Out-of-state students express concern for UF’s proposed tuition hike
TRUSTEES AGREED TO INCREASE CURRENT STUDENT FEES BY 5% AND INCOMING STUDENT FEES BY 15%
By Swasthi Maharaj Alligator Staff Writer
UF Board of Trustees met June 11 to decide whether to approve a 15% fee increase for out-of-state and international students. This initial proposal would have raised nonresident fees by 25% in two years.
However, at the meeting, Chair Mori Hosseini proposed a revision of the initial proposal, raising the fees of nonresident students who had been at UF for at least one year by 5% and those of incoming students by 15%.
The proposal came less than a year after UF approved a 10% increase in out-of-state and international students’ fees. According to UF’s May 8 notice, the increase is intended to help offset rising instructional and operational costs while keeping the university competitive with peer institutions.
According to UF’s 2024-25 Common Data Set, nearly one in five first-year students come from outside Florida. The data shows international and out-of-state students compose over 12% of undergraduate students.
UF’s proposal also came amid broader state efforts to limit nonresident enrollment in public universities.
In February, the House Budget Committee approved a proposal by Rep. Jennifer Kincart Johnson, R-Lakeland, that would require Florida’s state universities to reserve 95% of new Fall enrollments for in-state students —
dropping out-of-state admission from 10% to 5%.
The proposal came alongside UF’s pause on out-of-state and international transfer students. The pause was meant to last two weeks, but has now lasted over two months.
Lexline Johnson, a 20-year-old computer science junior, is an instate student. She believes any tuition increase should apply only to future students rather than to current ones.
“I feel like it is unfair to out-ofstate students since they agreed to attend UF under the impression of a different tuition rate,” she said. “Now that tuition rate is increased, that might not be in their budget anymore.”
Fran Edwards, a 23-year-old UF political science PhD student from Arkansas, said she believes in-state students have contributed to Florida’s economy — and should have lower tuition because of it.
Edwards said she doesn’t understand the tuition hike’s timing. It’s a decision that may force students to transfer, she added.
“I just think it’s completely unfair to pull the rug out from under so many students,” she said.
Still, the debate isn’t just about money to Edwards.
Edwards said UF should want to support a diverse student body, as it offers such a diverse course catalogue. Considering Florida is one of the most diverse places in the U.S., she said, the school should aim to have students with unique perspectives.
Edwards, who will be teaching a political science discussion section in the Fall, said students’ personal experiences can often
and international students about future costs and potential enrollment limits.
Presidential finalist Stuart Bell moves to final stage of UF presidential selection
FOLLOWING UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, BELL AWAITS THE FLORIDA BOARD OF GOVERNORS
By Logan McBride Alligator Staff Writer
With the UF Board of Trustees’ unanimous approval of finalist Stuart Bell June 10, UF took one step further in its presidential approval process for the candidate.
The vote pushes Bell to the final stage of the pro-
cess: getting approval from the Florida Board of Governors. The board rejected the last presidential finalist, Santa Ono, less than a year ago, in part due to his record of diversity, equity and inclusion.
During the two-hour meeting June 10, the Board of Trustees asked Bell a series of questions regarding DEI, athletics and fundraising, while defending several criticisms of the selection.
Board Chair Mori Hosseini delivered a passionate message to Bell’s detractors encouraging them to put politics aside and consider UF’s students, faculty and
SEE BOARD OF TRUSTEES, PAGE 4
Discover the Hidden Gem of Downtown Gainesville, featuring beautifully appointed guest rooms and private cottages. Only 19 blocks from campus with free parking and an elevated breakfast included.
Anenaa Kumar // Alligator Staff
With UF increasing tuition fees for out-of-state students, there is an added fear for both out-of-state
ACPS rezoning changes to impact thousands of students
THE CHANGES COME AMID DECLINING ENROLLMENT IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
ACROSS FLORIDA
By Logan McBride Alligator Staff Writer
Alachua County Public Schools mailed a series of letters to families across the county in May, signaling a new chapter for the district — and thousands of students within it.
The letters notified families whether their student would be rezoned to a new school for the 202627 academic year.
The rezonings come as part of the district’s “Our Schools — Future Ready” plan, which seeks to rightsize and consolidate schools so they operate at capacity. Three elementary schools will close as part of the plan, including Foster Elementary School, which closed at the end of the 2025-26 academic year
Around 3,200 students were rezoned to a new school for the 2026-27 academic year. More than 28,000 students were enrolled in the district during the 2024-25 school year.
For Isabel Wood, a rising junior who spoke during a June 2 school board meeting, the changes may relocate her from Buchholz to Gainesville High School and potentially change the course of her academic journey.
“I am in the top 10% of Buchholz High School, and I’m on the Advanced Placement track,” Wood said. “I’ve already taken seven AP courses, and I plan to take five more. However, half of my courses will not be at GHS.”
Wood said Gainesville High School is more focused on its Cambridge Program, a magnet program she would be ineligible to join. Wood was set to be the president of three clubs at Buchholz, she added, an opportunity she’d lose if relocated.
For her mother, Lisa Ortega, the impact extends beyond academics.
The family currently lives within walking distance of Buchholz, a choice Ortega said was deliberate.
“I had to move in 2022, and because of my children’s academic performance and other interests, we chose Buchholz,” Ortega said. “That was my number one priority when I was choosing a home.”
Ortega’s other daughter, Olivia, will also be impacted by the change. Like her sister, Olivia is an AP student at Buchholz. Ortega said Olivia accumulated awards, became third chair in the Buchholz band and planned on playing in the Spring and Symphony Orchestra, something that isn’t offered at Gainesville High School.
Given the family’s close proximity to Buchholz, Ortega said the rezoning letter came as a surprise. The change would force her daughters to rely on buses to go to a school farther away.
During the June 2 board meeting, ACPS Board Chair Thomas Vu requested information about the family’s neighborhood, which was not disclosed during public comment. It’s unclear if any changes will be made to the newly approved boundary maps.
For Brianna Jones, a 37-year-old Gainesville resident, the rezoning was disappointing for her and her son, a rising junior at Buchholz who is now zoned for Gainesville High School.
“I wish that we could have advocated more going to the school board meetings,” Jones said. “I wish our voice was louder than it was.”
Last year, Jones and her son moved to an area off of Southwest 20th Avenue zoned for Buchholz. Her son, who was entering his sophomore year, switched to Buchholz after spending his freshman year at Eastside High School. Jones said she had concerns about Eastside and did not want her daughter to attend the school.
Jones said her son expressed several worries about going to a third high school in just three years, but she’s unsure if they’ll be able to find success through zoning
exemptions. The family has struggled with getting exemptions in the past, Jones said.
Families can apply for zoning exemptions, which allow students to attend a school outside of their zone if they meet certain criteria laid out in School Board Policy.
Under the policy, students are eligible for exceptions under five umbrellas: students with parents employed by the board, students entering their final year at their current school, a change in primary residence, specific requests and hardship placements.
Hardship placements are used when a student’s attendance at their zoned school creates a documented hardship for the family. Students may apply for an exemption if they have a documented medical or psychological condition requiring attendance at another school or if they’re a victim of violent crime at their school.
ACPS spokesperson Jackie Johnson said the district did everything it could to minimize change for students in the county.
The district worked in tandem with a local planning firm, JBPro, which has expertise in similar projects across the state, Johnson said.
The primary factors the district considered, she said, included balance across the district, the age and condition of school facilities, major roadways and the walk zones for schools.
Under Florida law, students within “reasonable walking distance” of their school, which ACPS deems two miles, are expected to find transportation alternatives to school buses.
Despite the district’s efforts to limit the impact of the maps, they still yielded changes for families.
“This is something that’s happening not just in school districts across Florida, but across the country,” Johnson said. “This is happening in many places and school districts are having to make tough decisions.”
Public schools across Florida have faced similar stressors, causing them to consolidate and rezone. Districts have struggled with declining enrollment due to emphasis on private education, declining fertility rates and immigrant families’ fear of enrolling their children in public schools.
Johnson said students entering their last year of education at their current school should consider applying for a zoning exemption. Students entering fifth, eighth or 12th grade are considered eligible for an exemption.
Parents can apply for exemptions anytime, Johnson said, but their desired school may run out of space the longer they wait. The length of their wait to hear results depends on when they apply, she added.
For families unable to get exemptions, a new reality will take place. When school starts in August, these students will navigate unfamiliar hallways, routines and classes as they adjust to the district’s new school boundary lines.
Alligator strives to be accurate and clear in its news reports and editorials. If you find an error, please call our newsroom at 352-376-4458 or email editor@alligator.org 352-376-4458 NEWSROOM:
Anenaa Kumar // Alligator Staff
Next year’s Hoggetowne Medieval Faire to be held at Gainesville Raceway
THE NOW-TICKETED EVENT WILL EXPAND TO TWO WEEKENDS AND INCLUDE JOUSTING
By Teia Williams Alligator Staff Writer
Each January, people in the Gainesville community put on their capes and unsheathe their swords as they transport back in time to the 16th century.
The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire has brought magic and whimsy to Gainesville since 1986. It annually brings the city back to the olden days with stage acts, a royal procession and snacks to feast on.
Its longstanding location was the Alachua County Fairgrounds, but it was uprooted when the property transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve. It has since moved to different locations, from the old YMCA complex on Archer Road to Depot Park in recent years, with some locations causing the event to become smaller due to location size. In 2027, it will return to its roots as a large-scale event, this time at the Gainesville Raceway.
At its meeting June 8, the city commission voted unanimously for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department to move forward with a contract that will allow the faire to be held at the Gainesville Raceway, located northeast of the city. It will look very similar to pre-
vious years, transitioning back to a ticketed event spanning two weekends. Ticket price hasn’t been decided yet, but it can be expected to be between $20 and $25.
The venue change will increase the cost to host the event by nearly $500,000. The department said it expects 92% of its funding to come from ticket sales.
“The event works better at a large outdoor space,” Mayor Harvey Ward said. “Where there is plenty of room for parking, plenty of room for vendors, plenty of room for all the things that ought to happen at the medieval faire.”
The Hoggetowne Medieval Faire was held at Depot Park for the last three years. The venue change forced the event to be run on a smaller scale than usual due to the limited acreage, which left it joustless among other cuts.
This year, the joust and other familiar acts will return to the faire.
When the faire was located at the Alachua County Fairgrounds, it ran for three weekends and had room for 120 vendors and 10 entertainment stages. It moved down to 80 vendors and six stages at Depot Park.
Now, at the raceway, the faire will be reminiscent of its earlier years, with room for over 100 vendors and 10 stages.
Two recurring issues with the downtown location were parking and traffic.
Laurie Morgan owns Fun Time Foods, known as Faire Foods at the faire. She’s been a vendor with the
Gainesville Raceway is located along 39th Street in northeast Gainesville, Fla.
event since 2011, and she said she’s happy to have a better parking situation because it’s been difficult the last few years.
“The parking and the traffic flow will be 100 times better than what it has been at Depot or out there at Archer Road,” Morgan said. “I would get there [Depot Park] at six, just so even in the vendor parking area, I would have a place to park.”
Depot Park boasted limited parking spots, and traffic backed up during the event. At the raceway, the event is expected to have a solid traffic operation. The raceway annually hosts the NRA Gatornationals, a four-day drag racing event that attracts over 100,000 guests. Traffic is
and Cultural Affairs Department was happy to get access to the location. It is wheelchair accessible and offers plenty of paved open space for everyone to stroll through, she added.
Miranda West has performed in the faire since 2003. It is where she met her husband and where her kids now perform. She performs the living chessboard every year.
“I’m excited for there being more opportunities for people to come and experience all of the magic,” West said.
Since it will be extended to two weekends, she said they will be able to perform more and hone in on their craft throughout that time. And now that there is more time, she said she has the chance to see some of the other acts.
directed by staff into the venue parking and the exit.
“They knew how to control the traffic on that little two-lane road,” Morgan said.
The event’s move to the raceway has been a conversation since 2023.
Insurance issues deterred the agreement, but they were resolved this year, said Sunny Andrei, the faire director.
“We did a site tour,” Andrei said. “We looked at the property to make sure that it would fit what we needed as far as space and parking and all the logistics side of things. And it was great. It’s a wonderful site.”
Even though it took some time, Andrei said the Parks, Recreation
Having two weekends gives everyone time to enjoy it, including everyone working the faire.
“We have a lot of friends who travel the circuit, and we get to see those people at that time,” West said. “It’s kind of a big family reunion in some ways.”
The faire will host a school day on Jan. 22, where K-12 students can attend the faire with their school. Homeschooled students will also have the option to attend. Jan. 22 withwill also feature half-off prices as a “Family Friday” promotion. Next year, the faire will run from Jan. 22 to Jan. 24 and Jan. 30 to Jan. 31.
@teia_williams twilliams@alligator.org
Pollinator Palooza
Noah Lantor // Alligator Staff
Stuart Bell receives unanimous approval of BoT
employees.
“It is not about personal vendetta,” Hosseini said. “This board is not going to give in. We’re going to do the right thing.”
Even before the vote, Hosseini said the board was going to stand behind Bell, who was unanimously chosen by its 15-person search committee.
This comes after UF and Bell were criticized by several prominent figures for the presence of DEI programs at both UF and the University of Alabama, where Bell previ-
ously served as president.
Linda McMahon, the U.S. secretary of education, publicly pushed UF to fight DEI programs, which she described as “discriminatory.” UF responded on its official X account and said Bell will stand behind McMahon if selected and push back against DEI.
Hosseini addressed UF’s past implementation of DEI directly. While the university utilized it in 2020, he said, it was limited to a short period and was quickly dealt with.
“What should we do, go kill everybody on the Board of Governors?” Hosseini said.
“We had George Floyd — everybody was
hot; everybody wants to do something.”
After Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed back on the 2020 DEI measures, Hosseini said, the university realized it wasn’t doing what it was intended to do and began making changes.
Concerns over DEI weren’t limited to UF. Some individuals have expressed worries with Bell’s handling of DEI at Alabama.
Some advocacy groups pushed back on the selection leading up the June 10 meeting. Accuracy in Media, a media watchdog group, released video investigations into how well Alabama complied with federal
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Morteza “Mori” Hosseini interviews Dr. Donald Landry on his stance on antisemitism, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.
mandates to limit DEI.
Bell, who has faced criticism for DEI programs at Alabama, said that for decades, nearly every public institution had DEI programs.
The vision changed over time, he added, moving away merit-based systems and what DEI was originally intended for.
Once he saw how laws and the perception of DEI changed across the country, Bell said, the University of Alabama eliminated its DEI initiatives following a “top to bottom” review. An Alabama legislator who sponsored the laws changing DEI programs assured him the university’s efforts were sufficient.
“Let me be clear,” Bell said. “I am not coming to Florida to bring DEI or ‘woke’ back, period.”
Keith Perry, a recently appointed Florida Board of Governors member, said at the meeting that Bell has his full support after a one-on-one meeting between the two.
“His resume is pretty remarkable,” Perry said. “I looked at what he did personally, professionally, academically, administratively. I want to tell you I think we have a good choice.”
Perry’s endorsement signals support from at least one member of the Board of Governors, but he said he wasn’t speaking on behalf of the board.
Bell also received an endorsement from DeSantis through an X post.
In addition to answering questions about DEI, Bell also addressed questions about UF’s athletic programs, research funding and place in the academic landscape.
Bell said his experiences at Alabama and working with the SEC make him the most qualified presidential candidate in the country to navigate the ever-changing landscape of collegiate athletics.
Still, his priority remains on his “North Star,” he said: making Florida a top three public university.
While Alabama didn’t see much improvement in rankings during his tenure, Bell said Alabama grew in other ways. According to Bell, he oversaw the creation or renovation of 86 capital projects, such as athletics facilities and research buildings.
Alabama also became an R1 university during that time, Bell said, which recognizes significant research activity and is the highest classification given to doctoral universities in the United States.
Following the Board of Trustees’ unanimous approval, UF will begin negotiating an employment agreement with Bell and prepare to face the Florida Board of Governors for confirmation.
The board will meet June 24, and Bell’s formal ratification hinges on a June 25 vote. @logandmcbride lmcbride@alligator.org
UF votes on out-of-state tuition raises
shape classroom discussions.
“The benefits of diversity from an educational standpoint cannot be understated,” she said. “I think the state or the school wanting to limit this diversity is just in the long term going to be to the detri -
ment of the academic integrity of the school as a whole.”
At a pre-meeting May 12, Mori Hosseini, the chair of UF’s Board of Trustees, addressed the proposal. He asked the admissions office to provide assistance to out-of-state and international students in severe need of financial
assistance.
Ruchi Gali, an 18-year-old philosophy, politics, economics and law (PPEL) and psychology sophomore, is an out-of-state student from Texas.
Gali said she was surprised when she first heard the proposal, and she didn’t understand why it
was suggested, particularly when she learned the initial proposal was meant to impact people promised one price when starting at the university, she said. Gali believes the school’s diverse student body is an attribute, she added.
“I think it’s important to have
people from a lot of different states come to the school and contribute to its diversity,” Gali said.
Trustees voted on the proposal June 11 at Emerson Alumni Hall.
@s_maharaj1611 smaharaj@alligator.org
Bayden Armstrong // Alligator Staff
MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026
www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue
Olivia Rodrigo defies expectations in ‘you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love’
THE SINGER’S THIRD ALBUM WAS RELEASED JUNE 12
By Mackenzie Haas
Avenue Staff Writer
Olivia Rodrigo has swung her way back into the music industry with her new album. Despite one of her new tracks being titled “stupid
FOOD & DRINK
song,” the new record is anything but stupid.
Olivia Rodrigo released her highly anticipated third album, “You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love,” June 12. The album features a total of 13 songs, with one song, “What’s Wrong with Me,” featuring fellow musician Robert Smith, the frontman of post-punk band The Cure.
The album is truly unlike an-
ything the 23-year-old singer has delivered in her past two albums, “Sour” and “Guts.” It consistently delivers an original sound unique from both Rodrigo’s own work and her musical peers’.
Rodrigo’s third album incorporates a mixture of slow, sad melodies colliding with upbeat tunes. Numerous times, such as on “Stupid Song” and “Purple,” I thought the song would remain backed by a
piano and sung solemnly. But soon enough, drums slowly beat in the background, a guitar began to shred and the atmosphere of the song suddenly and seamlessly shifted.
The curation of the album is complex and exciting, with so much variety within each song. Each song sounds entirely different than the last one, standing out in its own way and making the experience an absolute whirlwind.
The Paper Cup delivers a Gainesville special to Waldo
PAPER BAG DELI IS OPENING ITS FIFTH STORE IN MID-JULY
By Jack Jankowski Alligator Contributing Writer
Five stores in five years. That was Richard Sterck’s goal when he opened The Paper Bag Deli in Gainesville in February 2022.
El Caimán
The locally owned deli is expanding outside Gainesville for the first time, achieving its five-store goal. Sterck’s new store, The Paper Cup, featuring the chain’s first drivethru and coffee bar, is scheduled to open in Waldo by mid-July.
Its most recent location opened in Magnolia Park in January 2026.
Sterck said he’s excited about the new location.
“I really love the hometown feel,” he said.
Gainesville Latin restaurants host World Cup watch parties. Read more on page 7.
The Paper Cup will sit just off U.S. 301 in Waldo, setting up shop in what used to be a Hardee’s.
Waldo is a 2-mile-long city with a population of over 800, according to the 2020 census. Without its own fire department or police station, the town is predominantly a small drive-through town, collecting traffic as travelers move among Ocala, Gainesville and Jacksonville.
Despite the location’s small population,
The new release tells the story of the ups and downs of falling in and out of love, following one of Rodrigo’s own relationships. She split the album down the middle into two parts: those “ups” and those “downs.”
Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/the_avenue
mhaas@alligator.org
Sterck expects this to be his busiest store. The Paper Cup will feature the chain’s first drive-thru, which he believes will help drive business.
excited about,” Sterck said. “From Ocala to Jacksonville, there’s a lot of people that work and drive both ways.”
Gainesville artists celebrate their queerness through their crafts
MEET ARTISTS MAKING HAND-MADE SOAPS, JEWELRY, MIXED-MEDIA WORKS AND LEATHER GOODS
By Brandy Sumner Avenue Staff Writer
Queer artists across Gainesville came together to celebrate Pride Month through their creativity at the Queer Makers Market at 4th Ave Food Park June 7.
Making everything from glass-bead jewelry to leather bags, these four businesses brought pride to life with their crafts:
Community connections
After eight years working at UF, Kiersten Allison felt she needed a change in her life.
A year and a half ago, the 33-year-old leatherworker opened her own business, Hide & Chic Leatherworking, using recycled and refurbished leather to create goods like bags and charms.
Allison said part of her inspiration came from her equestrian background and the amount of waste produced by the industry.
“I really wanted to be a part of a local Gainesville community, offer something that isn’t already being offered,” Allison said. “And sustainability is also very important.”
After leaving the university due to burnout and the feeling that inclusivity was no longer welcome, she found community in Gainesville’s art and maker scenes.
Allison said she finds the community consistently collaborative and supportive of her and her work, offering help whenever needed.
Queerness is a big part of the community, she added, and she’s had the chance to meet other queer people at markets and art-centered events.
“Everyone who crafts here and goes to markets is just so lovely and wholesome and supporting,” Allison said. “I’ve never had a bad experience anywhere in Gainesville [at] any markets.”
Family bonds
Sister duo Erin Beardslee and Caroline Hendryx started their
AWARENESS
Isabel Kraby // Alligator Staff
The Bead Bandits co-founder Erin Beardslee chats with a customer at the Queer Makers Market Sunday, June 7, 2026, at 4th Ave Food Park in Gainesville, Fla.
business, The Bead Bandits, a year ago. It’s been growing ever since.
Beardslee, a 33-year-old communications and grants specialist, said the business is the perfect way to connect with her sister while doing something she’s passionate about.
“Jewelry plus the love for making art and crafting, especially for other people, combined into this passion and now business,” Beardslee said.
The siblings use glass beads to create small hand-stitched pieces of jewelry. The pieces include a wide range of subjects, from flags to natural things like worms and plants.
Beyond family bonding, Beardslee and Hendryx also connect with the Gainesville community through their art, talking to customers both online and in person at markets.
Beardslee said the crowd at the Queer Makers Market was the most engaged she had seen in a while.
“They were stoked to be there,” Beardslee said. “Excited to support other queer makers or just queer makers in general.”
Science and art
For Louise Ball, a 46-year-old scientist working at UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute, soap-making has become an es-
cape from work.
Ball started making soap as a hobby three years ago, and it has since blossomed into a business. She sells small-batch soaps through her business, S.O.A.P. Soapworks — S.O.A.P. being an acronym for her four cats’ names.
“I think, because I’m a scientist, I enjoy the aspect of the chemistry of soap, so I really got into it for the chemistry,” Ball said.
But the artistry and community have kept her coming back.
Ball feels the artist community in Gainesville and other parts of Florida has allowed her to express her queerness and have fun in the process.
“I feel like I can more authentically embrace that side [of me] in the soap,” Ball said. “And I have lots of fun making the pride soaps and stuff like that.”
Outside the box
Drew Marotte has been an artist his entire life.
Marotte creates mixed-media art pieces for his business, Askew Art by Drew, and regularly tables at art markets throughout Gainesville.
The 50-year-old artist works as a music teacher and previously taught dance. Marotte embraced his current medium when dance and music were no longer readily available, especially during the pandemic.
“I could no longer shape people and create visual art with people in dance,” Marotte said.
Marotte uses a variety of styles and mediums in his art pieces and said no two of his creations are the same. His pieces mix acrylic and watercolor paints with textural elements like clay or plaster.
Marotte often shares a booth with his husband, Chad Tittle-Marotte, a 40-year-old embroidery artist whose own business is called Chad To Cart.
For the two artists, queer-maker events feel like home and offer a sense of safety that might not be found at similar events.
“I think that a lot of my art is very informed by thinking outside the box,” Marotte said. “Both neurodivergence and queerness represent being able to make your own rules.”
bsumner@alligator.org
Open Mic Poetry Nights commemorate Gun Violence Awareness Month
IMPACT GNV INVITED SPEAKERS TO SHARE THEIR STORIES AT RELEASED REENTRY WEDNESDAY NIGHT
By Brandy Sumner Avenue Staff Writer
Tucked behind the Released Reentry building, mismatched chairs were set up around the basketball court-turned-makeshift stage for the night’s poetry reading event.
June 10’s event was the second open mic night in a four-part series commemorating Gun Violence Awareness Month. The Open Mic Poetry Nights are hosted by Impact
GNV, a city initiative focused on gun violence prevention.
Brittany Coleman, who manages the city’s Gun Violence Intervention Program, said the idea for the events came from a question from the Impact GNV team: “What can we do to get people together in a way that’s powerful in the arts?”
They determined spoken word and poetry was the best way for people to share their thoughts on gun violence and their own stories.
Before the event officially started, children played basketball together while adults chatted and enjoyed snacks provided by Nest and Nibble, a charcuterie cafe that hosted the series’ first poetry night June 3.
The event was hosted in collaboration with Released Reentry, an or-
ganization dedicated to helping individuals returning home from prison with the difficulties of reentry.
Tracey Brown, Released Reentry’s board president, said the event was the perfect opportunity to bring awareness to the struggles of formerly incarcerated people.
“We are a part of the collaborative ecosystem in the community,” Brown said, “so when events take place, we are a part of it.”
Released Reentry hosts its own poetry nights on the second Tuesday of each month.
The themes of the night’s performances weren’t limited to gun violence; many people shared other struggles, like their time in the prison system or battling past addictions.
Jared Folds, a 41-year-old com-
munity director and service coordinator, was the first speaker of the night. She read two pieces, including one titled “13” about the unfair treatment of incarcerated individuals.
“I’ve been writing my whole life,” Folds said. “It’s been a mechanism of healing for me.”
Part of the night’s program included poems submitted by currently incarcerated individuals, which were read aloud by Released Reentry staff members.
The poems touched on the individuals’ hopes for life outside of prison and the things they missed about their homes.
Mixed within the spoken word pieces were multiple songs and a dance performance. The performances included both humorous
songs and ones with more serious topics like religious beliefs or hardships in life.
Throughout the event, a notebook was passed around to create a “revolving poem” with each person adding two lines when it was their turn.
As the night came to an end, the poem was read aloud as a thank you to everyone who came. Its last line was, “The loudest sound after a gunshot is the silence it leaves behind.”
The Open Mic series has two more events planned this month: A youth night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Depot Park June 17 and a reading in Bo Diddley Plaza from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m June 24.
bsumner@alligator.org
El Caimán
www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman
From support to uncertainty: Immigration policy may be reshaping Latino support for Trump
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEYS HAVE NOTICED A SHIFT IN LATINOS’ ATTITUDES TOWARD THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION
By Kathia Montenegro & Aaron Zagal Alligator Staff Writers
Immigration attorneys report that many of their clients are experiencing longer case processing times, more application denials and growing fears about travel, detention and deportation.
About a third of Hispanic voters in the U.S. approve of Donald Trump’s performance in office, according to a recent poll published by the South Florida Sun Sentinel. In Florida, however, 44% of Hispanic voters approve of Trump’s performance in office so far.
Scot Silzer, an immigration attorney at SilzerLaw Chartered in Orlando, said he noticed changes in immigration cases almost immediately after Trump took office.
In addition to becoming longer to process, he said he has seen an increase in the number of denied applications.
"Many of those denials don't make a lot of sense, because they are not well supported,” Silzer said. “Sometimes it is like they give reasons that are completely wrong and nowhere found in the evidence presented.”
Cases involving visa eligibility based on an individual's achievements and professional status are being increasingly denied, he said.
Frustration with immigration policies has led some Latino clients to reconsider their political views, Silzer said. Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement, business and refugee policies have generally not benefited the La -
tino community, he added.
"I've seen a lot of people saying they voted for him originally and do not support him presently," he said.
Other immigration attorneys described similar concerns among their clients. Nadine Brown, who owns a law office in Winter Springs, Florida, said many people don’t engage with immigration policy until it directly affects their lives.
Brown said many individuals are often unaware of how the immigration system works until they or someone close to them becomes involved in it.
"A lot of clients are terrified, concerned," Brown said. "I don't think anyone has a really positive outlook … It's just been extremely destabilizing for people's emotions."
Personal experiences with immigration procedures can lead people to reevaluate their opinions on immigration policy and the officials responsible for it, she added.
"Until it impacts their life in a personal way, I don't think people have an opinion,” she said. “When it impacts them on a personal level, that’s when you see a shift."
Mazen Sukkar, who works with Sukkar & Associates in Hollywood, Florida, said many of his clients have intense emotional reactions to the current immigration climate.
"Many clients are not merely surprised," Sukkar said. "They are shocked, angry, fearful and depressed."
Concerns often extend beyond current immigration policies, he added, as even minor offenses or past arrests can impact immigration long after the incident occurred. Even minor, resolved criminal matters from years ago may be used as a basis for removal, detention and immigration benefits, he said.
"In the current environment, even old misdemeanors can create serious problems, including for long-time lawful permanent residents returning through airports or other ports of entry," Sukkar said.
Even immigrants who have followed legal processes for years are increasingly worried about travel and reentry, he added.
Sukkar said immigration policies reach beyond the courtroom and affect Latino families.
“When immigration policy is driven by fear, racial bias, national origin discrimination or political slogans,” he said, “real families suffer.”
kmontenegro@alligator.org azagal@alligator.org
Anenaa Kumar // Alligator Staff
Because of decisions by the current administration, the local hispanic community along with immigration lawyers are reflecting on the decision by some members to vote for Trump.
‘Soccer brings the community together’: Latin restaurants open doors
LOCAL LATIN RESTAURANTS
HOSTED WATCH PARTIES DURING THE OPENING WORLD CUP MATCH TO FOSTER COMMUNITY AND A PASSION FOR SOCCER
By Ornella Moreno Alligator Staff Writer
As the World Cup attracts the attention of millions of fans around the world, several Latin restaurants in Gainesville are becoming gathering places for soccer lovers.
When Mexico vs. South Africa opened the World Cup June 10, three Latino restaurants welcomed fans in and created spaces for them
to watch the game together.
Mexican restaurant Las Carretas on Second Avenue is one restaurant that will be hosting game showings for all World Cup matches.
Pedro Guadarrama, the owner of Las Carretas, said the idea came from this year’s World Cup hosts: Mexico, the United States and Canada. He thought it was a good opportunity to bring people from all countries together to watch the matches.
Because the World Cup only happens every four years, Guadarrama said, it’s an event to make the most of.
“It’s a time to spend time together, to talk, to get out of the work routine,” he said.
To Guadarrama, showing the
matches at the restaurants is a form of customer service, he added. The restaurant aims to offer a good experience, entertainment and a space to break from routine and connect with fellow soccer fans, he said.
“There are people who want to enjoy Mexican food, some margaritas, some guacamole and watching a soccer game,” Guaderrama said. “Well, that sounds interesting to me.”
Ricardo Cedillo, a 37-year-old roofer and Branford resident, came to Gainesville and even left work early to enjoy the opening match at Las Carretas.
Cedillo, originally from Aguascalientes, Mexico, said he thought it was important Latino restaurants
to World Cup fans
were showing the World Cup matches and, in some way, it feels like being at home.
“So we can come together more because Latinos are from many different countries,” Cedillo said. “To talk among ourselves and spend more time together, because that’s something that’s needed here in Gainesville.”
Agness Leslie, a UF African politics professor, enjoyed the game at Las Carretas with some friends.
Leslie is originally from Lusaka, Zambia, a country located in the southern part of Africa, which is why she was there excited to root for South Africa.
She said Las Carretas’ watch party was a wonderful opportunity for
people in Gainesville to celebrate a global event like the World Cup.
“Soccer brings the community together, no matter where you're from,” Leslie said.
She said it was nice to have so many people from so many countries come together to watch a game, even when their national team isn’t playing. Fans from Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela, the United States and other countries all enjoyed the kick start of the World Cup.
Read the rest online at alligator. org/section/elcaimain.
@ornellamorenom omoreno@alligator.org
MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026
www.alligator.org/section/opinions
‘Shaine
in Spain’:
If you’re even slightly considering studying abroad, do it
Besides choosing to attend UF, studying abroad was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
When I was younger, I was drawn to study overseas for an entire semester, regardless of which university I attended.
As it turned out, I landed at a school where many students stay on campus for both Fall and Spring semesters and usually opt for smaller Summer study abroad programs.
Despite the fact I needed to meticulously plan my schedule for the remainder of my degree, find my own housing, apply for a Spanish visa and leave all my friends who were staying in Gainesville, I signed up for a Madrid exchange program.
Yes, the first two weeks were tumultuous, to say the least. I missed my friends. I doubted myself. I questioned my decision. But those two weeks of insecurity and temporary loneliness were well worth it for the next four months.
I met people from all over the world — as far as Australia, Mexico and France and as close as New York City and Chicago. While I’m now oceans away from most of them, they’re lifelong friends.
We traveled together, studied together, went out together and laughed together. We talked about our good days and our
bad days — whether that be a job offer or a bad grade on an assignment.
There’s something deeply special about the bond between people who are far from home and choose to be each other’s family. It’s an incredible feeling to know you can form relationships with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
My Spanish also improved significantly.
When I first got to Madrid, I could barely check out in the supermarket using my Spanish. But by the end of the semester, I could understand people talking loudly on the phone, carry a conversation with someone on the metro and even use a bit of Spanish slang.
Beyond the friendships and cultural immersion, studying abroad was far more affordable than most students assume.
Because of UF’s exchange program policy that participants still pay UF tuition for the semester, I paid the same tuition I pay in Gainesville. And Madrid housing is also very comparable to Gainesville rental prices. So overall, the cost of tuition and board was remarkably similar.
Spain has a lower cost of living than the U.S., so my groceries and other daily expenses were actually less expensive than they would have been back at school. And through my on-cam-
The NCAA is in big trouble
The college sports world was flipped on its head June 8 when a Texas district court judge granted Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby a temporary injunction allowing him to play for the Red Raiders in 2026.
Sorsby violated NCAA gambling rules by betting about $90,000 throughout his career, including wagers on his own team and teammates while at Indiana in 2022.
The ruling came just days after the NCAA denied Texas Tech’s appeal of its decision declaring Sorsby ineligible. A dangerous new precedent has now been set that most fans, media members and coaches believe is an extreme threat to the integrity of the game.
This is not the first example this year of a player using the court system to override an NCAA ruling. Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss did so in March to get one more year under center for the Rebels.
While most legal cases against the NCAA — like Chambliss’ — revolve around confusing antitrust laws in the modern age of name, image and likeness policy, Sorsby’s case is
different.
His talented legal team, headed by Jeffrey Kessler and Scott Tompsett, framed Sorsby’s betting as a mental health disorder, claiming he has an anxiety condition that manifested in compulsive gambling. Kessler argued banning Sorsby from playing this season goes against the NCAA’s own rules for supporting players with mental health conditions.
According to ESPN senior writer Dan Wetzel, Texas district court Judge Ken Curry’s ruling wasn’t that Kessler’s argument was better than the NCAA’s. Rather, Curry found denying Sorsby the opportunity to play before his argument is heard in court will cause “irreparable harm.”
This is how the loophole works. Sorsby’s court date is scheduled for February 2027, two weeks after the national championship. By then, the arguments won’t matter. The season will be over, and his eligibility will be exhausted anyway.
The same is true for the Chambliss case. By the time the legal process runs its course, it’ll be too late.
pus job at UF, I saved for the extra travel costs, including plane tickets and accommodations for excursions and activities.
In addition to the financial side, UF offers programs across most colleges, from engineering to architecture and business. Depending on your degree, some programs require more advanced planning.
Shaine Davison opinions@alligator.org
The lessons I took from this experience will be ones I will keep for the rest of my life. I proved to myself I could embrace the uncomfortable and make my own community across the world.
So, even if you’ve only given studying abroad a fleeting thought, I encourage you to sign up.
Even if you are signing up alone and anxious, do it; the experience will change your life.
@shaine_in_spain
sdavison@alligator.org
“The NCAA is now the only known sports governing organization on Earth that has been barred from punishing someone for betting on their own team,” Wetzel wrote.
Few people appear to respect the NCAA’s law enforcement anymore. Players and lawyers know they can use the slowness of the legal system to draw their case out and get what they want. It’s not a foolproof plan, but it’s worked enough times that it’s become common practice.
When the news of Sorsby’s legal win came out, the college football world was in disbelief.
Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin said he was “stunned” and referenced the 1919 MLB Black Sox Scandal, where players on the Chicago White Sox accepted bribes to lose the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. Texas Christian University coach Sonny Dykes asked, “How is anyone ever going to trust the outcome of a game again?”
Schools like Nebraska and Georgia have instructed coaches to cancel scheduled games against Texas Tech — not just in football, but in any sport. It wouldn’t be surprising to see more schools follow suit.
The bottom line is this: Brendan Sorsby’s legal team has gotten away with the sports equivalent of murder. It is now reasonable to
The views expressed here are not necessarily those of The Alligator.
suggest any player can gamble on their own team — or break other rules, for that matter — and cry mental health disorder to avoid punishment.
Brayden Schultz opinions@alligator.org
With the legalization and seamless integration of sports gambling in recent years — especially targeted at high school and college-age men — it was only a matter of time before a scandal of this magnitude brought the integrity of sports into question. Yet this somehow feels like we’re only scratching the surface.
While Sorsby’s actions and subsequent lack of punishment reflect another spoke in the wheel of the NCAA’s loss of control as a governing body, it has much more deep-rooted implications for the future of sports integrity in general.
Cases like this can legitimately blow up the whole industry — and they aren’t going away anytime soon.
@schultzbrayden9 bschultz@alligator.org
The Alligator encourages comments from readers. Letters to the editor should not exceed 600 words (about one letter-sized page). They must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s name, classification and phone number. Names will be withheld if the writer shows just cause. We reserve the right to edit for length, grammar, style and libel. Send letters to opinions@alligator.org, bring them to 2700 SW 13th St., or send them to P.O. Box 14257, Gainesville, FL 32604-2257.Columns of about 450 words about original topics and editorial cartoons are also welcome. Questions? Call 352-376-4458.
Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle
How to Place a Classified Ad:
Donate your vehicle to help find missing kids and keep kids safe. Fast free pickup, running or not, 24 hr. response. No emission test required, maximum tax deduction. Support Find the Children Call – Call 1-833-546-7050 6-15-53-12
We Buy Houses for Cash AS-IS! No repairs. No fuss. Any condition. Easy process: Call, get cash offer and get paid. Call today for your fair cash offer: 1-321-603-3026 6-15-27-5
Classic Cabin in Cross Creek. 1BR Screened Porch Seasonal $1,650 per month harmonslandingfla1@gmail For Details. 7-6-26-4-1
CLASSIC CABIN IN CROSS CREEK 1BR, screened porch. Seasonal $1650 / mo. harmonslandingfla1@gmail.com for dtails. 7-13-26-4-1
1-833-641-6789 6-15-63-13
● 3BR/1BA HOUSE ● w/2-car carport w/storage for rent in Gainesville. 605 NW 32nd Pl $1500/mo. 1700 sq ft. Available now. Call 352-281-4528 7-6-26-4-2
392-0370 4-27-26-14-10
Planning to liquidate stereos, TV's, instruments and tools?
See Rich at Best He'll give cash for your jewels 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 8-12-13-14
Have zip code of property ready when calling! 6-15-109-15
When you're stuck out in Oz and you need cash to get home, click your heels three times and think of Best Jewelry and Loan. 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 8-12-13-15
BATH & SHOWER UPDATES in as little as ONE DAY! Affordable prices - No payments for 18 months! Lifetime warranty & professional installs. Senior & Military Discounts available. Call: 1-833-754-2465 6-15-102-15
the surfer's "Pawn Beach". 523 NW 3rd Ave 352-371-4367 8-12-13-16
⭐⭐ HELP SAVE AMERICA!⭐⭐ "Thou Shalt Not Lie." BANNERS ⭐ T-SHIRTS ⭐ HATS
Programs Include: TNR / Working Cat / Kitten Shelter Diversion Find More Information at http://ocgainesville.org/
District 2 – North Florida Al-Anon Family Groups
Help for the family and friends of alcoholics Find a local Al-Anon Meeting at our website: alanonfla2.org 12-1-15-16
Attention:
VIAGRA and CIALIS USERS! A cheaper alternative to high drugstore prices! 50 Pill Special - Only $99! 100% guaranteed. CALL NOW: 1-877-349-1243 6-15-31-16 STOP OVERPAYING FOR HEALTH INSURANCE! Reduce premiums and out-ofpocket costs while getting the coverage you need! Call now for a competitive free quote. 1-877-351-3442. Plus... Income based government subsidies are available for those that qualify! 6-15-80-16
1. U.S. STATES: Which state has the most national parks?
2. ANATOMY: Which blood type is considered to be a universal donor?
3. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which three signs of the Zodiac are considered to be Earth signs?
4. ROYALS: What was Queen Elizabeth's favorite dog breed?
5. GEOGRAPHY: Which continent has a mountain range called The Great Rift Valley?
6. MONEY: What is the basic currency of Russia?
7. TELEVISION: Which long-running TV sitcom features a dog named Comet?
8. MUSIC: How many strings does a standard violin have?
9. GAMES: How many title deeds does the Monopoly game have?
10. SCIENCE: What is the main cause of ocean tides?
Trivia Test Sports Quiz
1. A 1985 NHL game in which the Edmonton Oilers defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 12-9 has the record for total player points (goals plus assists) scored in a single game with how many?
2. Before it was renamed Connie Mack Stadium in 1953, the baseball and football arena in Philadelphia was known as what?
3. Kevin Mayer became the decathlon world record holder in 2018 competing for what country?
4. Name the New England Patriots linebacker who caught touchdown passes in Super Bowls XXXVIII and XXXIX.
5. What brand, established as a rubber tire manufacturer in Ireland in the 1890s, began making golf and tennis balls in the early 1900s?
6. Which Major League Baseball team fired manager Billy Martin after only one season despite winning 97 games in 1969?
7. Which Toronto Maple Leafs player had his No. 9 retired in 1934, the first time a professional athlete had a jersey retired in his honor?
MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2026
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
‘A Gator through and through’: Kaitlyn Davies reflects on her time at Florida
THE SENIOR MIDFIELDER SAID HER TEAMMATES DEFINED HER TIME ON THE FIELD
By Lily Perkins & Coral Uzgiden Sports Writers
When senior midfielder Kaitlyn Davies walked off the field for the final time in a Florida uniform, the reality of her college career ending had not fully set in.
Now back home in Wayne, New Jersey, Davies still finds herself reminiscing on her years with Florida’s lacrosse program.
“It feels like I’m gonna go back in the Fall,” she said. “I don’t think it’s gonna hit me until August.”
After four seasons, 83 games and two Final Four appearances, Davies left Florida as one of the most accomplished midfielders in program history. But when she reflects on her time with the Gators, what stands out isn’t her many accolades, goals or broken records. It’s the team.
“We were seriously all best friends,” Davies said. “I honestly wouldn’t change this group for the world.”
The 39-woman roster was a force on the
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
field, but still spent much of the year overcoming adversity. Finishing 15-4 and winning the Big 12 regular-season title, the team entered the NCAA Tournament with championship goals. However, a first-round loss to Denver took the Gators out and marked the first time in program history that Florida failed to advance to the second round of the tournament.
Despite the disappointing finish, the team's bond remained a highlight for many.
Sophomore attacker Clark Hamilton said its support system was one of the squad’s defining characteristics.
“I feel like we always had each other’s backs,” Hamilton said. “Whether something wasn’t going our way or whether we started off flat, we always had that positive energy.”
That culture was built in part by Davies.
Arriving at Florida her freshman year, she was surrounded by older players who set an example. Emily Heller, Maggi Hall, Ashley Gonzalez and Danielle Pavinelli demonstrated leadership and hard work. Despite rarely seeing the field her freshman season, Davies understood she simply had to work harder. Over the next three seasons, she began to fill the team’s gaps.
She transitioned from midfield to defense during her sophomore year as Florida made a
run to the Final Four. When the roster shifted again, she moved back to the midfield. Her priority remained with the team's success.
“Wherever my team needed me the most, I would be there for them,” she said.
Davies started all 19 games during her senior season, recording 31 goals, 10 assists, 48 draw controls, 23 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers. She took the No. 26 spot of all-time point scorers on the Gators Lacrosse leaderboard at 110 points and earned Big 12 Midfielder of the Year honors for the second consecutive season. Her formidable presence on the field also earned her an Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association AllSouth Region Second Team selection and USA Lacrosse All-American recognition in 2025 and 2026.
Looking back, Davies said she’s proud of what Florida accomplished in her four years. Her favorite memory is their 2024 Final Four run, which took place her sophomore year. It was her first Final Four experience and a moment she defined as “unforgettable.”
“There’s no better feeling than that,” she said.
Florida head coach Amanda O’Leary said Davies’ greatest strength lies in what she brought as a teammate.
Meet Tammi Reiss: the ultimate builder
REISS OWNED A NIGHTCLUB IN UTAH FOR 10 YEARS WHILE COACHING
By Colby Kistner Sports Writer
One word has followed Tammi Reiss through every stage of her career: builder.
From a standout college athlete at Virginia to the new Gators women’s basketball head coach, Reiss has kept the same poise throughout. Her journey started around 45 years ago when the Eldred, New York, native was in sixth grade. Geno Auriemma, Virginia women’s basketball assistant coach at the time, sent her an offer letter to Cathy Rush Basketball Camp. There, Reiss got a glimpse of what college and professional basketball were like. Fast forward to the late ‘80s, when UVA recruited Reiss. At that time, the school was on the fringe of the top 10 and had never won an Atlantic Coast Conference championship — or even appeared in the Final Four.
In her time playing for the Cava-
liers, she went to three Final Fours, even advancing to play for a championship in 1991.
Reiss wasn’t the only player on the team who went on to lead an SEC program. University of South Carolina women’s basketball head coach Dawn Staley recalls fond memories from playing alongside Reiss at UVA, highlighting how they could compete anywhere.
“We were both cut from the same cloth,” Staley said. “We built a chemistry that was unmatched for four years.”
Following her graduation from UVA, Reiss’ dad wanted her to play overseas. Instead, she dabbled in acting, attending drama school in New York. After starring in a few commercials, Virginia called her back, and she became an assistant coach.
However, the experience wasn't the same for the few seasons she was there.
“I wasn’t ready to be a coach, so I left after a couple of years,” Reiss said. “You were not going to talk me into doing anything, and if I wasn’t happy, I was going to move on.”
As soon as the WNBA was founded in 1997, Reiss jumped on
the opportunity, playing for the Utah Starzz for one season.
She was an assistant coach for the Starzz from 2001-02 while simultaneously running a nightclub. Following the team’s move to San Antonio, Reiss was fired midway through the 2002-03 season due to a 6-16 start. After taking a 10-year break from coaching to focus on running the Manhattan Nightclub in Salt Lake City, Utah, former San Diego State head coach Beth Burns recruited Reiss to an assistant coach role with the team in 2011.
Off the court, she also found acting opportunities whileworking in the WNBA.
Reiss’ first role came as a guest star in a 1999 episode of “Sister Sister” alongside former WNBA standouts Lisa Leslie and Rebecca Lobo.
In 2002, she played Vicki Sanchez in “Juwanna Mann.” There, she starred with a plethora of movie legends like Vivica Fox, Tommy Davidson, Eddie Murphy and Miguel Nunez Jr.
Nunez Jr., who played the main character of Jamal Jefferies, said Reiss’ background as a basketball player and actress made her stand out on set.
“She’s a Gator through and through,” O’Leary said. “What she’s given us off the field as a teammate and as a leader, they’re not as easy to quantify.”
That leadership became especially evident with younger players on the team. Davies wanted to fill an “older sister” role, providing them with support and encouragement on and off the field.
One of the factors in this, Davies said, was helping them adjust to life away from home.
"Most of our team is from the tristate area, and it's a hard move," she said. "I always wanted to make them feel like they had a family here, too."
As she prepares for her next chapter, Davies said her biggest piece of advice for the team is simple: enjoy every moment.
Davies’ accolades and victories will remain part of her legacy at UF. But the impact she hopes to leave behind is much more than that. As Florida fades in the rearview, one thing is certain: The freshman who once looked up to Florida’s leaders had become one herself.
“It’s good to work with people that already have that type of training, because they don’t come with all the excitement and trying to prove themselves that other actors do,” Nunez Jr. said. “She literally was actually better than a lot of the actors that were there.”
With “Juwanna Mann 2” in the works, Nunez Jr. said he is looking forward to working with Reiss again.
Reiss credited her time in the WNBA and work with the Utah Jazz for preparing her to be an assistant coach again.
“I got to watch who I thought at the time was the best [general manager] and leadership in the NBA,” Reiss said. “From a value standpoint, they could evaluate guys and get them to compete for championships where they didn’t have the salary cap all these other organizations had.”
She continued as an assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton from 2013 to 2015 and had the privilege of coaching elite Syracuse teams and eventual WNBA players from 2015 to 2019.
Reiss recruited Toronto Tempo guard Brittney Sykes from Syracuse, and she helped the team reach the national championship in 2016. She said it was the most talented team she’s ever coached.
“They were built different, they were dogs, they were New York, like grit and grime,” Reiss said. “They just willed themselves to the Final Four into the national championship game.”
Before she became Rhode Island’s head coach for seven years, people warned Reiss it wasn’t a good opportunity. But her building skills came to the rescue. This time, she searched outside the confines of the United States.
“I knew internationally is how we were going to build the program,” Reiss said. “I was going to bring an associate head coach with me who was going to bring lots of international talent.”
Reiss won three Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year awards at Rhode Island and led the Rams to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 1996.
There was more room for mistakes since Rhode Island isn’t a Power Four school, she said. Ultimately, every obstacle in Reiss’ life prepared her to coach the Florida Gators.
Read the rest online at alligator.org/section/sports. @colbykistner22 ckistner@alligator.org
www.alligator.org/section/sports Follow us for updates For updates on UF athletics, follow us on Twitter at @alligatorSports or online at www.alligator.org/section/sports.
IT IS EXPECTED TO BE THE MOST EXPENSIVE STADIUM RENOVATION IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL HISTORY
By Jeffrey Serber Sports Writer
The UF Athletic Association announced in a promotional video June 11 that it had received the green light to plan and develop a $1.45 billion renovation of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
“We are The Swamp, and now it’s our time to carry it forward,” said Laura Rutledge, an ESPN, ABC and SEC Network reporter and UF graduate who narrated the video. “To preserve what makes The Swamp unlike any other. This is The Swamp: Bigger, better, louder.”
Construction for the project — which is set to be the most expensive stadium renovation in college football history — is scheduled to begin following the 2026 season and is expected to be completed ahead of the 2030 campaign, just in time for the venue’s 100th anniversary. Florida is still set to host its home football games in the stadium during the project, with some sections closed off during specific phases.
Mori Hosseini, the UF Board of Trustees chair, released a statement June 11 with a price tag for the renovations. The total budget is an increase from the $400 million that was previously proposed.
“The UF Board of Trustees will be taking the first important steps today toward launching the long-awaited and much-anticipated renovation of our beloved Ben Hill Griffin Stadium,” Hosseini wrote. “This $1.45 billion project will breathe new life into one of the nation’s most iconic college football venues and elevate it into the premier collegiate athletic destination that sets the standard for everyone else.”
According to the project website, the renovations will be funded by capital reserves, private giving, project-generated revenues and financial mechanisms, including long-term debt, with approval from the Florida Board of
Noah Lantor // Alligator Staff
Fireworks explode over Ben Hill Griffin Stadium before an NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Florida, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2026, in Gainesville, Fla.
Governors.
Since its opening in 1930, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium has served as the home of Gators football. It was last renovated in 2003, adding 2,900 club seats and luxury suites. The upcoming renovation is expected to include wider concourses throughout the stadium, enhanced concession spaces, an upgraded sound system and scoreboard, and more restrooms.
Despite the changes, a handful of elements will be preserved, such as the capacity, orange wing walls at each corner of the stadium, the venue's bowl design and fan seating close to the action to maintain the noisy home-field advantage.
In April, UF Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said the Gators would maintain the stadium's capacity of 88,548, making The Swamp the largest stadium in Florida. The renovations were previously expected to reduce capacity to 84,399 to comply with updated Americans
with Disabilities Act regulations. Therefore, to avoid a loss of capacity, Florida is spending more on renovations and adding sections throughout the stadium, such as premium seating areas.
“This project represents an incredible opportunity to modernize and elevate the experience at one of the most iconic venues in sports while protecting the traditions that make it special,” Stricklin said. “We are excited about the momentum surrounding this project and what it will ultimately mean for our fans, studentathletes, and the future of Florida Athletics. The Swamp will be bigger, better and louder.”
The University Athletic Association said it will select Legends Global to serve as the Owner’s Representative, where it will guide strategic planning and project execution throughout the four-year project. This American venue management group represents over 450 venues worldwide and hosts 20,000 events an-
nually. Manhattan Construction Group and Hunt Construction Group will partner as the construction management team for the renovations.
According to the Associated Press, Stricklin said Florida began looking to upgrade the venue in 2018, but the process was delayed by COVID-19, turning the project from a shortterm fix into a long-term one.
UF generates $75 million annually from the stadium through ticket sales, concessions, parking and contributions, Stricklin said, making it the athletic department's most important asset. The remodeling is expected to add $65 million in annual revenue, bringing the total to $140 million.
“We can be really aggressive, and this will generate a lot of excitement, not only among fans but also among businesses that want to figure out how to be a part of it,” Stricklin said. “We can leverage that to not only help pay for the stadium, but we can also leverage that for NIL opportunities.”
Stricklin said projects within Florida's scope include Texas A&M’s $450 million renovations to Kyle Field from 2013 to 2014 and Penn State’s $750 million overhaul of Beaver Stadium, scheduled for completion in 2027.
According to the Associated Press, Florida officials toured Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Lambeau Field for inspiration to maintain the history of the venue while modernizing it for the future. The design ended up most resembling the renovations at Lambeau Field from 2012 to 2013, where the Green Bay Packers kept the lower bowl intact while making changes above it.
Season ticket holders will receive priority seating in the renovated stadium, with details of the priority seating system to be announced closer to the project's completion. Fans who are not season ticket holders will have the chance to express interest, join priority lists and explore future seating opportunities as inventory becomes available. Overall, the seat selection order will be announced by the Florida Gators Ticket Office at a future date.
