Florida ascends into National Championship
The Gators will face Houston on April 7
By Noah White Sports Writer
SAN ANTONIO — As the buzzer rang throughout the corners of the Alamodome, Walter Clayton Jr. wandered into the back of the frame. In the senior guard’s line of sight were his teammates launching into the air in jubilation, ceremonially hugging one another amid a range of joyous motions, and the celebrations in San Antonio were only starting. But Clayton Jr. was already looking forward to the NCAA National Championship.
The senior guard awaited the line of celebratory players in the arena’s southeast corner, briefly
exchanging the same message with each of them: “One more.”
That was one of the many pertinent snapshots from April 5 night. The evening opened with a heavyweight fight between the SEC’s two greatest giants, a fitting way to open one of the strongest Final Four fields ever, and no player delivered more than Clayton Jr.
His career-high of 34 points, which makes him only the 15th player in the modern era to score 30 or more in the Final Four, willed Florida past Auburn 79-73 to its first national championship since 2007, where it’ll face Houston. And “willed” might be too reserved.
“The togetherness of our team, the love we all got for each other, allows us not to break apart during adversity,” Clayton Jr. said. “We just stay together in those moments.”
The next frame comes moments earlier, with a minute and a half left in the second half. Clayton Jr. is on the ground, after having heaved up a layup through heavy contact, collapsed among the many photographers eagerly snapping photos of the weathered star.
The ball had gone in, and with a shove from Auburn senior guard Denver Jones, Clayton Jr. had to get up and head to the line. That
made it a six-point game in the closing moments, Florida’s largest lead of the day to that point, and yet he didn’t look fazed whatsoever.
Six of his 11 makes on April 5 were layups, as the Auburn frontcourt rarely could stop Clayton Jr. when he drove. That was especially notable when Florida looked aimless and half-awake throughout parts of the first half.
“He's incredible,” Florida sophomore forward Thomas Haugh said after the
SEE MARCH MADNESS, PAGE 11
Looming trade war spooks Florida businesses, consumers
TARIFF FLUCTUATIONS SOW UNCERTAINTY AND STOKE RECESSION FEARS
By Natalie Kaufman Alligator Staff Writer
Robert McMahon’s broccoli, beets and basil aren’t in jeopardy.
That’s because Southern Fresh Farms, a small agrotourism property in Fort Myers, will be insulated from tariff shock, according to co-owner McMahon. But he doubts that’s the case for others in the agricultural industry.
“Most everything we use is produced in the United States anyway,” he said. “So as far as this farm is concerned, the tariffs are gonna have zero effect on us.”
His counterparts in Florida and across the country don’t have the same assurance.
President Donald Trump’s administration slapped 25% tariffs on all Mexican and most Canadian imports March 4, with lighter burdens on Canadian energy products like crude
SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT
oil and natural gas.
The administration then doubled the existing levy on China and is set to add 34%, so the effective tax will exceed 50%. China has already announced trade measures targeting United States agricultural products, including the multibillion-dollar soybean market.
China, Mexico and Canada are the top three destinations for nearly half of U.S. agricultural exports. Trade disruptions could increase domestic grocery prices, but those who grow the food will not gain any extra profits.
“You’re at the mercy of the markets,” McMahon said. “They’re not gonna give the farmer any more than the market will dictate anyway.”
Growers won’t go it alone. Economists suggest businesses and consumers nationwide will weather their share of turbulence.
Shifting sands
tax on all imports and a range of more bruising levies on about 60 countries.
The Trump administration is wielding tariffs, or taxes on imports, as a weapon against nations it believes have “ripped
The Avenue: Lent
“We are essentially entering uncharted territory,” said Tobias Pfutze, an economics professor at Florida International University.
SEE TARIFFS, PAGE 3
Story description finish with comma, pg#
Newberry charter
Vote sparks legal questions . Read more on pg. 2.
What Gators are giving up during Easter season, pg. 6
Dorm demolition
UF schedules remodeling amid complaints, pg. 4
Today’s Weather
Redefining the rules: How one vote sparked a charter school controversy
THE NEWBERRY ELEMENTARY CONVERSION RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT RETROACTIVE LAW AND LOCAL CONTROL
By Sara-James Ranta Alligator Staff Writer
On a spring day in April 2024, teachers and parents at Newberry Elementary filed in to cast ballots determining if the school would be converted into a charter.
By the end of that day, the answer —under the Florida Administrative Code at the time — was no.
Both a majority of teachers — and a majority of parents — had to vote in favor of the conversion. The parent vote passed. The teacher vote fell one short of the threshold — with only 22 yes votes out of the 44 teachers eligible to vote.
The Alachua County School District, which supervised the election with assistance from the county's Supervisor of Elections, certified the results and publicly posted the vote had failed.
Nearly one year later, the Florida Charter School Review Commission approved the charter application anyway.
The decision prompted questions from legal experts and community members about the interpretation of state law — and the role of local input in school governance — regarding Newberry’s only elementary school.
A vote cast, a vote dismissed
The state’s charter law was clear, until it wasn’t.
A few months after the failed vote, the Florida Department of Education revised its administrative code, changing the voting requirements from a “majority” to “at least 50%.”
It also removed a provision allowing an application to be submitted without the majority of parent and teacher approval.
The change was initiated by FLDOE Office of School Choice Director Adam Emerson. The revisions went into effect in September, five months after the Newberry vote.
Under Florida statutes, administrative rules can’t be applied retroactively, including those intended to clarify existing law, “unless that power is expressly authorized by statute.”
Johnathan Ferguson, a 67-yearold Cedar Key resident, is a retired education attorney. He spent 15 years advising Florida school districts on charter law, overseeing applications, compliance and litigation.
“The rule, in effect at the time of an action, is the rule that's controlling,” he said. “I am not aware of an agency having the authority to make a rule such as this, having retroactive application in this context.”
Under the same Florida statute, the DOE is not expressly authorized to retroactively apply any rule.
Newberry Community School Inc., a five-person not-for-profit, submitted the official conversion charter application in November to the Florida Charter Review Commission.
The DOE contracts with MiamiDade College’s Florida Institute for Charter Innovation, which reviews and analyzes charter school applications submitted to the commission.
Throughout the entire campaign, leaders of the charter initiative said in public meetings and on official initiative documents the majority had to vote yes.
Charter advocates also didn’t appeal the failed vote within the required 30-day window, as required by state law. By not doing so, Ferguson argues it waived any right to challenge the determination, and therefore “their application never should have been considered,” he said.
When reviewing the application in February, the FCI explicitly stated it didn’t evaluate the validity of the vote, leaving the matter to the DOE’s legal team, according to the meeting’s transcript.
The commission’s choice to not certify the vote was “irresponsible,” Ferguson said.
“In my opinion, having a passing vote is the most important initial criteria that the review commission should have looked at,” he said.
FLDOE Deputy General Counsel James Richmond told the Charter School Review Commission the statute overrides the conflicting administrative rule, as previously reported by the Alachua Chronicle.
He acknowledged the rule was inconsistent with the law and said the department has since updated it — but that change came months after the vote and can’t be applied retroactively.
While Florida statutes are laws enacted by the state legislature, the Florida Administrative Code contains rules and regulations created by state agencies to implement those statutes.
Even so, Richmond advised the commission to recognize the vote as valid, citing legal precedent that statutes outweigh conflicting agency rules. The commission voted unanimously to accept his recommendation and move the application forward.
Municipal vs. conversion charter: Newberry’s application
Under the current application, it’s unclear whether Newberry will be a municipal or conversion charter school in practice.
A charter school must be organized as, or operated by, a nonprofit organization. Conversion charter schools are traditional public schools that have been converted to charters.
After it’s approved, applicants form a governing board to negotiate a contract with the district’s school board, which becomes the school’s sponsor, outlining academic and financial standards.
Municipal charter schools are sponsored by local school districts in partnership with a municipality, which enrolls students through a random lottery.
NCS Inc. submitted a conversion charter school application despite numerous instances in which it uses municipal wording.
Although day-to-day operations would be at the hand of school ad-
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ministration, and the independent governing board would oversee control, Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe, who will take over as city manager following the mayoral election April 8, called the city the “financial backstar” and “service provider,” according to the commission meeting transcript.
The application also makes it clear the principal will notify the city manager for personnel decisions, indicating a control structure involving city officials.
Understanding supporter initiatives and municipal involvement
Education First for Newberry Inc. was a not-for-profit organization formed to advocate for the conversion of Newberry public schools to charter schools. EFN created the YesNewberry campaign, which promoted the charter conversion initiative.
Articles of Incorporation for EFN were filed in November 2023, indicating it was formed nearly three months before the charter initiative’s first public announcement.
EFN hosted the first public announcement of the initiative outside Newberry City Hall in February 2024, citing reasons including overcrowding, test scores and a desire for more local control.
Just a few days later, YesNewberry held its first community presentation on the plan, with promises to increase teacher pay and benefits, shrink classroom sizes and include a flexible curriculum.
The presentation also stated the charter would partner with the city to use its existing departments, such as maintenance, human resources and accounting and finance.
While the charter proposal was presented as a community-led initiative, public records show significant involvement by the City of Newberry.
Emails obtained through public records requests show city officials — including Mayor Jordan Marlowe, City Manager Mike New and Assistant City Manager and Chief Financial Officer Dallas Lee — hired consultants, coordinated strategy meetings and negotiated budgets for the charter application more than two months before the official community meetings began in February. During the charter initiative, Marlowe publicly maintained he wasn’t involved with the campaign.
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@sarajamesranta sranta@alligator.org
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Businesses and experts fear economic recession
Elevated uncertainty can be a drag on investment, an engine of economic growth, Pfutze said. And as businesses reduce spending, the economy may stall. Policy whiplash has complicated business decisions like where to build factories and which suppliers to enlist, according to an Investopedia analysis.
The global investment bank Goldman Sachs recently raised its expectation for a forthcoming recession from about one in five to about one in three. J.P. Morgan’s forecast is a more dire 60%.
Before COVID-19, the last recession was in 2008, when the overvalued housing market imploded, sapping trillions of dollars in household wealth and toppling global banking institutions.
Pfutze said if the economy starts to tumble, however, it won’t be like the free fall of 2008.
“It would be a very different animal,” he said. “Right now I don't think it will be that profound, but I think it would still hurt.”
Trump said in a March joint address to Congress that levies will reinvigorate the domestic industrial base and “make America rich again.”
Sean Ehrlich, who researches trade policy at Florida State University, doubts that’s feasible in the near term.
During America’s manufacturing heyday, from the mid-1940s into the late 1970s, the U.S. was a leader in vehicle, aircraft and steel production. Then, as Americans adopted an appetite for cheaper goods, the industrial boom sputtered and jobs moved abroad.
“The tariffs, even if they did restore the U.S.
manufacturing sector to what it was 30, 40 years ago, it won't lead to the same number of manufacturing jobs as we had,” Ehrlich said. “There are industries that just aren't going to come back to the United States no matter what.”
Meanwhile, the levies will make it too expensive for some foreign companies to send their goods to the U.S., and for Americans to buy them. Canada, Europe and China, among others, have pledged retaliation by implementing tariffs of their own.
Automakers face new roadblock
Americans whose cars have kicked the can may be in for a world of hurt.
Trump supports taxing foreign car parts to force manufacturers to set up shop in the U.S, creating jobs and encouraging consumers to buy domestic vehicles. But there’s no allAmerican car.
The North American automobile industry relies on a network of interlocked supply chains. Vehicles sold in the U.S. snake through Canada, Mexico and back to the U.S. several times before reaching retail lots.
Florida has no large-scale automobile manufacturing plants but boasts over 850 franchised car dealerships. The state’s retailers will soon contend with the 25% tariff on imported vehicles, enacted April 3. The tax will apply to imported auto parts starting May 3.
Disentangling American car companies from their trading partners would be a yearslong — and likely futile — effort, according to Russell Triplett, an associate professor of economics at the University of North Florida.
“The motivation for building these supply chains in their current form was in the pursuit of lower costs,” Triplett said. “Disrupting those supply chains [will] undermine that pursuit of low-cost production, and it’s gonna be reflected in price.”
Certain cars generate greater profit than others because margins — or revenue after costs — on sales vary. As tariffs take hold, manufacturers will have to decide which models are still worth assembling. That could narrow the range of vehicles available to Americans and increase prices, Triplett said.
The duties could make cars more expensive by thousands each, potentially generating more demand for used vehicles, undermining Trump’s goal of boosting new car sales from U.S. manufacturing plants.
“Maybe [consumers will] ratchet down,” Triplett said. “[They may think] ‘Those new car prices — they're outrageous.’”
Affordable housing at stake
It may also become more difficult for Floridians to nab a new home.
Contractors expected normal market conditions in 2025 to inflate the cost of building materials by about 3% but recently adjusted the figure to 10%, anticipating pressure from tariffs, a representative from a real estate consultancy told CNBC last month.
Domestic production can’t fulfill the industry’s needs. The U.S. imports most of its lumber from Canada and most of its gypsum, a mineral used in drywall, from Spain and Mexico.
While there are new exemptions for some materials from Canada and Mexico, other
construction components in the line of tariff fire – like steel, aluminum and copper – could push housing costs higher.
One forecast predicts home values could surge as much as $22,000 in the next 12 months, which could price hundreds of thousands of Americans out of the market.
Meanwhile, the mortgage interest rate, although falling, remains high. Federal data show the most popular offering, a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, has climbed from around 2.67% in 2020 to its current rate of 6.64%.
America’s affordable housing crunch predated Trump’s second term, and the disruptions that sent home prices soaring during the pandemic still haunt the industry.
As of February, the median home sale in Florida was more than $400,000, according to the real estate company Redfin.
“If we already have a housing shortage, [and] we're increasing the cost of housing, we're not solving a problem,” said Annamaria Long, executive officer of the Flagler Home Builders Association.
Prospective buyers and builders aren’t the only consumers left vulnerable. Long said existing homeowners will have to grapple with rising costs on interior essentials.
Household appliances from South Korean brands Samsung and LG are now subject to a 25% levy.
“If you need to replace your air conditioning, your roof, your fence, your refrigerator, your microwave, you will be affected,” Long said.
@Nat_Kauf nkaufman@alligator.org
‘Survival
of the fittest’: UF plans to build new dorms amid complaints of mold, bugs and floods
THE UF BOARD OF TRUSTEES CREATED A PLAN TO TEAR DOWN AND BUILD NEW DORMS
By Sofia Meyers Alligator Staff Writer
This fall, UF is scheduled to demolish three undergraduate dorms — Graham, Simpson and Trusler Hall — to kick off a 10-year, $1.1 billion plan to boost on-campus housing availability.
The plan, discussed by university leaders at a Board of Trustees meeting March 27, will increase the undergraduate bed count from 9,316 to 12,493 by 2035. In addition to Graham, Simpson and Trusler, UF plans to raze Rawlings and Tolbert Hall by the end of 2029 to make way for new housing facilities.
According to a timeline shared at the meeting, four new housing units will be built. Beaty Towers, Mallory, Yulee and Reid Hall are slated for renovation within the next 10 years, adding 1,238 new beds.
A newly opened section of Honors Village will help make up for the loss of beds while replacement dorms are under construction.
Some students living in the soon-to-be demolished dorms welcomed the university’s planned housing overhaul, citing complaints of mold, insect infestations and bathroom floods.
Kaitlyn Koviack, a 19-year-old UF nutritional sciences freshman living at Graham Hall, once tested the dorm for mold as part of a microbiology lab assignment. She planted a plate of potato dextrose agar, a medium growing yeast and mold, on the counter in her floor’s communal bathroom.
After five hours of exposure, the plate
showed a significant amount of mold growth, she said.
“That’s kind of telling you what’s being filtered through,” Koviack said. “If I only left it out for five hours, imagine what you could collect in a day.”
Koviack also said she’s experienced flooded bathrooms and power outages in Graham Hall.
“It does at times feel like survival of the fittest,” she said. “If you don’t take precautions
to be clean or if you yourself don’t feel like you’re particularly like a neat freak or clean freak person, I definitely think you would be more susceptible to having problems like bugs, like getting sick.”
Shaylyn Lyons, a 19-year-old UF art freshman also living in Graham Hall, said she and her roommate were sick alot Fall semester. After months of experiencing brain fog, a sore throat and a runny nose, Lyons said she believes the culprit for her semester cold is mold.
“I remember us looking through the handbook,” she said. “There’s information [in the student handbook] about having safe livable spaces — that is a promise,” she said. “Mold would not be a safe livable space.”
Lyons said Graham lost power for a few hours in the middle of this semester. One of her room’s outlets stopped working shortly after. Sleeping without air conditioning was a struggle, she said, and she had to hope the food in her dorm fridge wouldn’t spoil.
Despite the issues, Lyons said Graham’s location is convenient for her as someone who doesn’t have a car, and she enjoys having the Reitz Union and the dorm’s food market nearby.
Fabiana Gorre, a 19-year-old UF pre-nursing freshman, said she has a love-hate relationship with her dorm, Rawlings Hall.
Although she has dealt with cockroaches and strange brown liquid dripping from her ceiling, Gorre said she’ll be sad when the building is demolished because she met her closest friends there.
“[Rawlings] is super social,” Gorre said. “We’re all super close, and a lot closer than most other dorms at UF.”
Another Rawlings resident, 19-year-old UF applied physiology and kinesiology freshman Sasha Crowe, said the dorm’s location is convenient for her. If she had to, she said she would live in Rawlings again.
“Nobody is a fan of communal bathrooms, but honestly, I have my best conversations at the sink in the morning washing my face, debriefing with my friends and roommates,” Crowe said. “We kind of just all suffer together and laugh through it.”
@SofiaMeyer84496 smeyers@alligator.org
Gators gone wild: Gainesville celebrates Auburn win
UF ADVANCES TO THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 2007
When UF’s Final Four matchup against the Auburn Tigers ended in triumph, Gainesville roared. Students stormed the streets. Bar floors shook. Fireworks exploded. The Gators had just advanced to their first National Championship since 2007.
Over 1,000 miles from Gainesville in San Antonio, as the Gators fought their way out of the team’s first Final Four in 11 years, Florida fans expressed support beginning at sunrise on April 5. It was a long day for Gators on and off the court, but Florida secured the 79-73 victory, making every minute of the day worth it to fans back home.
Safety first
In preparation for rowdy fans, Gainesville Police Department increased its patrols in popular areas, including a “DUI detail.” However, GPD’s main focus is preparing for the NCAA National Championship game on April 7, according to Lt. Lisa Scott.
During the Gators’ victory in the 2007 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game, GPD Lt. Corey Dahlem was struck and killed by a drunk driver while working traffic control, Scott said.
“We never want to experience anything like that again, and it’s very triggering for some of our officers,” she said.
GPD collaborates with city and county emergency management, as well as the UF Police Department, to coordinate response plans including road safety, she said.
When community members have access to rideshare apps, public transportation and SNAP rides, Scott said she encourages Gator fans to “think twice” before driving.
“We know emotions are with it, and we get that,” she said. “Everyone please be safe, it’s so not worth it. Some silly decision could have lasting impacts.”
Following Florida’s victory, as Gator fans crowded the streets, chanting “It’s great to be a Florida Gator,” the increased police presence was noticeable as officers poured confiscated beer onto the streets around midtown.
But nothing could stop students from celebrating.
Gator loyalty
Jack DeGray, a 22-year-old UF business senior, wore a fuzzy Gators onesie and broken visor sunglasses. He showed up to The Swamp as the game started and was easily able to get in, he said.
DeGray said he would try to crowd surf if the Gators won.
“If no one lifts me up when I jump, that’s fine,” he said. “I will be happy face-planting. That’s how much it’ll mean to me.”
‘Electric’: Midtown goes crazy Chaos and celebrations also erupted in Midtown.
Florida sophomore quarterback
DJ Lagway drove his car through the Midtown parking lot, opening
his window to chomp and celebrate with fans.
One such Gator fan was 19-yearold computer science major Leon Calef. He was just arriving at Midtown when he spotted Lagway through his window.
“Dude, this is just so f*cking electric,” Calef said. “This is what college sports are all about.”
Other fans continued chomping at the cars that drove by on University Avenue, getting constant honks in return.
“I’m in heaven,” Calef said. “One of the best moments of my life.“
SEC rivalries
For Shannon Meloy, a 22-yearold UF psychology senior whose family is from Auburn, a decade of bragging rights were on the line. A Gator win would help justify her decision to attend UF instead of Auburn.
“My grandparents and my parents are texting me this entire game, like ‘Oh my god, Auburn’s winning,’ and I’m like, no,” she said. “The community around this is incredible.”
Meloy’s family wasn’t the only Auburn fan who was betting on a Tiger win. President of social media at Barstool Auburn Wes Smarp traveled to Gainesville for the final four matchup. Although confident in his team, Smarp overestimated Auburn’s ability.
“Your guys’ Barstool [account] is as weak as your basketball — so very weak.” Smarp said. “I heard Gator tastes good.”
High prices and long lines
At sunrise on April 5, Gator fans were already cramming the sidewalk outside of The Swamp Restaurant — some had been camping since 5 a.m. By midmorning, over 100 fans were waiting in line to snag a table for the Final Four game, offered on a first come, first serve basis.
But for the right price, eager fans could skip the line. Lawn tables for up to eight people with bottle service at The Swamp were available for $1,500, according to the restaurant.
The midtown staple MacDinton’s also offered reserved tables for game night. A basketball fan could pay $700 for a four-top, $1,400 for eight to 10 people, or a whopping $2,600 for a table for 20, according to the bar. Tickets to enter the bar without a table, priced at $50, sold out days ahead of time.
At the sports bar Mom’s OG, Gator fans could also reserve a table for up to six people for $800. Yet according to the bar, no one reserved a table, so fans were all allowed in for free Saturday afternoon. Despite arriving at 7:45 a.m., nearly five hours before the watch party doors opened at Swamp, 18-year-old UF public health sophomore Zorielle Bursac and her friends were unable to secure a seat in the restaurant, and sat in folding chairs outside the dining room instead. Yet four hours before the game, there were still big smiles on their faces because of what was ahead.
“Last weekend we went to MacDinton’s, but cover was $40,” she said. “This weekend, we wanted to do Swamp.”
She said the group was all tired, but they kept each other entertained by talking about the game.
Isabella Hughes, a 21-year-old UF business junior, started camping outside Swamp at 8:30 a.m., and said there were “over 300 people” there already. Yet for Hughes, the line was worth it.
“Enjoy this,” she said. “I’m gonna remember this forever. No matter what happens, win or lose, this is a memory we’re all going to go home with.”
As Gator basketball fans waited, employees at different establishments across Midtown helped mitigate the chaos of game day.
“It was a lot more busy than our owners expect,” Liam Ferguson, an 18-year-old UF aerospace engineering freshman said.
Ferguson was grabbing lunch from his workplace, Cantina Anejo, when he knew he’d have to come in earlier than expected. He began working in the afternoon when he was supposed to clock in at 9 p.m.
“I got a text saying ‘yo we f*ed up, show up right now,” Ferguson said.
The Gators will face off Houston Monday at 8:50 p.m., just one battle away from potentially holding their first National Championship title in 18 years.
This is an Alligator Staff Report.
Matthew Lewis // Alligator Staff
Students go to climb the stairs of Graham Hall on Thursday, April 2, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida.
What the RTS proposed summer service change means for Gainesville
THE PROPOSED PLAN WOULD CUT 35 FIXED ROUTES DOWN TO 22
By Shaine Davison Alligator Staff Writer
The Gainesville Regional Transit System is considering a series of changes to local bus services, including eliminating 10 bus routes and combining another six.
During a public presentation of the proposed changes at the Reitz Union April 4, UF and RTS officials said the changes were to “respond to funding availability,” “improve service efficiency and productivity” and “reflect service priorities.”
The final proposal is expected to go to the Gainesville City Commission on June 5, and the plan would begin June 30 — the first day of UF’s Summer B term.
Will MacDonald, the senior director of UF Transportation and Parking Services, said the university is using a data-driven approach to reevaluate bus capacity to evaluate the proposal. He directed The Alligator’s questions about the proposals to university spokespeople, who didn’t respond in time for publication.
“There were no perfect solutions,” he said during the presentation. “The data tells us it’ll work.”
Thomas Idoyaga, the RTS transit community services specialist, also didn’t respond for comment in time for publication.
This proposal comes after Gainesville announced its new RTS contract with UF in January. Under this contract, the university’s prepaid bus fare program will continue to mid-2027.
UF, who pays for nearly 50% of RTS’ annual budget, previously proposed slicing its $14 million contribution in half in April 2024. But, the UF Board of Trustees and the City of Gainesville made an agreement in January to keep funding the same throughout 2025 until new terms were made.
If city commissioners approve the current proposal, the following routes will be discontinued: 16, 21, 28, 34, 35, 38, 46, 118, 122 and 127.
Six routes would be combined: 9 and 38, 12 and 35 and 16 and 17. Routes 1 and 37 would increase in frequency but remain the same otherwise.
Route 126 would reduce its service from seven days a week to weekends only and switch to RTS vans. Campus Connectors would take over service for routes 118, 122 and 127. Additional proposed route changes would affect routes 3, 6, 7, 8, 23 and 43.
RTS bus routes would also no longer service The Hub, and instead go to the Reitz Union.
With the elimination of 13 routes and the addition of cam-
RTS meetings bring about bus route cuts.
pus connectors, the service change will impact how students and community members get around campus and the greater Gainesville area.
Vinyl Lebolo, a 22-year-old UF computer science senior, said the proposed cut to the 46 route would disrupt her commute to campus.
There is only one bus 46 with the same driver, marked by a Puerto Rican flag in the window, and the route goes from downtown to the Reitz Union.
“If I missed those buses, I walk the campus in the heat,” Lebolo said. “Or I’m late.”
Lebolo has one more semester at UF until her graduation in December. Fortunately, she said, her classes are in Norman Hall, which is closer to her apartment than other buildings.
Jose Bohorquez, a 23-year-old UF computer science senior, said he’ll have trouble adjusting to the route changes because he is blind. Bohorquez uses the 1 route for his campus commute, which will stay the same with faster service in the proposal.
“It’s a lot to wrap my head around, especially since I’m just relying on my girlfriend who has sight to tell me what the changes are,” Bohorquez said. “It’s going to be another game of figuring things out as you go.”
There will be another public meeting to discuss the proposed plan on May 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m in the Gainesville Technology Entrepreneurship Center.
@shainedavison sdavison@alligator.org
Meet the candidates for the Newberry municipal election
A BREAKDOWN OF WHO’S ON THE BALLOT APRIL 8
By Morgan Vanderlaan Alligator Staff Writer
The upcoming Newberry Municipal Election puts three open seats on the ballot.
Newberry residents will have the opportunity to vote on two city commission seats and the mayorship, all nonpartisan races elected at-large.
Election day voting will take place April 8 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Mayor
Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe’s decision to step down to become city manager left his seat open in the upcoming election. Two candidates have stepped forward to run in his place: former commissioner Joy Glanzer and current commissioner Tim Marden.
After being a resident of Newberry for 48 years, Glanzer said she decided to run for mayor because she felt it was her way to give back to the community that had given her so much. Newberry has a lot of heart, she said.
“I have a lot of ideas on ways we can perhaps improve our already wonderful, small town,” she said. “It’s time.”
Formerly serving as a city commissioner from 2017 to 2019 and having experience with her real estate company, Glanzer said she knows the intimate details of zoning and land ordinances.
While on the commission, she said her proudest achievements were budgeting for maternity leave for city employees and voting “yes” on automated metering infrastructure, which was aimed at lowering citizens’ utility bills.
If elected, Glanzer wants to prioritize updating pre-existing infrastructure, like roads, and maintain the city’s current development plan.
“Keep our zoning where it needs to be,” she said. “We don’t want sprawl, and the only way we can prevent sprawl is to have smart growth, smart planning.”
Marden, currently commissioner IV, chose not to seek reelection to run for mayor. It seemed like the most natural next step to serve his community, he said.
Marden has served as a commissioner in Newberry for the past 12 years. He also works with the John Birch Society, a conservative political advocacy group, and is the chairman of the Alachua County Republican Party.
“I want you to see my commitment, my conviction and my consis-
tency,” he said. “I’ve got a 12-year record to back it up. A lot of what we’re seeing happening in Newberry is what happened under my… years as city commissioner.”
Marden dealt with the Newberry Elementary charter school conversion while on the commission, but he said he played purely a cheerleader role and wasn’t involved in the “nuts-and-bolts” of the operation.
If elected, Marden said he intends to focus on fiscal responsibility, keeping taxes low and providing the core services governments are meant to provide.
“We have sort of governed ourselves with the idea of providing Cadillac services on a Chevy budget,” he said.
Commissioner Group IV
With Marden choosing to run for mayor, the commission seat IV has been left open for a race between Steve Panaghi and Donald Long.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Panaghi first moved to Newberry in 2012 and said he didn’t pay much attention to local politics until the issue of the Newberry charter school.
Being prompted to action, Panaghi said running for the commission seat is his way of addressing the inequities he witnessed in his
community from the charter conversion issue.
“I noticed certain things were being promised to developers and given to them very quickly,” he said. “Then, things were either not green-lit for the citizens or dragged out so long that the citizens finally gave up on it.”
If elected, Panaghi said he hopes to bridge the divide he currently feels in Newberry and bring the community back together. One of the first, no-cost actions he plans if given the seat is to open the city infrastructure for Wi-Fi at city buildings and parks to all citizens, he said.
A representative of Donald Long’s campaign didn’t respond in time for publication. According to his campaign website, he has a commitment to transparency, fairness and preserving the quality of life for Newberry residents.
Long has served as the co-chair on the planning and zoning committee since 2021. His goals include supporting local businesses, “strengthening education” and investing in public safety, according to his campaign statement.
Commissioner Group V Incumbent Tony Mazon faces off against lifelong Newberry resident Rosa Marie Campbell.
Campbell’s compassion for the
community runs deep, she said. She worked for the school board for 26 years and is currently a teacher at UF’s Early Childhood Collaboratory, Baby Gator.
“I just want to bring new insight, perspective to cultivate a good, small town vibe to restore our [community],” she said.
Campbell said she doesn’t agree with how the commission handled the issue of the charter conversion and wishes there had been more of a grassroots approach. The first thing she intends to do if elected is establish town hall meetings to invite citizens to come and speak on what issues are important to them. Her favorite part of the campaign trail has been talking to diverse people with different perspectives, she said.
A representative of Tony Mazon’s campaign did not respond in time for publication. Mazon is running for his third consecutive term as commissioner.
“I believe in thoughtful growth, strong infrastructure, and supporting our local schools—all while preserving the small-town character that makes Newberry special,” Mazon wrote on his campaign website.
@morgvande mvanderlaan@alligator.org
Madison McClelland // Alligator Staff
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025
www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue
By air, by land, (not) by sea: Florida fans follow historic NCAA Tournament run
THE GATORS TOOK TO THE COURT FOR THE FINAL FOUR IN SAN ANTONIO APRIL 5
By Noah White & Juliana DeFilippo Avenue Staff Writers
After leaving class on April 4 afternoon, Hannah Skalicky and a couple friends darted to her dorm and began packing the 19-year-old mathematics freshman’s car. They had a 15-hour drive ahead of them to San Antonio, Texas.
Only six days earlier, they watched as Florida defeated Texas Tech 84-79 in comeback fashion, solidifying a berth to its first Final
CULTURE
Four since 2014. Pandemonium ensued.
In the next 30 minutes, semifinal student tickets went on sale, gobbled up in moments by Florida’s eager fans. Skalicky was lucky enough to grab one, and turned to making travel plans, which created a significantly larger hassle than anticipated.
When trying to work out travel plans over a frantic phone call with her parents, Skalicky was told she should “wait til the next time.”
Her plea, in response, was built around one question that unites a melting pot of Florida fans:
“How many times is your school going to make it to the Final Four?”
Skalicky was at the Final Four April 5 when Florida took on Au-
burn at 6:09 p.m. EST. So were thousands of other Gators. Between mass carpools and emotional ties, here’s how they got there and what it means.
The Texas trek
Similar to Skalicky, thousands of Florida students and fans are making 15-plus-hour drives to San Antonio, college basketball’s final stage this year. Many of those decisions, though, came at the last minute.
On March 29 night, Florida trailed by 10 points in the final three minutes. In turn, most fans didn’t purchase their Final Four tickets ahead of the game’s conclusion. But as Walter Clayton Jr. resurrected Florida’s national championship hopes, ticket sites were flooded with buyers.
Florida’s student section sold out less than an hour after the game’s conclusion, and, like Skalicky, students immediately turned to making travel plans. On the budget of a college attendee, that featured a lot of car rides.
“It didn’t really become a reality until there was 30 seconds left in the Texas Tech game,” 18-year-old marketing freshman Eric Liu said. “We were like, ‘Oh my gosh, we’re actually going to do it.’”
Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/the_avenue.
@noahwhite1782 nwhite@alligator.org
@JulianaDeF58101 jdefillipo@alligator.org
UF students give up social media, meat and music for Lent
FROM INSTAGRAM FASTS TO SILENT COMMUTES, CATHOLIC GATORS EMBRACE MODERN SACRIFICES
By Sabrina Castro Avenue Staff Writer
Between midterms and meal swipes, many UF students are also navigating a quieter chal-
Keep up with the Avenue on Twitter. Tweet us
@TheFloridaAve.
lenge: Lent.
Observed by Catholics for centuries, Lent marks the 40 days leading up to Easter, often involving prayer, fasting and personal sacrifice. On campus, Catholic Gators are participating in personal and sometimes unconventional ways, giving up social media, meat, music and more. For Mara Hoffman, a 20-year-old UF statistics sophomore, the sacrifice was digital. Already off TikTok, she deleted Instagram from her phone on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and hasn’t re-downloaded it since.
Caimán: Delicias locales
“I spend way too much time on Instagram Reels and also just comparing myself to other people on Instagram,” Hoffman said. “So I was like, you know, this will be a good challenge.”
Raised Catholic, Hoffman said she’s given up desserts and certain foods in the past, but this year she wanted to try something different.
Though her decision was met with support from friends and family, she said it hasn’t been without its challenges, especially not being able to share recent big moments, like her
Un supermercado internacional ofrece variedad. Leer más en la página 8.
birthday or sorority formal.
“I definitely do feel like I’m missing a little bit,” she said. “But I don’t know. It makes me do other stuff, which is great. I’m definitely not as distracted doing my work.”
Read the rest online at alligator.org/ section/the_avenue. @sabs_wurld scastro@alligator.org
Noah Lantor // Alligator Staff NCAA basketball fans pose for a photo at Capital One Fan Fest during Final Four weekend in San Antonio, Texas, on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
www.alligator.org/section/opinions
Recommitting to the UF community
Ionly recently became a Florida Gator. Before 2020, I was a proud Oklahoma Sooner who cheered loudly against the Gators back in 2008 as they whooped us 24-14 in the Orange Bowl. However, since joining UF’s neuroscience PhD program as a graduate student, I now rep the orange and blue and sing “Don’t Back Down” in the Swamp every chance I get.
I mention this because I’ve learned a lot about what makes a top five public university during my time at UF, and as I wrap up my dissertation this Spring, I want to reflect on the lessons I’ve learned while also asking those who get to stick around a few things as a soon-to-be alumnus.
So, the following advice is from someone who has seen UF both inside and out.
Being part of Gator Nation has taught me there is no better flagship university for the Sunshine State than UF.
UF’s dedication to innovation and progress is unlike other universities I’ve been a part of. As someone in STEM, I see this most clearly in investments in the HiPerGator supercomputer and the McKnight Brain Institute.
But, UF wasn’t built by and for innovative projects.
During the last five years, however, I have felt a steady shift away from this culture. Start-
ing with the hiring of now former-President Ben Sasse, which felt like a gut punch to students and faculty alike.
Andrew Moore opinions@alligator.org
Here comes the new figurehead, an outsider from Nebraska, who arrived under the cover of night only to work in shady backrooms his whole time at the helm. That is, unless he was writing op-eds ridiculing students as toddlers for engaging with their community and for standing up for what they believed as right.
This “leadership,” along with disruptive policies dictated out of Tallahassee, led to many leaders — administrators, faculty and students — leaving for what they believed to be clearer skies. More troubling though, were the talented prospective professors and students who chose to stay away from the school entirely.
Read the rest online at alligator.org/ section/opinions.
Andrew Moore is a UF neuroscience graduate student.
Column
Grief, grit and a bandana: How my son’s spirit fuels my fight against distracted driving
The summer after graduating from high school, my son Anthony worked for a charter bus company.
He and the driver made the 31-hour trip from Tallahassee to Salt Lake City to pick up some clients. On the way, the bus driver inadvertently flicked a switch that dumped all the human waste from the restroom into the compartment under the bus.
They discovered his mistake as soon as they arrived. While the driver stood with his hands on his head, gagging and trying to figure out what to do about that awful smell, Anthony found some rubber gloves, paper towels and Windex and started on the cleanup while singing Willie Nelson songs.
“Sometimes you’ve got to do what you’ve got to doodoo,” Anthony told the driver.
That was classic Anthony, one of several stories told about him at his funeral in November 2014 after he was killed by a distracted driver 16 months later.
That’s the kind of person I want to be.
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator.
I want to be someone who can do sh*tty stuff with joy and a song.
Anthony is inspiring me from his grave.
I’m trying my best, because I’m doing some sh*tty stuff right now.
opinions@alligator.org
Since Anthony died, I’ve been telling people about how my best friend, then only 19 years old, was killed when the driver behind him decided what was on his phone was more important than the young man on a motorcycle ahead. It hasn’t been easy.
Read the rest online at alligator.org/ section/opinions.
Branca founded the Anthony Phoenix Branca Foundation in memory of his son.
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
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
Columns of about 450 words about original topics and editorial cartoons are also welcome. Questions? Call
Thursday, April 10, 5 – 9 pm
Finding Silver Linings
At 6 pm, experience a fun-filled night inspired by Silver Linings: Celebrating the Spelman Art Collection featuring poetry, dance and step performances, spoken word and booths by select UF fraternities, sororities and campus groups.
Down
April 24, 5 – 9 pm
Musical performance by Thomas Allain at 6 pm. Free wine, beer and dessert. Learn about joining the Harn Docent Program at this recruitment night.
Demetrius
Demetrius Branca
El Caimán
LUNES, 7 DE ABRIL DE 2025
www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman
La Aurora Latin Market: Un centro local de sabor y tradición
EL MERCADO SIRVE TANTO A LA COMUNIDAD LATINA LOCAL COMO A LOS RECIÉN LLEGADOS QUE BUSCAN SABORES LATINOS
Por Gabriella Chavez Escritora de El Caimán
Al entrar a La Aurora Latin Market, los colores vibrantes de las banderas latinoamericanas cuelgan orgullosamente de las paredes, cada una representando no solo a un país, sino también vendiendo productos correspondientes a cada cultura única.
El aire está lleno con el aroma sabroso de carnes sazonadas y con la dulce fragancia de los productos recién horneados, mientras el sonido constante de la cortadora de carne suena en el mostrador de la carnicería. Desde las frutas tropicales acomodadas hasta los estantes llenos de ingredientes familiares, cada rincón de la tienda invita a experimentar la verdadera esencia de la cultura latinoamericana.
Fundada en 1999 por los propietarios cubanos Peter y Aurora Ynigo, La Aurora comenzó como una pequeña tienda especializada en productos latinos traídos desde Miami.
“Creció gradualmente, atrayendo más clientes a medida que la ciudad misma empezó a expandirse”, dijo Idamis Olivera de 49 años, quien trabaja como una de las gerentes de la tienda.
A lo largo de los últimos 25 años, la tienda se expandió hasta convertirse en el supermercado que es hoy, ofreciendo productos especializados de diferentes países, pero también proporcionando frutas y verduras frescas, lácteos y cortes de carne.
El mercado ofrece una selección diversa de productos especializados de países de América Latina y el Caribe, incluyendo Venezuela, México, Cuba, Jamaica, Brasil y más.
Cada sección de la tienda, agrupada por productos en lugar de países, ofrece una variedad de sabores e ingredientes que definen estas culturas. Desde la bebida venezolana Maltín Polar, que es una bebida sin alcohol elaborada a base de malta, hasta los diferentes tipos de chiles mexicanos, o el pan cubano horneado en la tienda todos los días, hasta los diversos condimentos jerk jamaicanos, el mercado no carece de representación. Los clientes pueden encontrar artículos difíciles de conseguir, como frutas tropicales enlatadas, especias auténticas y bocadillos tradicionales, todos cuidadosamente seleccionados para traer los sabores de casa a la comunidad de Gainesville.
Olivera dijo que su clientela es una mezcla de clientes habituales y nuevos, con la mayoría regresando a la tienda para encontrar los productos familiares que necesitan. Cuando se trata de atraer a clientes hispanos, Olivera comenta que la mayoría llega por recomendación que surge en conversación.
“Si alguien se muda a la ciudad, puede
decirle a otros: ‘¡Ey, allá hay un mercado latino!’ y así es como llegan los nuevos”, dijo.
Aunque La Aurora atiende principalmente a la comunidad hispana, también se ha convertido en un destino popular para personas de diferentes orígenes. La selección de productos latinos auténticos atrae no solo a los clientes hispanos que buscan ingredientes familiares de su hogar, sino también a estadounidenses y otros locales curiosos por explorar nuevos sabores y tradiciones culinarias.
“Puede que seamos pequeños, pero si se fija, tenemos gran variedad”, dijo Milady Rodríguez de 47 años, también gerente de la tienda. “Hasta donde sé, somos los únicos que vendemos productos como, por ejemplo, aceite de palma jamaiquino para cocinar, por lo que los clientes vienen específicamente a nosotros para comprarlo”.
La tienda también ofrece artículos tradicionales, como dulces cubanos como Coquito de Leche y Coquito Prieto, que son dulces a base de coco, Cremita de Leche, un dulce y cremoso caramelo hecho de leche y azúcar, y Turrón de Maní, un turrón de maní cubano tradicional hecho con maní tostado, azúcar y jarabe dulce.
Estos productos se traen directamente desde Miami en un camión, donde son elaborados por panaderos cubanos. Productos a base de cerdo como el chicharrón, empella, que es un producto tradicional cubano de cerdo sazonado y cocido a fuego lento, y manteca
de puerco se entregan semanalmente desde Miami, todos hechos por una empresa cubana de la ciudad.
Estos productos tradicionales cubanos son solo algunos de los productos que hacen de La Aurora un lugar querido por aquellos que buscan sabores latinos auténticos. Para clientes como Isabel Hernández, la tienda se ha convertido en parte de su rutina semanal.
“Me encanta el servicio, los productos que ofrecen, los pasteles, las empanadas y muchas otras cosas”, dijo.
Hernández visita la tienda no solo para encontrar productos venezolanos familiares, ya que es venezolana, sino también para disfrutar comprando los productos Goya que tanto le gustan.
Desde la variedad vibrante de productos hasta el ambiente cálido y acogedor, el mercado continúa creciendo y adaptándose, satisfaciendo las necesidades tanto de los habitantes de toda la vida como de los recién llegados. A medida que la comunidad que lo rodea evoluciona, La Aurora también lo hace, asegurando que el patrimonio cultural que representa siga prosperando durante muchos años más.
“Tenemos un poco de cada país”, dijo Idamis Olivera. “Un pequeño pedazo de su país aquí en esta tienda.”
@gabriellach19 gchavez@alligator.org
La Aurora Latin Market: A local hub of flavor and tradition
THE MARKET SERVES BOTH THE LOCAL LATIN COMMUNITY AND NEWCOMERS TO LATIN FLAVORS
By Gabriella Chavez Alligator Staff Writer
Walking into La Aurora Latin Market, the vibrant colors of Latin American flags hang proudly from the walls, each one representing not only a country but also showcasing products tailored to each unique culture.
The air is filled with the savory scent of seasoned meats and the sweet aroma of freshly baked goods, while the steady chop of the meat slicer echoes from the butcher's counter. From the tropical fruits stacked high to the shelves lined with familiar ingredients, every corner of the store invites you to experience the true essence of Latin American culture.
Founded in 1999 by Cuban owners Peter and Aurora Ynigo, La Aurora began as a small specialty store offering Latin products brought in from Miami.
“It grew gradually, attracting more customers as the city itself began to expand,” said 49-year-old Idamis Olivera, who works as one of the store's managers.
Over the last 25 years, the store expanded into the grocery store that stands today, providing specialty products from different countries, but also providing fresh produce, dairy and cuts of meat.
The market offers a diverse selection of specialty products from Latin American and Caribbean countries, including Venezuela, Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica, Brazil and more.
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Each section of the store, grouped by products rather than countries, provides a variety of flavors and ingredients defining these cultures. From Venezuelan Maltín Polar Drink, which is a non-alcoholic beverage brewed from malt; to different types of Mexican chili peppers; to Cuban bread baked on-site daily; to various Jamaican jerk seasonings; the market doesn’t lack representation. Shoppers can find hard-to-come-by items like tropical canned fruits, authentic spices and traditional snacks all carefully sourced to bring tastes of home to the Gainesville community.
Olivera said their clientele is a good mix of regular and new customers, with most returning to the store to find the familiar products they need. When it comes to drawing in new Hispanic customers, Olivera said the majority of them come through word of mouth.
“If someone moves to the city, they might tell others, ‘Hey, there's a Latin grocery store here!’ and that’s how the new ones come,” she said.
While La Aurora primarily caters to the Hispanic community, it has also become a popular destination for people from a variety of backgrounds. The store’s selection of authentic Latin products draws in not only Hispanic customers seeking familiar ingredients from home, but also Americans and other locals curious to explore new flavors and culinary traditions.
“We may be small, but if you look closely, we have a wide variety,” said 47-year-old Milady Rodriguez, another manager for the store. “As far as I know, we’re the only ones that sell products like, for example, Jamaican palm oil for cooking, so customers come specifically to us to buy it.”
The store also offers traditional items, such as Cuban candies like Coquito de Leche and Coquito Prieto, which
are coconut-based treats; Cremita de Leche, a sweet and creamy candy made from milk and sugar; and Turrón de Maní, which is a traditional Cuban peanut brittle made with roasted peanuts, sugar and sweet syrup.
These products are brought directly from Miami on a truck, where they are made by Cuban bakers. Pork-based products like chicharrón, or fried pork skin; empella, which is a traditional Cuban pork product made from seasoned and slow-cooked deep-fried pork; and manteca de puerco, or rendered pork fat, are delivered weekly from Miami as well, all made by a Cuban company in the city.
These traditional Cuban products are just some of the offerings that make La Aurora a beloved spot for those seeking authentic Latin flavors. For customers like Isabel Hernandez, the store has become part of her weekly routine.
“I love the service, the products they offer, the pastries, the empanadas and many other things,” she said.
Hernandez visits the store not only to find familiar Venezuelan products, as she is Venezuelan, but also to enjoy buying the Goya products she loves.
From the vibrant array of products to the warm, welcoming atmosphere, the market continues to grow and adapt, meeting the needs of both long-time locals and newcomers alike. As the community around it evolves, so does La Aurora, ensuring the rich cultural heritage it represents will continue to thrive for years to come.
"We have a little bit of each country,” Idamis Olivera said. “We hope that everyone can find a piece of their homeland here in this store."
@gabriellach19 gchavez@alligator.org
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1. TELEVISION: Who had a 1980s workout video series called "Sweatin' to the Oldies"?
1. MEASUREMENTS: How many inches are in a mile?
1. ANATOMY: What is heterochromia?
3. GEOGRAPHY: What is a chain of islands called?
4. FOOD & DRINK: What is Canada's national dish?
2. ASTRONOMY: What does the acronym SETI mean to the scientific community?
5. HISTORY: When was Facebook launched?
6. MEASUREMENTS: What is the shortest wavelength in the visible light spectrum?
3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin prefix “sub-” mean in English?
7. U.S. STATES: Which state has the most miles of interstate highway?
8. MOVIES: What type of fish is Nemo in the animated film "Finding Nemo"?
4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which month is designated as National Ice Cream Month in the United States?
10. SCIENCE: How long does it take for the International Space Station to orbit the Earth?
5. LITERATURE: Which 20th-century movie star penned the autobiography “Me: Stories of My Life”?
6. HISTORY: What was the first National Monument proclaimed in the United States?
7. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the island of Luzon located?
8. MOVIES: Which sci-fi movie has the tagline, “Reality is a thing of the past”?
1. Tommie Aaron, brother of Hank, hit how many home runs in his seven-season Major League Baseball career?
1. The NFL's 1977 rule stating "any shoe that is worn by a player with an artificial limb on his kicking leg must have a kicking surface that conforms to that of a normal kicking shoe" was informally named after what placekicker?
2. Bill Chadwick, the NHL’s first U.S.-born
2. What Chicago White Sox outfielder was accidentally doused with a cup of spilt beer while watching a Los Angeles Dodgers home run ball sail over his head in Game 2 of the 1959 World Series?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What was the name of the United States’ first nuclear-powered submarine?
3. What Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker, nicknamed "Dr. Doom," played his entire NFL career with the Houston Oilers from 1975-84?
10. GAMES: What are the four railroad properties in Monopoly?
4. What team selected the Duke Blue Devils' Cherokee Parks in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft?
Answers
5. What American swimmer won a gold medal at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and went on to play Tarzan, Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers roles in 1930s serial films?
1. 63,360 inches
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6. If you're in Germany and attending a game between the Iserlohn Roosters and the Schwenninger Wild Wings, what sport are you watching?
2. Search for extraterrestrial intelligence
3. Below or insufficient
7. Name the 1986 NCAA regulation that set minimum high school academic requirements for students to be eligible to compete in college athletics.
4. Grover Cleveland
5. Katharine Hepburn
6. Devils Tower, 1906
7. The Philippines
8. “The Matrix”
9. The USS Nautilus
10. Pennsylvania, Short Line, Read-
Poutine (French fries, cheese curds and gravy).
When the colored part of the eyes (irises) are
Tom Dempsey, who was born without
his right foot and wore a custom shoe.
Al "Fuzzy" Smith.
Robert Brazile.
The Dallas Mavericks.
Buster Crabbe.
Ice
in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).
Richard Simmons.
Archipelago.
Clownfish.
Sudoku solution
MONDAY, APRIL 7, 2025
www.alligator.org/section/sports
MEN'S TENNIS
Freshman Niels Villard finds home in Florida men’s tennis
Villard represents Florida as one of the most promising young athletes to hail from France
By Curan Ahern Sports Writer
Nestled along the banks of the Marne River lies the commune of Meaux in Northern France. A quiet town rich in history and lined with ancient buildings and historic cathedrals, the town is known for its landscape, rich culture and cuisine (including the world-famous Brie de Meaux).
But for one boy growing up in this picturesque setting, a quiet magic seemed to pen the pad of destiny — one not found in the bakery or on the farm, but on the tennis courts. This young athlete, Niels Villard, would go on to become one of Meaux’s most promising talents, carving out his own path on the global stage. At just 3 years old, Villard’s destiny was sealed the moment his father, Gildas Villard, a former professional tennis player, handed him a racket. It was as though the elder Villard had planted a seed of destiny in the fertile soil of Meaux, and his son’s rise in the tennis scene became as inevitable as the daily sunrise over the Marne.
Niels Villard’s introduction to tennis started with some innocent swings with his dad, but quickly
turned into something much greater as the courts of Meaux began to echo the early signs of a prodigy. Villard discovered a passion for the game and set his sights on improving, not knowing he would one day represent UF and perhaps conquer the international stage.
Aspiring to join the professional ranks like his father, Niels took on the burden of professional tennis training at a young age and sprang into the ITF junior tour. The continuous high-level training and travel to compete in various matches taught Villard a valuable lesson about constantly putting the work in to stay on top of his game, allowing him to find success as he began to play events in the junior circuit.
By the age of 14, his training and national play came into full swing. Villard competed across France in J5 tournaments to gain experience on the hard courts of France, traveling to Les Ponts-de-Ce, Honfleur and Saint Gregoire in 2019.
Despite close calls and heartbreaks throughout 2021 and 2022, including near victories at the J5 tournaments in Colomiers and Honfleur, Villard finally broke through during a productive fortnight in October 2022.
As any athlete knows, playing two weeks in a row is nothing short of a daunting task.
Nevertheless, at just 17 years old, Villard captured his first two international singles titles by dominating J5 tournaments in Saint-Paul and SaintDenis in a 14-day span. He also secured his doubles title in Saint-Denis the same week as the singles tournament, marking his third consecutive international title.
Villard continued to put in the work on the court. Only three months later, he found more success, this time in Spain. Grinding his way to a singles title in the J60 Manacor, Villlard continued to prove himself on the global stage and make a name for himself on the court.
That name, ‘Villard,’ began to gain traction in the tennis scene. Florida associate coach and French native Anthony Rossi took notice of the young star, quickly informing head men’s tennis coach Adam Steinberg about him. Rossi used his connections in France to ultimately get the ball rolling in the freshman’s recruitment process.
“[Rossi] was really following Niels’ career back in France, and, obviously, we became very interested
through his results,” Steinberg noted. “I actually went to France… It was amazing. It was a great, great trip, and [I] got to meet with Niels and watch him play. That solidified our decision to really make him an offer and bring him here to Gainesville.”
Villard simply couldn’t pass up the opportunity to play for Florida, quickly scheduling an official visit in which he took a liking to the players, coaches and even the structure of the program. The Meaux native explained the professionalism of the team and the high-level practices make Florida a great place to play, always challenging him to step up his game.
Despite having to adapt to the team-oriented environment of Gators tennis, Villard has continuously put in the work to improve on the courts of Gainesville. Recently focused on adding an enhanced level of consistency and regularity to his game, the freshman is working to have “more discipline on every point” in an effort to play a further balanced game that bodes well in long matches of backand-forth collegiate battles.
In his short time at Florida, Villard has already learned how enthusiasm and supporting his fellow Gators are
some of the most important aspects of collegiate tennis. Since his arrival in Gainesville to start the Spring semester, Villard has been an unwavering beacon of energy for the Gators and is consistently the loudest player on the court. His chants of “Go Gators” ring throughout the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex like a battle cry.
“I see in the [world of] college tennis, it’s not just the tennis – it’s the energy of the team, everything,” Villard said.
Even coach Steinberg took note of Villard’s willingness to learn and adequate adaptation to the energy-filled structure of collegiate tennis since his arrival in January.
“He’s really bought into the team culture, the spirit and the pride of Florida a lot quicker than I ever thought he would,” Steinberg said. “Regarding the team’s energy, he’s one of the best we have. He’s got a great spirit about him and he brings it every day.”
Read the rest online at alligator. org/section/sports.
@CuranAhern cahern@alligator.com
Gators advance to National Championship
game, taking a brief moment to define his thoughts. “We trust him in those situations. He knocks down big shots day after day.”
But it was his 20 second-half points that made the difference.
That, as they say, isn’t normal. It also isn’t surprising.
Only a week earlier, it was Clayton Jr. who pushed Florida to the Final Four, knocking down a string of arduous shots to complete a 10-point Elite Eight comeback. At the time, it was hard to imagine the senior eclipsing that moment. Who else’s last couple weeks have featured AllAmerican celebrations, player of the year nominations and a 24.6 points per game clip in the NCAA Tournament? (Which, for that matter, would’ve led the nation this year.)
So, his performance on April 5 shouldn’t come as a shock. It surely, however, deserves its flowers. Becoming the first player since Larry Bird (1979) to score 30 points in both the Elite Eight and Final Four isn’t a small feat. Beating the top overall seed from the best college basketball conference for a
second time isn’t either.
“Walter… stepped up late making bigtime shots, which allowed us to pull out this victory,” Golden said on Sunday.
April 5 checked a box for Florida. It had been relatively shaky throughout the tournament, stumbling past UConn and Texas Tech, while Auburn largely hadn’t struggled. Florida also won the SEC Tournament without having to take on the conference’s other goliath, the Tigers.
But as the buzzer sounded in San Antonio, all of those doubts dissipated. It was a championship, in some ways, solidifying Florida as the highlight of the SEC, which sent a record 14 teams to the tournament. In doing so, Florida inadvertently became the posterboy for an evolving college basketball world in which the SEC is establishing its dominance.
But now it moves on to the greatest stage of them all.
That, in itself, is an accomplishment no one would have imagined entering this season, as Florida began the year outside the top 25 in KenPom — the widely respected and commonly used college basketball
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metric site. It surely wasn’t expected when Golden arrived in Gainesville three years ago.
While it boasts a pair of national championships and arguably the greatest modern stretch of college basketball, UF advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament just once in its last nine postseason berths. Without Billy Donovan and his four Final Fours, Golden and Florida’s victory on April 5 would be a program-defining moment, and it will likely be celebrated in Gainesville as such.
“[It’s] a great accomplishment for our program to make it here to the Final Four,” Golden said. “I'm incredibly proud of these guys for getting this win. We're alive, man. We're playing for this national championship on Monday night.”
Houston and Florida used all 40 minutes to dance past their respective opponents in Duke and Auburn, with both needing eightplus-point comebacks to get the job done.
The Cougars are a methodical, slow-paced unit that rely on their defense to suffocate opponents. As national championship fate would have it, Florida is nearly the exact
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opposite. Just as Clayton Jr. so dutifully presented on the national stage on April 5, the Gators aim to drown teams offensively, especially from behind the arc. That contrast will make for a battle of pace of play, but taking things slower might not be an issue for Florida. At least not for Clayton Jr., which is where the final snapshot unfolds.
As the Final Four court was rapidly cleared to make way for the second semifinal, the senior guard walked into the tunnel, looking down. With hands reaching from the stands, looking to get a momentary brush of the budding NCAA Tournament star, he was unfazed, murmuring the same statement from before: “One more.”
This isn’t the finish line. One more game stands between the Gators and its first title in 18 years.
“I guess you could say I haven’t really had time to reflect on what I’ve been doing,” he said. “I’ve just been focused on us winning games with these guys.”
@noahwhite1782 nwhite@alligator.org
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National Championship bound
Henry A. Moore // Alligator Staff
Gator fans watch the NCAA Final Four game from the numerous floors of the Reitz Union on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Kade Sowers // Alligator Staff
Florida Gator fans watching the NCAA Final Four match at The Swamp Restaurant at 1104 SW 2nd Ave, celebrate UF’s dominating play over AU on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Kade Sowers // Alligator Staff
Kyler Eickhorn scales a lamp post at The Swamp Restaurant at 1104 SW 2nd Ave, to celebrate the Florida Gators victory over Auburn University in the NCAA Final Four match on Saturday, April 5, 2025.
Kade Sowers // Alligator Staff
Jordan Kornreich watches intently as the Florida Gators take on Auburn University in the NCAA Final Four match at The Swamp Restaurant at 1104 SW 2nd Ave, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. UF won, 79-73.
Noah Lantor// Alligator Staff Florida fans scream, chant and celebrate at the NCAA Final Four game on Saturday, April 5, 2025.