The University Of Florida is known for two things. Championships education. And championship sport’s programs. While education is the main focus at the university; athletics isn’t far behind.  And with great reason too.  Whether it is football, basketball, softball, swimming, or volleyball;  The University of Florida has vastly become a haven for student athletes to garner championships and accolades. Both on and of the field.

While the actions of the teams on the field and court are widely publicized, for obvious reasons,  it is off the field and court where The Gators really like to shine.   Most notably at the children’s hospital.  Where the student athletes truly become champions.  Week after week throughout the year different Gator sports teams take time to go and visit sick children and their families at Shands Children Hospital week after week you see the faces of children light up as their favorite team’s players come to visit them.   Whether it be the most famous of Gator athletes such as Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin to the much lesser know athletes such as Lady Gator Tennis players  Julia Cohen and Megan Alexander; the smiles always seem to be the same.  And that is the goal.   To brighten a child’s day with social interaction that doesn’t involve the words medicine or shot.  To take a child’s mind off of nurses and doctor’s.

Even though these student athletes are extremely busy, they realize that it doesn’t take long to make a sick child and their family feel better.   To make themselves feel better.   Because even if it only lasts two minutes its great to know that it means the world to a sick child and his/her family to see that their favorite players from their favorite team aren’t to busy to come out and show support for them just like the children and their families show support for The Gators each and every time they step out onto the field or court.   While it might take a trophy to declare you a champion; at The University of Florida it takes more then just sports.

Gainseville, Florida is one of the Nation’s top cities to be named as “Titletown USA”. WHY should Gainesville be the next TitleTown? Just look at what the Gator Basketball teams accomplished in 2006 and 2007. Back to back Basketball Championships and a Football Championship in the same year. Not to mention the Softball team broke an incredible NCAA record by reaching 70 wins this year, and our Volleyball team winning 17 straight SEC Championships. Also, look at how much the Gator baseball team improved. From falling in a huge slump last year, to hiring a new coach “O’Sullivan” and defeating key teams such as Miami, Georgia and LSU, the Gator Baseball team is well on its way back to national prominence. The University Of Florida is an awesome place to be, and it gives you goose bumps every time you go to a game and hear the Gator fight song. “WE’RE GATOR NATION, IT’S EVERY WHERE!” Why should Florida NOT be selected as USA’s TitleTown?

The Florida Gators men golf team ended there season with finishing 11th place in the 2008 ncaa mens golf tournament. The gators overall final score was 315 (+27) in the final round. Billy Horschel, Junior at UF finished sixth on the leaderboard while shooting a seven over 295. Billy Horschel had never fell below a -10 during the 4 day golf tournament he attended, and he led after the second round. On saturday, Horschel managed to shoot five pars and four birdies. Manual Villegas, senior at UF ended the tournament while shooting a four over 76, while participating in his final ncaa golf tournament as a gator, he shot a total score of 308 (+20). Another gator, Tyson Alexander participated and shot a 6 over 78 and ended to a total score of 307 (+19), tied for 43rd. Junior gator Will Strickler shot 9 over 81 and a total of 312 and placing 63rd. Strickler really struggled on the back nine which kept him out of his score he wanted. Tyler Brown finished while he shot a 9 over 81 in the last round of the tournament, and finished in a tie for 73rd place with a 4 day total of shooting and a 316 (+28).