Florida Gator Country Magazine - February 2012 issue

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SOFTBALL, TENNIS & LACROSSE PREVIEWS

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3FACT: Donovan’s fresh coaching style and recruiting skills helped to lead the Gators to the very top of the SEC within only a few years. GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012

4 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012 FACT: UF had over 29,000 applicants for fall 2011, with entering students as accomplished as ever.

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CONTENTSON THE FIELD06 A Stepping Stone Season10 Mens Tennis Preview14 The Lendl Sisters: Talented,

Competitive, Ready17 Flashback to the Match18 Top Class22 Big Shoes to Fill36 Gearing Up for Spring44 ‘Moving Like Tebow’ Goes Viral

AT THE COURTS12 Catching Up with Jordan Jones23 February Events for the Family26 2012 Looks Promising

for Gym Gators30 Seniors Go Out in Elite Fashion32 Young Gun38 Cliff’s Story42 Gators Top Pre-season Rankings

5GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012

Lean By Design

What Did

I Have To Lose?

“In 4 months,

I have lost 45 lbs,

21 inches, and now

wear a size 16.”

FACT:�6KDQGV�LV�DIÀOLDWHG�ZLWK�PRUH�WKDQ��8)�SK\VLFLDQ�RXWSDWLHQW�SUDFWLFHV�ORFDWHG�WKURXJKRXW�QRUWK�FHQWUDO�DQG�QRUWKHDVW�)ORULGD

FAN PHOTOS BY TIM CASEY

FACT: Donovan has led the Gators to eight consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

Florida coach Will Muschamp hoisted the championship trophy after the Gators’ 24–17 win against Ohio State in the TaxSlayer.com Gator Bowl on Jan. 2 at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. Photo by Tim Casey

6 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012

FACT:�7KH��/HDUÀHOG�6SRUWV�'LUHFWRUV·�&XS�SRVLWLRQ�LV�)ORULGD·V�WKLUG�FRQVHFXWLYH�WRS�IRXU�ÀQLVK�LQ�WKH�UDQNLQJV�

As former Florida quarterback Cam Newton was sitting in New York about to receive his Heisman Trophy following a championship season at Auburn, whispers about a former Auburn coach spread like wildfire through the Gator Nation.

YouTube links shot from fan to fan via social media and e-mail as one simple word took hold in the collective mind of Gator Country: BOOM!

Florida had hired Will Muschamp, a fiery young coach who had been in line to take over at Texas whenever head coach Mack Brown hung up the clipboard.

“Any time there is change, there is a little bit of uneasiness, there’s a little bit of uncertainty and there’s a little bit of questioning,” Muschamp said at his introductory press conference in Gainesville. “These young men are sort of transforming

their lives right now. They’re in college, they’re not sure what’s happening. Their head coach is leaving. There are a lot of question marks right now.”

The question marks and uncertainty only grew larger as Florida began its first season under Muschamp. Six players transferred before the season began, leaving the Gators with just 72 players who had arrived at Florida on scholarship.

The numbers got even worse as the season went on, with three more players leaving during the season. Decimated on the depth chart in the trenches, Florida faltered after a thrilling 4–0 start to the season.

Fans suffered through one of the ugliest Octobers in decades, as the Gators fell to Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Georgia. The team managed to beat Vanderbilt and Furman in November to eke out a bowl bid,

but those wins were overshadowed by losses against South Carolina and Florida State.

No matter how you sliced it, Florida had just stumbled to its worst season since 1979. Fans got even more agitated when former coach Urban Meyer announced he would return to the college sidelines at Ohio State less than a year after leaving Florida with a program in turmoil.

Days later, the Gators were pitted against the Buckeyes in the Gator Bowl. Emotions ran high for players. Some felt betrayed by Meyer, eager for the opportunity to take down his future team, even if he wouldn’t be on the sidelines to witness it.

Finally, Florida was able to punch through and win a close game, besting the Buckeyes 24–17 to save the season and give Muschamp something positive to build on for the future.

BY THOMAS GOLDKAMP

A STEPPING-STONE

SEASONMUSCHAMP’S FIRST YEAR NOT QUITE THE ‘BOOM’ FLORIDA FANS EXPECT


8 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012 FACT: UF posted a Graduation Success Rate of 82 percent in 2010 NCAA Federal Graduation Rate Data.

As the last rays of sunlight streamed over the side of the stands at Everbank Field, Muschamp stood on a makeshift podium with his team and thousands of Florida fans looking on. He beamed as he held up the Gator Bowl trophy and promised fans things would get better.

“I mean this sincerely, we’re not building a team, we’re building a program,” he said. “That takes a foundation to start. It really does. You stay the course of what you’re trying to do, and what you believe in and the hardcore values of what you want.”

For most of the season what Muschamp preached about the “Florida Way” and how he wanted to win football games seemed like idle rhetoric. After all, he was a first-year coach and the results on the field simply didn’t match his words about where the program was headed.

But as Florida slogged through one of the toughest schedules in the country and the losses piled up, his team kept playing hard for him. Whereas in 2010 players openly blasted each other and team chemistry was non-existent, upperclassmen and underclassmen stood together in 2011.

Despite losing six of their last eight regular-season games, the Gators still found a way to come out fired up and ready to

play in the bowl game. Muschamp couldn’t have been happier for his team after the win, but he knows he has plenty of work to do to get Florida back to the top of the college football mountain.

“I think that [bowl win] is a sign of our team fighting through it,” Muschamp said. “I told them in the locker room, I don’t want anybody to forget this season. I don’t want anybody to forget the frustration.”

Throughout the season Muschamp praised his players for sticking together and working hard despite the lack of success on the field. He said his team practiced like it was undefeated, even after it had lost several games.

If there’s one thing Muschamp loves about the current group of players making up his roster – as few of them as there are – it’s that they care about the game they’re playing.

“When you see the locker room after a tough defeat and whether it was in Columbia (S.C.), or in this locker room back in October or it was in Auburn, Ala., there were some hurting guys in that locker room,” he said. “That’s when you know it’s important to them. You know you’ve made some strides.”

While Muschamp was happy to beat Ohio State to finish with a winning record

for the 24th straight season, the best streak in the nation, he is well aware things have to get better in a hurry. Fans won’t settle for more mediocrity – like the 2011 season.

“We’ve got guys that have had a frustrating year,” he said. “The realization of this whole thing if you want to see big picture in the last two years of the University of Florida, we’re 15–11. That’s unacceptable. That’s what we are.”

Make no mistake about it, though. Florida’s season ended on a decidedly positive note. The Gators will head into the offseason with a lot of momentum and a sense of closure to the Urban Meyer era.

Sophomore safety Matt Elam was one of Florida’s most outspoken players about his desire to beat Meyer’s Buckeyes in the bowl game, admitting he played with a lot of anger against Ohio State.

After beating the Buckeyes, the Gators can begin the second year of the Muschamp era with a clean slate. With a young corps and a talented defense, Elam is looking forward to it.

“Great feeling to beat Ohio State,” Elam said. “It’s great momentum for next year, and we’re young. We’ve got a lot of momentum and a stepping stone for the new year. Expecting big things next year.”

)ORULGD�FRDFK�:LOO�0XVFKDPS·V�ÀUVW�VHDVRQ�ended with an ice bath, setting thetone for

next season, after a 24–17 win against Ohio State in the GatorBowl on Jan. 2.

Photo by Andy Gregory

9GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012FACT:�,Q��WKH�XQLYHUVLW\�DGRSWHG�RUDQJH�DQG�EOXH�DV�LWV�RIÀFLDO�FRORUV�

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH!

Florida redshirt sophomore receiver Andre Debose hauls in an 64-yard touchdown reception during the Gators’ 54–32 win against Furman RQ�1RY��DW�%HQ�+LOO�*ULIÀQ�Stadium. Photo by Tim Casey

Photo by Matt Pendleton Photography

10 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012 FACT: The SEC currently has 12 member institutions in nine Southeastern states.

MEN’S TENNIS PREVIEW

BY CHRIS LEE, PHOTOS BY TIM CASEY

The Florida Gators Men’s Tennis team is looking to build on a solid 2011 season that saw two members leave the University of Florida and one key contributor added to the roster.

Optimism abounds for the Florida Gators as they finished the 2011 season with a 20–8 record and a third round showing in the NCAA tournament. However, the 2012 Gators will have to overcome losing two key contributors, Alexandre Lacroix and Sekou Bangoura Jr.

Alexandre Lacroix left the team due to graduation, while his doubles partner, Sekou Bangoura Jr., decided to turn pro after a stellar sophomore season for the Gators. In Lacroix, the Gators will have to replace a player who is Florida’s all-time

leader in overall wins. Bangoura Jr. finished his sophomore season with a

31–13 singles record and a No. 44 in the final ITA singles ranking.

Luckily the Gators may have help, due to incoming transfer player Frank “Tripper” Carleton. Carleton transferred from Wake Forest after a sophomore season that saw him ranked as high as No. 10 in singles.

A fully healthy Spencer Newman should also improve the team’s chances this year. Spencer Newman participated in the Spring 2011 season, but was immediately thrust into match play after being sidelined for eighteen months due to knee and wrist injuries. This year he enters the 2012 spring season with a full year’s worth of experience.

Senior Nassim Slilam, juniors Bob van Overbeek and Billy Federhofer return from last year’s team that was No. 9 in the final rankings.

There are plenty of important matches facing the Gators in the upcoming 2012 spring season. Here are five of the more daunting teams the Gators will face this season.

On Sunday, Jan. 22, the Gators will travel to face the Baylor Bears, who finished the 2011 season with a 21-4 record and a quarterfinal finish at the NCAA tournament. Director of Tennis Matt Knull leads the Bears.

The Bears finished last year No. 6 and feature two players ranked in the Top 50 in singles, Roberto Maytin and Kike Grangeiro.

11GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012FACT: The SEC is divided into two geographic divisions: the East Division and the West Division.

They also feature the No. 23 double pairing of Maytin and Marko Krickovic. Baylor also has the No. 3 freshman in Mate Zsiga. Baylor will be the Gators first opponent for the spring regular season.

The Gators will then play host to the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers on March 2, who finished the 2011 season with a 22–4 record and a quarterfinal finish in the NCAA tournament. However, the Volunteers appear to be an unknown entity in 2012, in that they have no singles player in the Top 125. Coach Sam Winterbotham leads the Volunteers

One player to look out for is Senior

Bryan Swartz, while not ranked, finished the Fall 2011 season with a 10–2 record in singles. The Volunteers do feature the No. 8 freshman in Mikelis Libietis.

Next up for the Gators would be the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs on March 4, who finished the 2011 season with a 24–5 record and an NCAA Final Four appearance. Coach Manuel Diaz leads the Bulldogs

The Bulldogs feature the No. 6 and No. 24 seniors in Wil Spencer and Sadio Doumbia. The Bulldogs also feature two doubles teams ranked in the Top 25, with Doumbia pairing with Senior Ignacio

Taboada and the Sophomore-Freshman pairing of Hernus Pieters and Nathan Pasha.

Then on Sunday March 9, the Gators will travel to Lexington, Ken., to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. The Wildcats finished the 2011 season 29-8 record and were ranked 8th. They were defeated in the quarterfinals after beating the Gators in the third round. Coach Dennis Emery leads the Wildcats.

The Wildcats feature No. 3 Eric Quigley and No. 20 Alex Musialek. The tandem is also the No. 19 doubles tandem in the country.

The final matchup to look for comes on Monday, March 19 at the University of Southern California Trojans. The Trojans are the reigning National Champions and finished the 2011 season with a 27–2 record. Coach Peter Smith leads the Trojans.

The Trojans also feature two players in the Top 25. Sophomore Ray Sarmiento is No 15 in the country and senior Daniel Nguyen is ranked just behind Sarmiento at No. 16. The strength of the Trojans’ tennis teams is in their singles play as the double tandem of Sarmiento and Nguyen is No. 35 in the country. The Trojans also feature the No. 2 freshman in Yannick Hanfmann.

With a mix of both youth and experience the Trojans appear to be the favorites to win the National Championship again and represent the Gators most difficult matchup.

If the Florida Gators are going to capitalize on their solid 2011 campaign, then they will have to overcome major obstacles in 2012. However, with the addition of Tripper Carleton, the Gators have a chance to improve on last year.

DATE OPPONENT/TOURNAMENT SITE TIME

Jan 28–29 ITA Kick-Off Weekend

Sat, Jan 28 New Mexico Gainesville, FL 10.00am

Sun, Jan 29 Miami/Wake Forest Gainesville, FL

Thu, Feb 2 UCF Gainesville, FL 3.00pm

Sat, Feb 4 Virginia Charlottesville, VA 1.00pm

Sat, Feb 11 Florida State Gainesville, FL 1.00pm

Sun, Feb 12 Illinois Gainesville, FL 12.00pm

Feb 17–20 ITA National Indoors

Fri, Mar 2 Tennessee * Gainesville, FL 5.00pm

Sun, Mar 4 Georgia * Gainesville, FL 1.00pm

Fri, Mar 9 Vanderbilt * Nashville, TN

Sun, Mar 11 Kentucky * Lexington, KY

Mon, Mar 19 Southern Cal Los Angeles, CA

Fri, Mar 23 Mississippi State * Gainesville, FL 5.00pm

Sun, Mar 25 Ole Miss Oxford, MS

Fri, Mar 30 Auburn * Gainesville, FL 5.00pm

Sun, Apr 1 Alabama * Gainesville, FL 1.00pm

Fri, Apr 6 Arkansas * Fayetteville, AR

Sun, Apr 8 LSU * Baton Rouge, LA

Sat, Apr 14 South Carolina * Gainesville, FL 1.00pm

Thu, Apr 19 SEC Tournament Starkville, MS

Fri, Apr 20 SEC Tournament Starkville, MS

Sat, Apr 21 SEC Tournament Starkville, MS

Sun, Apr 22 SEC Tournament Starkville, MS

May 12–13 NCAA Team First & Second Round

May 18–22 NCAA Team Tournament

May 23–28 NCAA Individual Championships

Sophomore Spencer Newman had an 11–8 singles record last year despite recovering from an injury.

Nassim Slilam is the lone senior on the

Gators’ roster.

12 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012 FACT: The freshman retention rate of 95 percent is among the highest in the country.

After transferring from South Carolina following her freshman season, Jordan Jones has been a staple in the Gators women’s basketball program for the last three seasons. Jordan graduated from UF in May of 2011 with a B.S. Degree in Business and is now pursuing her Master’s Degree in Sports Management. She stopped in to talk about her thoughts on the season, her career at UF and what has made this year’s team her favorite to play on.

WHAT IS THE TEAM CHEMISTRY LIKE ON AND OFF THE COURT?This is my favorite year to play so far. It’s great. We are having more fun than ever. Winning obviously is fun but out here at practice, off the court, whatever we are doing, we are always together and there is no little drama or little girly fighting. Everyone gets along and it’s a lot of fun.

HOW DID THE TRIP TO NEW YORK EARLY IN THE SEASON HELP DEVELOP YOUR TEAM CHEMISTRY?Aside from the food, it was great. We went and saw Broadway, a Lion King play, which was nothing that I ever expected. It was amazing. Just having that time away from your families but having your second family there with you, and having that time to really bond and spend the holiday together was a lot of fun.

WHAT WAS THE FOOD LIKE?The Thanksgiving meal was not your typical Thanksgiving meal. The coaches will say it was great, I’m sure. But all the players, it was like $80 a plate and food that I had never really heard of, so we went to McDonald’s afterwards and got us a Thanksgiving meal.

THIS IS THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR YOU HAVE GOTTEN OFF TO A STRONG START, WHAT HAS TO BE DONE TO CONTINUE THIS THROUGH CONFERENCE PLAY?We learned a lot of lessons last year. You know, you never want to go through those experiences but by going through them, hopefully you don’t repeat them. This year, we are a year older. We don’t have six newcomers or whatever it was we had last year. We’re all returners and we all experienced the downs of last year, so we don’t want to repeat those.

HAVING NEVER PLAYED IN THE NCAA TOURNAMENT, SITTING OUT AFTER TRANSFERRING FROM SOUTH CAROLINA THE LAST TIME THE TEAM MADE IT, IS THAT SOMETHING YOU THINK ABOUT?Definitely. That’s something you want to be able to tell your kids about, you know, like that’s something that everyone wants to experience. The pressure and the highs – playing on ESPN in the NCAA Tournament, lose and go home – it’s definitely what we have been talking about. We talk about it before every game and it’s definitely a huge influence, especially for our seniors.

CATCHING UP WITH JORDAN JONES,

FLORIDA’S NEWEST 1,000-POINT SCORER

BY PHILLIP HEILMAN, PHOTOS BY TIM CASEY

Florida redshirt-senior Jordan Jones reacts after the Gators’ 72–58 win against Florida State.

Jones can score by driving to the basket or pulling up for three.

13GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012FACT: UF received more than $619 million in research awards in 2010-11.

DOES THAT PUT THE PRESSURE ON YOU OR IS IT MORE OF SOMETHING TO REALLY WORK FOR?I wouldn’t call it pressure. Yeah, something more to work for. It’s something that we learned last year. One silly loss can keep you out of the tournament and one big win can get you in, so it’s every game that we have to treat it that way.

ON THE COURT YOU ARE KNOWN PRIMARILY AS A SHOOTER, WHAT ELSE DO YOU REALLY TAKE PRIDE IN ON THE COURT?I try with defense. It is still something that goes up and down a little bit. You know, when I’m scoring it’s easier to not focus on defense. When I’m having an off-night it’s easy to really buckle down, but I’ve tried to become more of a consistent defender and kind of wanting to step up and take the best player on the other team and take that challenge.

WOULD YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF ONE OF THE BETTER DEFENDERS ON THE TEAM, AS YOU CONTINUE TO WORK TO GET BETTER? I’m still working on it, but I would say I think about defense a lot, as in I’m not the quickest person and I can’t jump the highest. But I kind of make up for that by thinking and watching more film and knowing what the other team is going to do.

AS A SCORER, WHEN YOU ARE HAVING ONE OF THOSE NIGHTS WHEN YOUR SHOTS ARE FALLING, WHAT GOES THROUGH YOUR HEAD?You know, it’s a lot more fun when that is happening. This isn’t just saying this, but my teammates do a great job of looking for me whenever coach (Amanda) Butler sets up plays for me, so they kind of make my job a lot easier when I’m having those nights. She will call a play or (Lanita Bartley) penetrates and finds me, so I really feel like I have the easiest part, just standing there and trying to knock shots down.

DO YOU GO INTO GAMES EXPECTING TO BE THE SCORER?Definitely. Every night you have to go in thinking it’s going to be your night, but every night I feel like we have a different person stepping up, a different leading scorer. So it’s definitely not on my shoulders or anyone else’s. It’s that if you know the defense is going to focus on one person, another person is going to step up.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT LANITA AND JENNIFER (GEORGE), TWO PEOPLE WHO REALLY SEEM TO HAVE STEPPED UP THIS SEASON?

I say this to anyone who asks, Nita is my favorite point guard that I have ever played with. If I could pick a point guard, it would be Nita over anyone in the country. She’s fiery; she’s the most competitive person. She can score but she never thinks about scoring. She takes what the defenses are giving her and that’s what makes her so special. Jennifer George, we talked about her all offseason, we needed her to play big and needed her to play strong. In the first game, she didn’t and she took a lot of heat for that. Ever since then, she’s stepped up. She is demanding the ball and it has changed the way we play and the way we look.

IN THE BIG PICTURE, SCORING 1,000 POINTS IN YOUR CAREER, WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?It’s something that I can probably look back on and appreciate a little bit more. Right now, it is kind of just a milestone that came and went, but definitely when I’m older, it’s special to have that accomplishment. Right now, I want to add to that, get to the NCAA Tournament and go far in the SEC this year.

SO IT WAS NOT SOMETHING YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT AS IT WAS HAPPENING?I actually had no idea. I’m glad I didn’t know. It was no distraction or anything. But yeah, I had no idea. I don’t even think I scored 1,000 points in high school, so it’s definitely a cool thing that it happened in college.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH COACH BUTLER?We’ve definitely had our ups and downs. We are very honest with each other and she has made me grow up so much. When you first get into college, you come from high school and you think you know everything, but you learn that you don’t. She is one of those coaches that is going to tell you that you don’t know everything. She is one of the hardest workers and that makes you want to work just as hard as she is working. I love playing for her and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

WHEN YOU ARE ON THE FLOOR, YOU OFTEN SEEM TO REALLY TAKE CHARGE AND WHEN YOU COME OUT, YOU ARE ALWAYS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO THE COACHES. IS COACHING SOMETHING YOU COULD SEE YOURSELF DOING DOWN THE ROAD?Yeah, I think about it. I think they go through a lot of stuff that maybe isn’t too appealing, stuff you see behind the scenes like recruiting and all the hours they put in watching film. But definitely, you know, I love

the game. I love thinking about it in different ways and she is a great person to learn from. Every single time I come out I try to sit next to them and just see what they are talking about and see what they see, so yeah it is something I am considering.

HOW HAS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HER CHANGED FROM THE TIME YOU TRANSFERRED HERE UNTIL NOW, YOUR SENIOR YEAR?I respect her so much more. Not that I didn’t respect her coming in, but you go through ups and downs, especially in losing seasons, where it is so easy to blame the coach. The coach is doing this and you think you should be doing this. She really taught me. I matured a lot, I grew up and now it’s like if I see something or if she sees something, we are not hesitant to tell each other what we see. It is a mutual respect thing.

LOOKING AHEAD TO CONFERENCE PLAY, DO YOU GET UP MORE FOR GAMES AGAINST SOUTH CAROLINA, THE SCHOOL YOU CAME FROM?I would lie if I said I didn’t. Fans from South Carolina still send me messages on Facebook or Twitter saying can’t wait to get to Columbia. I’m not sure the exact date, but you know, you don’t want to lose to the school you left. It’s definitely a pride thing and not that I’m looking too far ahead, but I’m definitely excited to play them.

WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP LIKE WITH THE PEOPLE THERE?There are still a couple of people there that I actually played with. One of the girls there is still one of my best friends. I talk to her almost every day. The coaching staff, I didn’t leave on the best note. They weren’t the coaches that I played for. They just came in, so I have good relationships with some of the players but no relationship with the coaching staff now.

DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THE SEASON?Just go Gators!

Jones is a vocal leader on the Florida women’s basketball team.

14 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012 FACT: UF ranked second among AAU public universities in master’s degrees awarded to Hispanic students in 2008-09.

THE LENDL SISTERS:TALENTED, COMPETITIVE, READY

DAUGHTERS OF TENNIS GREAT IVAN LENDL CHOSE A DIFFERENT SPORT THAN DAD

BY THOMAS MORRELL, PHOTOS BY TIM CASEY

GATORS GOLF FEATURE

15GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012FACT: UF admitted 1,315 International Baccalaureate students – more than any other university in the U.S. – in fall 2010.

Isabelle Lendl, a junior, and Marika Lendl, a senior, are two elite players on the women’s golf team, and each has an unrelenting and unparalleled competitive spirit.

Daughters of former No. 1-ranked tennis champion Ivan Lendl; each sister understands what it takes to be the best. The former champ made that clear to his children early on.

“The rule was you had to pick a sport and do it,” Isabelle Lendl said. “If you didn’t play a sport, you didn’t have any privileges.”

Marika Lendl said no matter what, you had to do something. Simply hanging out with friends at the mall after school wasn’t cool.

“That was never an option for anybody in our family,” Marika said.

With their father one of the greatest tennis players of all time – he won eight Grand Slam titles and 22 Championship Series titles along with countless other wins, awards and records – most would say the Lendl sisters are playing the wrong sport.

“I was just slow and hated it,” Isabelle said. “We have a tennis court in our backyard in Connecticut and my dad would have us go out there and hit a couple (of balls), but I couldn’t stand having my dad coach me.”

When Isabelle was young she was playing both tennis and golf equally but remembers when her father told her she was allowed to stop playing tennis. He told her if she didn’t like it, and was not going to go global, she could stop.

“I was too slow and I didn’t have any No. 1-in-the-world tennis attributes. He said I could stop… so I did,” Isabelle said.

Marika Lendl, who had a tennis racket in her hand before she could even walk, had a different transition to golf than her sister.

“I played tennis until I was 12, but I kept getting injured and my body just wasn’t going to hold up,” Marika said. “It wasn’t immediate. It took a while.”

Injuries to her shoulder would prove to be too severe for Marika to continue her short-lived tennis career, and golf became her primary focus.

Isabelle and Marika’s coach Jan Dowling, said she is very proud of the girls and what they have been able to do on and off the course and knows their upbringing has a lot to do with the type of people and players they are now.

Isabelle and Marika grew up in Goshen, Conn. There are five Lendl sisters in total. Marika is the eldest, followed by twins Isabelle and Caroline. Then there’s Daniela Lendl and finally Nikola. Marika and Isabelle attend UF, but their sister Daniela Lendl plays on the University of Alabama Women’s Golf team. Caroline Lendl also attends Alabama-Birmingham and rows crew. The youngest, Nikola, enjoys horseback riding.

Growing up, Dad made sure each of his girls put in the most amount of effort possible into each one of their sports. If they had a weakness, he worked with them to make sure the weakness was turned into their strength – as was the case with Isabelle.

Isabelle said her greatest strength on the golf course would have to be course management, but that was not always the case.

“I can break down a course pretty well and see how the architect meant for the hole to be played. That was not always my strength. I got that big time from my dad,” she said.

“At one time, my course management was very weak. He would have me write these reports of every round. I hated it. We hit a zillion shots, then I would have to type out, on the computer, every shot I hit, where I was trying to aim, where the wind was from, what yardages I had, what club I was hitting with, where the pin was, why I was hitting it there, what I felt, and whether the shot was good enough,” Isabelle said.

She explained how her and her father would go over the reports together and that each of these reports were about nine pages in length.

“I would have to write them right after the round. It was so annoying. I wrote these reports for two years. We played hundreds of rounds so there are thousands of pages. I still have them on my computer. I sometimes look back at them and just laugh,” Isabelle said.

Marika had to write these reports as well but she jokingly added, “not as long as she did.”

Isabelle said these reports did help her through her slumps but added how awful it was throughout.

“He would say, ‘This is what you should have done, this is where you ruined momentum, etc.’ I guess it was pretty good for learning.”

Dowling said Isabelle is an extremely hard worker and is excited to see she has an aspiration to play professionally.

THE LENDL SISTERS:TALENTED, COMPETITIVE, READY

Marika and Isabelle Lendl share a bond as sisters and teammates on the Florida women’s golf team.

GATORS GOLF FEATURE

GATORS GOLF FEATURE

FACT: UF’s awards include a Fields Medal, two Pulitzer Prizes, NASA’s top award for research, and Smithsonian Institution’s conservation award.

“Because she has grown up in the environment she has, she knows what it takes to be the best in the world. She is extremely disciplined,” Dowling said. “She does everything the absolute right way and is a great person and a very good teammate. People who have been very successful in life: They set goals and nothing stops them from achieving their goals. Isabelle has that.”

After getting the chance to learn from their father while growing up, they now realize how much he really did help to push them to this point, but they both laughed after remembering about how each of them went through the infamous “I’m Way Smarter Than My Dad” phase.

“The whole, ‘Dad Knows Nothing,’ we both went through that phase,” Marika said. “I went through that from 13 to 18.”

“I do appreciate the things he made us do, but when I was little I thought he was the biggest jerk in the world. I didn’t understand anything and I thought he was completely crazy; but now, it makes a lot of sense,” Isabelle said.

Currently, Marika, a senior, has one final spring season and it means a lot to her. Due to a shoulder injury, she has sat out the past year and a half. She’s ready for a final chance to prove herself.

“I had surgery. They had to do a complete reconstruction on my right shoulder.” Marika said. “I was in an awful sling for ten weeks and it took me six and a half months – post surgery – just to putt.”

Marika said it was the most painful thing she had ever endured and would not wish anyone to go through something like that.

“She worked extremely hard to get herself back to competing,” Dowling said. “When you lose something that is important to you, you don’t realize how important it is. When it’s taken away, you realize what a big part of your life it is and it has really forced Marika to reflect on where she is going in life. I think it has helped her put golf in perspective.”

“There was a point where I really didn’t believe I was ever going to play again,” Marika said. “Going through that, it was either have the surgery or don’t ever play anything ever again. That was honestly never an option. That type of surgery, you don’t have a choice. It’s going to be excruciatingly painful and it takes a long time.”

Notwithstanding, Marika seems optimistic about the upcoming season.

“I’m going to play this spring,” she said. “I missed my last spring and this fall, and at this point I just started hitting full shots

again. It’s been a long process, but I really want to win.

I think I found a new appreciation for competition. I could have just told my coach I’m not playing again but I came here to win. I’m not planning on playing professional golf. I’m playing college golf to win; therefore, I needed to put myself through that, so I could play one more semester.”

Dowling said Marika is a great teammate and one of the most competitive people she has ever met. After returning from her injury, Dowling has noticed a difference in Marika.

“The competitive fire has grown,” Dowling said. “She realizes golf is not everything, but at the same time, she loves it and wants to compete. For the past year and a half she has been rehabbing to get back for the spring and I’m very proud of her for that.”

Isabelle said she has good expectations for the spring. She expecting everybody to work hard in the offseason and as long as everyone does, the team should be good.

“I expect some good results but we haven’t reached our full potential yet,” Isabelle said.

Marika added how she believes the team has a lot of talent.

“The last couple of years we were surprised when we were in contention, but now we’re disappointed when we don’t finish on top. That’s definitely a big change and that will push us toward achieving what we want to achieve,” Marika said.

“Golf is such an individual sport and you can really only worry about yourself when you’re out there, but in terms of practicing and preparing for tournaments, it’s a kind of feed-off-each-other type of thing,” Marika said. “If you see somebody going to practice in the offseason and you were just planning on sitting in all day, hopefully that makes you feel guilty and think to yourself, ‘Maybe I should go practice.’”

When Dowling was asked to describe Isabelle in one word, the first word that popped into her head was, “determined.”

When asked about Marika, she said, without hesitation, “competitive.”

“They both believe in this team and they both want to contribute and help us achieve our goals,” Dowling said. “They know what it takes to be the best in the world. That’s something that not many people get to experience.”

Isabelle Lendl follows through on a drive during the third round of the SunTrust Gator Women’s Golf Invitational on March 7, 2011 at the Mark Bostick Golf Course.


GATORS GOLF FEATURE

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They’re playing together for the first time, but they’re not playing together at all. They’re playing for the same team, but playing against one another. Each of them plays their game; full well knowing only one of them will prove to be victorious. It’s Spring 2010 and this is the first time sisters Isabelle and Marika Lendl will be playing on the University of Florida Women’s Golf team.

Michigan State is hosting the 2010 Central District Invitational in Bradenton, Fla. and the Lendl sisters, for this tournament, are not paired up together. There are 7,100 yards of River Wilderness Golf Course to handle and both understand – for this match – it is not going to be easy. With an abundance of lakes, wooded areas and hazards, this demanding course will not be easily defeated.

The tournament followed a 36–18 style, meaning the girls will play 36 holes on the first day and 18 holes on the second. After the first day, UF is leading, but the individual contest was still too close to call.

Isabelle, then a freshman, shot a 74 through the first 18 holes and 67 through her second 18 holes. Marika, then a sophomore, shot a 72 through the first 18 and 70 through the second. After 36 grueling holes, Isabelle was leading 141–142.

At the end of the first day, the individual battle could not have been more intense. Isabelle Lendl was one stroke behind leader Kelli Shean of Arkansas. Marika Lendl was only one stroke behind her sister. The first-place trophy was within all of their grasps and unfortunately for Kelli Shean, she was unaware of the sister rivalry she was dropped directly in the middle of.

The second day of the tournament commenced and the 18-hole battle began for the championship.

“Through the first nine holes, I played pretty well,” Marika said. “Isabelle was not playing all that well so I was a bit ahead of her.”

Momentum though is a fickle thing and unfortunately every player knows it can

betray your trust at any time. Isabelle was able to unite with this powerful energy for the final couple of holes and it helped to push her ever so close.

“I played the last six holes five-under (par),” Isabelle said.

Just like any good climax, the final hole would be the

determinant for the entire tournament.

It was the last hole of the tournament. Over the past two days, these girls had shot

53 holes and it all came down to this. Momentum was clearly

on Isabelle’s side, but Marika had remained consistent throughout the

entire tournament.Shean hit the ball into the hazard.

She was done. It was now between Isabelle and Marika and neither knew what the other’s score was. In the audience, amongst the crowd, their father, tennis great Ivan Lendl, stood watching his daughters from a distance.

Marika took a swing and managed to hit the ball to within one foot of the hole. She sank the putt for a birdie.

“At this point I knew I was one ahead of Isabelle,” Marika said. “I thought I won.”

Isabelle was only able to see her sister tap in the little one-foot putt on the last hole, and seeing that, combined with years of golf experience, lead her to believe something that was not true.

“I thought she tapped the shot in for par. I just saw her tap in a one-footer and since it was a longer hole, I didn’t think she could have hit it that close to the hole,” Isabelle said. “I thought, ‘She hit par, so as long as I birdie, I win.’”

Isabelle sank that final shot and made birdie. “I thought I won. I couldn’t believe it.”

Both girls thought they won. They both thought they won with their father standing right in the crowd.

“As I was walking up, my dad started

walking toward me… laughing,” Isabelle said. “He told me it was a good shot.” “I won, right?” Isabelle said.

“No, you tied,” Ivan Lendl said.“What are you talking about?”

she said. “Marika made par, right?”“Nope, that was birdie,” he said.Before Isabelle took that final shot,

Marika was standing with her dad by the side of the green watching her sister

attempt the “pointless” birdie shot. In her mind, she had already won. When Isabelle pulled the birdie-putt out of the hole, Ivan looked at Marika with this huge grin on his face.

“You know what that means?” he said.When the Lendl sisters found out they

tied for the win, neither was pleased.“Where’s the playoff,” Isabelle said.Marika and Isabelle both finished

the tournament four under with a total of 212 for two days.

Both sisters shot their round, had their lowest tournament score and had their best finish in college.

It just so happened, it was against each other.

Looking back, it became clear that neither sister was satisfied with the tie.

“They had a scorecard playoff, which I won because I had the lower Back 9, so technically, I won,” Isabelle said.

“Technically, in the standings, for rankings, it stands as a tie,” Marika said.

“But I have the championship trophy and she has the runner-

up trophy,” Isabelle said.“The runner-up trophy

is in a box in my locker because I don’t think it’s fair,” Marika said. “But being able to tie with my

sister for my first collegiate win – that’s something

I’ll never forget.”That was the first win for UF

that both sisters were on the team for. That was the first tournament both Lendl sisters played in college their father was able to watch.

This spring, there will be the last.

FLASHBACK TO ‘THE MATCH’LENDL SISTERS’ EPIC, FIRST-TIME BATTLE ENDS IN A TIE

BY THOMAS MORRELL



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FACT: Since the year 2000, UF has won three SEC Conference Tournaments (all consecutive, from 2005–2007).

TOP CLASSGATORS 2012 FOOTBALL SIGNING CLASS EXPECTED TO BE AMONG NATION’S BEST

COMPILED BY GATOR COUNTRY RECRUITING ANALYST ANDREW SPIVEY

At press time for this month’s magazine, the Florida Gators’ 2012 signing class was shaping up to be something special. By all accounts, it’s among the Top 5 signing classes in the country, and likely could be even higher with a few of the possible prospects still heavily considering signing with the Gators. In any case, second-year coach Will Muschamp has assembled a superb class in his first full year of recruiting for Florida.

Because of the nature of recruiting, nothing is certain until the ink dries during the national signing period, which begins Feb. 1. With roughly three weeks to go before then (this list was finalized on Jan. 9 for press purposes), we decided to take a look at the 19 prospects that had either signed early with UF, or made non-binding verbal commitments.

Don’t miss next month’s issue of Gator Country magazine as we’ll recap everything that happened on signing day. In fact, the entire issue will be devoted to the next crop of Gators football players. Be sure to check out GatorCountry.com for all the latest recruiting news.

In the meantime, here are a few of the superlatives and statistics of the prospects on the board at press time:

19GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012FACT: UF’s Health Science Center provides health and dental services in Gainesville and 11 other cities throughout the state.

JONATHAN BULLARDSchool(s): Crest HighHometown: Shelby, North CarolinaPosition: Defensive endHeight: 6-foot-4Weight: 255 pounds40 time: 4.6 secondsBullard made headlines on Jan. 7 when he announced his decision on national television during the U.S. Army All-American Game in San Antonio, Texas. He had a game-high two tackles for a loss in the game.

“I want to help in whatever way I can. Coach Muschamp and the staff do a great job and I can’t wait to get there,” Bullard said about why he chose Florida over Clemson, South Carolina and countless others.

DAMIEN JACOBSSchool(s): East Mississippi Community College (Scooba, Miss). / H.L. Bourgeois High (Louisiana)Hometown: Houma, LouisianaPosition: Defense tackleHeight: 6-foot-4Weight: 290 pounds40 time: 4.9 secondsJacobs record 47 tackles and two sacks in East Mississippi’s championship run. Jacobs and his teammates were 12–0 this year and were crowned NJCAA National Champions. Jacobs planned to arrive on campus on Jan. 7.

“I’m excited to be a part of the family and glad to be a Gator,” Jacobs said after he signed his National Letter of Intent to Florida.

WILLIE BAILEYSchool(s): Hallandale HighHometown: HallandalePosition: Defensive BackHeight: 6-foot-2Weight: 170 pounds40 time: 4.42 secondsHad three punt returns for touchdowns this year for his 5–5 Hallandale team. Bailey arrived at Florida on Jan. 7.

“I’m ready to get to Florida and start getting stronger and faster so I can play early,” Bailey said about what he is looking forward to doing after arriving on campus.

D.J. HUMPHRIESSchool(s): Mallard Creek HighHometown: Charlotte, North CarolinaPosition: Offensive LineHeight: 6-foot-6Weight: 280 pounds40 time: 4.89Did not allow a sack in his four years of high school football. Humphries panned to arrive on campus on Jan. 7.

“I just want to get on the field and ball out,” Humphries said of his goals for next year.

JESSAMEN DUNKERSchool(s): Boynton Beach HighHometown: Boynton BeachPosition: Offensive LineHeight: 6-foot-6Weight: 310 pounds40 time: 5.1Successfully moved from tackle to guard this season and will play guard at Florida. Dunker arrived at Florida on Jan. 7.

“Come in work hard and get early playing time as a true freshman,” Dunker said of his goal for next season.

AUSTIN HARDINSchool(s): Marist HighHometown: AtlantaPosition: KickerHeight: 5-foot-11Weight: 205 pounds40 time: 4.42Had a kickoff average of 71 yards and nailed a 53-yard field goal this year while connecting on all 38 PAT attempts.

“I’m ready to get to Florida and compete for the kicking duties,” Hardin said of his goals for Florida.

MATT JONESSchool(s): Armwood HighHometown: SeffnerPosition: Running BackHeight: 6-foot-3Weight: 225 pounds40 time: 4.47 While playing on an injured knee he still helped lead Armwood to a state championship in Florida.

“I want to come in ready to work hard and take care of my family,” Jones said of his goals for next year.

RHAHEIM LEDBETTERSchool(s): Crest HighHometown: Boiling Springs, North CarolinaPosition: SafetyHeight: 5-foot-11Weight: 190 pounds40 time: 4.53 secondsLedbetter led his Crest team to back-to-back state championship game appearances. Ledbetter was the leading rusher for Crest as well as the starting safety.

“(UF assistant) coach (DJ) Durkin tells me that I can come in and play early for Florida,” Ledbetter said of what Florida’s coaches have been telling him.

JONATHAN BULLARD

Photo by Soobum Im

JESSAMEN DUNKER

AUSTIN HARDIN

MATT JONES



Photo by Tim Casey

20 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012 FACT: UF’s Emerging Pathogens Institute is a national model for using interdisciplinary research methods to identify, prevent and treat human, animal and plant pathogens.

JAFAR MANNSchool(s): Stephenson HighHometown: Stone Mountain, GeorgiaPosition: Defensive TackleHeight: 6-foot-4Weight: 300 pounds40 time: 4.9 secondsMann had set his goal to gain weight from last spring until he arrived at Florida and he has successfully added 20 pounds of muscle since last spring.

“I’m going to be a big part of a great defense in the future,” Mann said of his plans for his career at Florida.

MARCUS MAYESchool(s): Holy Trinity Episcopal AcademyHometown: MelbournePosition: SafetyHeight: 6-foot-1Weight: 195 pounds40 time: 4.5 secondsMaye played both running back and safety for Holy Trinity before injuring his foot, but still accounted for 12 touchdowns. Maye will play safety at Florida.

“I want to play to early at Florida,” Maye said of his plans for next fall.

DANTE PHILLIPSSchool(s): Venice HighHometown: VenicePosition: Defensive TackleHeight: 6-foot-6Weight: 268 pounds40 time: 4.9 secondsPhillips played both offensive line and defensive line for his Venice high school team.

“I feel like I can come in and contribute to Florida early,” Phillips said as to why he verbally committed to Florida.

LATROY PITTMANSchool(s): North Marion HighHometown: CitraPosition: Wide RecieverHeight: 6-foot-1Weight: 202 pounds40 time: 4.5 secondsPittman accounted for 10 touchdowns this year while playing both wide receiver and safety. Pittman will enroll at Florida on Jan. 7.

“I’m going to get it because I’m chasing my dreams,” Pittman said of his goals at Florida.

ANTONIO MORRISONSchool(s): Bolingbrook HighHometown: Bolingbrook, IllinoisPosition: LinebackerHeight: 6-foot-3Weight: 220 pounds40 time: 4.68 secondsMorrison was named defensive player of the year in Illinois. Morrison arrived at Florida on Jan. 7.

“Coach Muschamp personally recruited me and made me a top priority to him,” Morrison said of why he chose Florida.

BRIAN POOLESchool(s): Southeast HighHometown: BradentonPosition: Defensive BackHeight: 5-foot-10Weight: 190 pounds40 time: 4.39Accounted for nine touchdowns this year while playing both cornerback and running back for Southeast. Poole will be a cornerback at Florida

“I’m ready to get a lot of interceptions at Florida,” Poole said of what he is looking forward to doing in college.

KENT TAYLORSchool(s): Land O’ Lakes HighHometown: Land O’ LakesPosition: Tight EndHeight: 6-foot-5Weight: 235 pounds40 time: 4.5 secondsTaylor accounted for 480 yards and five touchdowns this year for Land O’Lakes.

“I want to catch 30-40 balls next year,” Taylor said of his goal for his freshman season.

JEREMI POWELLSchool(s): Pinellas ParkHometown: LargoPosition: LinebackerHeight: 6-foot-2Weight: 200 pounds40 time: 4.45 secondsLed Pinellas Park to the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

“I love the Gators. I grew up a fan. I always wanted to a Florida Gator,” Powell said as to why he committed to Florida.

COLIN THOMPSONSchool(s): Archbishop Wood CatholicHometown: Warminster, Pennsylvania Position: Tight EndHeight: 6-foot-5Weight: 255 pounds40 time: 4.7 secondsLed Archbishop to the state title in Pennsylvania this season and had 178 yards receiving on the year.

“I’m just ready to get down there and compete and work hard,” Thompson said of his goals for next year.

QUINTEZE WILLIAMSSchool(s): Sandy Creek High Hometown: Tyrone, GeorgiaPosition: Defensive EndHeight: 6-foot-5Weight: 260 pounds40 time: 4.8 secondsAccounted for 12.5 tackles for loss this year for Sandy Creek. Williams will enroll at Florida on Jan. 7.

“I want to start as a true freshman and be a national champion before I leave Florida,” Williams said of his college goals.

MARCUS MAYE

LATROY PITTMAN

DANTE PHILLIPS

BRIAN POOLE

COLIN THOMPSON

Photo by Tim Casey

Photo by Soobum Im

Photo by Soobum Im


Photo by Tim Casey

21GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012FACT: UF’s Alma Mater was composed in 1925 by Milton Yeats.

22 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012 FACT: UF activities generate 100,000 statewide jobs, including more than 34,000 university employees and those employed by supporting businesses.

and her drive, both on and off the field. We strive to create a culture of excellence at Florida and Kelsey is a great example of the type of leader – a first-class person and student-athlete – that we hope to develop for continuation of our program’s success.”

Bruder and the rest 2011 senior class made appearances to the WCWS every year and only lost 33 games during their college careers. The class holds four consecutive SEC Eastern Division Titles, two SEC Championships and two WCWS national runner-up performances.

The 2012 team is fairly young. Of the 17 players on the roster, seven of them are freshmen. Among the newcomers, the Gators boast U.S. Junior Women’s National Team members Jessica Damico and pitcher Lauren Haeger, along with the 2011 Gatorade Florida Softball Player of the Year, Sami Fagan.

Centerfielder Michelle Moultrie and Ashley Snedeker are the only two seniors on the team. Moultrie is entering her final season with some great accomplishments including a position on the 2011 USA Softball Women’s National Team and shared honors of Most Outstanding Player with ASU’s Dallas Escobedo.

The Gators will step up to the plate for the first time in the 2012 season when the team travels to Tampa for the USF-Fairfield Inn Tournament on the weekend of Feb. 10.

BIG SHOES TO FILLGATORS SOFTBALL TEAM TRIES TO CONTINUE RUN OF WCWS APPEARANCES

BY DARBY UNDERWOOD,

PHOTOS BY TIM CASEY

Following one of the most successful seasons in University of Florida softball history, the Gators have sights set on returning to the Women’s College World Series for the fifth year in a row. Last year, the Gators fell short of becoming the first Southeastern Conference team to win the WCWS when they were swept against No. 1 seed Arizona State in the Championship Series.

With the loss of five seniors to graduation, the 2012 team has big shoes to fill. Among the graduates is utility player Kelsey Bruder, who was a big part in the

Gators success and a leader on the field. Bruder was the sixth Gator to be honored with the NCAA Top VIII Award, following Tim Tebow in 2009. The award is given annually to eight “outstanding” senior student-athletes.

UF coach Tim Walton recognized Bruder’s achievement and talked about his hopes for the future of Gators softball.

“Kelsey has meant so much to our program,” Walton said. “And for her to be recognized with such a prestigious national honor really shows a lot about her

Florida softball head coach Tim Walton presents an award to Kelsey Bruder during the Gators’ football game on Sept. 10, 2011. Bruder was honored with the NCAA Top VIII Award and named SEC Player of the Year last season.

6HQLRU�FHQWHU�ÀHOGHU�Michelle Moultrie

played for the USA Softball Women’s

National Team during the Gators’ offseason.

FEBRUARY 1ST3.00PMWomen’s Tennis UCFGainesville Improv Festival, Wed 2/1 8.00pm

10.00AM–3.00PMUF International Center Presents: 2012 UF Spring Study Abroad Fair @ UF International Center

3.00PM–4.00PMBarnyard Buddies @ Morningside Nature Center

7.30PMMcguire Pavilion Black Box Theatre

8.00PM“Intimate Apparel” – A Drama @ Vam York Theater

FEBRUARY 2ND7.00PMWomen’s Basketball @ LSU

7.30PMForeigner Acoustique: The Classics Unplugged @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

9.00PMMen’s Basketball South Carolina

FEBRUARY 3RDTrack & Field @ New Balance Collegiate Invite

Track & Field @ Virginia Tech Elite Meet

10.00AM–2.00PMPlow Days @ Dudley Farm Historic State Park

5.00PM–7.00PMJazz Piano at Kickin’ Devil Cafe.

7.00PM–10.00PMFirst Friday: American Heart Association and LifeSouth @ Bo Diddley Community Plaza

7.30PMFaculty Organ Recital @ University Memorial Auditorium

8.30PMGymnastics @ Alabama

FEBRUARY 4THTrack & Field @ New Balance Collegiate Invite

Track & Field @ Virginia Tech Elite Meet

10.00AM–5.00PMCruisin’ the Fossil Freeway @ Florida Museum of Natural History

1.00PMWomen’s Tennis @ Baylor

1.00PMMen’s Tennis @ Virginia

1.00PMMen’s Basketball Vanderbilt

3.00PMBlack History Month: History of Local Plantations @ Tower Road Branch, Alachua County Library

7.00PM–9.00PMZumbathon® Charity Fundraiser benefiting Travelers’ Philanthropy @ Gainesville Health and Fitness

8.30AM–2.00PMAlachua County Farmers Market 441 CASH MOB @ Alachua County Farmer’s Market

7.30PMUF Performing Arts presents Joshua Bell, Violin, Sam Haywood, Piano.@ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

9.00AM–4.30PMLiving History Days @ Morningside Nature Center

FEBRUARY 5TH2.00PMWomen’s Basketball Ole Miss

FEBRUARY 7TH3.00pm Vanishing Points: Paint and Paintings from the Debra and Dennis Scholl Collection @ Harn Museum of Art

4.00PMWomen’s Tennis South Florida

6.00PMNear Andersonville: Winslow Homer’s Civil War @ Harn Museum of Art

7.00PMMen’s Basketball@ Kentucky

FEBRUARY 9TH7.00PMWomen’s Basketball Auburn

7.30PMUf Wind Symphony @ University Auditorium

7.30PMUFPA Presents Ahn Trio With Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

FEBRUARY




FEBRUARY 10THTrack & Field @ Washington Invitational

Track & Field @ New Mexico Invitational

1.00PMWomen’s Tennis @ Pepperdine

6.15PMSoftball @ Long Island

7.00PMGymnastics Gators Link to Pink vs LSU

7.30PMThe Official Blues Brothers Revue @ Curtis M Phillips Center for Performing Arts

8.30PMSoftball @ FGCU

FEBRUARY 11THMen’s Golf SunTrust Gator Invitational

Track & Field @ Washington Invitational

12.00PMLacrosse @ North Carolina

1.00PMMen’s Tennis Florida State

1.00PMThe Wiz, presented by Danscompany @ Cone Park Branch, Alachua County Library District

2.00PMDala @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

3.00PMVerdant Earth and Teeming Seas: The Natural World in Ancient American Art @ Harn Museum of Ar

4.00PMMen’s Basketball Tennessee

6.15PMSoftball@ Maine

8.30PMSoftball @ Illinois State

FEBRUARY 12THMen’s Golf SunTrust Gator Invitational

12.00PMMen’s Tennis Illinois

1.00PMWomen’s Tennis @ Stanford

1.30PM Softball @ USF

1.30PMBlack History: Outside of the Book @ Alachua County Headquarters Library – Downtown

2.00PM–4.00PMGainesville Hoola Hoop Jam @ Westside Park

5.00PMWomen’s Basketball @ South Carolina

7.30PMWroclaw Philharmonic Orchestra Jacek Kaspszyk @ Curtis M Phillips Center for Performing Arts

FEBRUARY 13THWomen’s Golf @ Northrup Grumman Regional Challenge

7.30PMUF Jazz Bands @ University Auditorium

FEBRUARY 14THWomen’s Golf @ Northrup Grumman Regional Challenge

7.00PMMen’s Basketball @ Alabama

FEBRUARY 15THMen’s Swimming & Diving @ SEC Championships – Day 1

Women’s Swimming & Diving @ SEC Championships – Day 1

Women’s Golf @ Northrup Grumman Regional Challenge

5.00PMSoftball Jacksonville

6.30PMLacrosse Jacksonville

FEBRUARY 17THMen’s Swimming & Diving @ SEC Championships – Day 2


7.30PMUF Performing Arts Presents: Celtic Woman @ O’Connell Center

9.00PMWomen’s Basketball @ Vanderbilt


Men’s Swimming & Diving @ SEC Championships – Day 3

5.00PMSoftball Michigan State

6.00PM Dance Alive National Ballet: Carmina Fest @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

7.00PMBaseball Cal State Fullerton

7.30PMNoel Paul Stookey @ University Auditorium

8.00PMGymnastics @ Auburn

FEBRUARY 18THWomen’s Swimming & Diving @ SEC Championships – Day 4

Men’s Swimming & Diving @ SEC Championships – Day 4

1.00PMSoftball Michigan State


6.00PMMen’s Basketball @ Arkansas

FEBRUARY 19TH1.00PMSoftball Michigan State


1.00PMLacrosse @ UMBC

3.30PMWomen’s Basketball Georgia

FEBRUARY 20TH7.30PMUFPA Presents Monty Python’s Spamalot @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

FEBRUARY 21ST7.00PMMen’s Basketball Auburn

7.00PMBaseball Bethune-Cookman

7.30PMChamber Ensemble Of The Shanghai Chinese Orchestra @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

FEBRUARY 22TH7.00PMBaseball UCF

FEBRUARY 23RD1.00PMSoftball @ Texas A&M

3.30PMSoftball @ Washington

6.30PMAn Evening with Javaka Steptoe: Artist and Illustrator @ Alachua County Headquarters Library – Downtown

7.00PMWomen’s Basketball Mississippi State

7.30PMUF Performing Arts presents Arlo Guthrie – Boys Night Out @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

7.30PMUF Symphonic Band @ University Auditorium

FACT: UF is the only university to appear in the NACDA National All-Sports top-10 ranking for each of the past 28 years.

25GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012FACT: UF’s athletic victories include 26 national team championships, 201 SEC titles, and more than 230 individual national titles. 25GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012

FEBRUARY 24THTrack & Field @ SEC Indoor Championships

8.30AM–4.00PMSpring 2012 Butterfly Gardening Field Day & Open House @ Greathouse Butterfly Farm, Alachua FL

10.00AMWinter Fine Art Fair at Tioga @ Tioga Town Center, Newberry FL

1.00PMSoftball @ BYU

3.30PMSoftball @ Texas

5.00PM–9.00PM5th Winter Fine Art Fair @ Tioga Town Center Newberry, FL

6.30PMLacrosse Siena

7.00PMGymnastics Georgia

7.00PMBaseball William & Mary

7.00PM–11.00PMA Night at the Museum @ Florida Museum of Natural History

FEBRUARY 25THWomen’s Swimming & Diving @ Georgia Last Chance Meet

Men’s Swimming & Diving @ Georgia Last Chance Meet

Track & Field @ SEC Indoor Championships

12.30PMSoftball @ Boise State


4.00PMMen’s Basketball @ Georgia

7.30PM@ UFPA Presents Ronald K. Brown, Artistic Director @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

FEBRUARY 26THWomen’s Swimming & Diving @ Georgia Last Chance Meet

Track & Field @ SEC Indoor Championships

Women’s Golf @ Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Classic

Men’s Swimming & Diving @ Georgia Last Chance Meet

1.00PMWomen’s Tennis North Carolina


1.00PMLacrosse Detroit Mercy

2.00PMAriel String Quartet @ University Auditorium

3.30PMWomen’s Basketball @ Tennessee

FEBRUARY 27THWomen’s Golf @ Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Classic

Men’s Golf @ Charleston Shootout

FEBRUARY 28THWomen’s Golf @ Allstate Sugar Bowl Collegiate Classic

Men’s Golf @ Charleston Shootout

3.00PMMen’s Tennis USF

7.30PMUF Performing Arts presents Boston Brass @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

9.00PMMen’s Basketball @ Vanderbilt

FEBRUARY 29TH5.00PMWomen’s Tennis Florida State

7.30PMThe Pink Floyd Experience @ Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

7.30PMUF Concert Bands @ University Auditorium


FACT: The 2010-2011 titles helped UF sweep the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group SEC All-Sports titles.

2012 LOOKS PROMISING FOR GYM GATORSWITH SEVERAL STARS RETURNING, UF COMES IN AT NO. 3 IN PRESEASON POLLBY LISA GREENBERG, PHOTOS BY TIM CASEY


The Florida Gators gymnastics team kicked off its 2012 season with a meet in Raleigh with a win against North Carolina State on Jan. 6. For the second season in a row, the Florida Gators were No. 3 nationally in a preseason poll by GymInfo. The Gators have been in the Top 10 of the poll every year since the poll began in 1992, and this is their sixth consecutive preseason to be among the Top 4 (2007 – 3rd, 2008 – 2nd, 2009 – 3rd, 2010 – 4th, 2011 – 3rd).

Last season, the Gators finished seventh in the 2011 NCAA Championships. Defending national champion Alabama is No. 2 in the preseason poll while the top spot is held by 2010 NCAA Champion UCLA.

University of Florida coach Rhonda Faehn received the last two Southeastern Conference and NCAA Southeast Region Coach of the Year awards. However, the team’s success last season cannot only be attributed to the coach. The Gators gymnastics team featured several superstars, with 11 of last season’s gymnasts returning this season.

Of the 11 returners, four gymnasts combine for a total of nine All-American honors. Three key returners are Marissa King, Ashanée Dickerson and Alaina Johnson.

Marissa King, a junior, was the 2011 NCAA vault champion. The all-around gymnast also earned first-team All-American honors by advancing to the NCAA floor final. King was an All-SEC second-team selection after tying for second in the SEC Championship’s vault competition with a 9.90.

Ashanée Dickerson was the 2011 SEC floor exercise champion and earned her

second consecutive spot on the All-SEC first team. Last season, the junior earned three second-team All-American honors at the NCAA Championships for all-around, balance beam and floor exercise. She also was named the NCAA Southeast Region Gymnast of the Year for the second season in a row. Dickerson is the only Gators gymnast to earn the honor. The former Gymnast of the Week (Jan. 25) opened last season with consecutive all-around victories – against Nebraska, Kentucky and LSU. Her winning total against Nebraska (39.55) is the highest ever recorded by a Florida Gator in a season opener.

Johnson was named the 2011 Freshman

of the Year last season. She is a three-time All-American for vault, uneven bars and floor exercise. In addition, she earned All-American first-team honors for each event after advancing in all three events in the NCAA Championships. Johnson is first University of Florida gymnast to advance to three individual event finals in a single meet since 1998. She is also a member of the SEC All-Freshman team and received the honor of SEC Freshman Gymnast of the Week four times. She also earned the honor of SEC Gymnast of the Week. Johnson is the second among the Florida Gators with 14 event titles (five bars, five vault, three all-around and one floor).

FACT: The SEC was established in December 1932.

Junior Marissa King was the 2011 NCAA vault champion DQG�DQ�$OO�$PHULFDQ�RQ�WKH�ÁRRU�H[HUFLVH�

Sophomore Alaina Johnson was the SEC Freshman of the

Year and an three-time All-American last season.

Junior Ashanée Dickerson made

All-SEC First Team and has earned

All-American KRQRUV�ÀYH�WLPHV�LQ�KHU�ÀUVW�WZR�seasons at UF.


28 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012 FACT: Since the year 2000, UF has won three SEC Conference Tournaments (all consecutive, from 2005–2007).

DATE (AIR DATE&TIME)

MEET RESULT/DETAILS

SITETIME (ET)

VIDEO TV

Fri, Jan 6 North Carolina State Raleigh, NC 7:00 pm

Sun, Jan 8Meet the Team (Ted Crom

Gymnastics Studio)Gainesville, FL 1:00 pm

Fri, Jan 13 Illinois-Chicago Gainesville, FL 7:00 pm GatorVision Sun Sports

Fri, Jan 20 (1/28 9:00PM) Kentucky Lexington, KY 7:00 pm Fox Sport Network

Fri, Jan 27 (2/2 6:30PM)Arkansas, Bridgeport

and MarylandGainesville, FL 7:00 pm GatorVision ESPNU

Fri, Feb 3 (2/7 7:00PM) Alabama Tuscaloosa, AL 8:30 pm CSS

Fri, Feb 10 (2/19 1:30PM) Gators Link to Pink vs LSU Gainesville, FL 7:00 pm GatorVision ESPN2/ESPNU

Fri, Feb 17 (2/26 1:00PM) Auburn Auburn, AL 8:00 pm

Fri, Feb 24 (3/3 4:00PM) Georgia Gainesville, FL 7:00 pm GatorVision CSS

Sun, Mar 4 Nebraska Gainesville, FL 7:00 pm Fox Sport Network

Fri, Mar 16 Utah Lincoln, NE 3:00 pm GatorVision Sun Sports

Sat, Mar 24 (3/29 8:00PM)Southeastern Conference

ChampionshipsGainesville, FL 7:00 pm ESPN2/ESPNU

Sat, Apr 7 NCAA Regional Championships TBA 4:00 pm

Apr 20–22 NCAA Championships Duluth, GA

While the University of Florida had a great 2011 season and several superstars returning, two standout gymnasts joined the team that cannot go unrecognized.

Freshman Kytra Hunter was a 2009–10 and 2010–11 U.S. Senior National Team member and was also a Senior International Elite competitor. Hunter won the 2010 CoverGirl Classic floor title, took third place in vault and sixth place in all-around and in balance beam. The new UF gymnast competed in her first international competition at the 2009 European Tour and won floor at competition in Muelheim, Germany. She also represented the U.S. in competitions in France, Italy and Japan.

Another freshman to join the UF gymnastics team is Kiersten Wang. At the 2011 Junior Olympic Level 10 – Senior D Championships, she tied for second on the bars, tied for sixth on the beam and took seventh in all-around. At the 2011 Colorado State Championships, Wang was first in all-around, vault and uneven bars events. Also at the 2011 Colorado State Gymnastics

Championships, her peers voted her Sportswoman of the Year. When Wang competed at the 2010 Colorado Level 10 State Championship, she won the vault, bars, beam, floor and all-around titles.

According to the GymInfo 2012 preseason poll, there are seven SEC teams in the Top 25. They are No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Florida, No. 9 Georgia, No. 11 Arkansas, No. 12 LSU, No. 17 Auburn and No. 23 Kentucky. Within the preseason Top 12,

UF will face four teams at home – No. 5 Utah, Georgia, Arkansas and LSU. Last season, UF beat Utah, Georgia and LSU, but fell short against Arkansas.

This season, the UF gymnastics team is facing 4 teams in the preseason Top

10 – Alabama (Feb. 3 in Alabama), Utah (March 16 in Gainesville), Nebraska (March 4 in Nebraska), and Georgia (Feb. 24 in Gainesville). These meets will likely be the most challenging for the Gators. Last season, the Gators beat all four teams. Such an outcome this season is definitely possible, due to the Gators large amount of

talent. However, the most difficult of these meets will be against defending national champion Alabama.

Last season, Alabama’s Kayla Hoffman was awarded SEC Athlete of the Year – the first female athlete from Alabama to win the award since 2004. Even though Hoffman has graduated, there is still plenty of talent on the team. Senior Geralen Stack-Eaton was an All-SEC first team performer while five Crimson Tide gymnasts made the All-SEC second team last season in juniors Marissa Gutierrez and Ashley Sledge, and sophomores Sarah DeMeo, Kim Jacob and Diandra Milliner. DeMeo, Jacob and Milliner also made the Freshman All-SEC team. With these talented gymnasts returning, Alabama will certainly be a tough opponent for UF and the rest of the SEC. It will be interesting to see how these two teams match up.

With several stars returning, an award-winning head coach and a fierce drive to win, the 2012 season looks promising for the Gators.

29GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012FACT: UF has captured the SEC All-Sports Trophy 19 of the last 20 years.

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH!

Florida sophomore linebacker/defensive end Ronald Powell sacks

Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller during the Gators’ win against

the Buckeyes Photo by Tim Casey

Florida sophomore safety Matt Elam leaps over junior linebacker Jonathan Bostic during the Gators’ win against Ohio State. Photo by Andy Gregory

FACT: UF’s FISE enjoys the interdisciplinary efforts of more than 150 faculty in developing new technologies.

GATORS VOLLEYBALL REVIEW

SENIORS GO OUT IN ‘ELITE’ FASHIONFIVE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS FINISH IMPRESSIVE CAREERS WITH RUN TO ELITE EIGHTThe Florida Gators volleyball team wrapped up the 2011 season with a tremendous finish, reaching the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for the first time since 2005. Despite going into the tournament unseeded, the Gators fought and battled their way through future Southeastern Conference opponent Missouri and No. 6 overall seeded Northern Iowa on the Panthers’ own campus.

Florida defeated both Mizzou (23–25, 25–16, 25–20, 25–16) and the Panthers, (16–25, 25–14, 25–14, 25–22) 3–1, both times rebounding after falling short in the opening stanza.

“I think that we got off to a bit of a slow start, just working on our nerves and getting used to the speed of their offense,” senior outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel said. “Obviously, they came out playing hard and we fought back and we were able to get a little more stable and get a little more into a rhythm that we carried into the next three games.”

These two solid victories in the first and second rounds of the NCAA Championships, brought the Gators back home to Gainesville where they hosted the NCAA Regionals in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Florida first faced off against the Michigan Wolverines where they came out victorious, knocking off the Wolverines in a 3–0 set sweep, 25–21, 25–13, 27–25.

“We knew coming in they were going to be good,” Michigan coach Mark Rosen said. “They’re two great, very talented players, and I don’t think we had a very good answer for them.”

As the Gators advanced to the Elite Eight, they registered the highest hitting efficiency achieved by a Florida Gator team that deep into the postseason.

“.439 is the highest that any Florida team has hit at this round of the NCAA Tournament,” Florida coach Mary Wise said. “We’ve said we thought our team was playing its very best”. Well, no Gator team has had an offense at that level. Both Kristy (Jaeckel) and Kelly (Murphy) just continue to be in the zone. It’s like the game is moving in slow motion for them in terms of their hitting choices, and then add a triple-double for Kelly and the four blocks by Kristy.

“I thought we handled their tough serves very well. I think we were very fortunate to win in three and that worked just fine for us.”

The Gators knew what to expect from their next opponent in No. 3 overall seeded Illinois and the obstacles they should anticipate from the Fighting Illini.

“They are a very, very good team,” said Wise about the Fighting Illini. “That’s why they were a No. 1 seed. The combination of big-time point scorers and the front row and elite players in the back row, the margin of error just gets smaller and smaller. They

don’t have a lot of cracks in their system, and that’s why I think that they’ve been so good for so long.”

One win away from a spot in the NCAA Final Four berth, the Gators poured their heart and soul onto the court in front of a massive crowd of 3,523 ecstatic fans. All of the players left everything they had out on the O’Connell floor for their last match of the season.

FOR ME, I COULDN’T BE PROUDER OF THE WAY THAT WE FOUGHT. GOING INTO THE TOURNAMENT WE WERE AN UNSEEDED TEAM BUT WE WENT OUT AND WE FOUGHT AS HARD AS WE COULD AND I THINK THAT WE PLAYED THE BEST VOLLEYBALL THAT WE HAVE ALL SEASON.” UF senior volleyball player Kristy Jaeckel

Tonight didn’t go our way but I couldn’t be more proud of everyone who stepped up and took their game to the next level these last couple of weeks.”

Illinois took the first set, 25–22, but the Gators rebounded back notching the second stanza, 25–23 for the two teams to head into intermission tied at 1–1. Out of intermission, the Fighting Illini dominated the third set 25–14 and then closed out the match with a 25–20 win to claim their road to the Final Four in San Antonio, Texas.

The road to the Elite Eight was a tested one and Wise believes the key to their success was the absence of pressure from the Gators being unseeded in the tournament.

“We look at it as no pressure,” Wise said. “We are unseeded, no one expected us to get this far. Confidence is high, expectations are low, which equals no pressure.”

Illinois coach Kevin Hambly was impressed with the way the Gators battled and clawed after their match-up.

Florida redshirt senior outside hitter Kristy Jaeckel was a crowd favorite throughout her career. Photo by Tim Casey


BY ELIZABETH RHODES

GATORS VOLLEYBALL REVIEW

“I thought Florida, coming into this match and during this match, played at a really high level,” Hambly said. “Congratulations on their team making it to the final eight. I thought it was a good match and could have gone either way. They were tough to stop, and they’re one of the best offensive teams we’ve faced. They presented a lot of challenges for us.”

Leaving Florida after this season are five seniors who have dedicated four strong years to the Gators’ volleyball program. In their four years at Florida, seniors Cassandra Anderson, Stephanie Ferrell, Elissa Hausmann, Kristy Jaeckel and Kelly Murphy have notched two SEC titles, including the 2010 title where the Gators took the first-ever undefeated league title after moving to the double round robin format. The seniors have made three straight Sweet 16 appearances and broke that wall this season’s Elite Eight appearance.

The Gators ended their 2011 season with a spectacular 27–6 record, accomplishing some incredible feats along the way. They reached the NCAA Tournament for the 21st consecutive season

and the regional finals for the first time since 2005. Florida also tied for 2nd place in the SEC with Kentucky while Tennessee claimed the conference crown.

“I was really impressed with how we were able come through and fight in every single match,” Murphy said. “We might not have started out well but everyone found a way to step it up and we made it past the Sweet Sixteen, which is something that I haven’t been able to do until this year. It was just a lot of fun playing with this team.”

CASSANDRA ANDERSON-MIDDLE BLOCKER Second Team All-SEC (2010) Two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Week (2008 & 2010) Three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll (2 SEC & 1 SEC All-Freshman)

STEPHANIE FERRELL-OUTSIDE HITTER Second Team All-WAC (2009 at Hawaii) Stanford Regional NCAA All-Region Team (2009 at Hawaii) Active Ankle SEC/ACC Challenge MVP (2011)

ELISSA HAUSMANN-DEFENSIVE SPECIALIST Three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll (2 SEC & 1 SEC All-Freshman)

KRISTY JAECKEL- OUTSIDE HITTER Honorable Mention All-America (2010)

AVCA All-South Region (2010)

Three-time All-SEC (2010: Second Team; 2009: First Team; 2008: All-Freshman Team)

AVCA National Player of the Week (2011)

SEC Offensive Player of the Week (2011)

Two-time SEC Freshman of the Week

Four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll (3 SEC & 1 SEC All-Freshman)

2011 First Team Academic All-District

Campus USA Credit Union Invitational MVP (2008 & 2011)

Aquafina Invitational MVP (2008)

KELLY MURPHY-SETTER/RIGHT-SIDE HITTER Three-time AVCA All-American (2010: First Team; 2009: Second Team; 2008: Third Team)

Three-time Volleyball Magazine All-American (2010: First Team, 2009 & 2008: Second Team) 2008 Under Armour/Volleyball Magazine National Freshman of the Year 2008 AVCA National Freshman of the Year Three-time AVCA All-South Region (2008-2010) 2008 AVCA Region Freshman of the Year Three-time AVCA National Player of the Week Seven-time SEC Offensive Player of the Week

2010 SEC Player of the Year Three-time All-SEC (2009 & 2010: First Team; 2008: All-Freshman Team) 2008 SEC Freshman of the Year Three-time SEC Freshman of the Week 2010 Second Team Academic All-District Three-time SEC Academic Honor Roll (2 SEC & 1 SEC All-Freshman) Campus USA Credit Union Invitational MVP (2009) Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award finalist

FAST FACTS ON FLORIDA’S FAB 5THE GATORS’ FIVE SENIOR VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS COMPILED AN OVERALL RECORD OF 103–17, WITH AN SEC RECORD OF 69–9 IN THEIR TENURE AT UF. HERE ARE A FEW OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL SUPERLATIVES:

Florida senior setter/right-side hitter Kelly Murphy ended her career as one of the best to ever wear the orange and blue. Photo by Rodney Rogers

Florida redshirt senior outside hitter Stephanie Ferrell was a key to the

*DWRUV�ÀQLVKLQJ� among the Top-8

teams in the nation. Photo by Tim Casey

Florida senior defensive specialist Elissa Hausmann was named to the SEC Academic Honor Roll three times in her career. Photo by Tim Casey

FACT: As a land-, sea- and space-grant institution, UF is dedicated to serving the interests of society. 31GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012


BY THOMAS GOLDKAMP

GATORS CENTER PATRIC YOUNG FIRING AT FULL BORE FOR

SOPHOMORE SEASON

FACT:�7KH�ÀUVW�1&$$�7RXUQDPHQW��D�UXQ�WKDW�GLGQ·W�HQG�XQWLO�WKH�6ZHHW�6L[WHHQ��FDPH�LQ��

YOUNG GUN


Patric Young reached up and slammed Bernard James’ layup into the backboard, curling it into his left arm and pulling down a giant rebound. He passed it quickly in transition and nearly brought down the rim on the offensive end seconds later with a thunderous dunk as the crowd at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center roared to life.

His play sparked a big run for the Gators to help topple the rival Florida State Seminoles in an 82–64 blowout. His teammates and coaches have seen him make plays like that for the past two years.

“I see it every day. He’s got a great motor, he’s got great energy, he’s really, really athletic,” coach Billy Donovan said. “It was a great play, and it fueled our team and gave us momentum, gave us energy.”

As the Gators entered the season in the national limelight thanks to a backcourt boasting a bevy of former McDonald’s All-Americans and 1,000-point scorers, Young entered the season without a lot of fanfare.

He averaged 3.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game as a true freshman while starting twice in 37 games. Staying out of foul trouble was a big concern after he had picked up two fouls in just 18 minutes per game as a freshman. But so far this season Florida’s former McDonald’s All-American in the frontcourt has done well to keep himself in games.

When Florida was preparing for its season this fall, Donovan helped stress to Young the importance of staying out of foul trouble. He encouraged other players to hack at him in the paint, and Donovan intentionally held the whistle to see how the sophomore center would respond.

Florida sophomore center Patric Young has learned to focus his strength during his sophomore season. Photo by Tim Casey

Florida coach Billy Donovan has helped Young stay out of foul trouble. Photo by Tim Casey

FACT: The UF Men’s Basketball 1987 tournament run featured future NBA star Vernon Maxwell.

YOUNG GUN

34 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012 FACT: Since the year 2000, UF has won three regular season SEC Conference Championships (2000, 2001, 2007).

35GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012FACT: The arrival of Billy Donovan in 1996 signaled a new era in Gators basketball

“I think Patric has one challenge that he has to deal with,” Donovan said. “His biggest thing is, because he is so competitive, he can allow circumstances to affect him and frustrate him. I think one of the biggest things you want a young player to be able to do is to get them, first and foremost, to understand that he can control his emotions. But also because the game is constantly moving, you got to be able to go from one play to the next and you can’t live in the other one.”

Young has not only been able to keep his emotions in check, he’s been able to harness them and use them to fuel the team.

While Florida may be most fun to watch when Erving Walker, Kenny Boynton and Brad Beal are lighting it up from downtown, the Gators are most effective when the backcourt is able to establish the big man and get him going. Getting them to do that consistently was Donovan’s major emphasis through the non-conference part of the season.

He has compared the team’s scoring ability to Florida’s back-to-back national championship teams. However, there’s one key difference he sees between the two.

The Gators were completely unselfish and understood how to read the flow of a game to take advantage of what an opposing defense was giving up when they were winning championships. So far this year, Florida hasn’t quite figured that out.

“That was the thing, the beauty, of that team in 2006–2007, it was like pick your poison,” Donovan said. “What are you going to try to do, who are you going to try to take out of the game? Because you can’t guard it all.”

Though Florida’s frontcourt isn’t as deep or as talented as it was when future NBA lottery picks Joakim Noah and Al Horford prowled the paint, Young – who ESPN projects as a “late lottery pick” if he declares for the 2012 NBA Draft – has flashed the ability to be a dominant presence inside. He holds the key to Florida’s championship hopes.

It’s simply a matter of the Gators’ guards being able to unlock them.

“There’s got to be a better understanding,” Donovan said. “We’ve got to have an understanding of what’s going on and then try to take advantage of what’s open.”

When teams focused on taking away Young, Florida’s backcourt has been more than capable of making opponents pay from behind the arc. But when teams have

focused on shutting down the perimeter scoring, Florida has faltered.

In losses to Ohio State, Syracuse and Rutgers, Donovan said he would have liked Young to get more touches. Though Young posted a double-double against the Buckeyes, Florida’s guards stopped going to him in the second half.

In a game against Arizona, the guards recognized Young had a favorable matchup and frequently worked it into the post. The sophomore finished with 25 points and 10 rebounds in the Gators’ win.

“I think us getting more cohesive on offense, I think that’s going to be important,” Donovan said. “I think Patric’s game against Arizona helped because I think our guys were able to see clearly when he gets the ball with angles in the right areas to score, he can certainly score, and we found him.”

Even though his teammates sometimes miss opportunities to get him the ball, Young has stayed humble and patient. The Jacksonville native believes if he continues to produce on a consistent basis he’ll get his chances.

“I HAVE BEEN A PRETTY PASSIONATE GUY MY WHOLE CAREER AS A

BASKETBALL PLAYER,” HE SAID. “I THINK EVERY TIME I STEP ON THE COURT I GO AS HARD AS I CAN AND

DO ALL THE RIGHT THINGS. GUYS WILL START NOTICING THINGS LIKE THAT,

AND HOPEFULLY I’LL EARN SOME RESPECT FROM GUYS AND HAVE A GOOD INFLUENCE ON THE TEAM.”

Young watches his backcourt teammates score night in and night out, while his scoring ranges from quiet single-digit nights to explosive outings like his game against Arizona. That’s perfectly OK with Donovan, so long as the center is continuing to do all the little things that make him one of Florida’s most valuable players.

His energy is infectious and the team feeds off the big plays like he made when he stuffed James’ shot. Donovan wants to see more of that. If Young scoring more points is a byproduct of that, great.

“I don’t want Patric to be focused on the scoring side of it,” Donovan said. “If he just uses his size, strength and athleticism he’s going to score. We need him to be focused on making us a better team, a better rebounding team and having his energy be contagious for our team.”

Young’s on the same page as his head coach. He knows he’s being counted on to pack the punch in the frontcourt, and when he comes out focused he’s capable of delivering the knockout blow to the opponent.

For him, Florida’s success is as much about creating more opportunities for the lethal backcourt than it is them finding him inside on offense.

“Every offensive rebound that we give up, it takes away our chances of getting into transition and that really takes away from our team because we’re so good in transition,” he said. “Any time we get the ball, defensive rebounds and get to transition, we’re a pretty scary team. We need to stick to that as our strength and focus on rebounding, so we can go out and do that more.”

Already wise beyond his years, Young is ready to help his team take the next step. The Gators came up one game short of the Final Four last season with him playing a backup role.

Now that the team has put its hopes on his broad shoulders, he’s ready to do his part. He’s taking it one day at a time.

“I know every time I step onto the court that to become like a pro, I have to step on the court and be consistent every day, have the right mindset, be coachable, be ready to get better and think about basketball all the time.”

The former McDonald’s All-American has worked to make his game more well-rounded. Photo by Tim Casey

Photo by Matt Pendleton

FOR THE BACKYARD AND BEYOND!

HARDBACK STADIUM SEATIn thinking of spring, it’s hard to not think of baseball. The hardback Gators Stadium Seat is a relief from the normal stadium bleachers. The frame is made of white powder coated steel tubing, while two hinged clips will keep it tightly fastened to the bleacher. The backrest is even angled slightly for added comfort!WWW.LOGOCHAIRS.COM $36.95

TIGER TOOTHOn the course, or in the backyard, it never hurts to have a bottle opener around. Tiger’s Tooth Key Ring Bottle Opener is a reliable, easy-to-use opener that completely blends in with your keys. With customizable markings and the extended ‘tooth’ on the key’s stem, this newly created key can open bottles, pop can tabs and open boxes. Its laser markings give it a cool look and the key itself is made of 100 percent American stainless steel.WWW.TIGERSTOOTH.COM $9.95

GEARING UP FOR SPRING

BY DANIEL SUTPHIN

THE BACKYARD DRIVING RANGEFor those times when you can’t get to the course, the Backyard Driving range is a great substitute. A ball dispenser holds up to 150 golf balls and automatically places them on the included tee, eliminating the hassle of bending over to tee up a ball between each shot. The tented net is made from durable nylon with double-stitched seams and withstands even the hardest drives or iron shots.WWW.HANNACHER.COM $249.95

FACT: UF is consistently ranked among the nation’s top universities.36 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012

FOR THE BACKYARD AND BEYOND!

GATORS STRING PACKThe Gators String Pack is a light, convenient alternative to carrying around a backpack, a purse or cluttered pockets. It would be great for a trip to the beach, the park or a casual stroll. It is made of 420 and 840 denier polyester and comes in Gators colors with drawstring shoulder straps.WWW.LOGOCHAIRS.COM $17.99

TWILIGHT SUPERNOVASince it gets dark early these days, an afternoon at the golf course is usually short-lived. If you’re the type to play through, Twilight’s Supernova glow-in- the-dark balls are a great addition to your golf bag. The Supernova improves the illumination timing by increasing it to 8 minutes, and also adding a reset that starts the time over with each impact.WWW.TWILIGHTSUPERNOVS.COM $27.95

XTREMEMAC 1951 SPORTWRAP FOR IPHONE/IPOD TOUCHAll of those weekends spent tailgating can often cause one to pack on a few pounds. With Xtrememac’s new Sportwrap you can work off the weight and listen to you favorite tunes. The lightweight armband protects while keeping the device safe from moisture and other outdoor hazards. The anti-glare mask allows users to insert and remove the device while offering full access to the touch screen.WWW.XTREMEMAC.COM $29.95

BACKYARD BARKEEPFootball may be ending but that doesn’t mean the party has to stop. With Backyard Barkeep you can set up all of your favorite tailgate games in the back yard or on the pavement. Set these sturdy, metal drink holders on either side of your backyard to help spread out the party. They hold your drinks and keep the score so you don’t have to!WWW.BACKYARDBARKEEP.COM $59.95

GATORS CLASSIC FLEECE BLANKETEven with Spring around the corner, we do live in Florida so the weather will always be sporadic. It’s good to be prepared for warm and cold nights. With the Gators classic fleece blanket, you can be warm and show off some Gator pride! It measures 50” x 60” and is made of 100% polyester.WWW.LOGOCHAIR.COM $25.15

GATORS PARTY BUCKETPerfect for any backyard barbecue, the Gators Party Bucket is 13 inches in diameter, lightweight and insulated with a heat-sealed, leak-proof PVC liner that will hold up to one dozen 12-ounce cans.WWW.LOGOCHAIRS.COM $34.46

FACT: UF is a member of the Association of American Universities. 37GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012


FAN FEATURE

FACT: UF is home to 16 colleges and more than 150 research centers and institutes.

CLIFF’SSTORY

HOMELESS FAN A MAINSTAY AT GATORS GAMES

BY PHILLIP HEILMAN


FAN FEATURE

FACT: UF has 5,434 faculty members with distinguished records in teaching, research and service.

With shoulder-length blonde hair and a thick, flowing mustache to match, Cliff Stafford is someone fans will definitely notice at a Gators sporting event. His trademark liveliness and vivacity are as tangible as the orange and blue he wears Cliff is a can’t miss.

In this day and age of recruits flip-flopping, players transferring by the handful and seemingly endless coaching carousels, Cliff’s story shows both stability and commitment.

Despite his trademark look and enthusiasm, as well as his commitment to all things Gators, he is often the type of person who goes unnoticed by the general public. Viewed but not seen. Heard but not listened to.

Cliff is one of the greatest supporters of the University of Florida and its

athletics. He is also homeless.

HOMELESS IN GAINESVILLEHomelessness is a rampant problem both in Alachua County and in the city of Gainesville. According to the Alachua Country Coalition for the Homeless & Hungry, a 24-hour count in January of 2011 totaled 1,783 men, women and children as being homeless in the county.

By the coalition’s count, this was a 38 percent increase in local homelessness from the previous year.

In 2009, the National Coalition for the Homeless pegged Gainesville as the fifth meanest city for homeless people in the United States.

Craig Lowe, the mayor of Gainesville, and the rest of the Gainesville city commissioners have spearheaded a 10-year plan to reduce the homeless population in the city.

Recently, the city commission changed the statute that limited the number of meals the St. Francis House, a local shelter and food bank, could serve. Prior to this change, only 130 meals could be served per day.

Now, the St. Francis House can serve food for a three-hour window. This change, along with Gainesville making a conscious effort to reach out to the homeless, is something Theresa Lowe, the director of the Office of Homelessness said is improving the relationship between Gainesville and its homeless population.

“The city and the county are both committed to doing what they can to end homelessness,” Lowe said. “The city is looking to build a one-stop homeless assistance center, which when built should go a long way towards helping the problem.”

Grace Market Place, the one-stop homeless assistance center Gainesville is looking to build would be another step in the right direction for the city of Gainesville.

When asked about her take on the raw number of homeless people, Lowe spoke adamantly about not being satisfied. “One person is too many,” she said. “There is no acceptable number of homeless people.” But still, there are 1,783 people in the county with no place to call home. People with lives to live and stories to tell.

EARLY LIFEFor Cliff, the story begins shortly after his birth in 1957. Like many others, being a Gators fan was never a choice. He was born with it in his blood.

“I have been a Gators fan since I was a little boy. My dad started bringing me over for games before Spurrier won the Heisman Trophy,” Cliff said, smiling as he thought back through his life. “That’s where it all started.”

Born in Gulf Hammock and growing up in nearby Ocala, Cliff has experienced the highs of being a Gator for the last 50-plus years. He has also experienced the lows. “The worst year for the football team was 1979. 0–10–1. The one was a tie with Georgia Tech,” Cliff remembered.

Maybe it was then that Cliff developed the traits that embody him today. Passionately supporting his team, win or lose, in all kinds of weather. “When I believe in something, it’s all or nothing. It’s not part way,” Cliff said.

IF MY TEAM IS LOSING, I’M NOT GOING TO SIT THERE LIKE A BUMP ON A LOG, WITH A SOUR LOOK ON MY FACE AND CRITIQUE THE TEAM. I’M GOING TO BE STANDING THERE CHEERING ALL THE HARDER TO LET THEM KNOW I DON’T CARE, I’M WITH THEM 100 PERCENT, ALL THE WAY.

MARRIAGE AND FAMILYAfter experiencing the worst season in Gators football history in 1979, Cliff graduated from the University of Florida the following year with a degree in Computer Science. “That was back when people were still running around with punch cards,” Cliff said, chuckling as he thought about how far technology has come since then. “Punch cards were everywhere.”

Cliff married his high school sweetheart, Donna, during this time. She was also a Gators fan and UF student, studying nursing at the university. Upon their graduation, they moved back to Ocala.

It was then Cliff joined the Marine Corps. More importantly to him, it was then he began to raise a family.

Cliff’s face flashed a brilliant smile as he retold stories about his family. One in particular involved one of his daughters. “Most men can’t say they were ever in the Girl Scouts, but I was for a few years,” Cliff bragged.

He told a story of leading his middle daughter’s Girl Scouts troop to Boston and being locked inside all night with hundreds of energy-rich girls. Most men cringe at this thought. Cliff was consumed with happiness from it.

Leading her Girl Scout troop for years helped develop the compassion and sensitivity you see in him today. It is something he will forever take pride in.

In all, Cliff and his wife had three daughters. Ask about any of them and Cliff will talk about them like any proud father like him would. “Two of my three daughters were born right here at Shands Hospital,” Cliff said. “And six grandchildren were born right here, too.”

Raising his family is something Cliff spoke about forever cherishing. The fact he was able to watch it grow and get bigger in the place he loves most is something truly special.

FROM FAN TO FANATICDonna passed away from a brain tumor a few years ago, and Cliff then decided to completely submerse himself in all things Gators. It was Donna who pushed him this way in the first place.

“I have always been a Gator, but my late wife was the one that was actually the women’s sports fanatic,” Cliff said. “When she passed, I started going to the women’s games. I had been keeping up with them through her for decades.”

While men’s sports dominate the landscape, Cliff prefers to support women’s sports. Between raising three daughters and being married 32 years to a woman whose love for women’s sports ran so deep, Cliff has a special appreciation for women’s athletics.

“I started going after she passed five years ago, making all the home games,” Cliff said. “I found several sports that I follow vividly, seven total that I follow, but three that I follow extremely closely.

I follow volleyball, women’s basketball, gymnastics, soccer, softball, lacrosse and women’s rugby. But I follow volleyball, women’s basketball and lacrosse the closest.”

Cliff Stafford keeps a positive attitude at UF sporting events throughout the year. Photo by Tim Casey


FAN FEATURE

FACT: Florida’s leading university traces its beginnings to a small seminary in 1853.

When asked how a homeless guy gets into these events, Cliff whipped out his Gator Gold Card similar to how a police officer shows his badge. To him, the card is a badge. It signifies his ongoing commitment to the team.

The Gold Card allows Cliff to get into all home volleyball, women’s basketball and gymnastics events. The rest of the events he attends are free to the public.

People may wonder why someone who is homeless would spend their money on a Gold Card, becoming a Gator Backcourt Booster Club member and renewing his yearly UF Alumni Association membership. For Cliff, it all makes sense.

“If you spend money on what’s important, you don’t have to worry about stupid stuff,” Cliff said. “Quite a number of people in my situation, if they get a dollar they will run out and by beer, crack, cigarettes or something. I get what I want.”

Many people who are homeless have different dependencies on things that cause them to spend money in unfruitful ways. Cliff chooses to spend his money at UF.

“Every extra penny I get, I’m spending it at UF somewhere,” he said. “Whether it’s at the sports shop, the Alumni Association, donating money to the Mary Wise Endowment fund, whatever it is, my extra money comes to UF.”

The extra money he spends to become a member of the Gator Backcourt Booster Club allows Cliff to have a personal relationship with many of the women’s basketball players. For the other sports, his continued presence and support foster the growth in relationships between the players and him.

“It’s a way to really get to know the team, to let the team themselves know, that there are people out there that care,” he said. “I’m one of those people, I don’t care if they win, lose or draw, I’m going to be standing right there, yelling for my girls until the final buzzer. We could be down 40 points and I will still be standing there cheering for my team. That’s what being a Gators fan is and what being a booster should be.”

IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHERCliff’s view on athletics and being a fan is one that differentiates him from most people.

Super Bowl winning head coach of the Green Bay Packers Vince Lombardi once said, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.”

Many people have bought into this idea. This mindset where winning at all costs is status quo.

This mindset of winning above all else that has hampered many universities with scandals, suspensions and bans is one that makes little sense to Cliff.

“Any athlete knows that having one idiot in the audience cheering for you will increase your productivity much more than having nobody out there,” Cliff said, altogether perplexed at the thought of fans either not coming, or coming and critiquing players for a poor performance. “They will feel better after the game because they will know they did it in front of people that care. That’s the whole purpose of being a fan; we are there to support the team no matter what.”

That is the thing about Cliff, he is the most passionate supporter of his teams, often finding himself as one of the lone people standing and cheering for the women’s basketball team, but his passion for a victorious outcome is far outweighed by his passion for the team on an individual basis.

His passion for the players as people is what sets him apart. “They are people. They all have their own dreams, they have their own troubles, and they are all kids. As an adult, we are supposed to look out for our kids,” Cliff stated. “I want to know that they are doing okay in school, I want to know that their family is okay, I want to know that these girls trust their coaches, and we have a good coaching staff, because these girls have dreams past college, and I don’t want to see their dreams end in college because of something silly. I care about them.”

The fact that Cliff does truly care so much about the players both on and off the court is something not lost on them. In talking to different players, all were quick to express their gratitude toward Cliff both for being a fan of their game, but also for being a friend.

Senior women’s basketball player Azania Stewart was happy to give Cliff praise for what he does.

Alberta shows Cliff some love at a women’s basketball game. Photo by Rodney Rogers


FAN FEATURE

FACT: UF has an enrollment of more than 50,000 students annually.

“He’s at every sport and event, because I go to pretty much all the events, and I see him there and he acknowledges me at every event I go to, even my games,” she said. “He comes in exactly as soon as the doors open and that’s just great to see. He’ll wave and he knows my name. It’s great to see the commitment and the pride, I mean he jumps and shouts and that’s what we need.”

Jordan Jones, another senior on the women’s basketball team spoke about fans like Cliff making the difference. In a sport where some schools have a tough time getting anyone to come out and watch, the Gators are fortunate to have fans who truly do care.

LIFE ON THE STREETCliff certainly was not always homeless. A construction worker by trade, he worked at Timmerman Construction in Flemington, Florida.

At this time, he lived in Anthony, Florida, and was building houses for Timmerman in both Ocala and Gainesville. After his boss died and the company collapsed, Cliff found himself without a job.

“People don’t want to hire a fifty-anything-year-old construction worker that has back problems,” Cliff lamented. “It’s not bad enough to get disability, but it’s bad enough that if I put it on an application, they are not going to hire me. But I’m not going to lie, that’s just not right.”

Therefore, Cliff continues to apply for different jobs and work part time while searching for his next full-time gig. Until then, he lives on the streets.

Cliff understands the stigma that goes along with being homeless. He has seen the way different people look at him.

While he understands the stigma, he refuses to be a part of it. Never letting the situation break his spirit, Cliff vows to continue to work to better his life.

“Quite a number of homeless people don’t take care of themselves. Quite a few of them have mental or physical problems, so they drink or do drugs to alleviate that,” Cliff said, having seen the worst. “Then they get caught up in it and are out begging for money, begging for this and that. That’s where the stigma comes from.”

Cliff lives in a tent in a place appropriately dubbed “Tent City”, in the heart of Gainesville. He lives with his camp mate, Kenny, while a host of others also live in the makeshift neighborhood.

In visiting with Cliff, his true character shows when talking about his living situations. The same love for people that makes Cliff a passionate, supportive fan also makes him an ideal camp mate given the situation.

Kenny, his camp mate, is 66-years old. He battles a variety of problems such as glaucoma, cataracts and trouble with his lungs and knees.

For Kenny, there is little hope of finding a job to get him off of the streets. However, Cliff refuses to leave without his friend.

“He’s not going to work, but he needs someone to help look out for him, so I wouldn’t go someplace without him,” Cliff said. “I have taken over looking out for him because he and I are friends. If I go, he goes.”

“This is because that is friendship. That is what is right. If you are ever truly a Gator, you are a Gator for life. If you are ever truly a friend, you are a friend for life.”

Cliff knows these things. He lives it.The mindset he has

developed since those first Gators games as a young boy is the same one that rings true today in his friendship with Kenny.

“In all kinds of weather, we all stick together,” Cliff said. “For F-L-O-R-I-D-A.”

42 GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012 FACT: UF is an economic powerhouse behind Florida’s economy.

The University of Florida Gators women’s tennis team was on top for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Preseason Rankings. The Gators brought back seven members from the 2011 NCAA championship team.

This is the eighth time the Gators will start No. 1 since the rankings started during the 1985–86 season. The 2003–04 season was the last time the Gators topped the preseason standings.

The Gators went 31–1 during their national championship season and finished by defeating Stanford 4–3 in Stanford, Calif.

Florida will take on five of the Top 7 teams during the regular season. The Gators will travel to Stanford for a rematch of last year’s title game on Feb. 12. Florida will head to Baylor on Feb. 4 and go to Georgia to face its Southeastern Conference foe in the Bulldogs. The Gators will host North Carolina on Feb. 26 and Duke on March 14.

There are five Gators in the Top 41 preseason singles rankings. Allie Will leads the Gators by filling the No. 3 spot with teammate Joanna Mather following for No. 4. Lauren Embree came in at No. 25. The 34th spot went to sophomore Sofie Oyen and Alex Cercone was 41st.

In the doubles rankings, the Florida duo of Oyen and Will come in at No. 10 while Embree and Will are the 15th-ranked pair.

Some of the Gators will participate in the Freeman Memorial from Jan. 13–15 in Las Vegas. Florida will start team play on Jan. 25 at home against Troy.

GATORS TOP PRESEASON RANKINGS

DEFENDING NATIONAL CHAMPS THE TEAM TO BEAT IN 2012

BY SARA LADWIG, PHOTO BY TIM CASEY

WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM RANKINGS, ADMINISTERED BY THE ITAJanuary 3, 2012

RANK SCHOOL AVERAGE1) Florida 1.002) Stanford 2.003) Duke 3.174) North Carolina 4.835) UCLA 5.086) Baylor 6.427) Georgia 7.298) California 8.509) Virginia 9.6310) Michigan 10.04

GATORS IN THE NATIONAL SINGLES RANKINGS3) Allie Will4) Joanna Mather25) Lauren Embree��6RÀH�2\HQ41) Alex Cercone

GATOR TEAMS IN THE NATIONAL DOUBLES RANKINGS��6RÀH�2\HQ��$OOLH�:LOO15) Lauren Embree & Joanna Mather

Allie Will begins the season as the No. 3-ranked player in the NCAA.

43FACT: In the late 80s, the UF Men’s Basketball team made three consecutive NCAA Tournaments under Coach Norm Sloan GATOR COUNTRY | FEB/2012

Florida senior guard Deana Allen saves a loose ball

during the Gators’ 62–49 win against Duquesne on

Dec. 21, 2011 at the O’Connell Center.

Photo by Tim Casey

Florida running back Chris Rainey is recognized during

a Senior Day ceremony before the Gators’ game against Florida State on Nov. 26, 2011 at Ben Hill

*ULIÀQ�6WDGLXP�� Photo by Tim Casey

Florida sophomore running back Trey Burton stiff arms a defender during the Gators’ win against Ohio State. Photo by Andy Gregory


UF STUDENT FEATURE

FACT: UF is a national leader in alternative energy research.

‘MOVING LIKE TEBOW’ GOES VIRAL

BY ADAM PINCUS, PHOTOS BY TIM CASEY


UF STUDENT FEATURE

FACT: UF has more than $750 million in new research facilities recently completed or under construction.

Wearing a white ‘I ♥ Tim Tebow’ shirt and a white Florida Gators snapback hat, Max Sommer kneeled down by the hallowed golden plaque with the words from Tim Tebow’s 2008 promise plastered on the brick wall outside the entrance of the University of Florida James W. ‘Bill’ Heavener Football Complex.

The UF freshman was at The Promise plaque Nov. 15 filming the ‘Moving Like Tebow (Bernie Remix)’ music video, which transformed from a few lyrics typed on an iPhone one boring night in his dormitory into a viral hit with more than 40,000 views in only a month after it was uploaded to YouTube on Nov. 17.

With the weather partly cloudy, Sommer, the writer, co-director and rapper, and three fellow freshmen involved in the video received a chance encounter while shooting that day outside the complex from Florida Gators starting quarterback John Brantley and imposing 6-foot-4 offensive lineman David Young. The players were on their way to practice.

“We are like Tebowed out right now,” Sommer said. “All of the sudden, Brantley and David Young start walking to practice. They both look at me. Brantley’s head goes straight down. David Young was staring at me. I could tell he was going to say something.”

“Young asks, ‘So you love Tim Tebow?’” I am just scared right now and I say

“Yeah, but I love John Brantley too.” Brantley with his head down gave me a fist pump. David Young asked me whom I liked more and I said Brantley, but I lied to him. I was under pressure.

VIEWER REACTIONThe UF freshman joined forces with 11 other UF freshmen, all of whom are self-described Tebow fans, to film a parody music video incorporating the ‘Moving

Like Bernie’ song from the 1989 movie ‘Weekend at Bernies’ and Tebowing, which means to get down on a knee and start praying, even if everyone else around you is doing something completely different, according to Tebowing.com.

Tebowing.com is a Tumblr blog where people from all over the world submit pictures of themselves Tebowing. The latest entries include someone Tebowing while backpacking Vietnam, someone Tebowing

before bungee jumping off a building in China and a classroom full of students Tebowing before a test.

Tebow is Sommer’s favorite football player, and for the 11 other freshmen involved in producing the video, it is no secret how much Sommer idolizes the player. Alyssa Wozniak, one of the dancers in the group scenes inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, gave an analogy.

“Tim Tebow to Max is like the Backstreet Boys to a 10-year-old girl,” Wozniak said.

The group had two objectives: To honor Tebow and make a funny video.

Not everyone agrees with the latter. One UF alum posted on YouTube one week ago saying, “UF alum here and I can say without any hesitation that this is embarrassing on so many levels.” Another person complained around the same time saying, “This would’ve been cool if the guy didn’t sound awful.”

Sommer is the first to admit he does not have the rhythm and flow people are expecting. He is not a rapper and Sommer said for what musical talent he does have, he did a pretty good job.

Co-director and editor Ryan Lynch spent three to four hours a day behind the camera and 10 hours editing to get to the final cut. Lynch has a message to people who dislike the video.

WE WEREN’T TRYING FOR A HIT SINGLE. WE WERE TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE LAUGH. THEY HATE US FOR THE WRONG REASONS. THEY HATE US, BECAUSE IT IS NOT A GOOD SONG. IT DOESN’T HAVE GOOD SOUND QUALITY AND ALL THAT STUFF, BUT THEY THINK IT IS FUNNY. THEY HATE US FOR WHAT WE WEREN’T TRYING TO DO. Ryan Lynch, co-director and editor of the ‘Moving Like Tebow’ video.

WIDESPREAD ATTENTIONThe group got more attention than it bargained for when high-traffic websites such as Bleacher Report and NBC Sports picked up the video. Lynch has noticed the increased Internet hits.

“Day 1 I would Google it and search ‘Moving Like Tebow,’ and there would be nothing,” Lynch said Nov. 28. “Now, if I do it, there are like three full pages of links.”

A week later, the search generated six

pages of links. By Christmas, the search resulted in 26 pages of links.

Due to the subject matter, Sommer expected a little public backlash with the final product.

“Tebow is such a polarizing figure as it is,” Sommer said. “When you do something about Tebow, it is always going to be split down the middle. People are going to hate it. People are going to love it. Most people around here are going to love it.”

While shooting on location at UF landmarks on campus, he pokes fun at topics like Tebow supporting pro-life, Tebow performing circumcisions in the Philippines and Tebow dominating the Florida State Seminoles during his time at UF.

Lynch, an industrial engineering major with a passion for television production, did not believe Sommer’s idea would materialize into the viral sensation it is today.

“When I first heard him rap it,” Lynch said. “I remember the exact line when I was like ‘Oh, my gosh this is real.’ When I heard him say, ‘I’m talking to you Florida State.’ I got goose bumps.”

He went to his native Tampa and brought back a $400 video camera, which surprised the rest of the crew. There was no looking back.

PRODUCTION PROBLEMSSommer’s passion helped the crew get over a few early production hiccups, Kelli Eichorn said. Getting 12 teenagers to agree on a shooting time was not an easy task and deadlines were an issue. The group wanted to get the video uploaded onto YouTube before Tebow suited up against the New York Jets on Nov. 17 for his fifth start of the season.

“I am not going to lie,” Sommer said. “I was being obnoxious. I wanted to get it out early, because Tebow was playing that night. We wanted it to be out.”

In total, filming took three full days. Mapping out each scene took a week and Sommer even had a sheet with dance moves for everyone to follow. Sommer, a California native, had nine costume changes in the video, which only lasts 3:06.

Everyone in the video except Sommer is from Tampa. Eichorn, Lynch and Randy Mantler were in the television production class at Gaither High School in Hillsborough County.

STUDENTS PAY TRIBUTE TO QUARTERBACK BY MAKING ON-CAMPUS VIDEO

(Clockwise from upper-left) Billy Olsen, Tyler Hevia, Ryan Lynch, Kelli Eichorn, Max Sommer, Erin Domaracki, Lorenzo Harris and Eandy Mantler pose in front of Tim Tebow’s “Promise” plaque.


UF STUDENT FEATURE

FACT: UF’s annual economic impact exceeds $8.76 billion.

LOCAL CELEBRITIESSommer, 19, celebrated his birthday on Nov. 19. His friends threw a party for him and blasted the Tebow anthem on loud speakers. Sommer described the dance party that ensued as “nuts.” He also was starting to get recognized by fellow students.

“There was a kid who walked in who shook his hand and I said, ‘What’s up.’ He gave me a nod, no big deal,” Sommer said. “Then someone said, ‘You know that is the Tebow guy?’ Like that, this kid became a new best friend.”

UF students are not the only people viewing the video. Dale Dowden, another freshman who helped out, said he neglected to tell his parents about their work. His parents are both UF alums. His father works as an engineer in Tampa.

“The way my dad found out is someone in his office told him,” Dowden said. “He said, ‘You didn’t tell me you were in this video.’ I watched it and all of the sudden, ‘Whoa, my son is right there on the screen.’”

Dowden’s close friend Erin Domaracki said UF senior volleyball player Elissa

Hausmann showed the video to teammates. Hausmann, who attended Gaither High School as well with Domaracki, told the freshman through Facebook that a few of the UF players enjoyed it.

The video’s volleyball influence stretches across three time zones. Sommer said his girlfriend, Brooke Dawson who plays volleyball at Pierce College in Woodland Hills, Calif., introduced the video to her team as well.

“They are in the playoffs right now heading into the state tournament,” Sommer said. “They all went crazy and loved it. They made it their team song and dance before their games.”

Pierce College “Tebowed” its way to its second state championship in the program’s history.

Before the championship match Dec. 4, the entire team took a knee on the court, Sommer said.

For Wozniak, the video has allowed her to reconnect with people she has not seen in quite some time.

“My moment was when this kid I haven’t talked to since middle school wrote on my Facebook wall and was like,

‘Were you the girl in the Tebow video?’” Wozniak said. “I was like yeah and he

said, ‘You do realize you are an Internet sensation now.’ This was the first day it came out.”

THE FUTUREThe close friends remember the first night when the video was uploaded.

As the crew had done all season at UF football games, this time it assembled in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center to watch the Gators play an early season basketball game. This meaningless Nov. 17 matchup against North Florida held more significance to these close friends sitting in the student section. Their project was complete.

The endless hours, pressing deadlines and weird looks shot their way were worth it. Sommer called the video the highlight of his first semester at UF.

Is another production in the works?“We have thought about making more

videos in the future, but we do not want to force it,” Sommer said. “We want it to be a natural process. One idea we are thinking is a sad Urban Meyer song. That is barely a seed right now.”

(Top row) Lorenzo Harris, Ryan Lynch, Max Sommer, Billy Olsen, (Bottom row) Tyler Hevia, Randy Mantler, Kelli Eichorn and Erin Domaracki pose in front of 7LP�7HERZ·V�VWDWXH�RXWVLGH�RI�%HQ�+LOO�*ULIÀQ�6WDGLXP�

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The Night the Lights Went Out in Gainesville

One community. One request. One hundred years of GRU service.

It may be hard to believe, but Gainesville’s move to public power began in late 1911 over a $7.30 bill dispute. At the time, Gainesville was a small town just getting used to hosting the six-year-old fledgling University of Florida, and the community’s electric needs were served by the privately owned Gainesville Gas and Electric Company, known as GG&E.

In response to residents’ frequent complaints that the downtown streetlights were either o! or poorly maintained, the City Council informed GG&E that $10 would be deducted from the December bill. The company would accept only a $2.70 reduction. The City refused to pay, so GG&E cut o! the power on January 26, 1912.

“Gainesville streets are in the dark and local residents are wondering what to expect next,” read an article in The Gainesville Sun the next day.

Citizens were outraged at the lack of control they had over their streetlights and organized a grassroots campaign to demand the creation of a city-run electric utility. They got their wish. Construction of the downtown power plant, now the John R. Kelly Generating Station, was started the next year and completed in 1914. So began Gainesville’s ownership of a public power utility,which became Gainesville Regional Utilities.

Reliable and safe, not-for-profit electricity from a hometown company–that’s the benefit of public power. Celebrate with us. For a list of events and upcoming contest details visit www.gru.com.

Documents

Florida Gator Country Magazine - February 2012 issue