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.
Hey everybody! If your reading this post, please take 5 seconds to click this link and vote Gainesville, FL as titletown USA. Follow the link below and it should give the list of the top 20 places to vote for. So look for Gainesville and let’s have your vote!!! Do it for them Gators!
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?
Gator freshman Terrell Wilks along with the U.S Junior National team finished in first place in their heat and also become first overall in the 4×400 meter race on Friday. They will advance to Saturday’s final at the 2008 IAAF World Junior Championships.
While Terrell Wilks competing, the U.S ran a time of 39.37 which was there finished time as well. The following U.S athletes are apart of the relay team, Dante Sales, Antonio Sales, Marquise Goodwin, and Florida’s Wilks. The finished 39.37 is the best time in the season and in any country.
Terrell Wilks was rewarded with the bronze medal in the 100 meter dash while he finished up in third place with a time of 10.45. Last month in June, Wilks won the 100 meter dash at the USA Junior Championships in Columbus. He also won the final of a time of 10.19 and outran South Carolinas Antonio Sales who was timed at 10.33. Terrell Wilks also finished third in the 200 meter dash with a time of 21.08. Wlks was joined apart on the Gators third place finishing team on the 4×100 meter relay last June.
The gators ended up at the Olympic track/field competition with Bernard Williams finishing up 7th overall in the finals with a time of 20.63 (+1.7) in the men’s 200-meter dash. Since last Sunday, a total number of seven Gator athletes with ties from all different countries represented Florida while qualifying in the Olympics. The following players were:
1.- Hazel Clark – US 800m
2.- Kerron Clement – US 400IH
3.- Kristin Heaston – US shot put
4.- MariamKevkhishvili – Georgia shot put
5.- TiandraPonteen – St. Kitts 400m
6.- Calvin Smith – US 4×400m
7.- Novlene Williams-Mills – Jamaica 400m
The track/field Olympic 2008 events will carry onto August 15th. Stay tuned to Gator Sports Nation to get the coverage.
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