ losses to Kentucky cast doubt over title chances Florida has a 1-4 record this season against teams who reached last year’s Sweet 16

By Carson Cashion Sports Writer

The Florida volleyball team arrived in Lexington, Kentucky, Friday with a lot to be optimistic about.

The team was still rolling on a nine-match winning streak that included seven sweeps, and the Gators had a chance to earn a share of the SEC Championship with two wins over the defending national champion Kentucky Wildcats.

Despite the recent victories, there was baited concern about the team, worrying whether the quality of play could hold against the elite class of collegiate volleyball.

The Gators found an answer on the court, but not the one they hoped for. In the final two tests of the regular season against the ‘Cats (24-4. 17-1), the Gators (208, 14-4) couldn’t muster a single set win.

After back-to-back sweeps at the hands of Kentucky and a potential injury to redshirt senior

T’ara Ceasar, Florida’s postseason prospects have been called into question, leaving much to think about on the return flight to Gainesville.

Early in the first set against Kentucky Friday, Ceasar, the player behind the Gators winning streak, left the game with an apparent ankle injury. The Panama City, Florida, native collided with Wildcats sophomore Reagan Rutherford at the net line after landing, rolling her ankle in the process.

She returned to the set shortly after stretching and testing her ankle on the sideline and finished the match with 14 kills.

In Saturday’s match, Ceasar only played two sets and registered a mere three kills and three errors to match. While this could be attributed to the dominance from sophomore Sofia Victoria, who tallied nine kills, the absence of Ceasar is a concerning development.

No updates were given on Ceasar’s health, so only time will

tell how ready the star will be by the NCAA Tournament.

Any Ceasar hindrance might be a coffin-sealing update for the Gators’ national title hopes.

Even if Ceasar is at full health, the Gators need to beat the best teams in the country in order to secure the first national title in program history; from the beginning of the regular season through the end of it, Florida had trouble doing exactly that.

Florida played three teams in the regular season that reached the Sweet 16 of last year’s NCAA Tournament: Baylor, Minnesota and Kentucky. Against those three opponents, the Gators finished 1-4 and suffered three sweeps.

All of those opponents are currently ranked in the top 10 of the American Volleyball Coaches Association poll. The other ranked team Florida played this year, No. 18 Stanford, defeated the Gators 3-1.

These losses don’t outright designify the wins Florida enjoyed in the latter half of the season

Catherine McCarthy // Alligator Staff

Florida’s T’ara Ceasar serves during an Oct. 16 game against Texas A&M. against SEC opponents, but it does show there is still a rather significant divide between the Gators and the teams they desire to call their peers.

Through an optimistic lens, Florida remained competitive in each of the six sets it played against Kentucky. The Gators lost each set by an average of 4.17 points, only losing one by more than five.

That number correctly indicates Florida is not getting outclassed in these matches. The team consistently remained within

striking distance of the Wildcats, just not quite doing enough to bring it home.

If Florida meets Kentucky head coach Craig Skinner’s team in the tournament, it’s plausible the Gators could muster a set victory or two. Still, could Ceasar and company pull off a full threeset victory against the defending national champions?

That image just got harder to picture. @carsoncashion ccashion@alligator.org