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MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026

VOLUME 121 - ISSUE 3 Not officially associated with the University of Florida

Published by Campus Communications, Inc. of Gainesville, Florida

Krishna Lunch banned from UF campus after operating for over 50 years THE BAN FOLLOWED A SPRING CRASH ON CAMPUS THAT LEFT A STUDENT HOSPITALIZED

By Sofia Garcia Alligator Staff Writer

After temporarily suspending campus operations following an incident where a Krishna box truck struck a student, Krishna Lunch’s presence on UF campus has been permanently banned, according to UF spokesperson Cynthia Roldán. Bob Cohen, Krishna Lunch senior adviser, said he hadn’t heard from UF since the accident until the restrictions were announced. He said UF was silent following the event, and the group didn’t hear from the university until the ban was announced Aug. 19. “We said, ‘OK, give it some cooling off time,’ and [UF] refused to talk to us,” Cohen said. “Finally, I wrote them again and again … They sent a letter saying, ‘Don’t come back,’ and nobody will talk or discuss it with us.” In an email sent on Aug. 19, Brandi Renton, UF’s vice president of business affairs, wrote that the memorandum of understanding between the organization and

SEE KRISHNA, PAGE 4

Grace Sands // Alligator Staff

Sugar Baby staff pose in front of their candy cart at Peach by Pump's pop up Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 in Gainesville, Fla. Find this story in The Avenue on pg. 6.

‘Every time we spoke, I left learning something new’: Dorothy Zimmerman’s friends and students reflect on her legacy The beloved UF Graham Center faculty member led a life of service By Alana Nguyen Alligator Staff Writer

Dorothy Zimmerman — or Dotty, to loved ones — died Aug. 16 after battling ovarian cancer for the second time. She was 66. Even with the disease’s recurrence, Zimmerman’s former student assistant, UF alumna Isabella Garcia, said the woman was

resilient through it all. “Rarely did she mention it,” Garcia said. “Rarely did she ever let it stop her.” Born Feb. 9, 1960, in Louisville, Kentucky, Zimmerman grew up with seven siblings. She attended Murray State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science in 1979 at age 19. She

then headed to graduate school for communications management at Syracuse University. At age 21, she became a managing editor at the Marshall County Messenger in Marshall, Texas. She went on to work as a freelance journalist in Brazil and Venezuela. Zimmerman arrived at UF in 1998 as the communications

SPORTS/SPECIAL/CUTOUT

East Gainesville

Recapping UF SG issues and looking pg# ahead. Read more on pg. 3.

The Avenue: Music

Student Government Story description finish with comma,

coordinator for the Office of Executive Education. In 2000, she started work for the Florida Sea Grant and in 2019 joined the Bob Graham Center for Public Service as communications director. Zimmerman played a vital role in student’s academic and personal lives during her nearly 30 years at the university, Garcia said. Every student who worked

Residents debate priorities after recent trail construction, pg. 5

Website shares Gainesville music history, pg. 6

with Zimmerman will never forget her, and many desire to be the “Dorothys” in others’ lives. “Every time we spoke, I left learning something new,” she said. Along with her role as a UF faculty member, Zimmerman served at the Sunrise Rotary Club of Gainesville and eventually became Rotary District 6970’s assis-

SEE ZIMMERMAN, PAGE 4

@TheAlligator_

@TheAlligator

2 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026

Campaign cash matters, but Gainesville candidates say conversations win elections HOW MUCH DOES MONEY CONTRIBUTE TO VICTORIES IN CITY AND COUNTY ELECTIONS?

By Jessica Yang Alligator Staff Writer

Money may keep a campaign alive, but local candidates say it can’t clinch a victory. Candidates elected to the Gainesville City Commission and Alachua County Commission Aug. 18 said fundraising increasingly pays for targeted voter outreach through mail, text messaging and digital advertising. But face-to-face conversations with voters remain one of the most valuable parts of campaigning. Campaign finance records show the three winning candidates raised significantly different amounts of money. Alachua County Commissioner-elect Tina Certain raised over $41,000 and spent almost all of it during her campaign. Gainesville City Commissioner-elect Nathan Crabbe raised about $15,700 and spent $12,150, while incumbent Casey Willits raised $11,800 and spent $7,000. But fundraising totals don’t always predict election outcomes — at least, they didn’t in the Alachua County Commission race. Certain's opponent, Donna Bradbrook, raised just over $43,000 — more than any candidate in the four-way county commission race. But Certain won with 39% of the vote and an 8-percentage-point edge over Bradbrook's 31%.

According to some of the candidates, campaign money serves as a way for candidates to expand their voter outreach rather than a way to replace it. Certain, who previously served on the Alachua County School Board, said she estimated about 350 individuals donated to her campaign, with only three contributions coming from political organizations. Rising postage costs, advertising prices and inflation stretched campaign budgets. "We spent the bulk of our money on direct mail," Certain said. "The mailers, the texting and the social media ads helped to do what I couldn't do." In addition to those electronic and mail ads, Certain knocked on roughly 1,500 doors with the help of a few volunteers in an attempt to sway voters. Certain entered the county commission race with greater name recognition because of her position on the school board, she said, so she relied less on canvassing than in past campaigns. Instead, she focused on reaching voters by mail, text and digital advertising. Crabbe, a former Gainesville Sun journalist elected to the Gainesville City Commission, said individual donors largely built his campaign, too. Campaign finance records show Crabbe received 116 individual contributions who donated an average of about $125 each. He also loaned $1,000 to his campaign, and $250 came from the Alachua County Stonewall PAC, a Gaines-

ville-based LGBTQ political committee. He won with about 60% of the nearly 7,600 votes cast, beating Marine veteran Wyatt Zintiz and housing advocate Nelida Jean-Baptiste Pellot, who each took about 20% of the vote. Fundraising was unfamiliar territory when he entered the race, Crabbe said. "I knew nothing about any of this going in," Crabbe said. "Fundraising has never been my forte." He focused on gaining campaign contributions through house parties and personal conversations with supporters, he said, rather than relying on large institutional donors. Crabbe personally knocked on just over 3,000 doors throughout the campaign, he added. While fundraising was needed to pay for campaign materials, Crabbe said, voter contact ultimately mattered more. "I think the story of this campaign locally, more so than money raised, is who out-hustled who," he said. Willits, the only incumbent among the three winners, said his campaign relied on a different strategy. He won with over half of the vote, passing DeJeon Cain, his nearest challenger. Cain took 28% of the votes while James Gardner took 17%. Read the rest online at alligator.org. @jessie_yang_22 jyang@alligator.org

Florida struck down international student aid. What’s next? THE FLORIDA LINKAGE INSTITUTIONS SHUT THEIR DOORS, AND WITH IT, THEIR SCHOLARSHIPS

By Erica Dybas Alligator Staff Writer

Natalia Rojas, a 21-year-old computer science senior, said she chose UF because of the financial aid opportunity. Now, a month after its official discontinuation, she and her fellow international students are forced to reevaluate the affordability of higher education in the United States. “Having that scholarship my freshman year is the reason why I chose to go to UF,” Rojas said. “It allowed me to come to the U.S. and study.” Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida House Bill 905, also known as the Foreign Interference Restriction Act, May 8, 2026. The law shut down the Florida Linkage Institution Scholarships, a program that allowed international students from 11 countries to qualify for in-state tuition at Florida public schools. With it, eligible international students saw their tuition costs drop by as much as $28,000 — or more than 80%. Rojas was a recipient of the Florida Costa Rica Linkage Institute program, which specifically afforded Costa Rican students the in-state tuition rate. “Imagine coming to study … with all of the excitement of coming to UF … and then all of a sudden, ‘Sorry, you can no longer follow these dreams,’” Rojas said.

DeSantis said the program was eliminated to rid Florida of the influence of terrorist organizations from countries of concern. And to increase penalties for Florida political leaders found receiving gifts from foreign threats, including relations with Cuba. The only linkage institution connected to one of the countries of concern was China’s. Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, whose Florida House district encompasses Gainesville, opposed the legislation. In a statement to The Alligator, Hinson wrote that the bill eliminated important educational opportunities for international students and native Floridians. “We can protect Florida from legitimate foreign influence and security threats without closing doors to students, educators and institutions engaged in legitimate academic exchange,” she said. Hinson’s educational concerns weren’t the only ones raised. David Cruz, the national communications director for the League of United Latin American Citizens, also emphasized the benefits of hosting international students in boosting the Florida economy. International students contributed $1.5 billion to Florida’s economy in 2023 alone, according to the Association of International Educators. The purpose of an education, Cruz said, is to make people contribute more meaningfully to the economy where they live. “All of this flies out the window when Florida says you're not welcome here,” Cruz said. @Erica_Dybas edybas@alligator.org

VOLUME 121 - ISSUE 3

ISSN 0889-2423

Not officially associated with the University of Florida Published by Campus Communications Inc., of Gainesville, Florida

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MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026 ALLIGATOR 3

Student Senate braces for new cycle following mixed reactions last school year WHILE REPRESENTATIVES PLAN AHEAD, STUDENTS REFLECT ON THE PAST YEAR AND NEXT YEAR’S WISHES

By Sofia Garcia Alligator Staff Writer

The Senate Chamber in the Reitz Union sprang back to life Aug. 25, packed with Student Government representatives returning to the chamber for the first time since Spring. After laying out plans for elections and bidding farewell to its longest-serving senator, SG prepared for the coming months, prioritizing campus-wide health, safety and interorganizational collaboration. Meanwhile, students look for more opportunities to interact with the chamber and its members. Notable changes In the past, SG focused its efforts on redistributing seats within the Senate by putting forth a reappropriation bill to remove seats from the Heavener School of Business, Fisher School of Accounting, Rinker School of Construction Management, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and one of two graduate student seats. Beginning Spring 2027, seats have been rearranged to add four seats to the Warrington College of Business and one each to the Hamilton School, the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and the College of Journalism and Communications. The reapportionments come from the Senate’s desire to represent UF’s growing class size and its new colleges. UF undergraduate numbers rose by just over 7,500 students between Fall 2014 and Fall 2024. The legislation put forth by the judiciary committee also reapportioned seats starting this Fall for senators representing living areas — the most significant change being the removal of the recently demolished Graham Area seat. The seat is now part of the off-campus student representation. Some senators, such as former Sen. Austin Britton (Vision-Graduate), tried to push for more seats to adjust for

population growth at UF. The proposed amendment failed because most senators did not want to increase the consistent 50 senate seats per semester. Vision Party has faced past accusations of gerrymandering elections by having off-campus students represented by 37 senators as one district. Former Sen. Andrew Larsen (Change-Arts) led the criticism, according to previous Alligator coverage, claiming that having one large district would discourage voters from voting for candidates from multiple parties and would lead to one-party domination. Last Fall, SG also wrote legislation backing a UF-led proposal to raise athletic and health student fees by $1.56 and $0.27, respectively. The revenue from the increased athletic fee goes toward improving athletics on campus and reducing student ticket prices for sporting events. The health fee revenue will go toward hiring more staff at the Disability Resource Center. Looking forward Continuing rollouts of the student medical amnesty policy and establishing a campus-wide swab drive for a bone marrow registry are two priorities headed into the upcoming SG cycle, President Matthew Milton Bravo wrote in a statement to The Alligator. Medical amnesty is a conduct waiver for people who seek medical attention due to controlled substance or alcohol use, allowing students to be excused from disciplinary measures for violating student conduct codes. The legislation aims to encourage students to call emergency services for drug- or alcohol-related emergencies without fear of disciplinary action. Bravo also named the prioritization of campus-wide stem cell drives as a priority this year to raise awareness of blood cancer patients and treatments and give opportunities to other cancer patients looking for donors. The goal follows the success of the “Swab for Bravo” drive last Fall, where students volunteered to be tested as a match for Bravo to receive a stem cell transplant after he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. “It’ll be nice to start up a program that can actually

Henry A. Moore // Alligator Staff

help a lot of people, not even just outside of UF, but also a lot of students here fighting,” he said after his win in the Spring. “It’s a project close to my heart.” Read the rest online at alligator.org. @sconsuelogarcia sofiagarcia@alligator.org

4 ALLIGATOR MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026

Campus ban spurs mixed reactions KRISHNA, from pg. 1

UF has been terminated, and it was no longer authorized to operate on campus. Krishna Lunch previously offered free lunches on the Plaza of the Americas and heavily encouraged donations. Krishna Lunch is part of the larger Krishna House in Midtown Gainesville and the Hare Krishna religious movement. The Krishna movement is rooted in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which focuses on community service and

peace. Originating in 1960s New York City, the belief system is derived from the Indian Vaishnava tradition. While the organization navigates the shift in operations after the ban, students share mixed reactions. Spencer Mallott, a 20-year-old UF psychology junior, occasionally ate Krishna Lunch. While Mallott enjoyed having another meal option on campus, he said he thought the food was mediocre. “I thought it was all right … it was a pretty convenient location,” Mallott said.

Krishna Lunch was wellknown for its vegetarian and vegan options, with international students making up a significant portion of its regulars, according to Cohen. Ultimately, Mallott said he supported the school’s decision to ban Krishna Lunch from campus. “I don't know what kind of timeline would look like if they were to come back,” he said. “I don’t know if it was someone stepping out or a distracted driver, but I think they need to show that they would be changed so that the situation wouldn’t hap-

pen again.” Amara Lawn, a 20-year-old UF chemistry junior, agreed the ban was justified. She was shocked by the crash last Spring, she said, and followed news of it and its aftermath. Lawn was also critical of how Krishna Lunch advertised donations. At times, she felt members would guilt students into paying for the meal, she said. Krishna Lunch previously faced backlash from students for not emphasizing the fact payments were voluntary donations to the organization, and meals could be free upon request. “They were already toeing a fine line,” she said.

Remembering Bob Graham faculty member tant governor and club president. She also contributed to the Florida Outdoor Writers Association and Florida Public Relations Association, an organization centered on networking and leadership growth. When she wasn’t working, Zimmerman enjoyed baking and UF athletics. “We used to talk about Gator baseball a lot,” said Garcia.

Elena Ashburn, the Graham Center communications coordinator, was hired by Zimmerman as a photographer for the Graham Center, and she said they instantly connected. Ashburn recalled a time she accidentally left her belongings locked in the Graham Center. Zimmerman insisted on picking up and delivering the items to Ashburn’s apartment, she said, even though Zimmerman had been home from work for hours.

@sconsuelogarcia sofiagarical@alligator.org

Reagan Bresnahan // Alligator Staff

Krishna House sits on Northwest 14th Street in Gainesville, Fla.

ZIMMERMAN, from pg. 1

But some frequent Krishna Lunch attendees have viewed the ban differently. Nicolas Diaz, a 20-year-old UF philosophy junior, said he ate Krishna Lunch with his friends on occasion because it was an affordable option for him and many other students. Now, Diaz and other students have one less option for meals on campus, he said, and he doesn’t think the change is for the better. “I feel like it’s unfortunate to take such a wide, broad action like that over one event,” Diaz said. “It is kind of unfortunate they’re not here anymore.”

Zimmerman was an admirable mentor, she added, teaching her skills and practical experience as part of what Ashburn called “the Zimmerman course.” She credits the late UF staff member as the reason for her proficiency in relevant career tools like Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. “That’s just the kind of person she was,” Ashburn said. “She’s very selfless.” In her honor, the Graham Center is raising $50,000 to create the Dorothy L.

Zimmerman Memorial Scholarship, which aims to help student-centered fellowships. Donations are being collected through the Graham Center’s website. To Marianne Vernetson, the director of the Graham Center, Zimmerman’s legacy will remind others to persevere and support each other. “She was someone who, every day, had the time, energy and talent to mentor and nurture students and colleagues,” Vernetson said. @Alana_Nguyen12 anguyen@alligator.org

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026 ALLIGATOR 5

Residents debate East Gainesville’s needs as city invests millions in new infrastructure A NEW MULTIUSE TRAIL ALONG NORTHEAST 31ST AVENUE WAS COMPLETED IN JUNE

By Sara Dhorasoo Alligator Staff Writer

A nearly mile-long multiuse trail in East Gainesville was completed this summer as part of the city’s push to develop infrastructure in the region. Since the creation of the Gainesville Community Reinvestment Area in the early 2000s, the city has invested millions of dollars into its east side, which is home to several historically Black neighborhoods and has often gone underdeveloped and underfunded. The multiuse trail is intended to create more opportunities for lower-income residents by connecting homes, jobs and schools. The $1.5 million project, fully funded through the Wild Spaces and Public Places surtax, promotes walking, jogging, cycling and all forms of wheeling, according to the city. The nearly 10-foot-wide path connects residential and commercial areas, providing safe access to Unity Park and Flatwoods Conservation Area. It’s meant to expand transportation options, support local businesses and attract visitors from outside the region, according to the city. Letiesha Shaw, an admissions supervisor at UF Health Shands Hospital’s patient access center, recently bought a home in East Gainesville, where she’s lived for 15 years. Although Shaw has noticed more people using the trail and sees value in giving children

a sidewalk on 31st Street, she said the project doesn’t address what the community needs most. “It doesn’t lead to anywhere,” Shaw said. “I don’t think it’s nothing that’s going to improve anything, building that little walkway, no.” She said East Gainesville needs more opportunities for children to participate in sports and stay active. Limited support and costly facilities force families to travel to Newberry and Alachua, Shaw said, where more programs are available. “We don’t have the support and the little areas that they do have,” she said. “Most of them are costing an arm and a leg.” Shaw was unaware of the trail project until construction began in October 2025. The trail along Northeast 31st Avenue is part of the proposed Eastside Loop Trail, which would extend south to University Avenue near Fred Cone Park and Hawthorne Road at Southeast Eighth Avenue. Kathleen Becker, a 47-year-old mother of four, has lived in East Gainesville for 12 years. During that time, Becker said she’s seen housing prices rise as the number of available housing units declines. Data shows median listing prices rose by only about 11% between 2025 and 2026, with home prices down 6%, while the number of homes sold remained steady. However, Becker doesn’t think neighborhood improvements are behind the housing inflation, she said, blaming rising housing costs on broader economic factors instead of local governance. Becker’s glad to see the city making improvements to its east side, an area she said has long been ignored.

“I think this part of the city should be treated as desirable as any other,” Becker said. “The people who live here are families. They’re good people. It’s not some big, scary place.” Still, while she appreciates the city’s efforts in improving the area, she said there’s only so much it can do to remedy the lasting effects of historical redlining and school segregation. A thoughtful rezoning plan could create equity in the area’s schools, she added. Recent Alachua County Public Schools rezoning decisions disproportionately affect East

Gainesville, according to previous reporting from The Alligator. The district’s draft plan proposed the closure of five schools, three of which — Williams, Rawlings and Duval — are located on the city’s east side. The now-closed Foster Elementary School, located on Northwest Sixth Street, is often considered part of greater East Gainesville. Read the rest online at alligator.org. sdhorasoo@alligator.org

Amanda Yale // Alligator Staff

The City of Gainesville opens a mile-long multiuse trail along Northeast 31st Avenue, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026.

Alachua County Commission approves housing and agricultural development, looks into Flock Safety cameras IF APPROVED BY THE STATE, THE DEVELOPMENT WILL HOUSE MORE THAN 2,000 FAMILIES

By Olivia Lofaso & Grace Larson Alligator Staff Writer

The Alachua County Commission approved a residential and agricultural development at its Aug. 25 meeting, passing it to the state for review. The commission also requested information about alleged data sharing by Flock Safety cameras in the county. Everlee Farmstead Community The Alachua County Commission voted unanimously to approve plans for the Everlee Farmstead Community, a mixed-use residential and agricultural development located near Parker Road in southwest Gainesville. The application will now head to the state for review. The 2,600-acre property is expected to accommodate 2,700 families on 900 of its acres. The development will include a mix of apartments, single-family homes and commercial infrastructure, such as shops and restaurants. The center of the development will feature a farm where community members can grow and access seasonal crops and flowers. The farmstead will rely on communitysupported agriculture, a partnership model in which consumers pay local farms for a share of their

harvest, hosting a farm stand and seasonal markets. The surrounding land is managed by the UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences for research and environmental protection. The commission previously approved development on other portions of the land, greenlighting UF’s 36-hole golf course in April. The community will also include livestock, such as chickens and cattle, and an apiary for beehives, according to Austen Roberts, president of The Roberts Companies. The Roberts Companies is a Florida-based developer with several planned developments in Alachua County, like The Hammock and Cellon Creek, two projects with residential and commercial lots. Roberts, a North Florida native who grew up surrounded by agriculture, said the project is especially meaningful to him. He hopes to bring his experience to Alachua County families, he added. “From the beginning, our goal has been to curate something special, something that preserves meaningful agriculture and open space and creates a connected community,” Roberts said. “To build a special place where you can leave your front porch, walk miles of trails, experience nature and wildlife all along the way and have our kids grow up and know where their food comes from.” The first phase of construction is expected to begin in 2028 pending permit approval, with families

projected to move into the community in 2029. Several commissioners spoke in favor of the development ahead of the vote, including Commissioner Mary Alford, whose district includes the proposed site. “I’ve had calls from many of my former neighbors and friends that live in the Haile [Plantation] area,” Alford said. “They’ve all said, ‘We thought we weren’t going to like this, but we really love it.’” Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler echoed the sentiment, saying she was impressed by the development plans. “I’ve been asking for eight years now [for] every development to give me something I’ve never seen before,” she said. “Now I know it’s time I can finally retire.” During public comment, Sam Cornell, a local beekeeper and the nephew of Commission Chair Ken Cornell, spoke against the development. He said a 20-acre farm can’t provide enough food to feed a community. Sam described the project’s farm component as a “Trojan horse.” He said it overshadows concerns about the capacity of the area’s single-lane roads and the potential environmental impacts of building on natural land. “If you talk to a farmer from this area or from the peripheral counties, they will tell you the numbers need to be inversed,” he said, referring to the ratio of farm acreage to population. “We are losing the forest for the trees here.”

Flock Safety cameras The Alachua County Commission also requested information about the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office’s use of Flock Safety and Axon cameras during the Aug. 25 meeting. Flock Safety is a private surveillance technology provider for over 7,000 law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. The cameras are designed to monitor vehicles, storing license plate information and vehicle characteristics. Images and recordings are stored for a 30-day period unless law enforcement decides otherwise. Axon makes a variety of cameras, including officer body cameras and outpost cameras. It is unclear which type of Axon cameras are used throughout the county. Axon Outpost cameras are most similar to the ones offered by Flock Safety, using automatic license plate reading technology. Unlike Flock Safety cameras, Axon allows law enforcement to decide how long recorded information is stored. It is unclear how many law enforcement agencies use Axon cameras. The discussion on cameras followed public comment, when Sam Cornell discussed concerns with data sharing. He alleged information captured by the cameras is distributed to other agencies using Flock Safety cameras. “Ask yourself why the Nebraska State Patrol needs a photo of your car — or, actually, 12 photos of your car — on Newberry Road taken today,” Sam said.

According to its website, Flock Safety does not distribute information captured by customers unless they opt in to sharing policies. During his comment, Sam said the commission should consider the implications of sharing local data with a nationwide database. He said the money allotted in contracts with the camera companies could be used by local law enforcement to hire more officers. It is unclear how much money the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office has spent on Flock Safety or Axon cameras. In 2025, the Gainesville Police Department paid Flock Safety $25,000 for 10 cameras. As of September 2025, ACSO had two Flock Safety cameras using automatic license plate reading technology. Commissioner Anna Prizzia said she also worries about alleged data sharing. “I have the same concerns that you have about rights to privacy, access to our data, and [I] had expressed that,” Prizzia said. Prizzia said she hopes to learn whether the cameras are managed solely by ACSO or if some are run by the county. She also requested information from ACSO about contract language and whether it agreed to allow data sharing. It is unclear what actions the commission will take moving forward. @OLofaso77652 olofaso@alligator.org @graceellarson glarson@alligator.org

MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026 www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue

FOOD & DRINK

A taste of Sweden rolls into Gainesville SUGAR BABY CANDY CART PRIORITIZES ACCESSIBILITY BY OFFERING VARIETY By Katharine Litman Avenue Staff Writer

A new young entrepreneur rolled into Gainesville this month in a lemon yellow and baby blue-striped candy cart. Sugar Baby Candy Cart, Gainesville’s first Swedish candy cart business, opened Aug. 10, offering private bookings and pop-up events for the fall. Sherlyn Dias, Sugar Baby’s 26-year-old founder, started the company in hopes of sharing her love of Swedish candy and making it accessible to Gainesville residents. Dias said Sugar Baby is the first local vendor to exclusively

sell candy, which comes in a wide variety of options. “Every single time, there’s something new to look forward to, and you can try candy that is unique and healthier for you,” Dias said. The difference in Swedish candy comes down to the ingredients, she said, which lack artificial dyes. “I import Swedish candy,” Dias said. “I make sure it’s a good supplier from Sweden.” She explained how Swedish candy sold in American stores, such as Target and Five Below, is produced in Mexico and uses different ingredients. The accessibility is her favorite part of the business, she said. Sugar Baby offers halal and vegetarian options as well as dairy- and gelatin-free candy to include those with dietary restrictions, she said.

Sugar Baby doesn’t have a storefront yet, so it’s focused on hosting pop-ups and private events across Gainesville. Its first public pop-up was hosted Aug. 26 at all-women’s gym Peach by Pump. The summer heat and rain that swept through Gainesville did little to dampen the energy. Customers could pick and mix different Swedish candies to fill a bag or cup, choosing from options like banana toffee Bubs, sour tutti-frutti Bubs and sour gluten-free “chestnuts,” a bitesized chewy fruit candy. From 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the candy cart saw a steady line excited to try Swedish candy. Read the rest online atalligator.org/section/the_avenue. @katealligator klitman@alligator.org

MUSIC

GainesvilleShows website travels back in time through the city’s music history PJ FANCHER’S SITE MIXES FLYERS FOR UPCOMING SHOWS AND POSTERS STRETCHING BACK THROUGH GAINESVILLE’S PAST By Brandy Sumner Avenue Staff Writer

It can be hard to keep up with Gainesville’s ever-changing music scene. Each year, bands form and disband, and venues open and close. And, as documented on GainesvilleShows. com, even bands like The Beach Boys and Lynyrd Skynyrd have played in The Swamp. Created in 2021, the site offers a resource for finding information on shows happening

El Caimán

throughout the week and those from the past. The site’s poster archive goes back decades. Although the current version of the site was made in 2021, a more basic version existed from 2014 to 2020. The new site allows bands and fans to upload performances and includes archival posters rather than exclusively upcoming events. The site was created by PJ Fancher, a 46-year-old web developer born and raised in Gainesville. The site is Fancher’s way of staying involved in the Gainesville music scene after his old band, Grabass Charlestons, disbanded. The punk outfit released music from 2002 to 2012 under No Idea Records, disbanding when Fancher and another band member had

Teatro Hippodrome muestra documental sobre Luis Valdez. Read more on page 7.

Best Jewelry and Loan Monday to Wednesday:

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kids. The band traveled as far as Europe while touring. “This [website] is kind of getting me back — now that my kids are older and everything — in touch with band stuff that I used to do,” Fancher said. “It’s been nice to revisit it all.” The site connects the past and present of Gainesville music, making it easy to access posters and data sets about bands. It uses data scraped from sources like Facebook, Instagram and past websites like Gainesvillebands.com, which had a similar function. Scrolling through years of posters, it’s clear despite the changes that Gainesville’s strong music culture has lasted generations. “Everyone’s still kind of trying to do the same thing, which is have a good show, try

not to get the cops to come, you know,” Fancher said. Since the site relies on outside submissions, Fancher is always looking for volunteers to help keep up with upcoming shows and scan and research archival flyers and events. Andrew Chadwick, a 52-year-old musician and DJ, has provided numerous posters and videos to the site over the years, including over 8,000 videos from shows around town, most of which were shot on his camcorder. Read the rest online atalligator.org/ section/the_avenue. bsumner@alligator.org

El Caimán

LUNES, 31 DE AGOSTO DE 2026 www.alligator.org/section/spanish

La historia chicana cobra protagonismo en el estreno de ‘American Pachuco’ en el Hippodrome LA HISTORIA DEL ÍCONO DE BROADWAY LUIS VALDEZ SE ESTRENÓ EN EL TEATRO HIPPODROME DE GAINESVILLE Por Emily Medina-Finsen Escritora de El Caimán

Traducido por Angelique Rodriguez Escritora de El Caimán

Bajo la tenue iluminación del Hippodrome Theatre, “American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez” recibió una ovación de pie durante su proyección del 29 de agosto, para

la cual se agotaron todas las entradas. “American Pachuco: The Legend of Luis Valdez” narra la trayectoria del icono de Broadway Luis Valdez en el teatro y el cine como chicano de origen mexicano. El documental sigue a Valdez a través de la creación de la compañía de teatro chicano El Teatro Campesino. Escribió y dirigió la obra “Zoot Suit” en 1979, que marcó un hito al ser la primera obra chicana en Broadway. Posteriormente, en 1987, estrenó su película más influyente hasta la fecha “La Bamba". Conocido como el “Padrino del Teatro Chicano”, Valdez protagoniza una historia marcada por la justicia social y las luchas de la comunidad chicana. La productora Lauren Filippo y el director David Alvarado colaboraron con Luis Valdez, que tiene 80 años, para grabar

más de 24 horas de entrevistas destinadas al documental. “Es una historia que trata tanto de su increíble carrera como de su trayectoria”, dijo Filippo. “También tiene el tema de la pertenencia de los chicanos y latinos en Estados Unidos y cómo podemos entendernos mutuamente”. El documental también recupera y digitaliza 80.000 pies de material fílmico inédito de El Teatro Campesino para utilizarlo al narrar la historia de Valdez, dijo Filippo. Lee el resto en línea en alligator.org/section/spanish. @EmilyMedFinZ27 emedina-finsen@alligator.org

Florida eliminó las ayudas para estudiantes internacionales. ¿Qué sigue? LAS INSTITUCIONES DE VINCULACIÓN DE FLORIDA CERRARON SUS PUERTAS Y, CON ELLO, SUS PROGRAMAS DE BECAS Por Erica Dybas Escritora de El Caimán

Traducido por Angelique Rodriguez Escritora de El Caimán

Natalia Rojas, estudiante de último año de informática de 21 años, dijo que eligió la UF debido a la oportunidad de recibir ayuda financiera. Ahora, un mes después de su cancelación oficial, ella y otros estudiantes internacionales se ven obligados a replantearse si pueden permitirse cursar estudios superiores en EE.UU. “Contar con esa beca durante mi primer año fue la razón por la que decidí ir a la UF”, dijo

Rojas. “Me permitió venir a Estados Unidos y estudiar”. El 8 de mayo del 2026, el gobernador Ron DeSantis promulgó el proyecto de ley 905 de la Cámara de Representantes de Florida, también conocido como Ley de Restricción de la Interferencia Extranjera. La ley puso fin a las Becas de las Instituciones de Vinculación de Florida, un programa que permitía a estudiantes internacionales de 11 países optar a la tarifa de matrícula para residentes en las instituciones públicas de Florida. Gracias a este programa, los estudiantes internacionales que cumplían los requisitos veían reducirse los costos de su matrícula hasta por 2.000 dólares, lo que suponía una disminución superior al 80%. Rojas fue beneficiario del programa Florida Costa Rica Linkage Institute, que permitía específicamente a los estudiantes costarricenses pagar la tarifa de matrícula para residentes del estado. “Imagínate venir a estudiar ... con toda la ilusión de llegar a la UF ... y que de repente

te digan, ‘Lo siento, ya no puedes perseguir estos sueños’”, dijo Rojas. DeSantis dijo que el programa se eliminó para librar a Florida de la influencia de organizaciones terroristas provenientes de países considerados de riesgo y para aumentar las sanciones contra los líderes políticos de Florida que aceptaran regalos de entidades extranjeras que representaran una amenaza, incluidas aquellas con vínculos con Cuba. La única institución asociada al programa que tenía relación con uno de los países considerados de riesgo era la de China. La representante Yvonne Hayes Hinson, cuyo distrito en la Cámara de Representantes de Florida abarca Gainesville, se opuso a la medida legislativa. En una declaración a The Alligator, Hinson escribió que el proyecto de ley elimina importantes oportunidades educativas para los estudiantes internacionales y los residentes nativos de Florida. “Podemos proteger a Florida de influencias extranjeras legítimas y de amenazas a la seguridad sin cerrar las puertas a estudiantes, educadores e instituciones

@Erica_Dybas edybas@alligator.org

Síganos para actualizaciones

Football

Para obtener actualizaciones de El Caimán, síganos en línea en www.alligator.org/section/spanish.

Gator quarterbacks battle it out over starting position. Read more on pg. 11.

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que participan en intercambios académicos legítimos”, dijo. Las preocupaciones de Hinson sobre el ámbito educativo no fueron las únicas planteadas. David Cruz, director nacional de comunicaciones de la Liga de Ciudadanos Latinoamericanos Unidos, también destacó los beneficios que aporta la presencia de estudiantes internacionales para impulsar la economía de Florida. Tan solo en 2023, los estudiantes internacionales contribuyeron con 1500 millones de dólares a la economía de Florida, según la Asociación de Educadores Internacionales. El propósito de la educación, dijo Cruz, es lograr que las personas contribuyan de manera más significativa a la economía del lugar donde residen. “Todo esto se va por la borda cuando Florida dice que no eres bienvenido aquí”, dijo Cruz.

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MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026 www.alligator.org/section/opinions

Column

Throw the Fishback, but keep the hook

hould we be relieved or concerned that professional rage baiter James Fishback won 10% of the vote in the Republican gubernatorial primary? In typical circumstances, winning only 10.5% in an election would put someone into the “also ran” category. However, Fishback’s influence on the race — and political discourse as a whole — is greater than most who finish a distant third. Fishback finished behind Lt. Gov. Jay Collins (25.2%) and Trump-endorsed Byron Donalds (47.8%). Donalds is a current Florida Congressman and a former candidate for Speaker of the House. Unlike the two men who finished at the top, Fishback had no political experience and ran as the political outsider in this race. While Fishback is primarily a provocateur, he built a sizable political coalition supported by a real platform. It would be a mistake to discount Fishback’s support as entirely based on instigation. Democrats should analyze how and why Fishback attracted so many young voters to see how they can appeal to his disappointed supporters. Throughout his campaign, Fishback made a name for himself by pushing against the establishment and purposefully agitating his opponents and the media. He hit on many

front-of-mind issues for young Floridians. This, combined with his natural charisma and provocative speaking style, made Fishback an online sensation. However, this agitation often came in the form of racially charged comments targeted at his opponents. These included calling Donalds a “slave to his donors” and a “DEI hire.” Fishback’s comments weren’t exclusive to his political opponents, extending to random citizens on the street. The most disgustingly racist remark Fishback made during the campaign was when he was confronted with accusations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor and told a Black man he should be “lynched.” Fishback’s proclivity to spout racist remarks made him a star in far-right online spaces. He was praised by figures like Tucker Carlson, Clavicular and Nick Fuentes, and appeared with the hosts of the Fresh and Fit Podcast. Fishback openly courted this side of the internet with dog whistles and overt references to fascists like Mussolini. Fishback’s popularity in the manosphere and white supremacist spaces explains his lead among young white men. A University of North Florida poll found Fishback had four times more support in the 18-34 age group than Donalds.

But Fishback didn’t gain this lead through racist and provocative remarks alone. He seemed genuinely invested in issues in Florida that primarily concern younger generations. Housing, affordability, artificial intelligence data centers, Flock Safety cameras, education and overdevelopment were all key topics during his campaign stops. By focusing on these issues, Fishback managed to win over disaffected young voters who felt lost in the current political environment. To many, Fishback seemed to be the only candidate addressing the issues they cared about. So, many young voters supported him even if they disagreed with his more edgy and offensive remarks. As political observers, we should recognize the duality of Fishback’s popularity before we dismiss his coalition as white supremacists. Real voter frustration can create real political movements. The results of the primaries shed light on Fishback’s campaign tactics. His 10% showing reveals a strong online presence is important in winning support, but it’s not enough to clinch a victory on its own. What Fishback lacked was funding. Due to his racist remarks, Fishback was unable to get backing from larger donors and the Republican establishment donor

base. This means he couldn’t run a typical television ad campaign. In a state like Florida, with the fifth oldest population in the U.S. with a median age of nearly 43, Evan Dressel online campaigning opinions@alligator.org alone won’t garner enough support to win. Democrats and establishment Republicans might be relieved Fishback lost — and it wasn’t particularly close — but I think that relief would be premature. Fishback is only 31 years old, and he isn’t likely to disappear. Even if he never ran for office again, his tactics would be adopted by others. The best way to counter Fishback’s rise is by co-opting the real issues he addressed while casting out the racist undertones and remarks. Many of the young voters who found Fishback appealing wouldn’t have supported him if another candidate spoke to the same issues. And if that were the case, Fishback would just be the racist guy yelling into the void. Read the rest online at alligator.org/ section/opinions. @EvanD_Alligator edressel@alligator.org

Column

There’s a whole world you’re not hearing M any of us know a couple of words in another language, enough to say “Hello” or ask for the nearest bathroom or

library. But there’s a difference between knowing a few words and actually understanding the people who speak them. Learning another language isn’t just about expanding your vocabulary. It’s about expanding the number of people, cultures and experiences you can understand without requiring someone to translate the world for you. I was introduced to Spanish, French and even Mandarin in elementary school. That early exposure sparked my fascination with language, and by high school, AP Spanish classes gave me the opportunity to take the language more seriously. Despite years of sitting in classrooms, I didn’t feel like I truly understood Spanish until I started speaking outside of class. Duolingo lessons turned into Spanish music. Spanish music turned into TV shows, online research and, most importantly, actual conversations. None of these changes felt dramatic on their own,

but together they did more for my Spanish than memorizing another vocabulary list ever could. Now, I use Spanish while working as a translator at a medical clinic. There’s something profoundly different about being able to speak to someone directly rather than waiting for their words to pass through someone else. Language does more than communicate information. Language conveys humor, hesitation, frustration, gratitude and personality — things that can easily get lost in translation. Gian Perez grew up speaking both Spanish and English. The 19-year-old UF psychology sophomore said even the smallest interactions — like communicating with a waiter in Spanish — create connections. He explained how knowing another language “opens more doors” and gives you a wider worldview. Swearing in Spanish “feels better,” he added, and jokes even “feel funnier.” Gian’s experience reflects what I began to realize when learning Spanish: Language becomes most valuable when you use it to connect with people. Google Translate can never fully capture the humor,

intention and personality you pick up when speaking the language yourself. Elena Arauz, a 21-year-old UF biology senior from Nicaragua, experienced a similar shift after learning English as a child. Although classes gave her a foundation in the language, she said using English outside the classroom offered an entirely different experience. “It’s one thing to learn it in the classroom when you have your textbook in front of you and you know what the person is trying to tell you,” Arauz said. “Whereas, coming to the states, and then if you go to Texas and then you’re still not very acclimated with the language and you hear that southern accent, it gets you for sure.” Even the language she uses to express herself can depend on the experience. Elena said expressing her feelings feels more natural in Spanish, while aspects of her university life can sometimes be easier to explain in English because that’s the language she associates with those experiences. Besides the communication benefits, research suggests bilingualism may be associated with greater cog-

nitive reserve, stronger executive functioning and a delayed onset of dementia. Learning a second language may also support memory and other cognitive functions. Some people believe it’s impossible to learn a new language, especially one so different from their native tongue, when they’re past a certain age. But learning a new language doesn’t belong exclusively to adolescence. According to Lourdes Ortega, a Georgetown University linguistics professor who studies language learning, adults may have the advantage when learning a language because they can be more intentional and disciplined about how they learn. Age can affect language learning, but meaningful exposure remains essential. Ortega argues learning can’t happen without being exposed to the language. Whether it be in childhood or adulthood, she encourages people not to limit themselves to learning just one language, because different languages can offer new experiences and perspectives. At 19, I’ve been testing that idea myself as I start a new language: Turkish. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don’t know

— and that only Shirin Khizzar makes opinions@alligator.org me want to learn more. Learning a new language doesn’t mean waiting for the perfect class, time or opportunity to live abroad. Sometimes learning a new language starts with opening Duolingo and practicing 10 minutes each day. I’m nowhere near having a conversation in Turkish yet; for now, I’m mostly just celebrating when I don’t get humbled by that green owl. With everything else competing for our time, learning another language can easily feel secondary. But learning one doesn’t mean becoming fluent within a year. You don’t need to learn how to discuss politics in Mandarin for your efforts to “matter.” Simply ordering at a coffee shop, understanding song lyrics or even making a stranger laugh in their native language is more than enough. Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/opinions. @Shirinkhizzar Skhizzar@alligator.org

The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator. The Alligator encourages comments from readers. Letters to the editor should not exceed 600 words (about one letter-sized page). They must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s name, classification and phone number. Names will be withheld if the writer shows just cause. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, style and libel. Send letters to opinions@alligator.org, bring them to 2700 SW 13th St., or send them to P.O. Box 14257, Gainesville, FL 32604-2257.Columns of about 450 words about original topics and editorial cartoons are also welcome. Questions? Call 352-376-4458.

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1. Muhammad Ali.

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7. Dick, with eight points (Tom had five points).

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5. 68 feet (20.72 meters).

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2. Robert Parish.

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MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2026 www.alligator.org/section/sports

FOOTBALL

Jon Sumrall announces Aaron Philo as expected Week 1 starting quarterback THE REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE WILL TAKE THE FIRST SNAP OF THE SEASON AGAINST FAU By Riley Orovitz & Ava DiCecca Sports Writers

After a monthslong quarterback battle in The Swamp, Jon Sumrall announced Aug. 24 that he’s preparing for Aaron Philo to be the starting quarterback Week 1 against Florida Atlantic. “Philo will get the lion’s share of reps with the ones as we start to try to create cohesion within our football team to be ready for game one,” Sumrall said. “Doesn’t mean Tramell [Jones Jr.] won’t get some with the ones … but as we prepare for game one, Aaron Philo, we are preparing for him to be the starter.” The decision to run with the redshirt sophomore for the time being comes after the Aug. 22 scrimmage, where Sumrall said Philo had the edge over his counterpart Tramell Jones Jr. He had no turnovers throughout

the scrimmage and recorded a rushing touchdown, sources reported. This marked a bounce back from the previous Saturday, when Sumrall said he thought redshirt freshman Jones had the advantage. “I thought he protected the football, made good decisions Saturday,” Sumrall said of Philo. “He had a good week last week.” Sumrall said he met with both of the quarterbacks Aug. 23, and both know where they stand in the competition. Philo, a transfer from Georgia Tech, came to Florida knowing he would be battling Jones for the starting role. However, he initially came in with a major advantage Sumrall said played a part in the outcome. Florida’s new offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner also came from Georgia Tech, giving the young quarterback familiarity with the system even as a newcomer. “[He] operated at the line of scrimmage at just a touch higher level and was more efficient. There’s no surprise to that in Spring because he’d been in the system and Tramell had not,” Sumrall said. “Tramell has improved a ton, but I still think we’re

able to operate the full offense at a little bit higher level right now with Aaron.” Philo also has familiarity with receivers Bailey Stockton and Eric Singleton Jr., who both spent time as Yellow Jackets before coming to Gainesville. His connection with Stockton dates back to high school. Philo spent his two seasons in Atlanta with Stockton following their two Georgia state championship titles at Prince Avenue Christian School in Bogart. Philo also has the edge over Jones with prior experience. He started one contest for Georgia Tech last season, completing 75% of his passes for 373 yards against Gardner-Webb. He made appearances in two other games during his sophomore campaign. Philo checked into five contests in his first season at Georgia Tech and logged 565 total passing yards. While Sumrall said Philo will start the season and take the majority of QB1 reps heading into the season opener, the competition remains tight. Jones shined last season during Florida’s bout with Kentucky with

Noah Lantor // Alligator Staff

Florida quarterback Aaron Philo (12) prepares to run a play during the Orange & Blue Spring Game, Saturday, April 11, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.

Florida’s former starter DJ Lagway on the bench. He played the entire second half, going 9-of-17 for 60 yards in his second and final appearance of the year. With the two quarterbacks having

similar, limited experience, Sumrall noted there was a chance he’d turn to both throughout the season. “It’s not something permanent … The guys will rally behind both,” Sumrall said. “For Tramell, it’s not like you’re being relegated or demoted and forgotten. This is not fatal. I believe in Tramell Jones. I’m a believer; I’ll go to battle with that dude. I'm fired up about both of them. I just feel like right now, it’s where we need to go with the decision.” With a decision made — but still volatile — Florida’s season looks a little more certain as it hits the home stretch before the first snap. And with two capable, improving quarterbacks in their arsenal, the Gators set their sights on the first season of the Sumrall era. “I’m excited about the room,” Sumrall said. “The good news is both of them have elevated their play. Love both of them … and grateful for both of their approaches as we’ve gone through this.” @rileyorovitz rorovitz@alligator.org @avadicecca24 adicecca@alligator.org

SWIM

Florida swim returns for 2026-27 season after strong NCAA finish COMING OFF A SUCCESSFUL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON, THE GATORS ENTER THE FALL WITH A TALENTED GROUP OF NEWCOMERS AND A NEW SCHEDULE By Lily Perkins Sports Writer

Following a 10th-place finish for the Florida women and a runner-up finish for the men at last spring’s NCAA Championships, the Gators enter the 2026-27 season looking to maintain momentum while navigating significant roster turnover. Both men’s and women’s programs return to competition Sept. 26. The men open their season against Florida Atlantic and Nova Southeastern in Boca Raton, while the women travel to Nashville for a dual meet against Vanderbilt. This season marks the beginning of a new chapter for Florida after the departure of several of last year’s key contributors. The men lost Eric Brown, Koen de Groot, Charlie Hutchison, Aleksas Savickas and Josh Liendo and the women saw Anita Bottazzo enter the transfer portal last spring. Bottazzo was a heavy contributor to the women’s success at Southeastern Conference Championships in 2026, adding 248 points to

the team’s total and winning the 100- and 200yard breaststroke. Bottazzo was also a seventime All-American and earned second place in the 100-yard breaststroke at the NCAA Championships. Liendo headlines the Gators’ departures as one of the program’s most accomplished swimmers in recent years. A two-time Olympian, 26-time All-American and owner of 15 career NCAA titles, including nine individual championships, Liendo leaves behind a decorated career.. He was also named the 2026 SEC Male Swimmer of the Year and the CSCAA Co-National Swimmer of the Year. Although Florida has yet to officially release its full 2026-27 roster, the program has announced several notable additions to both teams. The men’s incoming group includes Olympian and Texas transfer David Johnston, Auburn transfer and All-American Abdalla Youssef, freshman breaststroke specialist Liam Smith, European Junior champion Zoltan Bagi, South African butterfly specialist Tai Pearson and 2024 Olympic Trials qualifier Santi Alzate. On the women’s side, Florida has added talent across the levels. French Junior National champions Carla Serra and Maeline Bessard will join the program alongside South Korean swimmer Bomin Kim, who is expected to provide significant depth to the middle distance group. Italian swimmers Valentina Procaccini

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and breaststroke specialist Francesca Zucca are also set to join the roster, along with 2024 Olympic Trials qualifier Maddie Moreth. While Florida will welcome several new faces, the women’s team will also see the return of an experienced group of leaders. Senior Catie Choate enters the season as a five-time AllAmerican and SEC champion in the 200-yard backstroke, joined by fellow team captains Sofia Plaza and Jojo Ramey. Two-time All-American Michaela Mattes, four-time All-American and Olympian Julie Brousseau and SEC Championship silver medalist Grace Rabb are also key returners. The men’s team will be led by team captains and SEC Champions Scotty Buff, Devin Dilger and Caleb Maldari. They will be joined by experienced returners like six-time All-American Alexander Painter and the 2026 SEC Male Freshman Swimmer of the Year, Ahmed Jaouadi. The team will be led by a coaching staff that remains intact under head coach Anthony Nesty, who enters his ninth season leading the program and his 29th overall with Florida. Nesty was recently named one of six finalists for the American Swimming Coaches Association George Haines Coach of the Year Award. Florida has also added Chelsea Piper as an assistant coach. Piper joins the Gators after seven seasons at Vanderbilt, including two as an associate head coach. During her time with the Commodores, the women’s program set 15

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school records. Florida’s early-season schedule offers several opportunities to gauge where the roster stands. The Gators open SEC competition Oct. 2 against Kentucky before facing Virginia Oct. 17 and Georgia Oct. 30. Virginia presents one of the schedule’s toughest tests, particularly for the women. The Cavaliers are coming off their sixth straight NCAA championship, and Florida hasn’t defeated Virginia the last four times they’ve faced off. Florida’s men, however, have won all four most recent meets with the Cavaliers. The annual SEC rivalry meet against Georgia will close out October. Florida swept its most recent dual meet against the Bulldogs, with the men winning 191-154 and the women earning a 194-145 victory. The Gator men hold a 9-3 alltime record against Georgia, while the women are 8-3. Florida will conclude its fall competition in mid-November at the Georgia Invitational in Athens before a select group of swimmers moves on to the U.S. Open Championships in early December. With a mix of returning talent and new additions, the Gators’ fall schedule will provide an early look at how the team will fare heading into championship season.

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

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