Errol Nelson weaves a blue ribbon around a palm tree maypole alongside 11 others during the Florida Emancipation Celebration at the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center in Gainesville, on May 24, 2025. Each year, attendees join together to plait the maypole in honor of Florida’s Emancipation Day, which occurred on May 20, 1865. Find this story on pg. 4.
UF’s $6 million RecSports complex hopes to redefine campus life
By Swasthi Maharaj Alligator Staff Writer
From pickleball’s growing popularity to post-Nationals basketball hype, the University of Florida has seen a growing demand for on-campus recreational sports sites in recent years.
The Flavet Outdoor Recreational Complex can meet it.
Interim President Kent Fuchs proposed the complex in response to the demand during his tenure as president. The project has been in the planning stages ever since and is intended to be fully functional by early 2026.
The plan includes six pickleball courts, two sand volleyball courts, three table tennis courts and lawn space, adding to the six existing tennis courts. The complex will be located on Flavet Field, near Tolbert residential area and fraternity row.
Marty Dempsey, RecSports
director of facilities and operations, said one of the initiative’s main goals was to replace facilities from the Broward Outdoor Recreational Complex, which was torn down to make room for the Honors Village.
“We were very committed to making sure that the student voice was heard loud and clear and was the biggest driver in what we put into the final design,” Dempsey said.
RecSports wants the complex to offer more than sporting grounds, he said. Its design includes a shaded pavilion, green space, lawn games and hammocks for UF’s athletic and non-athletic students alike.
“We are hoping that the whole area creates almost a Central Park vibe in the middle of campus,” he said.
While the complex is the only current RecSports initiative underway, Dempsey said other indemand facility plans may develop in the future.
Elly Beshears, a 21-year-old UF economics senior, has played beach volleyball for two years and serves as a social chair for the UF Beach Volleyball team.
“I’m super excited about that [the new complex], especially since sometimes it gets overcrowded at Southwest,” Beshears said. “You try and get a court available, showing up with your friends, but then you can’t get on one. With this initiative, sporting facilities will be made more readily accessible to the UF community.”
Jennifer Kennymore Royer, interim director of GatorWell Health Promotion Services, said the facility would have a positive effect on UF students’ holistic development.
“Physical well-being is an important aspect of overall wellbeing and has the potential to impact many aspects of well-being,
There are fewer transfer students at UF than first-time students
By Alanna Robbert Alligator Staff Writer
Enrollment at the University of Florida has steadily increased over the last two years. Since 2021, UF saw a notable rise in first-time student enrollment numbers. However, there is one group whose numbers continue to stay low: transfer students.
A smaller number of transfer students means fewer programs catered to them, leading to fewer chances for community compared to students who attend UF as freshmen.
In universities across the United States, transfers represented an average of 13.2% of 11.7 million undergraduate students in Fall 2023.
Transfer students at UF made up 18% of the 10,027 undergraduate students enrolled in Fall 2024.
By Koushin Unber Alligator Staff Writer
At the University of Florida, students juggle coursework, clubs, internships and research. But every Thursday in the Plaza of the Americas, the Gator Juggling Club offers the chance to juggle even more: rings, clubs, balls and scarves.
Juggling has the same effect on the brain as taking up an instrument, learning a new language or even ballroom dancing, according to Brain&Life. For students who don’t want more to think about, seeing a group of people throwing and catching colorful objects in Plaza while walking to and from classes is enough of an enticement.
Trey Gephardt, an 18-yearold UF business administration sophomore, is the club’s current president.
“It’s open to everyone,” he
said. “The awesome part of being in Plaza is that everyone’s just walking through their classes. A lot of people will stop by.”
Participants are not required to know how to juggle beforehand since one of the club’s main missions is to teach the skill, he said.
Alexis Hansen, a 19-year-old UF plant science sophomore, joined the club during her first week on campus. She said the club’s president at the time asked if she wanted to learn how to juggle as she walked out of Library West.
“I didn’t have anything after that,” Hansen said, “so I was like, sure. And here we are.”
Now, she’s the club’s treasurer.
If someone can catch a ball six times, they can juggle skillfully, Hansen said. Members often start juggling with scarves because they’re lighter and have longer “air-time” before moving to
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balls or clubs. New jugglers are ceremoniously crowned with a stack of three clubs when they successfully learn how to juggle.
Being a member of a juggling club is a great thing to throw into interviews, she said. The interviewers were surprised but reacted positively.
“It’s a nice way to break up the professional involvement things,” Hansen said.
However, juggling is not all the club offers.
Oliver Deng, a 19-year-old UF mathematics and computer science sophomore and secretary of the club, said the club also practices pen spinning, unicycling and kendama, a traditional Japanese toy that involves juggling a ball with a wooden handle.
“Juggling is just a nice, fun, low-commitment thing that I can do,” he said.
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TRANSFER, from pg. 1
Reasons for transferring
There are many reasons why people might choose to attend a community or state college instead of a university after high school.
Dan Rodkin, the associate vice president of student affairs at Santa Fe College, said some students choose state colleges because they aren’t initially admitted to their preferred university.
High costs associated with attending a four-year university also encourage students to start at community colleges. These options allow them to stay local to their own communities while being affordable and accommodating for students of many ages, he said.
“They live at home, they stay with family, they are responsible for family or they have children of their own,” Rodkin said. “Relocating to Gainesville to go to university is not an option.”
The transfer process
Most transfer students come from two-year institutions like state and community colleges.
After receiving an associate degree from a two-year college, a student can apply to transfer to a four-year university for a bachelor's degree.
UF received transfers from 29 Florida community and state colleges between
2014 and 2024, according to currently available data.
Santa Fe, UF’s neighboring four-year state college, is a popular first step for some transfers.
Thomas DuPree, a 20-year-old student, graduated from Santa Fe with an associate degree in May. DuPree will start at UF in Fall 2025 as a microbiology and cell science major.
DuPree was told it would be complicated transferring to UF, but he said the process was “a lot more streamlined” for him than what was explained to him. He used UF’s transfer degree guide to ensure he was taking the right courses at Santa Fe to meet both schools’ requirements.
He applied to UF in early March and was accepted to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in May.
look for community
On campus, a lack of clubs specifically for transfers at UF makes it difficult for them to find each other on campus.
Chloe Layton, a 23-year-old UF business administration alumna of the Class of 2025, transferred from St. Johns River State College in Orange Park, Florida, in Fall 2023.
The transfer experience can be overwhelming, Layton said.
“That experience is a lot of navigating a bigger campus, a bigger community,
more opportunities of ways to get involved,” Layton said. “It definitely had its challenging moments, but [it was] well, well worth it.”
Transfer students from nonresidential colleges outside Gainesville often miss out on the traditional freshman experience. Halfway through the typical college timeline, they must build their community from scratch and adjust to living in a new city, Layton said.
Most transfer-specific resources are managed by the individual colleges. First Year Florida is a university-wide course offered to all first-year students, regardless of transfer status. There are also orientation programs for incoming UF transfer students.
Layton met other transfer students through the UF Warrington College of Business transfer success seminar, including two friends who are now her roommates.
Natalie Flechas, a 22-year-old UF alumna, chose to attend a two-year college over starting at a four-year university because of financial reasons. She transferred from the College of Central Florida in Ocala.
“Even though you’re going into your junior year, it’s genuinely like you’re starting as a freshman because there are so many transitions,” Flechas said.
Throughout her time at UF, Flechas was not involved on campus because she was working but still secured internships and a job after graduating, she said.
Flechas said students at UF believe that in order to get the job they want, they have to be in clubs starting freshman year and have a perfect GPA.
“Just because you don’t fit that mold [does] not mean that you don’t have the access to and the same opportunities as them,” she said.
She graduated from UF in May with a bachelor’s in marketing and a minor in retail.
To help with the transition, UF would benefit from a university-wide mentor and mentee program for transfer students, she said.
Gators of Tomorrow, a UF leadership development club, accepts first-year transfer students to its cohort alongside freshmen.
Flechas said transfer students would appreciate the community of a club. There, they can find support and guidance from previous transfers, she said.
“It can be hard when you don’t have an example of someone who did it,” Flechas said, “and be like, OK, it’s not impossible.”
Transfer students have a place on campus but have to find it first, she said.
“We all belong here, we all got in here,” Layton said. “So just be able to enjoy the time you have here.”
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By Jack Vincent Alligator Staff Writer
In the beating Florida heat, community members and attendees visiting the Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center, kicking off the Florida Emancipation Celebration on May 24.
The event started at 9 a.m. with a march from Depot Park to the museum. The festival is part of the City of Gainesville’s monthlong “Journey to Juneteenth” celebration.
Kofi Horne performed with an heirloom drum he inherited. Visitors wandered between educational slideshows, history lessons, personal storytelling
performances and vendors.
Cathy Norman, a vendor and first-time attendee of the celebration, said everyone should celebrate history and focus on its positives.
“I think it would be great if the community came out and celebrated, not only with the organization, but with the vendors as well,” Norman said.
The celebration marked the anniversary of the emancipation of enslaved people in Florida.
On May 20, 1865, Union Gen. Edward McCook announced the Emancipation Proclamation in Tallahassee.
Zeriah Folston is the equal opportunity director for the City of Gainesville and one of the planners for the event.
“It took people who don’t look like African Americans to compel Lincoln and Lincoln’s own experiences to say, ‘Hey, you know what, it’s time that they have the opportunity to be free,’” Folston said.
Florida recognized the day as a celebration in 1997, reflecting the state’s efforts to honor African American history.
Charlie Jackson, a veteran who fought in the Gulf War, was in attendance.
“Being a soldier who served in combat, this is a great opportunity, leading into Memorial Day, to come into the museum,” Jackson said.
The museum was originally brought to Gainesville from Camp Blanding, a military reservation
and training base for the Florida National Guard, he said.
The Cotton Club Museum and Cultural Center is a not-forprofit corporation that preserves buildings on-site. The site was originally purchased by Mt. Olive Methodist Episcopal Church in 1995, but it’s no longer tied to the museum since it receives grant funding.
The Florida African American Heritage Preservation Network, which was organized in 2001, was founded by Althemese Barnes and assists in the preservation of African American culture. It receives grant funding to support the network's 30-plus African American museums and other projects.
Barnes asked museum
founder Vivian Filer to speak with Gainesville about having a citywide celebration.
“We want to plant the seed in as many minds as we can,” Filer said. “Emancipation is very important because it marks the time that people who have been in chattel slavery for over 450 years were finally free.”
Chattel slavery was a system where people were treated as property, she said.
“It means the sacrifices of my people are coming to light,” Filer said. “It means we get together at this age and say, ‘Thank you’ to the ancestors who lived the lives we can’t even imagine.”
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Ra'Chelle
from pg. 1
including stress management and social connection,” Royer said.
The complex is projected to cost $6 million. It’s funded through the President’s Office and the Capital Improvement Trust Fund, a special fund
used by Florida public universities to help finance construction and maintenance projects. The money comes from student tuition fees.
Jenna Cohen, a 21-year-old UF alumna and former treasurer of the UF beach volleyball team, said building the complex on UF’s main campus will help
students get more involved with sports.
“I feel like a lot of people got closer to outdoor activities when there was the one right by Broward, versus there only being courts that’s basically accessible only by bus or car,” Cohen said.
Connor Griffiths, a 22-year-old UF first-year medical student and former
vice president of the UF table tennis club, said the only facility for table tennis is at Southwest Recreation Center.
“Having somewhere else on campus that has tables would be awesome,” Griffiths said. “It’s nice that they’re spread out, too. Everyone that lives kind of in that area could have tables nearby.”
@s_maharaj1611 smaharaj@alligator.org
By Ailish Coughlin Alligator Staff Writer
North Central Florida is a hub of art and creativity, manifesting through its vast collection of antique stores. With so many to choose from, here are a few options to get you started on your antiquing journey.
Antique Emporium
Located off of I-75, the Antique Emporium is a staple in Marion County’s antique scene.
Guests are greeted with walls lined with cases of jewelry, collectibles, vintage pieces, clothes and furniture.
Lori Meade has managed Antique Emporium for the past 12 years. The emporium houses over 60 vendors at a time, Meade said, most of whom have been antiquing for years.
Consistency in vendors grants the emporium a reliable supply of goods that keeps customers coming back, she said.
The business also hosts younger vendors to provide a more modern, refined selection that may better appeal to college students, she said.
Lauren Jackson, a 21-year-old UF music education senior, visited the shop for the first time on May 15.
Jackson bases the quality of each antique spot on two things: variety and layout, both of which she found upon her first visit to Antique Emporium, she said.
“There’s a lot of cool things to look at,” Jackson said. “We’ve been here for an hour and a half, and we haven’t gone upstairs yet.”
The Antique Emporium is open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Waldo’s Antique Village
Waldo’s Antique Village is a hotspot for collectors’ items.
Standing tall in the Waldo Flea Market for the past 33 years, the store has a reputation of being one of the last major antique malls in Florida. With over 70 vendors, the antique barn sells antiques and collectibles.
Customers can find vintage jewelry, furniture, knick knacks and clothing, as well as collectible items such as toys, quilts and games.
Bryce Bowden, a 21-year-old Apopka resident, traveled with his two friends to visit after hearing about it on TikTok.
“We kind of bounce around a bunch of antique shops,” Bowden said. “Everyone talked about how this is one of the bigger ones in Florida, so we drove two hours down here to go check it out.”
After spending the afternoon sifting through the shop’s wares, Bowden said he’d be back for more.
Waldo’s Antique Village is open 10 a.m to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.
Nestled in downtown Gainesville, family-
owned antique furniture store Uniquities is a go-to for interior decor.
After retiring in Gainesville, owner Betty Freddes wanted to get involved in local business with her daughter.
“We looked around and realized there were no nice used furniture stores,” Freddes said.
She and her daughter now work to solve that problem. They’ve curated a hefty selection of upscale, unscathed vintage furniture. Customers can find paintings, tables, chairs, lamps, wall ornaments and other niche items to satisfy all their decorating needs.
Rustic wooden tables overflow with decorative trays, candles and antique books. Living room sets complemented by Victorianstyle mirrors showcase the decor potential.
Uniquities is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.
AUK Market
The AUK Market offers an alternative approach to antiquing where old meets new. Located next to Curia on the Drag, its artsy, eclectic vibe appeals to college students.
The store offers a thoughtfully arranged space where curated vintage clothing, accessories and locally sourced handmade pieces are displayed with care and creativity. Natural light fills the space, highlighting everything from handmade jewelry to retro Playboy magazines.
The woman-owned business provides a multi-dimensional front. The space continually transforms to host creative workshops, pop-up markets and art features.
The AUK Market is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day except Tuesday.
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By Swasthi Maharaj Alligator Staff Writer
For a large portion of students, college is both a blank slate of possibilities and a source of unspoken pressure pushing them to lead, excel and grow quickly.
To help incoming freshmen and current undergraduates figure it all out, five recently graduated students shared their messy, hard-earned experiences and some advice.
How important are grades, really?
Sayama Pospita, a 22-year-old UF biological sciences alumna from the Class of 2025, went to her first Gators football game during her senior year.
As a pre-med student, she placed a lot of emphasis on academics. But when she realized she’d never been to a Gators football or basketball game before and was about to graduate, she saw that she was missing out on her university experience. One of her biggest regrets was underestimating the importance of balancing a social life and good grades, she said.
“A lot of people in college focus a lot on trying to be the perfect student, but they should be focusing on experience as well,” she said.
While finding a balance between academia and social activities is important, Soluchukwu Okafor, a 19-year-old
UF nursing alumna from the Class of 2025, said grades shouldn’t necessarily be sacrificed for social endeavors.
Planning out her days allowed Okafor to find balance. It was critical when facing demands from academics, social activities and nursing student clinicals. “Definitely, that piece of advice that I was overlooking was planning your schedules and organizing your day to day,” she said.
Ashni Zaverchand, a 22-year-old UF biomedical engineering alumna from the Class of 2025, said that, while GPA is important for certain career aspirations, it’s often not the defining factor.
Professional experiences like interviews and career fairs better show your personality, which often has more merit than your college GPA, she said.
“I think employers are definitely leaning more toward your experiences over a number like your GPA,” Zaverchand said. “Those things will be what sticks with the recruiter or an employer or whatever opportunity it is that you’re trying to pursue.”
It’s OK to change what you want to do
Alyssa Grace Vegter, a 22-year-old UF Class of 2025 graduate, completed a bachelor’s in business administration, a master’s degree in international business and three minors. She started at UF interested in rushing a sorority and joining the school’s varsity swimming team — neither
of which she was involved with by the end of her college career.
“Try something new,” Vegter said. “You don’t have to be stuck anywhere.”
By the end of her senior year, she was involved in numerous clubs, including a surf and snowboarding club, skydiving club and a scuba diving experience.
UF is home to more than 1,000 student organizations, and Vegter said everyone should find something that they are interested in outside of their field of study.
“It really opens up your perspective and helps you detox from your core studies,” she said.
Maintaining a good support system
Alejandro Ortiz Lopez, a 23-year-old UF political science and economics alumnus from the Class of 2024, said he wished he spent more time checking up on people and maintaining the friendships he built early on in college.
“Take care of the people that you care about,” Lopez said. “[Make sure you’re] present in the moments that matter most. Try your best to get good grades, but don’t lose a lifetime over it.”
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smaharaj@alligator.org.
By Luke Adragna Alligator Staff Writer
On a sunny afternoon at the White House, the Florida Gators basketball team took its time strolling through the South Lawn. The scent of freshly cut grass served as a reminder of the everchanging nature of college basketball — new champions arrive each year, but few return.
The 2006-07 Florida Gators basketball team was different.
Under head coach Billy Donovan, Florida made back-to-back trips to the White House in 2006 and 2007. The achievement marked the first time a college basketball team won consecutive championships in the modern era.
It took nearly 18 years, but the 2024-25 Florida Gators basketball team returned to the White House May 21 for the first time since 2007. Florida defeated the Houston Cougars 65-63 April 7, earning a trip to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
“Today, we’re delighted to welcome the 2025 NCAA basketball champions, the University of Florida Gators,” President Donald Trump said. “Congratulations also to a really great, young head coach, Todd Golden, on the entire job he did, the season, the inspiration that he gave these players.”
Trump continued by recognizing Florida politicians in attendance. The president called upon Florida Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moody and Reps. Byron Donalds and Kat Cammack. He also invited former Florida quarterback Tim Tebow to stand alongside the team.
Trump recalled moments throughout the Gators’ season. He singled out the accomplishments of Florida guards Will Richard, Alijah Martin, Denzel Aberdeen, Walter Clayton Jr. and forward Thomas Haugh.
“You refused to let up when the odds were against you,” Trump said. “That’s the mark of true champions.”
The 47th President of the United States concluded his speech with a “Go Gators” sign-off and invited Golden to the podium.
“I like to think of our program similarly to how you think of the United States — we’re a meritocracy,” Golden said. “We work really, really hard, no matter what you look like or where you
come from. If you put the team first and win, we’re going to play you.”
As a token of appreciation, Florida’s head coach presented a white No. 47 Gators jersey to the president. Golden also ended his speech with a “Go Gators” and made his way to the Oval Office with players.
So, how did the tradition compare to when Florida visited the White House in the early 2000s?
The 2005-06 and 2006-07 Gators basketball teams visited when former President George W. Bush was in office. Florida and 11 other NCAA Champions were celebrated on the South Lawn on April 6, 2006. The next year, 28 teams were recognized for their achievements.
“Today is the day we recognize that millions have competed in the NCAA, but only a few become champs,” Bush said at the event. “The first champs we honor are the mighty Florida Gators, ably coached by Billy Donovan.”
Bush’s speech lasted a relatively short 12 minutes. He began by mentioning Florida and ended his speech talking about the team’s camaraderie off the court. He offered a single Gator chomp near the beginning of his speech, inciting laughter from the crowd.
“Florida basketball players spent Thanksgiving morning serving hot meals at a local shelter,” Bush said. “We’ve not only got fine athletes with us, we’ve got fine Americans with us.”
After the speech, Florida senior captain Adrian Moss presented a blue No. 1 Florida jersey to the president.
The celebration was more diluted the following year, with nearly 30 teams in attendance for Champions Day, the largest gathering of teams at the time. Bush briefly referenced Florida at the beginning and midway through his speech.
“A feat that’s really hard to do is win back-to-back NCAA basketball titles,” he said. “We’re proud to welcome the Florida men’s basketball team here.”
The Gators kick off the 2025-26 regular season against the Arizona Wildcats Nov. 3 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025
www.alligator.org/section/the_avenue
THE ECLECTIC BAND KEEPS
CLASSIC ROCK ALIVE BY PERFORMING ON GAINESVILLE STAGES
By Autumn Johnstone Avenue Staff Writer
Growing up, 67-year-old Shuri Pass sang into her hairbrush to Alice Cooper songs and participated in her church’s youth choir. While her current musical career isn’t what she imagined, she’s happy with making fans dance by covering familiar classic rock hits on stage.
After she decided no one was going to invite her to be in a rock ‘n’ roll band, Pass formed Gainesville-based Crooked Counsel 31 years ago. Lead singer Pass, guitarist Rick Hutton, drummer Donny Henley, keyboardist John Middleton and bassist Kenny Weber have played together for the past eight years.
Over the last three decades, Crooked Coun-
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sel saw dozens of musicians join and leave the band. But this particular lineup stuck since their impromptu performance in 2017.
Three of Crooked Counsel’s former members cancelled at the last minute before a gig. Pass called Hutton, Henley and Weber, who were all in separate bands at the time, and asked if they could step in on the spot. Despite never playing together before, the night was “magic” and “the best they’ve ever played,” Pass said.
They all quit their other bands shortly after to join Middleton and Pass in Crooked Counsel.
Classic rock has been Crooked Counsel’s genre of choice since 1994. Pass was raised on its feeling of nostalgic memories and good times and takes inspiration from artists like Eric Clapton, Paul McCartney and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young.
“We don’t have that kind of music anymore,” Pass said. “It doesn’t have the soul and the depth.”
Crooked Counsel wrote original songs before, but Pass said the audience responds to
what it knows. A fan favorite cover is “Cry Baby” by Janis Joplin. Pass said she’s received countless crowd comments claiming she “channels Joplin” — an “ultimate compliment” that gives Pass chills every time she hears it.
Hutton said guitar players are “primadonnas,” but he thinks their hearts are filled with a genuine love for music. When he was 5 years old, he only listened to old folk music. Hutton’s older brother came home one day with Led Zeppelin’s 1969 album, “Led Zeppelin II.” As soon as “Whole Lotta Love” ripped open the album with Jimmy Page’s aggressive power chords and Robert Plant’s raw vocals, Hutton said he knew he was addicted to rock ‘n’ roll.
He brought out the same rock star persona on stage May 25 as he performed at the Great Outdoors Restaurant with Crooked Counsel, alternating between four guitars based on the song. From “Surrender” by Cheap Trick to “Folsom Prison Blues” by Johnny Cash, he transformed from engineer to music legend as his guitar tone matched each song perfectly.
Repeatedly kicking up a song’s tempo
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prompted Hutton to leap from the stage, sending a dynamic wave of dancing into the crowd. He joined in on the energy and danced along.
“We don’t do recordings or any of that,” Hutton said. “To us, it’s this great interaction that we have with the audience. The fact that they’re familiar with [the music] means they can participate with it more.”
Before Hutton joined the band, Pass’ close friend brought her son, Cohen Bennett, to most of Crooked Counsel’s shows. Even though he was only 5 years old at the time, Bennett remembers growing up around the band’s analog warmth.
He’s not an outgoing person, but he said the music brings him closer to other people because it’s something everyone can understand.
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– 4 pm
• Spinning Tunes by D J Wax Atom • Dance Lessons with Smooth Flava • Free Lite Bites by Jerica’s Scratch Kitchen
• Meet Artist-in-Residence Jessica Clermont Join us for a free museum-wide Community Day. Visitors can explore and celebrate the exhibition through:
• T-shirt Silkscreening to Take Home with LVR Ink
• Make and Take Art
Activities with Guest Artists BLAAC (Bailey Learning and Arts Collective) and Turbado Marabou
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How do you please the indecisive, the reckless, the ambitious and the ever changing and diverse population of Gainesville?
The answer: Open a burrito restaurant. No, not a restaurant — a factory.
Ladies and gentlemen, your very own downtown Gainesville is now home to a museum for the Mexican palate: Burrito Factory & Cantina. With two-for-one draft and margaritas, free salsa and chips and a plethora of handhelds and fork-andknife plates, I was left with a rumble in my stomach and a salivating mouth.
My first impression of this restaurant was the same as my second and third. Expectation and desire align astrologically at the Burrito Factory. My birth sign is now a taco.
A server greeted us almost immediately with a smile that easily reflected back onto my face.
“Outdoor seating, no problem,” the server said as Bad Bunny played over the speakers. “Let me bring over the menus and your chips and salsa.”
I’m not sure what was moving more: my hips to the beat, or my heart ready to munch on a delicious meal.
One tiki-shaped, zest-filled piña colada later, we were ready to begin the process of ordering. And boy, was it a process. If you’re afflicted with indecisiveness, especially when it comes to food, then good luck. The menu is extensive and brimming with favorites, making it almost impossible to decide what to get. If their business strategy is to make every meal look so good that we have to come back to try every single one, then it works.
We indulged in a trio of dishes: the fish tacos, a chicken quesadilla and a customizable burrito. The highlight was undoubtedly the interactive process of ordering a burrito. I was given a slip to select my preferred ingredients, making me feel as though I was part of the kitchen brigade. The hands-on approach not only personalized my meal but also instilled a sense of pride in the flavorful masterpiece I helped assemble. Each dish offered a unique experience, warranting individual attention and critique.
Let’s begin.
tacos
I’ve always approached Gainesville seafood with a healthy dose of skepticism. Unless it’s sourced directly from Lake Alice, I assume it won’t be the freshest catch in Florida. But when I tell you that this dish had me absolutely enthralled, I mean it. The fish was so fresh and flavorful, I halfexpected it to start telling me tales of the sea. Each bite was a delightful surprise, making me question every preconceived notion I had about inland seafood. The balance of textures — the crispiness of the batter, the softness of the tortilla and the crunch of the fresh toppings — created a symphony in my mouth.
It was as if Poseidon himself blessed the taco. In a town where seafood skepticism runs high, Burrito Factory & Cantina’s fish tacos are a revelation. They
managed to bring the ocean to Gainesville one delicious bite at a time.
Veggie quesadilla
SThis dish was positively overflowing. The plate could barely contain the contents of the order. It filled every inch while maintaining a professional presentation. I was ready to dig in as soon as our kind waitress set the plate down, but I was forced to take a minute to reconsider how to begin due to the temperature of the quesadilla and sides of rice and beans.
Aidan Ragan opinions@alligator.org
ince its premiere in the late 1960s on the National Education Television network, which transformed into the Public Broadcasting Service in 1970, “Sesame Street” has been one of the most popular educational children’s television series. Elmo, the show’s star, has been the primary face of kindness and love for preschoolers worldwide in the show’s 50-plus years on air.
under the First Amendment, is being violated by his unlawful political biases.
I decided to start with the guacamole salad, allowing the heat to settle as I opened my flavor palette for lunch. Complemented by a perfectly carbonated Mr. Pibb soda, my meal became the best part of my Friday.
My food didn’t last much longer after everything reached the optimal temperature. The veggies and cheese were cooked to perfection, with the rice and beans complementing all I have come to know and love about Mexican cuisine.
Burrito
Selection slip in hand and what felt like a culinary quiz awaiting me, I pondered: black or pinto beans? Grilled chicken or carnitas? Mild salsa or one that would kill all my tastebuds? As I handed over my selections, I anticipated a drumroll. Instead, I received a perfectly wrapped burrito that looked like it could have been a gift from the tortilla gods. Each bite was a harmonious blend of my choices, making me feel like a seasoned chef despite my only contribution being check marks on a paper. The experience was empowering and delicious. It’s not every day you get to play burrito architect and savor the fruits — or rather, fillings, —of your labor. If you’re in Gainesville and craving a meal that’s interactive and satisfying, Burrito Factory & Cantina is the place to be.
Closing remarks
In a city with culinary options abound, Burrito Factory & Cantina wraps up the competition with flair.
From the moment I stepped in, the vibrant atmosphere, attentive service and mouth-watering aromas signaled a dining experience worth savoring. The interactive burrito-building process transformed a simple meal into a personalized culinary adventure, while the fish tacos and veggie quesadilla showcased the kitchen’s commitment to flavor and freshness.
Whether you’re a Gainesville local or just passing through, this establishment offers a delightful fusion of tradition and innovation that leaves your taste buds dancing and patrons returning for more.
Aidan Ragan is a UF computer science senior.
Recently, PBS, along with National Public Radio, an independent, nonprofit organization that informs the public through its daily stories, became a target of the Trump administration’s agenda to dismantle “ideological bias” in primary public broadcasters. Both organizations were subjected to federal funding cuts after Trump signed an executive order on May 1 aimed at ending “taxpayer subsidization of biased media.” The White House explained on its website that the order aimed to decrease the social media platforms’ funding because they spread “radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.’”
The order demanded the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and other federal agencies “cease federal funding for NPR and PBS,” according to a PBS article posted a day after the order was signed.
CPB later questioned Trump’s ability to make such an executive order and sued the administration. This adds to an already pending lawsuit after Trump tried firing three of the company’s five executive board members.
In its more recent lawsuit, CPB clarified it isn’t a federal executive agency subject to the president’s authority.
The executive order states, “Government funding of news media in this environment is not only outdated and unnecessary but corrosive to the appearance of journalistic independence” — a disheartening statement to see.
Many Republican and far-right loyalists truly believe NPR and PBS are biased and spread far-left propaganda to influence the public. Making these statements as the President of the United States of America is propaganda in itself.
Trump’s executive orders are excessively unconstitutional, such as his attempt to ban birthright citizenship and his decision to end federally funded inclusive programs. Freedom of the press, which is protected
More importantly, his executive order defunding PBS and NPR begs the question of how much power the president has. It stops news stations and educational television programs from serving their communities free of cost.
PBS Kids, where the iconic, redfurred Muppet character airs, has a positive psychological impact on children. Shows like “The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!” increased children’s understanding of science from an early age.
Without shows like “Sesame Street,” children might not receive the same fun, interactive educational experiences. The show was originally designed to educate children from low-income families, many being African American.
Teaching early academic and basic social skills at a young age through a free educational television program is extraordinary, especially for single parents who may not have the time to teach these skills to their children every day.
With limited access to important news and education programs, many Americans are completely against this new wave of directed hatred towards “woke propaganda” and dismantling education in any way possible.
People continue to protest the Trump administration for jeopardizing the institutions that have benefited the country for so long. It’s neither fair nor safe that citizens have to suffer under an extremist president who is supposed to drive our country to success.
Education is more than political. It helps us avoid repeating our past mistakes. Knowledge is power, and everyone should have access to it, whether it be through schools, social media, television series or personal experiences.
We should keep our eyes on the government and continue to educate ourselves and those around us about the importance of accessible and educational media through organizations like PBS and NPR.
Sonaiya Brown is a UF biology freshman.
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1. ACRONYMS: What do the acronyms "AM" and "PM" stand for?
2. TELEVISION: What is the name of the Jack Russell Terrier in the sitcom "Frasier"?
1. MEASUREMENTS: How many inches are in a mile?
3. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Which vice president went on to win a Nobel Peace Prize in 2007?
4. MOVIES: How many Infinity Stones are in "Avengers: Endgame"?
2. ASTRONOMY: What does the acronym SETI mean to the scientific community?
5. U.S. STATES: In which state would you find the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve?
6. GEOGRAPHY: What is Scotland's official national animal?
3. LANGUAGE: What does the Latin prefix “sub-” mean in English?
7. LITERATURE: Which cities are the settings for Charles Dickens' novel "A Tale of Two Cities"?
8. SCIENCE: Which two planets in our solar system have no moons?
4. U.S. PRESIDENTS: Who was the only president to serve two nonconsecutive terms?
9. HISTORY: Who was the first woman Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives?
10. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: Which branch of the U.S. military uses the recruiting slogan, "It's not just a job; it's an adventure"?
5. LITERATURE: Which 20th-century movie star penned the autobiography “Me: Stories of My Life”?
6. HISTORY: What was the first National Monument proclaimed in the United States?
7. GEOGRAPHY: Where is the island of Luzon located?
8. MOVIES: Which sci-fi movie has the tagline, “Reality is a thing of the past”?
1. Tommie Aaron, brother of Hank, hit how many home runs in his seven-season Major League Baseball
¿hablas español? lee el
1. What Canadian snowboarder, who competed in the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics, was added to the FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on charges of drug trafficking and murder?
2. From 2003-25, six of the seven wrestlers to achieve sumo's highest rank, yokozuna, have come from what country?
9. GENERAL KNOWLEDGE: What was the name of the United States’ first nuclear-powered submarine?
3. What feat did high jumper Charles Dumas accomplish at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Los Angeles on June 29, 1956?
4. Quarterback Cleo Lemon recorded eight touchdown passes, seven interceptions and 2,185 passing yards with what NFL team from 2006-07?
10. GAMES: What are the four railroad properties in Monopoly? Answers
5. Name the 1980 American League Rookie of the Year who had the peculiar talent of consuming beer through his nose.
1. 63,360 inches
2. Search for extraterrestrial intelligence
6. Established in 1980, Hallelujah FC was what country's first professional soccer club?
7. College Football Hall of Famer Eddie Robinson compiled a 408-165-15 record from 19411942 and 1945-97 as head coach of what football team?
3. Below or insufficient
4. Grover Cleveland
5. Katharine Hepburn
6. Devils Tower, 1906
7. The Philippines
“The Matrix” 9. The USS Nautilus 10. Pennsylvania, Short Line, Reading and B&O
vice president to Bill Clinton, won the
name is Moose).
HAY MENOS ESTUDIANTES TRANSFERIDOS EN UF QUE ESTUDIANTES DE PRIMER INGRESO
Por Alanna Robbert
Escritora de El Caimán
Traducido por Sofia Bravo
Escritora de El Caimán
La matrícula en la Universidad de Florida ha aumentado de manera constante en los últimos dos años. Desde 2021, UF ha visto un notable incremento en el número de estudiantes de primer ingreso. Sin embargo, hay un grupo cuyo número sigue siendo bajo: los estudiantes transferidos.
Un número menor de estudiantes transferidos significa que hay menos programas dirigidos a ellos, lo que se traduce en menos oportunidades de comunidad en comparación con los estudiantes que ingresan a UF como primerizos.
En universidades de todo Estados Unidos, los estudiantes transferidos representaron un promedio del 13.2% de los 11.7 millones de estudiantes universitarios en el otoño de 2023. Los estudiantes transferidos en UF representaron el 18% de los 10,027 estudiantes de pregrado matriculados en el otoño de 2024.
Razones para transferirse
Existen muchas razones por las cuales alguien podría optar por asistir a un colegio
estatal o comunitario en lugar de una universidad después de la secundaria.
Dan Rodkin, vicepresidente asociado de asuntos estudiantiles en Colegio Santa Fe, dijo que algunos estudiantes eligen los colegios estatales porque no son admitidos inicialmente en la universidad de su preferencia.
Los altos costos asociados con asistir a una universidad de cuatro años también motivan a muchos estudiantes a comenzar en estas instituciones. Estas opciones les permiten quedarse cerca de sus comunidades, siendo más asequibles y accesibles para estudiantes de todas las edades, dijo Rodkin.
“Viven en casa, están con su familia, son responsables de familiares o tienen hijos propios”, dijo. “Mudarse a Gainesville para asistir a la universidad no es una opción”.
El proceso de transferencia
La mayoría de los estudiantes transferidos provienen de instituciones de dos años como los colegios comunitarios y estatales.
Después de obtener un título asociado de un colegio de dos años, un estudiante puede solicitar transferirse a una universidad de cuatro años para completar una licenciatura.
UF ha recibido estudiantes transferidos de 29 colegios comunitarios y estatales de Florida entre 2014 y 2024, según los datos disponibles.
El Colegio Santa Fe, el colegio estatal vecino de UF, es un paso inicial popular para algunos estudiantes transferidos.
Thomas DuPree, un estudiante de 20 años, se graduó de Santa Fe con un título asociado
en mayo. Comenzará en UF en el otoño de 2025 como estudiante de microbiología y ciencias celulares.
Le dijeron que sería complicado transferirse a UF, pero dijo que el proceso fue “mucho más sencillo” de lo que le habían advertido. Uso la guía de grados de transferencia de UF para asegurarse de estar tomando los cursos correctos en Santa Fe que cumplian con los requisitos de ambas instituciones.
Solicitó ingreso a UF a principios de marzo y fue aceptado en la Facultad de Artes Liberales y Ciencias en mayo.
Los transferido buscan comunidad
En el campus, la falta de clubes específicamente para estudiantes transferidos hace que sea difícil que estos se encuentren entre sí.
Chloe Layton, egresada en administración de empresas de UF en las Clase de 2025, de 23 años, se transfirió desde St. Johns River Collegio Estatal en Orange Park, Florida, en el otoño de 2023.
La experiencia de transferirse puede ser abrumadora, dijo Layton.
“Esa experiencia es mucho sobre navegar un campus más grande, una comunidad más grande, más oportunidades para involucrarse”, dijo Layton. “Definitivamente tuvo momentos difíciles, pero valió totalmente la pena”.
Los estudiantes transferidos de colegios no residenciales fuera de Gainesville a menudo pierden la experiencia tradicional de primer año. A mitad del recorrido universitario
EL COMPLEJO DE RECSPORTS DE $6 MILLONES DE UF BUSCA REDEFINIR LA VIDA UNIVERSITARIA
Por Swasthi Maharaj
Escritora de El Caimán
Traducido por Candy Fontana-Verde
Escritora de El Caimán
Desde que el pickleball empezó a ganar popularidad y el entusiasmo por el baloncesto creció tras los torneos nacionales, la Universidad de Florida ha visto una creciente demanda de espacios deportivos recreativos en el campus en los últimos años.
El nuevo Complejo Recreativo al Aire Libre de Flavet está diseñado para responder a esa demanda. El expresidente interino Kent Fuchs propuso el complejo durante su mandato, y el proyecto ha estado en fase de planificación desde entonces. Se espera que esté completamente operativo a principios de 2026. El plan incluye seis canchas de pickleball, dos canchas de voleibol de playa, tres mesas de ping-pong y un área verde, que se sumarán a las seis canchas de tenis ya existentes. El complejo estará ubicado en Flavet Field, cerca de la zona residencial Tolbert y de la zona de fraternidades.
Marty Dempsey, director de instalaciones y operaciones de RecSports, dijo que uno de los principales objetivos de
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la iniciativa era reemplazar las instalaciones del Complejo Recreativo al Aire Libre de Broward, que fue demolido para dar paso al Honors Village.
“Estábamos muy comprometidos con asegurarnos de que la voz del estudiante fuera escuchada claramente y fuera el principal motor del diseño final”, dijo Dempsey.
RecSports quiere que el complejo ofrezca más que solo espacios deportivos. El diseño incluye un pabellón con sombra, áreas verdes, juegos de jardín y hamacas, para estudiantes atléticos y no atléticos por igual.
“Esperamos que toda el área genere una especie de ambiente estilo Central Park en el corazón del campus”, señaló.
Aunque este es el único proyecto actual de RecSports en marcha, Dempsey mencionó que podrían desarrollarse otras instalaciones muy solicitadas en el futuro.
Elly Beshears, estudiante de último año de economía de 21 años y presidenta social del equipo de vóleibol de playa de UF, ha practicado ese deporte durante dos años.
“Estoy súper emocionada con este proyecto, especialmente porque a veces Southwest se llena demasiado”, dijo Beshears. “Uno llega con sus amigos esperando encontrar una cancha disponible, pero luego no se puede jugar. Con esta iniciativa, las instalaciones deportivas serán más accesibles para la comunidad de UF.”
Jennifer Kennymore Royer, directora interina de GatorWell Health Promotion Services, afirmó que la instalación tendrá un efecto positivo en el desarrollo integral de los estudiantes.
MARTES, 27 DE MAYO DE 2025
www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman
típico, deben construir su comunidad desde cero y adaptarse a vivir en una nueva ciudad, comentó Layton.
La mayoría de los recursos específicos para estudiantes transferidos son administrados por cada facultad. First Year Florida es un curso a nivel universitario ofrecido a todos los estudiantes de primer año, sin importar su estatus de transferencia. También existen programas de orientación para los estudiantes transferidos que ingresan a UF. Layton conoció a otros estudiantes transferidos a través del seminario de éxito para transferidos de la Facultad de Negocios Warrington, incluyendo a dos amigas que ahora son sus compañeras de cuarto. Natalie Flechas, exalumna de UF de 22 años, decidió asistir primero a un colegio de dos años por razones financieras. Se transfirió desde el Colegio del Centro de Florida en Ocala. “Aunque entras en tu tercer año, genuinamente es como si empezaras desde cero porque hay tantas transiciones”, dijo Flechas.
Durante su tiempo en UF, Flechas no participó en actividades extracurriculares porque trabajaba, pero aun así logró conseguir pasantías y un empleo después de graduarse, comentó.
Flechas dijo que los estudiantes en UF creen que para conseguir el trabajo que desean, deben estar en clubes desde primer año y tener un promedio perfecto.
Lea el resto en línea en alligator.org/section/elcaiman. @alannafitzr arobbert@alligator.org
“El bienestar físico es un aspecto importante del bienestar general y puede impactar muchos otros aspectos, incluyendo el manejo del estrés y las conexiones sociales”, explicó Royer.
El costo proyectado del complejo es de $6 millones. Será financiado por la Oficina del Presidente y el Capital Improvement Trust Fund, un fondo especial utilizado por las universidades públicas de Florida para financiar proyectos de construcción y mantenimiento. El dinero proviene de las tarifas de matrícula estudiantil.
Jenna Cohen, exalumna de UF de 21 años y extesorera del equipo de vóleibol de playa, dijo que construir el complejo en el campus principal ayudará a que más estudiantes se involucren con los deportes.
“Siento que mucha gente se acercaba más a las actividades al aire libre cuando existía el complejo cerca de Broward, a diferencia de ahora que las canchas disponibles solo se pueden acceder en autobús o carro”, comentó Cohen.
Connor Griffiths, estudiante de primer año de medicina de 22 años y ex vicepresidente del club de ping-pong de UF, señaló que actualmente la única instalación para jugar es el Southwest Recreation Center.
“Tener otro lugar en el campus con mesas sería increíble”, dijo Griffiths. “Además, es bueno que estén distribuidas. Así, los que viven por esa zona podrían tener mesas cerca”.
@s_maharaj1611 smaharaj@alligator.org
@CandyFontanaV cfontanaverde@alligator.org
Síganos para actualizaciones Para obtener actualizaciones de El Caimán, síganos en línea en www.alligator.org/section/elcaiman.
TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025
www.alligator.org/section/sports
By Luke Adragna Sports Writer
Florida head coach Tim Walton isn’t one to recognize storylines — especially not in the postseason. Heading into the NCAA Super Regionals round, Walton did everything he could to avoid teasing the narrative that glaringly stood in front of him.
Florida was tasked with facing the Georgia Bulldogs, a conference opponent who dismantled the Gators the last two times they went head on in the Super Regionals round.
“None of the players [are] on this team, none of the players [are] on that team,” Florida’s skipper said, who had no interest in bringing up the past.
Georgia swept UF in 2016 and 2019: the only two times Florida reached and failed to make it past the Super Regionals round since 2008.
“We’re worried about us and only us,” Florida first baseman Reagan Walsh said May 24. “We don’t care about the record. We’re here to play the game.”
The weekend marked a stark contrast from the team’s previous matchups. Florida (48-15) defeated Georgia (35-23) with phenomenal outings from Gators sophomore pitcher Keagan Rothrock to advance to its 13th Women’s College World Series appearance.
The Florida Gators women’s softball team stands for the national anthem before their home opener at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium against North Florida on Feb. 6, 2025.
Rothrock surrendered just four earned runs and struck out 12 batters across 15 innings over the weekend.
“Keagan’s back,” Gators center fielder Kendra Falby said. “We’ve seen what she's done, so she's more than capable of doing it again.”
Despite holding the Bulldogs to five total runs over the weekend, the series came down to a few outcome-swaying moments.
In Game 1, Florida outdueled the Bulldogs behind a complete game from Rothrock.
During the first two innings, Florida’s sophomore right-hander punched out four batters and surrendered just one runner on a hit-by-pitch.
She continued to pick off Georgia’s batters one by one until drama ensued in the fourth inning.
Freshman right fielder Taylor Shumaker caught a towering fly ball on the warning
track and gunned down a runner attempting to advance to second for a double play.
If the ball landed just 5 feet farther, the Bulldogs would have shaved their deficit to 3-2 and significantly swayed the momentum of the contest.
“I've watched Keagan since she was 12,” Georgia head coach Tony Baldwin said. “To beat her, you have to have a lot of things that go your way.”
A similar instance occurred in Game 2.
Florida left 13 runners on base and struggled against Georgia pitcher Lilli Backes. The Gators had a runner on base in every inning but pushed only one home when senior outfielder Korbe Otis hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning.
With the bases loaded, Otis sent a ball to the center-field warning track, a few feet shy of a grand slam.
“Softball is a game of inches,” Otis said. “It just wasn’t there for us today.”
Georgia went on to win the game after Florida failed to capitalize with more than a dozen runners in scoring position. The Gators hit .067 with runners in scoring position and left 13 runners on base.
“We had a chance to win today,” Walton said. “We just didn’t execute a great swinging plan.”
The loss set up a win-or-go-home scenario in Game 3. Rothrock earned her third start of the weekend and was nearly flawless.
Florida’s sophomore pitcher threw a complete game and surrendered just two runs in the seventh inning.
The Gators led 1-0 before a raucous fifth inning, clinching UF’s 13th Women’s College World Series. Gators senior shortstop Rylee Holtorf hit a two-run home run, which was followed by Shumaker’s 22nd home run of the season, tying the single-season home run record in Florida program history.
Under Walton, Florida won 5-2 and improved to 6-0 in Game 3 of the Super Regionals.
“We decided we were going to play three games so we can increase our revenue for the postseason,” Walton said jokingly. “The goal is to get to the College World Series, and now we got to reassess our goals and get ready.”
Florida will resume play in the WCWS against the Texas Longhorns at noon May 29. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
@lukeadrag ladragna@alligator.org
ONO PRESIDED OVER A PERIOD OF SUCCESS AND CONTROVERSY FOR UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ATHLETICS
By Charlie Jones Sports Writer
The University of Florida is taking a new and crucial step for its foreseeable future. On May 4, the Presidential Search Advisory Committee unanimously named Santa J. Ono the sole finalist for UF’s 14th president.
As the former president of the University of Michigan, Ono was often spotted socializing on campus and attending athletic events.
Although his time at the helm of U-M spanned just under three years, the success of U-M athletic programs under his leadership could be a sign of the trajectory for Gators Athletics.
At U-M, Ono saw the Wolverines snag a 15-0 season and the 2024 College Football Playoff National
Championship. Their 34-13 victory over Washington in the final gave the program its 12th national football championship and first since 1997.
The title came with a slew of sign-stealing allegations and public scrutiny as the full sanctions around the situation are still playing out. Some of the aforementioned punishments will play out next season, potentially touching aspects that Dr. Ono had a direct effect on.
U-M found itself at the center of a public fight against the Big Ten and NCAA over the sign-stealing allegations in a battle to determine what competitive advantage Michigan gained. Ono chose the replacement for head coach after Jim Harbaugh left, settling on former offensive coordinator and interim head coach Sherrone Moore. Moore, who served one suspension for rule violations during the 2020 season, will be suspended for two games for his part in the sign-stealing scandal during the upcoming season.
The Canadian-born university president was criticized for not complying with the NCAA’s
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investigation and hiring Moore. While public disdain threatened the dignity of the program, Ono’s influence ushered success elsewhere in Michigan’s athletics department.
In the final year of his presidency, the Wolverines added another national title to their portfolio: a men’s gymnastics national championship for the seventh time in team history.
Ono’s reign also saw Michigan obtain multiple Big Ten regularseason and tournament titles across women’s tennis, rowing, men’s golf and softball.
Ono’s sports-oriented mindset allows colleges’ athletic departments to evolve. Before Ono departed from his first presidential role at the University of Cincinnati in 2016, he was heavily involved in the process for the Bearcats to join the Big 12 Conference in 2023.
U-M also changed the landscape of NIL in collegiate athletics after gaining a commitment from No. 1 Class of 2025 quarterback Bryce Underwood. To draw the touted prospect towards Ann Arbor, U-M tapped into its alumni network
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through billionaire media tycoon Larry Ellison to increase the university’s NIL fund and offer Underwood a four-year deal worth at least $12 million. While the length of Ono’s involvement in the venture is unknown, his focus on enhancing sports played a part.
The move to bring Ono in to head UF seems to be a winning move for Florida’s athletics. Ono’s interest in athletics may make him a friendly face for Gators fans.
His impact on the financial end may also prove to be a boon. As UF president, Ono would oversee a larger funding collective than that of U-M. Keeping and bringing in new athletes and upgrading athletic facilities could become early priorities in the new president’s agenda.
Despite the speculative benefits, reception from Gators sports fans has been a mixed bag. In an X post from Florida Gators Senior Writer Scott Carter about Ono and U-M’s perception of him, some responses were supportive.
Many fans posted positive GIFs about Ono. One user praised
Michigan’s practices, writing, “I saw that UMich has a graduation processional for student athletes only in the basketball arena, and they are given a compass with the coordinates for Ann Arbor. They are told if they're ever lost, they can always go home to Ann Arbor. I love this idea and hope UF does that now!”
However, some fans voiced negative reactions on the same post. One user explained the risks of the presidential choice, writing, “The NCAA is about to put the hammer down on their football program, so yeah, he seems like just the dude to run our university INTO THE GROUND.”
While Ono’s term at UF won’t begin until late summer, he is set to hit the ground running as the university’s next president. His reputation and experience can take Florida’s athletic prestige to an even higher level. Only time will tell what is in store when Ono takes charge.
@CharJonesMedia cjones@alligator.org
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