Monday, July 17, 2023

Roll race hits Gainesville Raceway track for the first time

By Emma Parker Alligator Staff Writer

As a black BMW M Series and a neon blue Rolls-Royce Cullinan were driven up to the starting line, quiet fell on the race's audience. Engines revving broke the silence in a burnout to get better grip on the track.

Once the green light glowed, the cars flew past with nothing but smoke trailing behind.

Gainesville Raceway has hosted drag race competitions and events since 1970, but July 15 marked the first time the track hosted a roll race event.

Drag racing consists of competing cars starting from zero and pushing their car to their fastest speed in the standard distance of a quarter mile. Roll racing has similar standards but instead of starting from a standstill the cars will start at an average speed of 30 mph. Once they see the light flash green, racers will step on the gas and race to the end of the track.

Derek Putnam, a track announcer, has raced at Gainesville Raceway since 1994 and has worked with the raceway to bring different events to Gainesville.

“They’re really trying to bring a different

Community expresses frustrations, hopes

for

Eastside sports complex

RESIDENTS SPOKE OVER A TWO-DAY WORKSHOP

By Amanda Friedman Alligator Staff Writer

Tired of settling for crumbs, Gainesville residents shared their dreams for the developing Eastside sports complex with city staff during the project’s first public engagement effort last week.

The city of Gainesville hosted

two community workshops to receive feedback from locals on the proposed East Gainesville sports complex July 11 and July 12 at the MLK Multipurpose Center.

The Gainesville City Commission voted unanimously to move forward with the sports facility in June 2022.

The proposal calls for renovations to Citizens Field and the expansion of the MLK Multipurpose Center on Eighth Avenue and Waldo Road.

Leader of the initiative City Com-

SEE EASTSIDE, PAGE 4

vibe to the racetrack where we’re not just going away from what we’ve been doing,” Putnam said.

Not only is Gainesville Raceway trying new things while sticking to its roots, but the racers themselves have navigated a changing community with revolving college kids and people losing interest in the past few years.

Racers have noticed a dip in participation in the sport as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and changing interests.

However, many racers still love the ability to customize their own vehicles. Whether they build their car from the ground up, attend car shows or modify their first Camry, local car lovers are sticking with the sport they’ve always loved.

Michael Fair, the 31-year-old manager of Rollins Automotive Inc., was introduced to his love for cars by his grandfather and brother. It led him to enter the automotive industry, work on his own car and compete in drag racing.

Fair can be identified by his bright yellow Buick Skylark 1971 and his love for the community and the sport.

“All the car people usually know each

SEE CAR, PAGE 4

Suspect was released from jail on $100,000 bond

UF resident assistant arrested for alleged sexual assault on campus

By Amanda Friedman Alligator Staff Writer

A UF resident assistant was arrested by UPD and charged with sexual battery of a victim between 12 and 18 years old July 8.

The suspect, Parker Siegel, a 19-year-old UF computer science student, allegedly held the victim down and raped her inside his room in Mallory Hall at 2:30 p.m. July 8. The victim did not give Siegel consent and repeatedly told him “no” and “I have to go,” according to a police

report.

While the report did not identify Siegel as a resident assistant, The Alligator obtained a photo of a now taken-down poster in Mallory Hall confirming Siegel as a former resident assistant for the dorm.

The report did not include the victim’s age.

UPD arrested Siegel around 8:48 p.m. later that evening.

The Alachua County Jail released Siegel on a $100,000 bond July 9, a jail official said.

UPD issued a trespass warning

barring Siegel from UF’s campus, said Florida Bridgewater-Alford, UF’s Associate Director of Learning, Development and Integration, in a written statement July 10.

“The University of Florida takes all allegations of sexual assault very seriously, and we are committed to providing an environment where students, faculty and staff are safe from all types of sexual misconduct,” Bridgewater-Alford said.

Siegel’s written plea of not guilty was filed to the Alachua County Clerk

SEE RAPE, PAGE 4

FOLLOW US ONLINE FOR UPDATES

Marcus Rojas // Alligator Staff Michael Fair, 31, explains the engine of his Buick Skylark at the Gainesville Raceway on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

It hosted a race and practice July 15

2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, JULY 17, 2023

Communist Party leader files UF Supreme Court cases against Senate president

Alfredo Ortiz requested further investigation

By Vivienne Serret Alligator Staff Writer

Former Progressive and Communist Parties’ leader Alfredo Ortiz filed two cases against Senate President Oscar Santiago Perez (Change-District D) after eligibility debate sparked at the July 11 Senate meeting.

Ortiz also filed a case in regard to the June 17 trial where Santiago Perez was exonerated of all charges in a four-to-one vote, calling for further investigation into the evidence initially presented.

The cases are still pending to be heard by the UF Supreme Court. Ortiz is seeking $1 in damages.

Santiago Perez was not aware of the cases being brought forth against them until Ortiz provided a statement to The Alligator during the July 11 senate meeting.

“While I cannot be certain of the motives with which he is bringing forth cases against me, if he is motivated due to personal issues we have amongst ourselves, I am saddened that he uses Student Government as a way to retaliate against me,” Santiago Perez wrote. “If he is doing these in good faith, I am certain that these cases will be resolved through the proper forms.”

The Fabrication Investigation

The Rules and Ethics Committee met June 17 for nearly four hours to consider the expulsion of Santiago Perez.

Minority Party Leader Bronson Allemand (Gator-District A) said he would file a case against Santiago Perez during the announce -

ments section of the June 13 Senate meeting.

Allemand’s charges against Santiago Perez included malfeasance, moral turpitude and forgery. These charges pertained to Santiago Perez allegedly filling out a voter record for former Change Sen. Anaum Virani at the Feb. 21 Senate meeting.

Santiago Perez was exonerated of all charges and they believed the committee made the right decision given the inconclusive evidence.

Before the July 11 Senate meeting, Ortiz filed a memorandum to the UF Supreme Court calling for a more in-depth investigation of the events that took place.

“If Oscar indeed fabricated a voter record, that should come to light so that future senators know not to engage in similar conduct in the future,” Ortiz wrote. “If he did not, then his innocence should not be subject to uncertainty because it would not be fair to his reputation.”

Ortiz believes Santiago Perez was vindicated on a technicality because the investigation was cut short due to the Rules and Ethics Committee lacking the ability to subpoena more evidence.

Santiago Perez said they don't have any further comments regarding the case and said the evidence speaks for itself.

The Gag Case Hours before the July 11 Senate meeting and during, discussion sparked surrounding Ortiz’s eligibility to give public comment.

As outlined in Rule IX of the UF Rules and Procedures of the Student Senate, each member of

the Student Body may speak in public comment by submitting an electronic request that specifies the matter on which the student wishes to speak to the Senate president and Senate secretary by 5 p.m. the day of the meeting.

Santiago Perez noted there is precedent for denying or questioning if a student or person is eligible for public comment, citing a situation where a previous summer replacement senator was denied public comment due to her inability to be present.

Under Florida Statute 800.101(1)(C), a student is defined as a person who is enrolled at a school, Ortiz noted. He also said the UF Orange Book (Regulation 4.040) defines student as "any person currently admitted, enrolled, or registered for any university program, regardless of the medium of the program, or degree-seeking status, or when not enrolled or registered for a particular semester, who is eligible to enroll in future terms without seeking readmission".

Ortiz hasn’t been able to reach SG advisers regarding these definitions or seek relief through the UF Supreme Court because the Court doesn’t meet over the summer.

Santiago Perez said they are entrusted to uphold the laws as they are despite their opinions on what the laws should be.

They also denied Ortiz’s accusation of refusing him the right to speak because of a Code of Ethics Complaint and said they were never informed of Ortiz’s statement.

Santiago Perez denied his public comment request after advisers had informed me he was not a student, they wrote.

“I do not make the determination of who is a student,” they wrote.“I merely relayed the information advisers told me.”

After further discussions, advisers informed Santiago Perez that Ortiz meets the student qualification to be granted public comment privileges, Santiago Perez wrote in an email sent to The Alligator July 16.

VOLUME 117 ISSUE 40

Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by

Sawyer Lamers // Alligator Staff Senate President Oscar Santiago Perez (Change-District D) signed bills condemning attacks on higher education and creating a budget review act at the Senate meeting Tuesday, May 30, 2023.

Following advisers’ instructions to Santiago Perez, Ortiz will be allowed to register for public comment going forward.

@vivienneserret

Editor-In-Chief

Engagement Managing Editor

Digital Managing Editor

Metro Editor News Director University Editor

the Avenue Editor

Jiselle Lee, jlee@alligator.org

Kristine Villarroel, kvillarroel@alligator.org

Jackson Reyes, jacksonreyes@alligator.org

Fernando Figueroa, ffigueroa@alligator.org

Aidan Bush, abush@alligator.org

Claire Grunewald, cgrunewald@alligator.org

Lauren Whiddon, lwhiddon@alligator.org

Jackson Castellano, jcastellano@alligator.org

Assistant Sports Editors

Multimedia Editors

Brandon Hernandez, bhernandez@alligator.org

Marcus Rojas, mrojas@alligator.org Diego Perdomo, dperdomo@alligator.org

Copy Desk Chief Mia Schneider, mschneider@alligator.org

Sports Editor Editorial Board

DISPLAY ADVERTISING

Advertising Office Manager

Jiselle Lee, Kristine Villarroel, Jackson Reyes

352-376-4482

Sales Representatives Cheryl del Rosario, cdelrosario@alligator.org

Sales Interns

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING

Tessa May, Sydney Thieman, Sophia Handley, Nicole Hausmann, Avery Brennan

Kate McCroy, Brianna Rivera, Anna Grace Coffing, Madison Kahn

352-373-3463

Classified Advertising Manager Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org

352-376-4446 BUSINESS

Comptroller Delia Kradolfer, dkradolfer@alligator.org

Bookkeeper Cheryl del Rosario, cdelrosario@alligator.org

Administrative Assistant Ellen Light, elight@alligator.org

ADMINISTRATION

352-376-4446

General Manager Shaun O'Connor, soconnor@alligator.org

Administrative Assistant Lenora McGowan, lmcgowan@alligator.org

President Emeritus C.E. Barber, cebarber@alligator.org

SYSTEMS

IT System Engineer Kevin Hart

PRODUCTION

Production Manager Jordan Bourne, jbourne@alligator.org

Publication Manager Production Staff Member Deion McLeod, dmcleod@alligator.org Namari Lock, nlock@alligator.org

352-376-4458 NEWSROOM:

Santa Fe College to University of Florida: The ultimate destination UF is top choice for Santa Fe transfer students

By Jinelle Vazquez Alligator Staff Writer

UF political science student Conor Ruffin considered enlisting in the military as a high school senior before his teacher — a Santa Fe College and UF graduate — suggested Ruffin attend Santa Fe College.

“I trusted him, and I went to Santa Fe, [but] I wasn’t entirely sure I wanted to go to the University of Florida,” Ruffin, 23, said.

During his time at SFC, Ruffin served as SFC’s 2022 student body president before transferring to UF this spring with the help of an SFC adviser.

UF admits more students from Santa Fe College than from any of the other 28 Florida state colleges, according to the SFC website.

SFC students’ top transfer choices include UF, University of Central Florida and the University of South Florida.

Mackenzie Taylor, an 18-year-old SFC wildlife conservation and ecology sophomore, said her interest in transferring to UF brought her to SFC.

“My family went to UF, and I wanted to follow,” Taylor said.

SFC has six SF2Universities programs that include di -

rect articulation agreements with the University of North Florida, Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, University of South Florida, University of West Florida, New College of Florida and the University of the Virgin Islands.

These articulation agreements guarantee SFC students admission to these partner universities.

SFC also offers five special partnership programs with UF, including the SF2UF Bridge to Baccalaureate, SFC to UF College of Pharmacy, Gator Pathways, Gator Engineering and Gator Design and Construction.

The SFC average transfer admission rate is 65 percent, according to Julie Crosby, coordinator of the UF@SF Center.

The UF@SF Center works with the SFC Academic Advisement Center to assist students with referrals to the appropriate advisors in the various colleges at UF and facilitate access to transfer information.

Crosby encourages students to be aware of their major and prerequisite transfer tracking requirements, especially as they begin considering a transfer from SFC to UF, she said.

It’s never really too early to start preparing once you come to us, Crosby said.

“From an academic standpoint, you want to prepare in high school,” she said.

Matthew Nelson, a 20-year-old SFC pre-nursing junior, always planned to transfer into the UF nursing program.

“I was born and raised here,” Nelson said. “I chose Santa Fe because the quality of education is on par with UF.”

The UF Student Nursing Association assists incoming and current nursing students on their applications, Nelson said.

“They were able to supply me with enough information to produce a viable application,” Nelson said.

SFC also has an honors program with an enrollment rate to UF of 88 percent, according to the SFC website.

Santa Fe College Honors Program is an academic program where admitted students receive academic advising, access to honors program courses and information about worldwide engagement opportunities.

Bobby Hom, coordinator of the Santa Fe College Honors Program, believes the program provides an outlet for students to continue their personal development while transitioning to the same atmosphere at UF.

“The greater benefit of the program is not necessarily in the transfer process,” Hom said. “We do help them with it, but the greater benefit is what happens after they transfer for these students.”

@vazquezjinelle jvazquez@alligator.org

Gainesville Raceway Resident assistant arrest

CAR, from pg. 1

other, and if you don’t know each other, you know the car,” Fair said. “You kind of look out for each other … it’s more or less like family.”

Nicholas Garrett, an Alachua County Public Works employee, has worked with Gainesville Speedway for almost a year. Garrett has competed and worked on cars since he was 10 years old. His favorite things about racing include learning how things work, being able to control that much power, seeing what it can do and seeing your creation perform the way you want it to, Garrett said. Their shared love and passion connects all these racers together is their shared love and passion for both the sport and the cars themselves. Many racers identified a dip in participation and interest within the past few years but are hoping for a comeback with events such as roll racing being introduced at Gainesville

Raceway.

Participants in local races do so out of a passion for the sport due to the large amount of time and money it requires.

Cory Deemer, operations and facilities supervisor of Gainesville Raceway, wished new events such as the roll racing one were better attended but appreciates the people who show up.

“Everyone that’s here loves it,” Deemer said. “They’re excited that we’re trying something different … it’s just trying to find new, young racers just to keep it going.”

Racers and organizers hope that once the summer ends and word gets out, there will be a jump in participation. No matter what happens, the passionate fans will continue to show up, have a good time and strive to achieve that adrenaline rush most of them crave.

@emmaparkerg eparker@alligator.org

RAPE, from pg. 1

of Court July 11.

Additionally, Siegel and his counsel filed a motion requesting the judge to dismiss his charges July 11.

Students living in Mallory Hall and surrounding dorms are troubled by the alleged crime.

Sarah Hall, an 18-year-old UF political science freshman and Mallory Hall resident, remembers seeing a swarm of police cars near her dorm while walking home the night of July 8.

The situation made her feel anxious about being alone in certain areas of her dorm, like the laundry room, she said.

“It makes me very uncomfortable and kind of scared,” she said. “It makes me even more uncomfortable that he’s

out on bail.”

Natasha Rattray, an 18-year-old UF exploratory freshman living in Reid Hall, learned of the potential assault quickly due to having friends who live in Mallory Hall. Her resident assistant also reached out to her floormates, she said.

One of Rattray's friends who lives in Mallory Hall claims Siegel was his resident assistant, she said. Rattray was shocked to hear the suspect held a role in leadership.

“I think it’s disgusting for someone to take advantage of their position,” she said. “[Sexual assault is] the most horrific thing that could happen to anyone.”

Rattray confirmed she has not received communications from UF about the incident as of Sunday afternoon.

@amandasfriedman afriedman@alligator.org

New sports complex

EASTSIDE, from pg. 1

missioner Cynthia Chestnut has championed the renovations since she joined the commission in February 2022.

With over 100 individuals attending the July 11 workshop, Chestnut said she was overjoyed to hear from so many people of different backgrounds who are passionate about the project.

“The Eastside needs economic development,” Chestnut said. “Eastside citizens need a good, healthy sports facility.”

While the complex will mainly serve East Gainesville, Chestnut said it must also generate profit through tourism so its services can remain cost-free or affordable for locals.

“If we have to have a tournament every now and then for revenue, we're going to have to do that,” she said.

Funding for the complex will come from sources like the

Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area and the Gainesville Wild Spaces and Public Places tax, Chestnut said.

The city may also secure a general obligation bond, a municipal bond that allows local governments to raise funds for initiatives that may not produce direct revenue, for the facility.

City staff hired Johnson Consulting, a Chicago-based real estate and hospitality consulting firm, to complete a market analysis and financial feasibility study for the proposal in November 2022.

Brandon Dowling, the sports practice leader for Johnson Consulting, presented some of the data collected for the study at the workshops to illustrate the local market value of the proposed complex.

The study results identify sports tourism as the primary reason people visit Gainesville, Dowling said, highlighting how an expanded MLK Multipurpose Center has the potential to benefit the local economy.

For market penetration, Johnson Consulting estimates 121,706 potential sports participants, ages six and up, could be reached with the upgraded facility, Dowling added.

Dowling emphasized the importance of the community’s perspective to the longevity and success of the facility in between data points.

“The public engagement piece of [the study] is paramount,” Dowling said at Wednesday's workshop. “This is something that is going to be in your backyards so we need to understand what you all want.”

Johnson Consulting also created a survey to collect public opinion on the project, which will be open until July 19.

Over the two days, a single microphone passed around the MLK Multipurpose Center’s gymnasium amplified the voices of dozens of residents with different visions and opinions on the sports complex.

Read the rest online at alligator.org.

@amandasfriedman afriedman@alligator.org

Marcus Rojas // Alligator Staff

Chuck Woolam, 62, zooms down the race track in his motorcycle at the Gainesville Raceway on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

Game day parking app launched mid-July Is kratom the new craze?

PERCH PARKING APP AIMS TO REDUCE CONGESTION ON GAME DAYS

By Nicole Beltrán Alligator Staff Writer

With Florida football fans excitingly infiltrating the Swamp on game days, students JJ Paulsen and Dustin Karp knew action needed to be taken over limited parking.

Karp, a 22-year-old UF computer science alumnus, and Paulsen, a 19-year-old Santa Fe College business administration junior, partnered up to create Perch Parking, a platform designed to simplify the game day parking process.

The app offers local residents and businesses the opportunity to monetize their available parking spaces on game days.

People traveling to the games can book parking spaces with residents and franchises through the app. There’s flexibility to book in advance or closer to gamedays.

The app “soft launched” last fall, focusing strictly on homeowner services.

Karp and Paulsen are now looking to expand to business services as well as improve on issues from the previous season with the app fully launched July 15.

“The motivation for starting was definitely being a student at UF for four years,” Karp said. “It was the terrible traffic on game days.”

Even though Karp can walk to the stadium from his apartment, he knows how difficult it is for many to find close and affordable parking, he said.

Growing up with a Gator alumni family, Paulsen also accustomed himself to the hectic traffic on game days.

Karp and Paulsen initially pitched their idea without an app, knocking on people’s doors, printing flyers and advertising parking spaces to residents nearby.

The interest grew to the point where they couldn’t just do it with physical flyers anymore, sparking the idea for the app, Karp said.

More than 200 parking reservations were booked on a per-game basis last football season.

Danielle Ockman, a 52-year-old Gator mom, heard about Perch Parking through Facebook on a UF parent page.

They were heading to their first game and had been warned about the parking situation, she said.

“I was very excited to find the app, so I could hopefully secure something before we got there,” Ockman said.

Ockman’s family booked with a homeowner residing nearby.

Incoming students are also excited about the app to improve game day traditions.

Kaley Mantz, an 18-year-old UF media and production freshman, believes the app will make game days easier after she’s observed people standing outside their homes with parking signs in exchange for cash.

“Most people don’t carry cash anymore,” Mantz said. “That will be an easy way for people to reserve a spot online, and they will have a guaranteed spot.”

Mantz hopes the app will decrease traffic around the stadium, making it safer for pedestrians to enjoy the atmosphere.

Oliver Guzman, Karp’s hometown friend, is excited to visit his friends in Gainesville for football season to test out the app.

“I thought it was a great idea,” Guzman said. “It’s a very convenient way to park without any hassle.”

Richie Bailey, a 22-year-old UF alumnus, listed his home for parking, eventually helping Karp and Paulsen with assessing the app.

“My house was in prime vicinity for game day parking,” Bailey said. “They used our house as one of their initial lots to gather data and identify pain points in the customer and host pipelines.”

Through businesses, they can offer seasonal parking because their parking is standard, Paulsen said.

Paulsen and Karp are eager to aim for more bookings, and they’re hoping to overall create a better gameday experience for customers.

“We want people to know that they can find safe and secure parking,” Karp said.

At the end of the day, the Gator community is a family so they just want to enhance that experience, he said.

After resolving parking discrepancies in the Swamp, Karp and Paulsen hope for Perch Parking to expand to additional sporting events, concerts, venues and festivals.

@nicolebeltg nbeltran@allligator.org

THE DRINK IS SAID TO HAVE ANXIETY-REDUCING EFFECTS

By Gabriel Velasquez Neira Alligator Staff Writer

A new herbal stimulant offers Gainesville residents energy, a social community and an alternative to alcohol — but like the opiates it’s associated with, the supplement faces controversy.

Commonly known as kratom, Mitragyna speciosa is a plant typically grown in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea and is used as a pain reliever and energy stimulant. The plant is normally ingested orally and sold as a tea, a powder or a gel capsule.

The substance is still relatively new in the United States but has become increasingly more popular and controversial in recent years. About two in every 300 people use kratom, according to an American Journal of Preventive Medicine study.

Commonly marketed as an herbal supplement, kratom affects the same opioid receptors as morphine and can be addictive for users — but it is not an opioid. Kratom can be lethal when mixed with other substances such as fentanyl and heroin. Approximately 80 percent of kratom-involved deaths involve a history of substance abuse, according to a Centers for Disease Control study.

Those supporting kratom say it can relieve pain, depression and opioid addiction.

As a result, six states banned kratom, eight others passed laws regulating it and more local governments are passing legislation banning the substance.

In Florida, HB 179 went into effect July 1, prohibiting the sale of kratom to people under 21, among other regulations.

Mccade Moonshower, a 23-year-old Gainesville resident, has worked for Kava Gator, a coffee and botanical tea shop, for about a year. Among other herbal supplements, kratom is popular with cafe customers.

Customers have the option of choosing one of the different color strains, with each offering

distinct effects.

“White is flight, red is bed, green is in between,” Moonshower said. “[Yellow] is going to be white and green mixed, so it’s going to be a little bit more energy but still that mood booster in the middle.”

The age range of customers varies widely; however, many customers are students, Moonshower said. Students use the plant to study without stress, he said.

“They want to study but still be in a mind frame of being at ease,” Moonshower said. “So, as it is an alcohol substitute, they feel as though they’re still getting that relaxation without dealing with the negative effects of alcohol, which would be very distracting.”

However, Moonshower felt people still needed to be careful with how they approached the plant.

“I would say some disclaimers is not to drink too far after or too soon after or right before drinking alcohol,” Moonshower said. “It does impact the liver, so we always tell people, ‘‘Be aware of your body and let your body stop drinking.’”

Kratom can put users at risk of psychological withdrawals and dependence, according to a Pain Medicine study. Kratom does not appear on standard drug tests and is often used to self-medicate.

“Users self-medicate with kratom mainly for its opioid-like effects, stimulant-like effects and antidepressant effects,” according to the study.

Kratom customers also found a community around the plant despite the risks.

Paul Kahrs, a 23-year-old Gainesville resident, and Madeleine Raab, a 26-year-old Gainesville resident, frequently drink kratom at Mai Kai Kava Bar. They usually hang out and talk there after work, sometimes until closing.

Read the rest online at alligator.org. @gvelasquezn gvelasquezneira@alligator.org

Rocky Horror Picture Show leaves summer audiences ‘shivering with anticipation’

THE SCREENING USES LOCAL ACTORS, POOL NOODLES, BEACH BALLS AND RAUNCHY AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

By Valentina Sarmiento Avenue Staff Writer

It came from outer space and settled on a small stage in Gainesville.

The feature crept up in the form of a summer-themed production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

The show, presented by Glory Days & Frankie and The Pretenders, will be held at the High Dive, located at 210 SW 2nd Ave, until Aug. 2. The stage, adorned with pool noodles and dildos, hosts the stilettos-wearing cast while the original 1975 picture plays behind them. The troupe puts on its Rocky “Super Wet Supersoaker Summer Extravaganza” throughout July and early August each year.

Anticipating the crowd, the picture stands frozen on the image of plump ruby red lipsticked lips, mouth agape, teeth teasing a smile suggestively.

First-time attendees are branded with a lipstick-drawn “V,” for virgin, on their forehead. The “V” signifies a new patron’s innocence to the horror that is Rocky. For Alex-

andra Hairston, a 22-year-old audience member, the interactive experience got her adrenaline pumping, she said.

“I definitely felt more engaged in the show after I’d been up on stage,” Hairston said. “It was just a great time all around.”

Throughout the production, experienced audience members contribute rude and raunchy dialogue to the scenes. The show, a meticulously organized series of stage, line and light cues, might look like a mess of half-naked bodies in gothic lingerie to an outsider.

Devin Huchingson, the 26-yearold co-director of the production, emphasizes the importance of engagement for this show. The show begs you to immerse yourself or you will not get it, he said.

“By the time you’re finally getting it,” he said. “You’re addicted to it.”

The production honors the original spirit of Rocky while having a flashy twist involving summer paraphernalia like beach balls and pool noodles, Huchingson said. However, while a couple of hundred beach balls may breathe new life into the troupe’s summer rendition, the show doesn’t thrive off of gimmicks alone.

Rocky Horror is known for be-

ing a risqué film.

“The reason why it’s been around in queer culture for so long is because it does push the limits,” Huchington said. “It seems like every year that goes by in Florida, queer spaces need to become stronger.”

The themes of the film challenge the current trajectory of Florida’s homophobic legislation. The show’s celebration of gender fluidity and non-conformity sits at odds with the state’s increasingly conservative political attitude, as queer people and spaces continue to be threatened, Huchingson said.

Rocky Horror holds a tradition in hosting queer spaces, standing as the vanguard for authentic, queer storytelling because it embraces the odd and taboo. In turn, Rocky relies on its cult following to maintain its cultural relevance since its original theatrical release in September 1975.

Hutchinson attributes Rocky’s prolonged shelf life to its campy essence.

“Rocky Horror, and most cult classics, are camp,” he said. “It’s an exaggeration of the story you’re telling.”

Xanna Prentice, the 31-yearold co-director of the production, reprises her role as Riff Raff, the faithful handyman and film antagonist.

As a member of the troupe for almost a decade, Prentice has played a major part in putting on Rocky’s shadow cast production since its inception. For her, the concept of camp comes down to overacting. Being camp relies on subverting familiar ideas, turning them upside down, she said. In essence, camp turns to the absurd.

“This is a movie about aliens that are transsexuals,” Prentice said. “That’s a ridiculous concept.”

The leading transexual alien of the show, Sydney Kruljac, 28, stars as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Kruljac characterized the protagonist as a sweet crossdresser from Transylvania, she said.

Being queer herself, Kruljac identifies with the spirit of the film, she said. Seeing parallels between herself and her character, she emphasized the importance of embracing queerness.

A captivating, corseted Kruljac genderbends Frank-N-Furter,

originally played by Tim Curry, and adds another layer to the picture’s commitment to gender nonconformity. Kruljac, however, is not alone in her genderbending as a majority of the cast play characters of a gender different than they identify as.

Among them is Calvin Heinzmann, 26-year-old ensemble member, who plays Janet Weiss, an effeminate and initially timid character. Playing Janet allows him to explore a different side of his identity while feeling very “pretty”.

Alongside his 21-year-old costar Alexa Covert, who plays Brad Majors, the pair portray the image of a modest suburban couple before their descent into depravity and sexual liberation.

Heinzmann and Covert complement each other’s performances by enhancing the show’s sense of gender exploration.

They make a good team, Covert said.

Despite rising tensions and hostility toward the queer community, the troupe remains committed to upholding the cult classic tradition.

Garret Pogue, a 26-year-old long-time troupe member who plays Columbia, emphasized the

impact of queer representation.

“If a city doesn’t have Rocky Horror, they’re missing out,” Pogue said. “As taboo as it can be, it’s so important to have people see these themes that are presented in this movie.”

The film was instrumental in fostering self-confidence and acceptance in her identity as a queer woman, Pogue said.

“As crazy as this movie is, I have found my community,” she said.

Performing as the character Columbia for about 7 years, Pogue has come to recognize some faces from the crowd with each cast’s iteration of the show.

“You always spot them out, and you can see how they’re growing with you almost,” she said. “It’s incredible.”

Once immersed in the twisted world of Rocky Horror, it’s hard to leave unscathed. Shadow casts are an entertaining yet chaotic addition to an already tumultuous film.

In the face of adversity, Rocky stands as a beacon for people to champion their authentic selves. vsarmiento@alligator.org

Messi in Miami Soccer legend arrives in Florida. Read more on pg. 11.

Valentina Sarmiento // Alligator Staff Sydney Kruljac, the star of the show, personifies the larger than life Dr. Frank-N-Furter. With sass and stilettos, Kruljac captures the film’s spirit on stage.

Valentina Sarmiento // Alligator Staff Audience members who haven’t seen the show before are branded with red ‘V’s on their forehead and invited on stage to perform raunchy tasks for everyone’s entertainment.

Gainesville’s beauty industry: Nailing customer service

Local nail technicians share their lives and their food

By Aubrey Bocalan Avenue Staff Writer

Editor’s Note: This is the second story in a series about Gainesville’s beauty industry.

There’s a familiar comfort that comes from sitting across the same trusty nail technician for a bi-weekly touch up. Their trusted hands and creative eyes have been there for every birthday, anniversary or other special occasion.

These nail technicians, or nail techs, have unique skills and creativity as well as a dedication to their clients that have fostered lifelong relationships.

LA Nails Salon

Twenty-three years ago, Han Pham, a 66-year-old nail salon owner, moved to Gainesville with her son who was starting college.

After two years in the city, she decided to open LA Nail Salon, she said.

Though it is a modest salon compared to others, with only three stations for manicures and

three for pedicures, it prides itself on its service. LA Nails, located at 3444 W University Ave., has kept people coming back for decades.

Pham has had loyal customers returning to LA Nails since it opened 21 years ago.

Right now, LA Nails only has two employees, so the business has not been able to accommodate as many customers. Still, Pham tries to become close friends with the people who visit, she said.

She will sometimes give them Vietnamese food she made or fruits or vegetables she grew in her garden at home.

Vynus Nails & Spa

Sharing food is a common theme at other nail salons.

Nabiha Iqbal, a 20-year-old receptionist at Vynus Nails & Spa, has only worked there for a month. However, she can already see how close the workers are to their clients and to each other.

Customers are very loyal to their nail tech, she said. When people call to schedule an appointment, they will sometimes ask for a specific person, she said.

“If I can’t get them their OG nail tech they get very, very upset,” Iqbal said. “They hate change.”

Vynus, located at 2803 SW 42nd St., has been open for around seven years, and its nail techs have been dedicated to their craft ever since. They often compare their employees to bees since they value community and work together to make sure everyone is satisfied, according to their website.

Even though Iqbal isn’t a nail tech, she feels at home among the other workers. She did not usually go to nail salons, but now she’ll sometimes get her nails done at Vynus.

“Everyone here is super nice, all super close to each other,” she said. “They always feed me.”

Cosmo Hair & Nail Bar

Many nail salons are familyoriented — this includes Cosmo Hair & Nail Bar, located at 3205 Clark Butler Blvd.

Dakota Hoang, a 22-year-old nail tech, has worked at Cosmo Hair & Nail Bar for five years and thinks all the employees are close

to one another.

“It’s not one man for themselves,” Hoang said. “If someone needs help, then they get the help they need.”

Sometimes that means finishing a customer’s nails if a nail tech cannot. For Hoang, helping sometimes means she will help the other workers with translation. Some of her coworkers don’t understand or speak English very well, so she often becomes the middleman between a customer and a nail tech.

Despite the language barrier, nail techs remain committed to giving customers what they want.

“I think a lot of people have a misconception that doing nails is easy, and it’s not easy,” Hoang said. “A lot of people think that some nail technicians are rude, but it’s more because of that language barrier.”

Still, Hoang and her coworkers try to be friendly and welcoming while remaining professional. She doesn’t mind sharing things about her life with clients and listening to them if they want to share information about their own lives.

Over time, Cosmo nail techs have built loyal relationships with their clients. Some have had the same clients for almost 10 years. Hoang will sometimes give out her personal number to those who like her work if they want to book an appointment with her personally.

Hoang started working as a part-time nail tech because her family owned a nail salon. Throughout her years working at Cosmo she has worn many hats, from nail tech to receptionist to social media management to interpreter.

However, Hoang’s current life goal is to become a dentist. Being a nail tech has unexpectedly helped her work toward that dream by helping her develop her motor skills and customer service skills.

But the most important way it has helped her develop professionally has been seeing her coworkers build strong connections with their clients.

“I think all my coworkers work really hard and are admirable for what they do,” Hoang said.

@aubreyyrosee abocalan@alligator.org

WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED SIGNING FEES! SIGNING WAIVED SIGNING FEES! WAIVED

FEES!

FEES!

FEES!

Rates as low as $699 on select floor plans!

New Midtown pub to replace Grog House Bar & Grill

Liberty Street Pub will open in August

By Leia Ulrich Avenue Staff Writer

When Grog House Bar & Grill officially closed its doors in May, students wondered if this was the beginning of the end for Midtown. They didn’t yet know something new was coming.

Cole Prutz, a 19-year-old UF biomedical engineering sophomore, heard about the Midtown bars that have been replaced by student housing.

“It’s sad to see it go and be at the crossroads of a lot of businesses in Midtown changing ownership, but it’s also a view into the future of Gainesville,” he said. “Life must go on and things change.”

Felicia Suarez-Rogers, a 35-year-old manager at The Social at Midtown, saw students posting on social media about Grog’s closing after 30 years and realized how much they care about keeping local spots alive. With this opportunity, she decided to open a pub in the space.

In its place, Liberty Street Pub will be opening Aug. 11 at 1718 W University Ave.

The pub is named after University Avenue’s original name, Liberty Street. Suarez-Rogers wants the bar to feel like a piece of history, she said.

The original wood bar tops and paneling

will be kept as-is, but some necessary renovations have been made. The holes in the walls have been filled, and the bathrooms have been redone.

Despite renovations, it still keeps the spirit and traditions of the bar that came before it. Some cherished traditions will be carried over, including ladies’ night on Wednesday and beat the clock on Fridays and the bar will keep its 18 and over age requirement.

Liberty Street Pub will have something for everyone, Suarez said. From comedy nights to karaoke to drag shows, every night will draw in a different crowd. It was important to her to make sure that the space is LGBTQ-inclusive, she said, and fits the interests of every crowd who enters.

The pub will also have a food menu. Each item will be a different type of grilled cheese inspired by classic bar snacks.

“The idea is to sort of be the everything, in between, catch-all Midtown misfits bar,” she said.

Landon Courtemanche, the 28-yearold future general manager for the establishment, wants to elevate Liberty Pub while still remaining cost-efficient and true to its roots, he said. One addition to the menu will be alcoholic milkshakes.

“I don’t want to make it so overly

complicated that it feels like people who would naturally have gone to Grog… feel excluded,” he said. “But I do want to bring a little more fun to it.”

Another added focus of Liberty Street Pub is theme nights. On Wednesdays, GNV Entertainment will be bringing in multiple

DJs and themes will be announced through social media, owner Alexander Quintero, 28, said.

Liberty Street Pub will have events every night for every occasion. Starting next month, anybody over the age of 18 is invited to try a grilled cheese and a shake or stay until 2 a.m. by the DJ booth.

@ulrichleia lulrich@alligator.org

Courtesy to The Alligator

The interior of Liberty Street Pub is seen at 1718 W University Ave.

How to Place a Classified Ad:

BUY IT. SELL IT. FIND IT. 373-FIND

●UF Surplus On-Line Auctions● are underway…bikes, computers, furniture, vehicles & more. All individuals interested in bidding go to: SURPLUS.UFL.EDU 392-0370 8-16-23-13-10

Autos

RETIRED GENTLEMAN SEEKS ROOM in the Duckpond area. Non-smoker, quiet, no pets, 3 plants, a poet by nature. 443-254-4239 7-24-5-13

14 Help Wanted

STUDENT - PT YARDWORK for retired UF grad. A few blocks from UF. $16 / hr. Some experience helpful. All equipment furnished. Reply with short resume to ghpolkgator@gmail.com 7-17-23-7-14

● ● CLEANING HELP ● ●

Need help cleaning Airbnb properties and homes. 6-8 hours of cleaning per week at different locations. $25 - $30 pr hr. Contact biopressadmin@gmail.com 8-7-23-5-14

Leasing Office and Turn Help

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis

Edited by Patti Varol and Joyce Nichols Lewis

ANSWER TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE:

The American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Volunteers Needed! VOLUNTEER DRIVERS NEEDED to transport cancer patients to treatment. Flexible schedule. Training and liability insurance provided. Please call 800-227-2345 if interested.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals who are looking to make some extra cash over the summer. Positions include: Community Assistant and Temp Turn Help. Please contact Teresa at the office for more information 352-554-6219 7-24-23-4-14

¿hablas español? lee el periódico independienteuniversitario mas grande

UF soccer community reacts to Lionel Messi’s move to U.S.

THE 35-YEAR-OLD ARGENTINIAN SOCCER STAR WAS OFFICIALLY INTRODUCED TO INTER MIAMI FANS JULY 16

By Brandon Hernandez Sports Writer

Thousands of fans broke through security at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale while stormy weather ambushed their chance to witness American soccer history Sunday. They scurried for shelter to hide from the elements and risked being struck by lightning.

As the rain cleared, the masses filled the seats with no room to spare for those who snuck in. The introduction of the team's ownership and newest addition Spaniard Sergio Busquets got the ceremony started. Then, the real show began.

The crowd of more than 18,000 people stood tall. They couldn’t han -

SEE SOCCER, PAGE 12

University police respond to Heavener Football Training Center burglary

THE BREAK-IN TOOK PLACE EARLY MORNING JULY 8

By Jackson Castellano Sports Writer

Four unidentified individuals burglarized the Heavener Football Training Center early morning July 8. University of Florida police released a statement July 13. The burglars have yet to be identified, according to UPD.

“At this time, UPD has identified several missing items from the facility that belong to the UAA,” UPD wrote in a statement. “These missing items include Gator football apparel and other equipment from the building.”

Security cameras captured the four individuals inside the facility around 2 a.m. July 8. At least one individual was wearing Florida State merchandise and another was seen in a Gators football jersey and pants.

“This is still a very active investigation being investigated by detectives from the UFPD Criminal Investigations Division,”

UPD wrote.

Heavener Football Training Center opened in August 2022 after the two-yearlong, $85 million construction project was completed.

The 142,000-square-foot facility houses the Gators football team and features locker rooms, strength training facilities and meeting rooms. The complex is located at 2150 Stadium Road, sitting across from the team's outdoor practice field and down the road from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Heavener also provides amenities available to all of UF’s student-athletes, including a cafeteria and an outdoor swimming pool.

UPD is still in the process of identifying those responsible for the incident, which is the first since the facility’s opening.

“As of the release of the bulletin, the subjects have not been identified and we are still asking for the public’s help,” UPD wrote.

@jaxacastellano jcastellano@alligator.org

Diego Perdomo // Alligator Staff

Topher Adams // Alligator Staff

The front entrance of the James W. “Bill” Heavener Football Training Center Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022.

Florida dream comes true

Messi arrives in Miami

SOCCER, from pg. 11

dle their excitement.

They were about to see Messi.

el, so he had an impact on my growth as a person and an athlete," Reagan Walsh said. Her growth as an athlete and as a Gator was made possible by the support of her parents and teammates, she said.

That same level of excitement can be found in Gainesville’s soccer community — almost 270 miles away — with the news of international soccer star Lionel Messi signing to Inter Miami.

Walsh — who’s near the end of her second year — recognized she has support from her father, teammates and coaches, she said.

Messi joins the Major League Soccer club after winning multiple club trophies in Europe, seven Ballon d’Or awards and the 2022 FIFA World Cup for Argentina.

"The people at the University of Florida are great and have definitely impacted me as a player, but also as a person," Walsh said.

The move is a shock for many in Gainesville’s soccer community, including

Her fellow Gators have noticed her confidence in her ability to change positions on the field when things get tough.

team while working toward a master’s degree in sports management.

"I've seen her work and the growth she has had,” UF shortstop Skylar Wallace said. “I think she's known you're not going to be perfect at all times."

He expects soccer to grow throughout Florida. It starts with Messi, and then players overseas will see the potential, Gibbs said.

Walsh has displayed confidence and an eagerness to win to the fans who come out to support her in Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium. She batted in a season-high six runs against Illinois State Feb. 11 and has a batting average of 0.353 this season. Her control at bat and ability to find the right pitch is big in late innings, Wallace

“With [Messi] coming here, there will be more focus here,” Gibbs said. “Like yesterday he was in Publix for example. You saw the pictures, everyone was there wanting a picture with Messi.”

Messi arrived in Florida July 15 and immediately embraced his inner Florida man, shopping at Publix with his family.

Julia Weber, a UF sports management

with the German Football Association in Qatar during the 2022 World Cup and currently studies in Gainesville.

said.

Walsh was set to fill the hole left by the departure of former Florida graduate student infielder Hannah Adams as she entered her sophomore season.

There’s a common belief among Europeans that Americans don’t know much about soccer, but Weber said a lot of dedication to the sport can be found at UF with multiple supporters of the Premier League and Bundesliga.

“Working with Coach Walton every single day at practice, and him killing me at second base, I think, is all worth it,” Walsh said. “Hannah was such a great athlete; it's an awesome experience to be able to play second.”

“I would have to get up at 7:30 in the morning on a Sunday to watch it, and I’m like ‘How do you guys do that?’” Weber said. “The dedication is real.”

be hard on her so she will succeed, he said.

"As a parent, I just want to love and support her — tell her it's all right,” he said. “Then on the other hand, you have to be competitive, and you have to push her to make sure she knows you have to do

He will forever support his daughter, he petitive level, he’s been hard on Reagan and understands the tough times she might face, he said.

Weber believes Messi’s move will direct locals to attend and follow more UF soccer games.

Walsh and her father share a passion for sports and the competitiveness that comes with it. However, a line is drawn between his support for her as a father and giving her advice as a former athlete who understands the hardships of being an athlete, John Walsh said. He has to push her and

"It's a tough balance,” he said. “But I love her and let her know that.”

@abrittonharr abritton-harr@alligator.org

The Associated Press International soccer superstar Lionel Messi waves as he leaves following a celebration to present him to fans one day after his signing with the Inter Miami MLS soccer team, Sunday, July 16, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Jose Pino, a 25-year-old graduate student at Full Sail University, lives in Gainesville and plays in Sunday leagues and everyone’s talking about him,” Pino

The world will be exposed to Miami Messi in his debut match against Cruz Azul July 21 at DRV PNK Stadium. The match will be broadcast on AppleTV+.

@BranH2001 bhernandez@alligator.org