march 2013
Volume 5
Issue 17
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Gators Drive Toward March Madness A 4th Year senior, Kenny Boynton looks to leave the University of Florida with a championship legacy
INSIDE Florida Softball Makes Sizzling Start
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THE BREAKDOWN
CEO of www.gatorcountry.com Raymond Hines III
COO Bernadette King
CFO Raymond Hines, Jr
MANAGING EDITOR Seth Puglio
STAFF WRITERS Alex Gray David “PD” Parker David Shepherd Andrew Spivey Dan “DK” Thompson Nick de la Torre
REPORTERS Elizabeth Rhodes
PHOTOGRAPHERS Danielle Bloch Curtiss Bryant Saj Guevara Wes Hall John Parady
CEO Marc Douglass
EXECUTIVE EDITOR
CONTENTS ON AND OFF THE FIELD
8 Spring Position Battles: Offense 10 March Recruiting Notebook 11 Gator Trivia 12 Gator Softball 14 A New Season, A New Look 22 2014 Offensive Needs 28 Muschamp Playing the Long Game 36 Spring Position Battles: Defense 40 Fishing Report
Lauren Douglass
COPY EDITOR Daniel Sutphin
ART DIRECTOR Daniel Tidbury
GRAPHIC DESIGN Daniel Tidbury Lisa Torres Jane Dominguez
PROMOTIONS Amanda Liles Karen Jones Hilah Driggers AnnMarie DeFeo
ACCOUNTING Lynsey Parrish
CIRCULATION Eddy Falla
SPECIAL PROJECTS Lauren Kolansky Daniel Sutphin
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Shane Howell (shane@whpinc.com)
ADVERTISING & SALES Shane Howell Bryan Porter Matt Frey
SWAMP SPOTLIGHT
6 Championship Contender? 18 The Boynton Identity 24 Small Ball 26 All Sports Notebook 32 The Next Level 34 Florida’s Trombone Ma
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Fact: UF is one of three universities to be the first in the country to offer an Organic Agriculture undergraduate degree program (2006).
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GOIN’ ALL THE WAY?
CHAMPIONSHIP
CONTENDER? IS THIS GATOR BASKETBALL TEAM PRIMED TO HANG ANOTHER BANNER? As it huddled together in a spacious locker room in Indianapolis, Ind., Billy Donovan looked over his team. In mere minutes, all 13 of his players would trot onto the floor of the RCA Dome for what would be the biggest game of their young lives. The path each player had taken to that locker room (the one clearly suited for a football team with its rows of cherry wood lockers) was different from the guy sitting next to him. The postgame plans of each player – most notably its core group of sophomore stars aptly named the “oh-fours” – were as much a mystery as the game’s outcome. As he finished writing the last bits of the game plan on the whiteboard, Donovan, keenly aware of both his players’ pasts and the decisions they would make in near time, started his pregame speech:
“Tonight is not about the past, and it’s not about the future. It’s about right now.”
Each time the current Florida basketball team takes the floor in the O’Connell Center, reminders of the past quietly float nearby. Everyday they are there, high above the court, attached to the rafters – two massive and bright orange banners, reminding everyone in the arena that not too long ago, the best basketball team in the country played under the same lights. It’s hard not to notice the large mementos of the past. Hard for the fans, and certainly hard for the players, who desperately want to hang a third banner in those rafters.
“It’s not about that past.”
During the past two seasons, the Gators have been oh so close to a banner, to a trophy and to a ring. But despite holding double-digit leads in the second half of consecutive Elite Eight games, they’ve managed to come home empty handed.
6
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
An argument can be made for the Gators as the best team in the country this year. It can also be made for the last two seasons, when Florida was in as good of a position as anyone to win the national championship – an opportunity they simply squandered away. When looking at the recent past of the Florida program, the Gators endured a few bleak years immediately after the departure of the “oh-fours.” Losing so much talent so quickly, subjected the Gators to a NIT. fate for not one, but two consecutive seasons. Donovan struck a home run with the recruiting class of 2004. However, it was unknown at the time when Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Corey Brewer and Taurean Green stepped foot on campus. The group played sparingly as freshmen before blossoming to win it all in their sophomore seasons and again in their junior year. Although Florida doesn’t have a group of classmates on the roster like that of 2004, the Gators have formed their own bond this season, playing arguably the best team basketball of any team in the country. Through Feb. 24, Florida has endured only four losses on the year, all away from Gainesville. Through the same date during UF’s championship runs, the Gators had dropped five and four games, respectively. It may not be about the past, but this Gators team has not looked too differently from the ones of just six and seven years ago. Although this Florida team plays in a considerably weaker SEC than those teams, what this year’s group has done has been impressive in its own right. Not one of their wins this season has been by less than double digits, and they have collected the W’s with a shorthanded roster. Florida has played only three games all year with a full compliment of players. However, fully healthy or not, the Gators have found ways to win and win big. Florida may not have a superstar or a big-time personality like 2006 and 2007,
story by: alex gray Photos by: john parady and tim casey but this team and those teams do share one notable characteristic – balance. Balanced scoring has been a trademark of Billy Donovan’s teams, but this year’s team along with the back-to-back champs embraced the philosophy like no other. Of Florida’s four starters this season, four average in double figures, with the other – guard Scottie Wilbekin – coming in just under, with 9.1 points per game. The similarities are there for this year’s team and ‘06/’07, but there are differences. The 2006 team didn’t win the SEC regular season championship, while this year’s team has a two game lead with four to play. However, will that correlate into a national championship as well? Only time will tell.
“It’s not about the future.”
As good as this year’s team is, it’s hard not to think about what next year will bring. Although the Gators lose three big-time contributors in Kenny Boynton, Erik Murphy and Mike Rosario after this season, the argument can be made that next year’s team will be as good, if not better than this year’s. The Gators will bring in two of the nation’s top-10 recruits next summer in silky smooth point guard Kasey Hill and dominating forward Chris Walker, both players with “one-and-done” potential. The Gators will also add to the mix their off-season transfers, Dorian FinneySmith and Damontre Harris, who have been practicing with the team as they complete their NCAA-mandated sit out year. With the amount of talent set to take the court, it’s hard not to get excited about what next year will bring. But there are no guarantees that
Fact: The university again made history in April 2007 by winning a consecutive national title in men’s basketball.
GOIN’ ALL THE WAY? next year’s crop can get it done. The disappointment of not winning a title this year will not be easily quelled due to what could happen next. For Florida, injuries and all, there may be no better time for it to strike than the present moment. For anyone who has been watching, it’s clear to see there is no dominant team in college basketball this season. The argument can easily be made that as many as a dozen teams stand a realistic chance of cutting down the nets in Atlanta. Will Florida be that team?
“It’s about right now.”
As it stands, the Gators are the undisputed best team in the SEC, and whether the rankings reflect it or not, an understood top-5 team in the nation to many. Florida may have botched two golden opportunities at glory in the past two years, but there is something different about this team. Although it hasn’t won every game, Florida has the look of a squad who takes after its coach. They live in the moment. They take it one game and one possession at a time. So far, the method has worked.
How long their journey will last is anyone’s guess. It may end like it did last year, with droplets of sweat filled with disappointment and regret, pounding the court as they trudge slowly back into the locker room. Or it could end like it did in 2007 – with an exuberant group of players joyfully cutting down the nets in Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, standing alone as basketball’s best team. Only time will tell how it all unfolds. For now though, this Florida team is somewhere thinking about only its next assignment. “It’s almost like driving a car,” Donovan said. “If you’re not paying attention to what’s in front of you, you’re going to run that car right off the road and into a pole. Our guys have to understand that the chatter and stuff around them is on the peripheral. It’s got nothing to do with us preparing and getting ready for the next game.” There have been a few changes since those championship banners were hung in the O’Connell Center, but it’s clear not much has changed within the program that houses itself in the bowels of the same arena before each game. As the Gators sit in their more
Billy Donovan and the 2006 Gator basketball team celebrate their 2nd NCAA Championship. appropriately sized locker room in Gainesville, it’s almost a certainty the message from Donovan remains the same: It’s not about that past and it’s not about the future. It’s about right now.
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OF THE ACTION BEST SELECTION OF TVs, CELLPHONES & TABLETS.
WE WILL PRICE MATCH ALL LOCAL RETAIL COMPETITORS. Fact: In 2006, UF became the first university in collegiate history to earn both the national men’s basketball and football titles in the same year.
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7
OFFENSE
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
The Florida Gators enter the 2013 spring off-season with one goal: improvement.
STORY BY: DANIEL “DK” THOMPSON PHOTOS BY CURTISS BRYANTV
The Gators will look for significant improvement from the quarterback and wide receiver positions. The Gators will look primarily to improve upon a passing offense ranked 118th in the country last season. The struggles of last year’s passing offense coupled with the loss of the Gators’ No. 1 offensive threat last season, Mike Gillislee, and you have a team desperate to improve on its 104th ranked offense from 2012. Due to graduation, the NFL Draft and medical hardship, Florida lost running backs
Running Back
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
Previous Starter: Mike Gillislee Potential Replacements: Matt Jones, Kelvin Taylor The loss of Mike Gillislee is tough for the Gators. The senior running back amassed 1,152 yards and 10 touchdowns, becoming the Gators’ first 1,000-yard rusher since Ciatrick Fason in 2004. There are two names that are potential replacements for Gillislee as the starting running back, although just like in 2012, expect the Gators to run by committee. The top name is sophomore Matt Jones. The 6-foot-2, 226-pound running back did well filling in for Gillislee and ran for 275 yards on 52 carries with three touchdowns. Jones’ best game came against the Florida State Seminoles where he averaged 10 yards per run and a touchdown. Jones began to come on late in the season and showed good speed, agility and toughness. Incoming freshman Kelvin Taylor is the other name that could fight for the starting role. Taylor, the son of former Gators and NFL great Fred Taylor, ran for more than 12,000 yards and 192 touchdowns at Belle Glade (Fla.) Glades Day School and is slated to be a big contributor to the Gators’ offense next season. The 5-foot-11 running back runs with superb power, great vision and is elusive behind the line. However, Taylor still needs to learn the playbook and improve on his blocking.
BATTLES:
POSITION
SPRING 8
Mike Gillislee and Scott Peek, wide receivers Frankie Hammond, Jr. and Stephen Alli, tight ends Omarius Hines and Jordan Reed, offensive linemen James Wilson, Tommy Jordan, Xavier Nixon, Matt Patchan and John Reichardt. The loss of six starters, however, doesn’t mean those are the only position battles up for grabs for underclassmen. The Gators desperately need to improve on the offensive line and you could see some unexpected names contend for playing time.
Fact: Since 1968, 145 Gators and 13 Florida coaches have earned 91 medals (45 gold) while representing 34 countries in 12 Olympiads.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Wide Receiver
Previous Starter: Frankie Hammond, Jr. Potential Replacements: Demarcus Robinson, Latroy Pittman, Raphael Andrades, Marqui Hawkins, Ahmad Fulwood. The departure of Frankie Hammond, Jr. is not much of a statistical loss for the Gators, as Hammond only amassing 295 yards on 22 catches and three touchdowns last season. As Florida tries to revitalize its offense, though, the loss of a senior with the amount of experience Hammond had could be difficult to overcome. While there is plenty of opportunity to start for any Gators receiver, two main candidates rise to the top of the barrel. Freshman Demarcus Robinson, a 6-foot-2, 195-pound possession receiver, gives Florida a reliable route-runner with great hands, height and vertical to be the next great UF receiver. A tall task to start as a freshman, Robinson has all the physical tools to start as the Gators’ “Y” receiver. Slightly more experienced, sophomore Latroy Pittman was lauded by Will Muschamp last spring and fall for running solid routes and being a reliable target. Pittman still saw limited action during the season, hauling in only two passes for six yards. With a bigger role, the 5-foot-11 receiver could step into Hammond’s role and produce nicely for the Gators. Because the Gators have such an overwhelming need for wide receivers, don’t be surprised if all five potential replacements play a considerable amount.
Tight End
Previous Starter: Jordan Reed Potential Replacement: Kent Taylor The loss of Jordan Reed is tough for Florida, as he was the Gators’ No. 1 receiving target and the only proven tight end. Florida will rely on sophomore Kent Taylor to take over as the Gators’ primary receiving tight end, while redshirt freshman Colin Thompson will take over in blocking schemes. Taylor only caught two passes for five yards and one touchdown for Florida in 2012, but sat out part of the season with a concussion. Taylor, who was the No. 1 tight end in the country out of high school, has great size at 6-foot-5, 223 pounds. Taylor is a terrific route runner and has great hands, especially in traffic. The Gators will need Taylor to step-up and assume his role quickly. With Taylor being Florida’s only receiving threat at the position, it is important he stays healthy. Fact: UF has captured the SEC All-Sports Trophy 19 of the last 20 years.
Offensive Line
Previous Starts: Matt Patchan (RT), Xavier Nixon (LT), James Wilson (LG) Potential Replacements: Tyler Moore, D.J. Humphries, Max Garcia The Gators, for the first time in a while, finally have depth at the offensive line position. Florida will rely on two transfers and a sophomore to fill the holes along the line. The Gators will still rely heavily on tackles Kyle Koehne and Chaz Green, as well as guards Jessaman Dunker and Ian Silberman to fill in often. Tyler Moore, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Nebraska, will likely take over the right tackle position from Matt Patchan or Chaz Green, even though Green started part of last season. Moore is a more physical tackle that has better footwork and strength than Green. It would still be surprising to not see Green play at least 35 percent of the
snaps at tackle. Moore is the strong, power tackle the Gators have been missing out on the past couple of seasons. Assuming the left tackle position from Xavier Nixon will be sophomore phenom D.J. Humphries. Humphries, who played in all 13 games last season, was named to the SEC Coaches’ All-Freshman First Team and showed glimpses of greatness with his quick feet, agility and speed. Finally, expect Maryland transfer Max Garcia to assume the role of guard. Even though he played tackle at Maryland, Garcia has the size at 307 pounds and strength to eat space on the inside and be stellar in trap situations. Due to his stellar lineman speed, Garcia will be excellent in pull assignments. Garcia was praised constantly the coaching staff, being named Scout Team Player of the Week against Bowling Green, LSU and Florida State. GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
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A LOOK AT THE FUTURE
story by aNDREW SPIVEY, PHOTO BY CURTISS BRYANT
MARCH RECRUITING NOTEBOOK
WITH THE CLASS OF 2013 BEHIND FLORIDA FANS, THEY CAN NOW TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO THE CLASS OF 2014 THAT IS ALREADY WELL ON ITS WAY. The Gators sit with six commitments in the Class of 2014 after picking up three commitments on Junior Day in February. A lot like last year, the coaching staff enters this year with a handful of needs, in particular more linemen. Here are the needs for the 2014 Gators’ recruiting cycle, and how many players GatorCountry.com thinks Florida will take at each position. We think they take just one quarterback, one or two running backs, three to four receivers, one tight end and five linemen on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, we think they take two defensive ends, two defensive tackles, two linebackers, three cornerbacks and one safety. The Gators already have their quarterback in Will Grier and one wide receiver in Ryeshene Bronson, but Bronson’s commitment is shaky. On Junior Day, the Gators picked up two offensive linemen in Jacksonville’s Travaris Dorsey and Deland’s Benjamin Knox. Christian Miller, a linebacker from Columbia, S.C., committed to the Gators
10 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
on Junior Day, joining cornerback Duke Dawson, who is already on the commitment list. A name Gators fans should know is Mobile (Ala.) Vigor defensive end Justin Thornton. Thornton nearly committed to Florida on Junior Day, but decided to wait. Thornton is the top defensive end target on the 2014 board. The Gators are currently the leader with him by a long shot as Thornton grew up a Florida fan. On the offensive line, two names to know are IMG Academy’s Denzel Ward and Chicago (Ill.) De La Salle offensive lineman Jamarco Jones. Both Jones and Ward are scheduled to be in attendance at Florida’s annual Orange and Blue Debut in April. The Gators have historically used the spring game to make huge moves for key prospects. On the defensive side of the ball, a name to know is Hinesville (Ga.) linebacker Raekwon McMillan. McMillan, who has Ohio State and Clemson at the top, told Gator Country that Florida made up huge ground on Junior Day. McMillan is a Muschamp-style, hard-
hitting linebacker considered to be a five-star prospect by most recruiting services. Another name to watch is Chesapeake (Va.) defensive tackle Andrew Brown. Brown is considered the top defensive tackle prospect in the country and recently named Florida in his top 10. New Gators coach Brad Lawing is a big reason for Brown bringing Florida into his mix. Brown said he respects what Lawing has done with defensive linemen at South Carolina. There is no doubt Lawing could be a big factor for Florida when it comes down to landing the top defensive prospect. As far as safeties go, the No. 1 prospect in the country this year is Virginia Beach (Va.) safety Quin Blanding. Blanding is very comfortable with Lawing and has moved the Gators into his top 5 ever since Lawing’s hire. Blanding intends to visit Florida this summer. While Florida is behind a little on Blanding, the key here is Lawing and Blanding’s relationship. It will be important to see how many times Blanding visits Gainesville.
Fact: Former coach Steve Spurrier coined the phrase, “The ‘Mighty’ Gators” after struggling to beat a team we were expected to crush.
TEST YOUR GATOR KNOWLEDGE
Gator Trivia:
1) What was the first year of UF Baseball? 9) How many times has UF baseball made A) 1920 B) 1948 it to the College World Series? C) 1912
D) 1904
A) 7 C) 8
B) 4 D) 3
2) Aside from the team’s current head coach, what two other UF baseball head coaches have made multiple trips to the College World Series?
10) In 2011, Mike Zunino was named SEC Player of the Year. What other UF player has earned the league’s top accolade?
A) Joe Arnold B) Urban Meyer C) Andy Lopez D) Don Norris
A) Gavin Dickey B) Matt LaPorta C) Matt Campbell D) Greg Larson
3) How many years has the UF Baseball team been in existence?
11) How many shutouts did the Gator pitching staff earn in the 2011 season?
A) 62 C) 108
A) 3 C) 8
A) Craig Bell B) Billy Donovan C) Brad Weitzel D) Kevin O’Sullivan
5) What was the UF Baseball team’s overall record for 2011? A) 53–19 C) 38–26
B) 40–24 D) 46–18
6) Including the 2012 season, how many years has UF baseball’s current head coach been at the helm? A) 4 C) 5
B) 3 D) 6
7) How many times has UF ba seball notched a second-place showing in the College World Series? A) 3 C) 2
B) 5 D) 4
8) What was the first year UF baseball took second place in the College World Series? A) 2004 C) 2011
B) 2008 D) 2005
12) The UF baseball team’s 2011 shutout record broke the previous record of… in 1970. A) 8 C) 9
B) 10 D) 5
13) What was the UF baseball team’s SEC record in 2011 A) 22–8 C) 21–9
B) 20–10 D) 19–11
14) What was the UF baseball team’s NCAA ranking in 2011 A) 3rd C) 2nd
B) 1st D) 4th
15) In 2011, to what team, did the UF Baseball Team lose to in the CWS Championship Finals? A) Alabama B) South Carolina C) Arkansas D) Texas
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Answer Key:
4) Who is the current head coach of the UF Baseball team?
B) 5 D) 11
1–C, 2–A&C, 3–D, 4–D, 5–A, 6–C, 7–C, 8–D, 9–A, 10–B, 11–D, 12–B, 13–A, 14–C, 15–B
B) 92 D) 96
Fact: Since 1990, the University of Florida Athletic Association has contributed more than $61 million to UF’s academic endeavors.
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
11
Story by Alex Gray, PHOTO BY DANIELLE BLOCH
GATOR SOFTBALL
A TEAM DOUBTED BY MANY IS ALREADY SHATTERING EXPECTATIONS. For every collegiate softball team in the nation, the goal is to get Oklahoma City. For a school record four-straight years, the Florida softball team did just that, reaching softball’s pinnacle event – the Women’s College World Series – every year from 2008–2011. In 2012, however, the team couldn’t even make it out of Gainesville. On the same day it was set to host the Gainesville Regional, Florida announced the suspension of three starters for the remainder of the season. A sign of how big the program had become, rumors began to run rampant about the suspensions, with Gators fans offering their guesses and exclusive intel on message boards and various outlets. Shrouded in controversy and confusion, the softball team dropped its opening game in the regional to Florida Gulf Coast. Two days later, they were bounced from the double-elimination tournament all together after a loss to USF. For a program that had begun to ascend into softball’s upper echelon, the fall from grace had been swift and unexpected. 12 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
“I would have never thought we would be ahead of the Gators – the Florida Gators,” FGCU third baseman Kirsten Bembnowski said after her team’s win. Bembnowski’s quote puts in perspective what the Florida program had become, and in turn, what it stood to lose if it couldn’t regroup in 2013. Despite the turmoil that troubled the team toward the end of the season, there was a bit of good news for the Gators looking ahead. Florida would only be losing one senior player, and of the three suspended players who eventually left the program, two were sophomores, with the other being a freshman. Florida did receive an unexpected piece of bad news when all-American slugger Brittany Schutte informed head coach Tim Walton last fall she would not be returning the Gators’ program. Schutte suffered a broken jaw last season, which held her out of action for a big chunk of the season. After deciding to pursue a career as an educator, Schutte elected to skip her senior season and take the head coaching position
at Gainesville’s Oak Hall School. Despite the departures, however, the Gators had much to look forward to in 2013, as the program returned nine starters with one of the nation’s best recruiting classes joining the fold. The Gators signed six players in the class of 2012, with three – Kelsey Stewart, Taylore Fuller and Aubree Munro – being ranked inside of ESPN’s top-100, including a No. 2 overall ranking for Stewart. “The class of 2012 will help bring balance to our classes and will provide more depth at every position than we have ever had,” Walton said upon the class’ signing in November. Florida would also add a transfer from Northern Illinois University in Stephanie Tofft, giving the Gators seven newcomers for the season, almost half their roster. Even with the slew of new faces, the Gators entered the season ranked No. 14 in the USA Today/NFCA preseason top-25 poll, and No. 15 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball preseason poll. Despite the program changes, big things were expected out of Florida
Fact: The Gators’ average home attendance last season of 90,511 ranked ninth in the country.
BREAKING EXPECTATIONS
heading into its season opener in the Kajikawa Classic in Arizona. “It’s a long road to get here, starting in August, and now we’re here,” Walton said ahead of his team’s first game. “We’re excited about our young players and the process they’ve been going through to get to this point. They’ve really worked hard; they’re doing well in the weight room and on the field. More than anything, the communication is starting to come together…We’re looking forward to getting these players on the same team, in the same uniform.” At first glance, Walton’s comments appeared to be coach-speak. However, after the Gators’ first weekend of games, where they defeated No. 3 Cal, No. 5/6 Oregon and No. 13/14 Arizona, it was easy to see why he was so eager to get his newcomers in uniform. The Gators’ bats exploded in the Valley of the Sun, as the team scored 42 runs in five games on the heels of its talented newcomers, particularly Stewart. Batting in the leadoff spot, Stewart hit a
triple in her first collegiate at-bat, effectively setting the tone for the Gators’ season. When the Gators arrived back in Gainesville, Stewart – who finished the tournament batting .556 (10-18) – was named the SEC Player of the Week after her first weekend as a player. After starting the weekend with a triple, Stewart added 10 runs, two doubles, two home runs, five RBIs and five stolen bases. “The nerves were crazy. I didn’t really know how to handle it,” Stewart said. “The very first game I hit a triple and I just relaxed. I was like, ‘OK, it’s not different.’” Added Walton: “We’ve got a proven leadoff hitter at the top.” While the play at the collegiate level may not be “different” for Stewart, the Gators are showing early in the season their team may not be too different from those of years past either. Through their first 17 games of the season, the team has posted a 16-1 record, with its lone loss coming in extra innings. Of their seven newcomers, five were named starters for the first game, and all
have seen significant action during the season’s first month. Although many were unsure of what to make of the Gators before the season started, it didn’t take long for Florida to prove it’s still Florida. It also didn’t take long for voters to confirm that notion by placing UF back in the top five of the national rankings. The way the Gators have been able to again enjoy a torrid start to the season is definitely impressive, and the sign of a program that appears to be in perpetual reload mode. However, Walton knows that despite the importance of early season games, the ones that truly matter are further down the road. “You don’t have an opportunity to get to the postseason from the games in February,” Walton said.” Walton has a point. But the way the Gators have played during the month of February appears to be a strong indicator of what they could possibly do in May.
Exclusively featuring
Fact: “The Swamp” ranks as the largest stadium in the state of Florida
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 13
A FRESH START
WITH SIGNIFICANT PERSONNEL LOSSES, THE GATORS’ BASEBALL TEAM MUST TAKE ON A NEW PERSONA.
A NEW SEASON
A NEW LOOK STORY BY ALEX GRAY, PHOTO BY DANIELLE BLOCH
FRESHMAN TUCKER SIMPSON 14 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
It certainly wasn’t supposed to end the way it did. Not after starting the season ranked No. 1 in the nation. Not after returning to Omaha for a third consecutive season, unfazed by the hoopla and craze that surrounds the eight teams lucky enough to make college baseball’s most sacred pilgrimage. But in June of 2012, again, there the Gators were. A team stacked to the brim, possessors of arguably the nation’s most enviable collection of talent, and on their way home without anything to show for their season. Just two short weeks earlier, varying members of the game’s highest consortium ran their money-stained fingers up and down the Florida roster all the way from Secaucus, New Jersey. As the draft wore on, one by one, Florida’s best juniors were immediately pulled into an ultimatum handed down yearly by Major League Baseball – take our money now, or pay for it next year when we lowball the hell out of you. So away they went, one by one, making perhaps the same decision anyone in their shoes would have – Zunino, Randall, Maddox, Fontana, Johnson and Rodriguez – gone with barely even a wave goodbye. Trading study hall and the unmistakable ping of aluminum for big league checks and grueling trips aboard cramped charter buses. With a recruiting class ranked as the
best in the country, the sting of the departures temporarily appeared a little easier to bear. However, the same force that had descended upon the Gators’ roster had also made its way onto Florida’s list of high school commitments. And again, the Gators found themselves waving goodbye – saying sayonara to the bulk of players which had propelled them to that No. 1 slot. The only difference was they were saying goodbye without having ever said hello. “To put things in perspective, we’ve lost 28 players the last two years; two years, we’ve lost 11 recruits and 17 players off of our team to professional baseball,” Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said ahead of his team’s season opener. The Gators’ three-year run from 2010-12 offered up the most delightful stretch in Florida baseball history, but UF’s failure to capture the big one has been haunting. While few around the program would be willing to admit, the overriding feeling certainly appears to be the Gators are again at the bottom of the mountain with a long way to climb. As O’Sullivan admitted, having the powerful talent that the Gators fielded in the previous few years is a rarity in college baseball. Windows of opportunity stay open for only so long. Florida knows it doesn’t have the same power bats dotting the lineup as it did in years past. In their season opener against Duke, Fact: On October 27, 1930, construction was completed on original Florida Field.
A FRESH START
they showed such, as the Gators struggled to produce hits in what would eventually become O’Sullivan’s first opening day loss as the Florida coach. After squeaking by the Blue Devils in the second game of the series, in the finale Florida offered up what fans were hoping to be a sign of things to come. The Gators scored 16 runs on eight hits, with redshirt sophomore Zack Powers belting not one, but two grand slams on the afternoon. The breakout offensive performance was an undoubted confidence boost for the Florida roster after a stumble out of the gates. After their series win, Florida would eke out a mid-week win against UCF as well. However, the good time wouldn’t last for Sully’s squad, as the Gators promptly dropped three straight against Georgia Southern and back-to-back losses against FGCU. As dormant as the Florida offense has been, its productivity from the mound has taken a hit this season as well. Just days before the opener, it was announced that
expected weekend starter Karsten Whitson would be missing the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. The Gators have relied on a staff of young and relatively unproven arms so far this season, and it hasn’t helped that they have been backed a defense which is still learning on the job as well. The Gators have endured a rather inauspicious start to the season, with a slate expected to grow increasingly tougher. A preposterously tough SEC awaits Florida once the non-conference games are done for. The Southeastern Conference currently features seven teams other than Florida in the nation’s top-25. Coming into the year, the Gators were expected to be a team that would have to scramble to fill its holes. So far, it appears those predictions are coming true. But less than a 10 games into the season, it’s still hard to predict how this year’s team will finish. Florida has gone on record of saying it expects to play small ball this year, and
Fact: In 2009, South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier admitted he did not vote Tim Tebow to first-team All-SEC.
with its dazzling team speed, it definitely has the pieces to pull it off. In order for the Gators to do so, however, both players and fans alike will have to understand that it’s a process. “When you dissect our team and what its strengths are, we can run – we’re athletic and we’re going to do that,” O’Sullivan said. So far, the Gators have lived up to O’Sullivan’s prediction in spurts. If they plan to make something of their season, the production will need to come more consistently for the Gators to even make it out of the SEC, let alone Omaha. But if the Gators do indeed make it back to TD Ameritrade Park, O’Sullivan believes his young group of go-getters has a chance. “The teams that win in Omaha every year, it’s not about home runs or that type of thing. I’m very proud of who we have right now and what we’ve been able to do and I think this team has got a chance to be very successful – it’s just going to be in a different way.”
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 15
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LEAVING HIS MARK
THE
BOYNTON IDENTITY story by: david “pd” parker Photos by: curtiss bryant john parady
Senior Kenny Boynton’s lasting legacy at Florida is still to be seen.
Like the film franchise, the identity of Kenny Boynton has been as difficult to define over the years as that of Jason Bourne. And why? Boynton has changed his playing profile so many times that just like Bourne, he himself may sometimes forget who he is. And in the final season and the movie, the role is so different that it even appears the lead actor has changed. As the often enigmatic and possibly legendary career of Kenny Boynton pushes on toward a March Madness finale, it is likely that his true identity and his place in Gator history will not be learned until the final climactic scene. While the Gator Nation perches on the edge of its collective seat waiting to see who prevails, let's take a look at the different characters he has played and their possible place in his final resume. 18 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
The Boynton Supremacy: The Record-Breaker
Although Florida has only been an elite national program since Billy Donovan arrived, the Gators have a rich and distinguished basketball history. Any player that makes an assault on the record book at Florida is putting his name in very select company. This is the Boynton Supremacy, which will show his career ending with his name etched onto many pages of the Florida record book. Having eased past Matt Bonner and Gene Shy on the all-time scoring list at the end of last year, Boynton has proceeded to pass Neal Walk, Dwayne Schintzius, Stacey Poole, Erving Walker and Udonis Haslem this year, all among the biggest names in Florida history. He will pass Andrew Moten in the next couple games to take over
second place on the all-time scoring list at UF. Against Yale this year, Boynton hit an amazing eight 3-pointers to become the school’s leader in treys, passing Lee Humphrey, the iconic long ball Gator ace and the all-time NCAA tournament record holder for threes. By the end of the year, Kenny will likely be in the school’s top five in field goals made, and one more basket from the charity stripe will put him in the top 10 for most free throws made. At this printing, heading into the second Arkansas game, Boynton has 1,913 career points, just 177 shy of the program record held by Ronnie Williams. If he continues his current average of 13 points per game this season, in order to break the record the Gators would have to reach the championship game of both the SEC tournament and the NCAA tournament.
Fact: On October 13, 1934, Florida Field dedicated to memory of servicemen who died in World War I.
LEAVING HIS MARK The Boynton Ultimatum: Is There a Draft in Here?
career (Mister Boynton, there's a Mister Tebow on the line for you), Boynton is a Something Gator fans have had to adjust to great example of a player who can stand on in the Billy Donovan era is the phenomenon the strength of his college career and be of college basketball players being evaluated considered a great player no matter if he ever makes an NBA roster. Just so long as on their NBA careers instead of their fan perception does not cloud reality. college accomplishments. When the 2004 The fan perception on Boynton is that players left school a year early, it was a he had a difficult time adjusting his shot given that Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Corey Brewer were not only among the best to the college game and his shooting percentage suffered in his first two years – in school history, but had a place in the a very protracted shooting slump for one company of the best in college basketball history. When they got to the NBA and their of the most prolific scorers in the nation coming out of high school. Then he high first round draft status did not immediately translate to NBA stardom, their corrected his shot and his game surged as a junior. But now he has lost his shot again value as college players was retroactively and regressed to his early college form. As downgraded by much of the professional and hip-pocket basketball pundits outside the Gator Nation. Unfair and inaccurate as that is, NBA success is a significant marker of a player's identity. When Boynton began his college career, it was believed that he had to develop and maintain a very efficient offensive game to have a shot at the NBA due to his size limitations (only 6-foot-2) and lack of great top-end quickness - a good first step, but not an overly fast slasher to the basket. The first two years of his college career certainly cemented that NBA draft profile for Kenny. However, in his junior year his offensive efficiency took a big jump, sending his draft stock rising. This was good news because his future in professional basketball will hinge upon his ability to maximize his offensive touches and shots, particularly from the perimeter becaues his size will impede him in the NBA lanes. Boynton's regression in offensive efficiency as a senior has signaled a cooling of his NBA projections once again. Perhaps the most significant factor working against him is his efficiency measured in points per 40 minutes. As a freshman, he only averaged 17 points per 40 minutes, and only improved to 17.2 as a sophomore. In his big junior year, he raised that average to over 20 points per 40 minutes, and in the first half of the year had it up to over 23 at one Doc Holliday would say, that’s the rumor. point. However, this season his efficiency A look inside his numbers supports those has plummeted to just 16.2. This has anecdotal observations to some extent, brought back the label of high-volume but they do tell a much more positive shooter with a low shooting percentage that story about his college career arc. dogged him early in his career. Barring a big It is true that as a junior, his shooting turn-around to end the season, it is difficult percentage and 3-point percentage rose 5.5 to imagine the Boynton Identity being and 7.6 percentage points, respectively and realized in the NBA. his points per game increased 1.7 points – all to career highs. But not all of those dropped back down to his earlier levels as a The Boynton Legacy: senior. His field goal percentage as a senior A Program Leader is still above 40%, a plateau not touched in In this day and age where the NBA and the his first two years. And as much as the focus NFL have largely become the measure of a of a scorer is his ability to jack the rock, great college player more than his college
Boynton has improved his overall game in other ways as a senior. His 83 percent free throw mark this year is a career high (only 75 percent last year), his career-high rebounds-per-game are a 23 percent improvement over his next-best year (and more than double that of his sophomore year), and his career-high assists-per-game are a nearly 20 percent better than any previous season. Boynton is doing more to help the teamwin, as a leader does. Another look inside Boynton’s numbers reveals a telling dynamic that may dispel his shooting slump as a myth. It is not his shot that is failing him, but his shot selection. The myth says that Boynton has suffered a shooting slump, particularly in December
“boynton is a great example of a player who can stand on the strength of his college career and be considered a great player...”
Fact: The original stadium consisted of the first 32 rows on the west, east and north sides of the current stadium.
(30 percent) and February (34 percent) bookending a solid January (51 percent). His shot selection is what has killed his percentage. If you look at just his 2-point field goal attempts, Kenny’s shooting percentage the last three months has been 50 percent, 65 percent and 50 percent. The problem is that his 3-point percentage has been 21 percent, 45 percent and 25 percent. This would seem to be a normal distribution for any player – threes are more difficult to make than twos. Over 62 percent of Boynton’s attempts this year have been treys, and as the Bard would tell us, therein lies the rub. GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 19
LEAVING HIS MARK
“he will be able to say that he was a transformational player in gator history”
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As a freshman, Boynton took 245 threes and made less than 30% of them. In the 200 attempt/ sub-30% Club, membership has its privileges: usually season tickets to the bench. But Coach Donovan knew well Kenny’s upside and let him play through it. Last year it appeared as if the wait was worth the growing pains. This year all of Gator Nation is again playing the waiting game. Ironically, given these facts, his best shooting month this year was when he took the highest percentage of 3-pointers (Jan., 69 percent). He made 45 percent of them. But the previous and ensuing months saw him make just 21% and 25 percent. Likewise his best shooting year was last season, when he shot a careerhigh 64 percent of his shots from beyond the arc. This year that number is 63 percent, but his accuracy has dropped by over 7 percent. When he is hot from downtown, he should keep firing, but when he is not – which has been more often than not at UF, he would greatly increase his shooting numbers by taking more two pointers. He is a streak shooter, and thus at times a streak brick layer. In the 4-game stretch to start February, Kenny hit only four of 22 three pointers (18 percent), but in the previous nine games, he poured in 28 treys (at a 44 percent clip). In the previous five games? Only 4-for-32 (13 percent), averaging fewer than one made three per game. Where he will go from here is anyone’s guess, but if he ignites during the tournament, the Gators will go far. If he slumps from beyond the arc, it will be interesting to see if Donovan recognizes and adjusts early by calling Kenny to penetrate more and take far more 2-pointers than threes, something Boynton has seldom done, and something that
Donovan has never asked him or any of his guards to do. Billy prefers to ride it out and let the player shoot out of a slump. But in the tournament, that strategy would put the “madness” in March Madness. But it is March Madness when Kenny Boynton will put his final stamp on the program and his career. And that stamp may very well be that of a program leader. Kenny Boynton came to UF in the signing class of 2009, which also included Erik Murphy and Rod Tishman. Tishman exited without making any impact and Murphy did not start his second game until his junior year. Boynton was a full-time starter from the moment he hit campus. When he arrived, the Gators were coming off two-straight years of rather embarrassing trips to the NIT. He helped lead the Gators back to the NCAA tournament as a freshman and as a sophomore and junior, helped carry them as far as the Elite Eight. Now the undisputed team leader, if he leads them to the Final Four or beyond, the Boynton Legacy will be the player who was singularly instrumental in taking the program from the NIT all the way back to the pinnacle of the sport. Even if the Gators fall short of that ultimate goal, the Boynton Legacy will still stand as a team leader who ignited the return of the Gator program to the ranks of the basketball elite. And despite the efforts of some to pigeonhole a career based on NBA shortfalls, Kenny will be able to stand on his college accomplishments and say that he left his mark. He will be able to say that he was a transformational player in Gator history, and as such, he was an all-time Gator great. That is the Boynton Legacy. Just don't ask me about the sequel.
Fact: On December 16, 1949, plans were drawn to add 11,200 seats to west stands with expansion completed for the 1950 season.
OFFENSIVE
2014
FILLING THE GAPS
NEEDS STORY BY ANDREW SPIVEY, PHOTOS BY CURTISS BRYANT
Florida is to sign a top-notch quarterback for the Class of 2014, and the Gators have already filled that need by securing a verbal commitment from Will Grier.
RUNNING BACK:
NEED: 1–2 COMMITTED PROSPECTS: None TARGETS:
New Orleans (La.) St. Augustine running back Leonard Fournette – He visited Florida for a bowl practice in New Orleans but hasn’t visited Gainesville. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Fournette is likely headed to either Alabama or LSU.
Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage running back Sony Michel – He named Florida in is his top 5 recently, but the thought is Georgia and Miami lead for him. The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Michel said he might visit Florida this spring.
Hendersonville (Tenn.) Beech Senior running back Jalen Hurd – The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Hurd told GatorCountry.com that Florida and Ohio State were his top choices back in November, and that still looks to be the case.
Tuscaloosa (Ala.) Northridge running back Bo Scarborough – He is an Alabama commitment, but after the Crimson Tide signed four running backs he is rethinking his pledge and will visit Florida in the spring.
22 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
Over the next week, GatorCountry.com will talk about the needs on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball in a two-part series.
Need: 1, Committed Prospect:
Florida has a commitment from Davidson Day (N.C.) High quarterback Will Grier, and unless something goes wrong with him, the staff is done at quarterback for this class.
Targets: None
QUARTERBACK:
While Florida signed five offensive linemen last year, there is still a need for more offensive playmakers on the Gators’ roster going forward. The biggest need for
Fact: In April, 1971, artificial surface was installed
RECEIVERS:
FILLING THE GAPS
Need: 3-4 Committed Prospects:
Fort Myers (Fla.) Dunbar receiver Ryeshene Bronson while Bronson is committed his status is still a little shaky as he continues to visit other schools.
Targets:
Palm Beach Gardens (Fla.) Dwyer receiver Johnnie Dixon – A high school teammate of Jacoby Brissett, Dixon seemed upset over the former UF quarterback’s transfer and hasn’t visited Florida in quite some time. However, Dixon has been seen wearing Gators clothes around a lot. Grand Rapids (Mich.) Christian receiver Drake Harris – The Michigan State pledge is a soft commitment to the Spartans after deciding to quit basketball. Harris will visit Florida on March 23 and has said he would like to play in the SEC. Gallatin (Tenn.) Station Camp receiver Josh Malone – He is a big receiver with a lot of interest in Florida. Malone and his mother value academics a lot, which could help Florida. Tarpon Springs (Fla.) East Lake receiver Artavis Scott – He has visited Florida several times but has expressed at times that he may leave the state. Scott said he will visit UF this spring again. Durham (N.C.) Hillside receiver Trevion Thompson – He grew up a Gators fan and has said he will visit this spring. If that visit happens, this one could fall in Florida’s favor.
TIGHT END: Need: 1, Committed Prospects: None, Targets: Ventura (Calif.) St. Bonaventure tight end Bryce Dixon – He picked up a Florida offer a week ago, and the staff told the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Dixon he is the top target on the board. It’s unclear when Dixon will visit Florida.
La Mirada (Calif.) High tight end Tyler Luatua – The top tight end in the country according to most recruiting experts, Luatua has a brother at Alabama, and the Crimson Tide look to be in good shape for him.
Opelika (Ala.) High tight end Jakell Mitchell – He visited Florida for Junior Day this past Saturday and picked up an offer. Mitchell had a good visit and it looks to be an Auburn and Florida battle.
Need: 5 Committed Prospects:
to Florida from Chicago. Ward is scheduled to visit Florida soon and the Gators are now his leader.
Chicago (Ill.) De La Salle offensive lineman Jamarco Jones – He is scheduled to visit Florida for the Orange and Blue Debut.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Deland (Fla.) High offensive lineman Benjamin Knox and Jacksonville (Fla.) Raines offensive lineman Travaris Dorsey are both solid Florida commitments.
Targets:
Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy offensive lineman Denzel Ward – The recent Michigan de-committment has moved
Fact: In December, 1965, construction started on the east-side for a 10,000-seat addition.
Baton Rouge (Fla.) University Laboratory School offensive lineman Garrett Brumfield – The Gators want Brumfield at center for this class, and he has visited several times. However, LSU is giving Florida a good run for the talented offensive lineman.
Wellington (Fla.) Palm Beach Central offensive lineman K.C. McDermott – The Miami legacy is being pursued heavily by Florida and Alabama. McDermott is the top offensive lineman in the state for 2014.
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 23
a fresh start
NEW LOOK GATORS KEEP SAME EXPECTATIONS story by NICK DE LA TORRE PHOTOS BY DANIELLE BLOCH
SMALL
BALL
The 2013 Florida Gators’ baseball team will have a decidedly different look this year than the team that has made three consecutive trips to the College World Series. Gone are nine players from last year’s team, including seven All-Americans and the Gators’ top five-home run hitters from a season ago. Florida led the nation in home runs in 2012 with 75, but lost 61 of those home runs to the MLB draft. If chicks still “dig the long ball,” than this Gators team is not for them. Despite the power outage, head coach
Kevin O’Sullivan is confident this team can be successful in other ways. “Every year your offensive philosophy changes to the personnel you have.” O’Sullivan said. “This year’s personality is different from last year’s because the personnel is different. For us to try to run a lot last year, that was not he strength of our team. This year it could be, and should be for us to be successful.” Changing the team’s offensive philosophy should be an easy move for O’Sullivan. The Gators are loaded with speed at the top of the order with Richie Martin and Casey Turgeon. Just a freshman, Martin was impressive during the fall. There was rarely a practice where he didn’t make a play that stood out. Martin has the speed that you like to see in a lead off hitter and is an excellent bunter. Martin is likely to be given a green light on the base paths and could turn in close to 30 steals this season. However, expectations are high as Martin has huge shoes to fill in replacing three-year starter Nolan Fontana.
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Fact: On September 9, 1989, the football stadium was named Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field during dedication ceremonies.
a fresh start
Turgeon started all but two games as a freshman and will be counted on to be a leader on and off the field this season. He has a great glove and should form a formidable middle infield with Martin. “I feel that he (Martin) and Casey up the middle is as good a middle infield as you’re going to see at this level,” O’Sullivan said. “We’re going to throw him right in the fire and he’ll probably be leading off for us and playing short.” While the Gators may not be able to match their power numbers from a year ago, they will still hit their share of balls out of the park. 1B/DH Vickash Ramjit and 3B/1B Zach Powers will anchor the middle of the lineup. Ramjit is one of just two seniors on the team, and his experience should be counted on to lead a very young roster. Arguably the biggest loss the Gators had last offseason was catcher, Mike Zunino. Zunino was the first Gators catcher to be named a first team All-American twice and was drafted by the Seattle Mariners third overall in the 2012 MLB draft.
Replacing Zunino is 18-year-old sophomore, Taylor Gushue. Gushue graduated high school early and enrolled at Florida last year. He spent the year watching and learning from one of the best catchers in the country. “I think that sitting behind Mike was one of the best things that I could have done for my career,” Gushue said. “To get to see him work in different situations and perform the way he performed and learn the way he did and to provide that example for me, I think it was the best thing I could have done.” While Gushue will not be able to match Zunino’s offensive performance, not many players in the country could, hitting is not the most important job for a catcher. How Gushue can handle the Gators’ pitching staff will be far more important than how many home runs he can hit. That pitching staff took a hit when it was announced that star junior pitcher, Karsten Whitson, would miss the entire 2013 season with a shoulder injury. That leaves the Gators with just one
returning starter from 2012, junior Jonathan Crawford. However, Crawford is no slouch. He finished his sophomore season with a 6–2 record, 3.13 ERA and 75 strikeouts. Crawford will be counted on as the Friday night starter, and as the anchor of a young pitching staff. “My individual goal is to be a Friday guy and go out there and pitch seven strong innings every time I pitch,” Crawford said. Crawford’s fastball is in the mid-to-high 90s and he has a devastating slider, one of the best in college baseball. He added a changeup in the offseason and if he can throw it consistently for a strike it should make him one of the toughest pitchers to face in the country. The baseball team may look differently this season but the goal is a familiar one. “The expectations haven’t changed for us,” Gushue said. “We’re definitely a great team. We have a lot of great pieces to our team. I’m definitely excited to see where it goes.”
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GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 25 1/4/2013 1:30:45 PM
THE OTHER GATORS BRIDGET SLOAN SCORED 9.925 ON VAULT AGAINST GEORGIA. GATOR COUNTRY PHOTO BY JACK LEWIS
Gymnastics:
The number one Florida Gators have been on a roll this year. The Gators have gone 6–1 in their first seven matches with wins over conference rivals Alabama and Georgia. Florida revenged a championship loss to Alabama with a big 198.10 to 196.85 blowout win over the Crimson Tide in Gainesville. Florida’s regular season will end on March 16th when they travel to Utah.
BASEBALL:
The Gators started off the year by taking two of three games against the Duke Blue Devils. In the opening game, Florida started four freshmen. Included in the four were the Gators one hole and two holes hitters. With the loss of Karsten Whitson, the Gators also had to go to a freshman pitcher in game 2 of the season when Tucker Simpson got a win in his first career start.
Women’s Basketball:
Amanda Butler’s lady Gators have showed signs of improvement this year at times, but have had trouble finishing games off. Through the first 13 SEC games, the Gators are 4–9 in conference play and 15–12 overall. Senior Jennifer George is now the active SEC leader with 26 career doubledoubles in her career as she has already notched seven this season. George is also chasing the school record for block shots in her career; she currently sits with 172 in her Gators career.
ALL-SPORTS NOTEBOOK story by ANDREW SPIVEY, PHOTOS BY JACK LEWIS AND DANIELLE BLOCH
26 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
Fact: On April 16, 1930, construction began on the original Florida Field.
THE OTHER GATORS
Men’s Golf:
In their opening tournament of the year, the Gators finished fourth as Florida shot +11 for the three round event. Sophomore Santiago Gavino finished in a tie for 12th place with a score of -3. Both Tyler McCumber and J.D. Tomlinson tied for 17th place for Florida.
one in the country. In the opening game of the year, the Gators went to national powerhouse North Carolina and won 5–3. In their first four games of the year, the Gators outscored their opponents 49–23. If this Gators team stays healthy, a big year is ahead of them.
Women’s Golf:
Softball:
The Gators have participated in two events so far this spring. They won one event and finished fifth in the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge. Sophomore Camilla Hedberg was named the co-winner of the Florida Challenge with a score of -1. Including the fall season, this event was the third team title of the year.
Lacrosse:
Florida’s Lacrosse team has steadily improved every year since starting out. This year, the Gators started out number
Tim Walton’s team was expected to be down this year after losing several players to graduation and transferring. Despite the somber outlook of many, Walton’s Gators have responded by starting off with an impressive 15–0 start record before falling to number 7 Missouri on the road. In that 15–0 start, the Gators beat the number 3, 5 and 13th ranked teams in one tournament to start the year in Tempe, AZ. Junior pitcher Hannah Rodgers has proven to be a key to this team’s success so far this season.
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GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 27
GOING THE DISTANCE STORY BY DAVID “PD” PARKER, Ahmad Fulwood photo by Tim Casey technical athletes that can dominate in the SEC, and then worked into the rotation as second or third year players when they are ready to play at the highest level. Then there is the glaring depth problem on both lines Muschamp inherited that creates the immediate need to bring in junior college players who can play at the highest level in their first year, but will not have the benefit of developing in the program, nor offer the security and continuity of playing more than two years, or in rare cases three. It is not ideal, it is not easy, but both masters must be served. To truly evaluate a head coach’s ability to excel at the Long Game, it would be best to analyze a decade or more of recruiting classes, but for a coach that just wrapped only his second full recruiting cycle class, you must work with the available materials…much as each new coaching staff must do until they are deep enough into the Long Game to have stamped their official seal on the program. So let us look at Muschamp’s first two classes as one collective group. After 2013, these two Muschamp classes will carry the program for the next few years. Though I put very limited stock in the strength of rankings by recruiting services, I have included the top ranking given to each player among the various major groups to give context to the general perception of the talent level outside the football offices across the country where the real evaluations are done.
QUARTERBACK: Skyler Mornhinweg (2012), Max Staver (2013)
RUNNING BACK: Matt Jones (2012), Adam Lane, Kelvin Taylor (2013)
A program needs to take a quarterback per year on average, which was accomplished. Neither were ranked among the elite of their class (both topped out at No. 19 on the quarterback boards), but are both solid players with strong training pedigrees. Max studied under Darin Slack, founder of the prestigious Quarterback Academy and perhaps the foremost quarterback coach and mentor in the country, and Skyler is the son of Marty Mornhinweg, long time offensive coordinator and assistant head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, and a nearly 20-year veteran NFL quarterback coach and offensive coordinator. Both quarterbacks know the game and know how to play the game. Both can develop into an SEC starter at Florida, but given that Jeff Driskel has two more years of eligibility and all-world Will Grier arrives in Gainesville next year as the heir apparent, neither may get the chance.
With three highly regarded backs ranked as highly as No. 1, 11 and 15, the Gators not only stacked the backfield the last two years with talent, but also diverse talent. All three bring a different profile, running style and playing personality, and each will require a different approach for opponents to defend. This rivals 1993–1994 (Terrance Foy, Tyrone Baker, Eli Williams, Fred Taylor and Terry Jackson) as the best two-year running back haul in the modern era of Florida football (1990-foreward).
MUSCHAMP PLAYING THE LONG GAME
RECRUITING
GATOR
The ‘Long Game’ is a literary metaphor describing when a master plan has a very long time element involved, often so long that it may not have a tangible or perceptible end. Thus is the game of college football recruiting. When a coaching staff looks at supplying the lifeblood of its football program, it can’t merely micromanage one year’s signing class at a time, but rather must develop a long term, horizon-focused strategy of building and maintaining its football program. But how is that possible – especially with a new coach like Will Muschamp inheriting a perpetually elite football program that has been broken – in this world of instant gratification and steadfast demand to get top results immediately? Well, that’s why top programs pay their head coaches so well: it’s not easy business. A staff has to fill immediate needs every year while building the long-term strength and stability of the program into perpetuity. These two goals are sometimes at cross purposes, and a new staff especially has to keep them in dovetailing rhythm even as opposing poles work to force them apart. A perfect example of this would be the Gators’ line of scrimmage dynamic the last two recruiting cycles. The long term goal of building a machine of linemen requires a steady and deep succession of players who come in as freshmen, are molded for a couple of years into the physical and
28 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
WIDE RECEIVER: Latroy Pittman, Raphael Andrades (2012), Alvin Bailey, Ahmad Fulwood, Marqui Hawkins, Demarcus Robinson, Chris Thompson (2013) A very talented and deep group, the services ranked them across a wide spectrum, including No. 5, 7, 13, 24, 25, 93 and 99 in the nation at their position. Andrades and Thompson are the perceived
Fact: UF is the only university to appear in the NACDA National All-Sports top-10 ranking for each of the past 28 years.
GOING THE DISTANCE
“Our game is a long game. We do not plan for the next year, or the next 10 years, or the next budget cycle. We plan for eternity.”
– Stone of Force Vol. 6, Spore
long shots, with Andrades riding shotgun on the stagecoach since he was only offered a scholarship after UF missed several prospects on signing day. Conversely, Muschamp offered Thompson a scholarship the day after he saw him in camp. Robinson, Fulwood and Bailey are all elite level signees, with Hawkins and Pittman being coach favorites who bring a very physical and mentally tough style of play. Historically, the 1994 class of Ike Hilliard, Quez Green, Reidel Anthony, et al, is the standard for receiver classes, but it was preceded and followed by classes that included only two other receivers, one of which did not qualify and the other of which moved to cornerback. The 2005-2006 group was the best 2-year cohort, producing Louis Murphy, David Nelson, Riley Cooper and Percy Harvin, and it is unlikely this or any other group could surpass that one. However, this group could very well be comparable before their eligibility is up.
TIGHT END: Kent Taylor, Colin Thompson (2012), Trevon Young It simply doesn’t get any better than this. While we know Young was a lightly regarded prospect, both Thompson and Taylor spent time ranked as the No. 1 tight end in the nation by at least one service as seniors. Getting one of their caliber in two years is a coup, and it usually scares off the elite tight ends the following year, but getting two in the same year is very rare. Whatever Young can add with his unique physique and possibilities as a jumbo tight end is just gravy.
OFFENSIVE TACKLE: D.J. Humphries (2012), Trenton Brown, Rod Johnson, Tyler Moore (2013) Two tackles per year is a good number, and as far as talent goes, this is the mother lode.
This foursome includes the No. 1, 3, 5 and 16 offensive tackles in their classes and classifications. Three of them have already shown against college talent that they are as good as advertised. The only weakness of this group is that only half of them came to UF with five years to play four.
OFFENSIVE GUARD: Max Garcia, Jessamen Dunker (2012), Octavius Jackson (2013) The ideal tally would be two per year, so the guards fell a bit short on numbers – a fact that is further complicated due to a third of the group being a transfer with truncated eligibility. The rankings were slotted as No. 4, 30 and 48, with Dunker earning praise for his work on the scout team as a redshirt and Garcia a known quantity from Maryland, so the talent is certainly there. The numbers shortfall becomes more pronounced if Dunker does not return from suspension.
including three players ranked in the top ten in the nation at tackle (6, 7 and 9) but due to the attrition and the heavy JUCO component, Florida will be shopping for a maximum number of tackles this recruiting season.
DEFENSIVE END/BUCK: Jonathan Bullard, Dante Fowler Jr., Alex McCalister, Bryan Cox, Quinteze Williams (2012), Joey Ivie, Antonio Riles, Jordan Sherit (2013) Signing four per year is again an outstanding number, averaging two-deep at both positions each year. The talent level is also very high, including a No. 1, 3 and 9 in the nation, with Bullard and Fowler already showing as true freshmen that they are going to be stars. It’s also a very athletic group – hard to ask for anything more here.
LINEBACKER: Antonio Morrison, Jeremi Powell (2012), Alex Anzalone, Jarrad Davis, Daniel McMillian, Matt Rolin (2013)
In a three-linebacker scheme, signing six in two years is optimal. And the talent level Only taking one true center in two years is a in this group is as strong as any group in the country and certainly any group of good target, provided the program already has a strong center on the team. The Gators linebackers in a 2-year period in the modern era of Gator football. The rankings of this have Jonotthan Harrison is an entrenched group are No. 2, 3, 5, 17, 28 and 39. And the starter, but he is a rising senior, meaning No. 39 player was Tank Morrison, who has Dillard will have to develop quickly. The plan is for him to step right into the backup already shown to be an exceptional player as role this fall, so he will have the opportunity. a true freshman, future star and one of so many Gator signees in the last two years that Florida will probably need to get at least were underrated by the recruiting services. one center each of the next two years.
CENTER: Cameron Dillard (2013)
DEFENSIVE TACKLE: Damien Jacobs, Jafar Mann, Dante Phillips (2012), Caleb Brantley, Darious Cummings, Jay-nard Bostwick, Jarran Reed The raw numbers are outstanding for two tackle positions, however only Jacobs survived from the 2012 class, and as a JUCO transfer he only has one year remaining. Therefore the Gators desperately needed all four tackles they signed in 2013. But again, half of them are JUCO signees with two and three years, respectively to play. As far as talent level goes, this is an elite group,
Fact: Florida’s home record of 113-13 (.894) since 1990 is the best mark in the country during that time.
CORNERBACK: Willie Bailey, Brian Poole Jr (2012), Vernon Hargreaves III (2013) Obviously the numbers are too low here in a vacuum. However, the Gators are so deep and young at cornerback that three is about the right number for this group. Certainly the coaches thought so, because knowing they were losing Bailey to transfer, the staff still only tried to sign two corners in the 2013 class. The talent level cannot be beat, of course with Poole and VH3 ranking No. 2 and No. 1 in their respective classes. GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 29
GOING THE DISTANCE
SAFETY: Rhaheim Ledbetter, Marcus Maye (2012), Marcell Harris, Keanu Neal, Nick Washington (2013) Five is a strong number, averaging more than two-deep at both positions each year. Talent is also very rich, including No. 5, 6, 9, 11 and another 11. Five top eleven safeties in two years are more than most programs could ever wish for, and a major haul for the Gators.
P/PK: Austin Hardin (2012), Johnny Townsend (2013) This is not only optimal, but virtually the maximum you could ever expect or want to sign here, given you generally only need one of each for four years at a time. In Hardin and Townsend, Florida signed the No. 1 kicker in the nation one year and the No. 2 punter the next.
Vernon Hargreaves III photo by CuRtiss Bryant
“The key to strategy... is not to choose a path to victory, but to choose so that all paths lead to a victory.” – Cavilo, The Vor Game
Another metaphor in fiction writing is known as the Xanatos Gambit. It is a plan devised so that no matter which one of many possible outcomes occurs, all benefit the creator of the plan. Will Muschamp created this plan to work no matter which players at each position rise to the top. He has also signed two straight years of very versatile athletes who can play multiple positions on both sides of the ball. If and when injuries or 30 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
attrition occur over the next few years, he has back-filled the program so that the outcome is a winner. Unlike many coaches who have trouble signing certain positions or assembling balanced classes over multiple years, Muschamp has addressed all positions with depth and talent that fits the succession plan with the players already on the roster. If the true measure of recruiting is consistency and the ability to string two
powerful classes together to form one virtual mega-class to make up the core of a multiple year championship caliber team and form the foundation of a program that will remain elite beyond the visible horizon, then Will Muschamp has done the job the last two years. That is the Long Game. That is what makes a championship coach and a premier program. That is what Gator fans mean when they say, “Boom!”
Fact: The Gators lead the Southeastern Conference (SEC) in team titles and Academic All-SEC recipients.
scenes from the swamp
Fact: UF has won a league-best eight national titles since 2006.
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 31
MOVIN’ UP
THE
NEXT LEVEL STORY BY NICK DE LA TORRE PHOTOS BY CURTISS BRYANT
10
GATORS COMPETE AT THE NFL SCOUTING COMBINE
Imagine going into an interview for your dream job. A job you have gone to school for and spent your entire life getting ready for. Now imagine your interview requires you to wear skin-tight clothing and will be broadcast on television. That’s what 10 former Gators had in store for them at the 2013 NFL Combine. The combine is the NFL’s annual job interview where one wrong step or answer could cost athletes millions of dollars. Needless to say, the stakes are high. Only two schools, Florida State and LSU, sent more players to the combine than Florida. While Sharrif Floyd and Matt Elam headlined the Gators’ group, all 10 players were able to showcase their talents in front of all 32 NFL teams. Here’s what scouts are saying about each prospect.
1
Mike Gillislee Height: 5’11” Weight: 208 lbs.
3
Gillislee waited patiently for an opportunity at the University of Florida but made the most of it when given the chance. As a senior, Gillislee carried the ball for 1,152 yards and 10 touchdowns. Gillislee posted a 4.50 in the 40-yard dash, a good time for a running back his size. Gillislee is a downhill runner who could be a three down back at the next level. Look to hear Gillislee’s name called on the third day of the draft.
2
Jon Bostic
Height: 6’1” Weight: 245 lbs. A three-year starter at Florida, Bostic is your prototypical inside linebacker. He is an absolute force against the run and is quick to recognize plays from his middle linebacker position. Bostic excels at filling the gaps and is a solid wrap-up tackler. He has good size for the position but will need to work on his cover skills to become a more well rounded NFL player. Bostic is projected to go as high as the third round.
32 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
Jordan Reed
Height: 6’2” Weight: 236 lbs.
Reed has drawn comparisons to fellow former Gators tight end, Aaron Hernandez. While Reed’s production didn’t match Hernandez’ in college, they have a similar skill set. Reed posted the seventh fastest 40-yard dash time for tight ends. However, his 16 reps on the bench press were the second fewest at his position. Reed excels as a pass-catching tight end that is dangerous in space. He struggled to block defensive ends at the collegiate level and will need a lot of work to be an effective blocker at the next level. Reed has the potential to be drafted as high as the second round.
Fact: On June 30, 1990, natural grass replaced artificial turf at Florida Field.
MOVIN’ UP Caleb Sturgis Height: 5’10” Weight: 188 lbs.
4
Matt Elam
Height: 5’10” Weight: 208 lbs. You can’t deny Elam’s intensity or passion for the game of football. Scouts can see that, but what they want to see is how Elam can play in coverage. It is always important for a safety to show how fluid his hips are and an ability to post a strong 40-yard dash. Elam put together an impressive highlight reel at Florida, filled with big hits, great tackles and interceptions but a big performance at the combine could solidify Elam as a first round pick.
Lerentee McCray Height: 6’2” Weight: 250 lbs.
6
The big knock on McCray is his health. McCray missed almost two full seasons during his time at Florida due to various injuries and that history has caused some NFL teams to shy away. When on the field, McCray is a dangerous pass-rusher who uses his hands well and can get after the quarterback. His best game last season was at Texas A&M where he gave the consensus No. 1 rated tackle, Luke Joeckel, considerable trouble. If McCray can stay healthy, he should be able to find a roster spot in the NFL. McCray projects as a late-round selection.
9
Sturgis leaves Florida with the record for most field goals in a career with 70. He has a big foot and has shown good range between 45-52 yards. Sturgis can be trusted to perform in late-game situations and should be considered as one of the best prospects in the draft this season at the kicker position. There are, however, two knocks on Sturgis. His injury history, he missed most of 2010 with a back injury, and his ability to force touchbacks on kickoffs. If Sturgis can stay healthy he should have a long career ahead of him in the NFL. Kickers are not always drafted but Sturgis is worthy of being selected this year.
Josh Evans
Height: 6’1” Weight: 207 lbs.
Evans saved his best football for his senior season. Evans led the Gators in tackles with 83 and was second on the team with three interceptions. In his first full season as a starter, he showed that he has the combination of size, speed, instincts and cover skills to be able to play safety at the next level. Evans has great size for the position and a strong combine performance could vault him up many teams’ draft boards. Currently, Evans is projected to be a mid-to-late round pick.
7
Xavier Nixon
Height: 6’6” Weight: 321 lbs.
Nixon had a rollercoaster of a career at Florida. Nixon looked poised to become the next great offensive linemen at Florida when he started 10 games as a freshman. However, inconsistency and injuries plagued his career and Nixon never reached his full potential. Showing up to the combine at 321 is a good sign for Nixon, who struggled to maintain his weight at Florida. If Nixon can remain healthy, he has the potential to turn into a solid starter in the NFL. Unfortunately, that has proved to be a big “if.” Nixon projects to be a mid-round pick in the NFL draft.
Jelani Jenkins Height: 6’0” Weight: 243 lbs.
10
Despite missing time with several injuries last season, Jenkins elected to leave school early. With many NFL teams moving to more spread out, pass oriented offenses; Jenkins coverage skills make him a very valuable player. Jenkins shows above-average speed and moves sideline to sideline very well. His speed allows him to mirror tight ends and running backs and showing up at the combine heavier than he was listed at Florida should help his draft stock. Jenkins projects as a mid-round pick.
Fact: The stadium’s namesake, Ben Hill Griffin Jr. was a life-long Gator supporter and fan who was extremely benevolent and generous to UF sectors.
Sharrif Floyd Height: 6’3” Weight: 297 lbs.
5
Floyd is shooting up teams’ draft boards. Floyd played both defensive tackle and defensive end at Florida and that type of versatility makes him very valuable at the next level. At press time Floyd had yet to complete the 40-yard dash or his positional drills. Posting a decent 40-yard dash time and a high number on the bench press should cement Floyd as a top-10 pick in this year’s draft.
8
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 33
TROMBONE MAN Q&A
John Martin, affectionately known by Gator fans as Trombone Man, performs his routine alongside Albert. Gator Country photo by Curtiss Bryant.
FLORIDA’S TROMBONE MAN
THE HISTORY BEHIND THE ICONIC GATOR FAN.
STORY BY BRENT MECHLER, PHOTOS BY CURTISS BRYANT AND JOHN PARADY
The game clock reads 8:17 left to play. The Rowdy Reptiles shake and scream, as a man in a moose head hat waves a pair of green underwear. The frenzied O’Connell Center crowd drowns out the basketball’s rhythmic thud. “He sights. He shoots. He hits,” Mick Hubert relays. A hush settles over the arena. The Gators’ margin is less now following the free throws. John Martin shifts in his seat, tightening his grip on the orange cloth. His time is mere seconds away. Will he rise to the occasion? Less than a minute later, Martin does. He always does. A referee’s whistle stops play and
34 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
signals a timeout. Martin lifts from his seat and steps to a small stairwell landing at the base of Level 2. The band strikes up Florida fans’ favorite Paul Simon tune, and Martin’s cue. It’s his time now. And with a twirl of his orange hanky – it’s show time! The orange-and-blue colored cloth suddenly becomes a trombone and its Gators-clad owner transforms into something equally mystifying, entertaining, odd or hilarious – depending on one’s perspective. Nailing the notes with precision that would make Chevy Chase jealous, Martin “performs” his song to the delight of fans and bewilderment of first time spectators.
Moments later the Gators return to the court and a rejuvenated crowd. Martin returns to his seat. His work is done – at least for this game. Florida would go on to rout its opponent, perhaps due in part to Martin’s frenzy-inducing performance. And while other journalists sought post-game comments from Gators players, I chased down the man behind the faux horn. The 52-year-old Martin is a Florida graduate and a Gators fan extraordinaire. He is an ex-commercial fisherman, former Hawthorne Mayor and a longtime area resident. The famed “Trombone Man” is also an excellent interview.
Fact: In 2010, UF ranked seventh in Princeton Review’s top party schools; UGA took first.
TROMBONE MAN Q&A Brent Mechler: OK, when and how do you start this schtick? John Martin: I’ve been sitting in those seats since the O’Connell Center was built, so I have been going since I was a kid. I would see the students cheering in some fashion and look at what I called the “rickety reptiles” just sitting there. So I started cheering. I’ve always been a little bit of a showboat. It began by me “leading” the band — kind of like a conductor. Back a decade or so ago they began playing that “You Can Call Me Al.” One day I brought a bandana — just to wave it, I suppose. Well, I played the trombone with it, and it just kind of took a life of its own. That’s how it started. Then they put the Jumbotron up in the O’Connell Center and started showing me on it, and it really took off. For some reason they don’t do that anymore. I’m not really sure why. BM: You seem to hit every single note. Your timing appears flawless. Be honest, do you practice at home? JM: You mean like shadowboxing in the mirror? No, really I haven’t. I guess I have just done it so much now, and I am passionate about it, that it just comes second nature to me. BM: The dance moves you perform in between your horn solo — what is that? JM: Basically, I am just being a whacky conductor of the band — leading the band, so to speak. I just started moving and shaking and people seemed to like it. I like it. It’s my own kind of aerobics, I suppose. But it’s designed to be a conductor. BM: You seem to be “playing a trombone.” I am not sure if you have ever watched the song’s video, but in it Chevy Chase plays a trumpet. Who has it right, you or Chevy? JM: I saw that. I have to give myself props on that. I think the trombone is the real deal and people respond to that better. It is a more animated instrument. And “Trombone Man” sounds a lot better than “Trumpet Man.” BM: Do you have a singular performance that really stands out in your mind — one you are particularly proud of?
Fact: More than 330,000 UF alumni are located throughout the world.
JM: When we beat Alabama and secured the SEC title, Albert came up for the first time and did it with me. He has been doing it every so often since, but that first time was really special. That stands out to me. BM: Have you ever pulled an “Axl Rose” and refused to perform — maybe not feeling well or simply not being in the right mood? JM: Absolutely not! I have performed even after I had knee surgery and was in a little bit of pain. I figure, if the players can play with pain — so can I. I absolutely live by the “All kinds of weather” saying. So rain or shine, I’m gonna be playing. I always hope that we are either winning or have a good chance because that really brings out the fans. A few times I have performed when there was not a lot to celebrate, but those times are few and far between in the O-Dome. BM: Are you universally recognized, or just in the O’Connell Center? JM: I would say I am universally recognized — well, at least in Gainesville. I have a lot of students come up to me, even on the road, to have a picture taken or an autograph. I never know what really to write. I have a pretty good following on Facebook and Twitter. Last year, I was a bit late to a game and was told by the usher that two Kentucky fans were looking for me, because they wanted to meet me. They found me later and told me I was the greatest basketball fan in the SEC and just wanted to shake my hand. I don’t know if that’s true, but I do love the Gators and the SEC. But especially the Gators. BM: What exactly is your fauxtrombone, and have you ever washed it? JM: That is actually my second one, and I have washed — not too often though. It is basically a Gator bandana. The reason it is my second one is that I also take it to football games. Mr. Two Bits sits behind me at the football games. At his final game when he retired, he autographed my original bandana. So I retired that one. I take a lot of inspiration from him. I am not trying to be the next Mr. Two bits,
because that is not possible. I just want to be someone who loves life, loves the Gators and wants to spread some joy. BM: Do you ever get concerned that your performance is overshadowing that of the Dazzlers? JM: I don’t think there is a whole lot of chance in that! In fact, one of the honors I had was being presented with a signed poster of all of them and being asked to perform with them at halftime. I put together a group of guys called the “Gator Boys,” and they taught us a little routine. We have not been called back into service, so I guess we didn’t outshine anyone. BM: Do you have any friends or family members still willing to sit with you at games, or have you embarrassed everyone away? JM: That’s a good question! The seats are so good that I think they would come no matter what. I have not had anyone refuse yet, but I think it has more to do with how good the seats are than my performance. BM: Are you in the prime years of faux-tromboning or is retirement on the horizon? JM: I don’t plan on retiring. As a matter of fact, my only concern is how the O-Dome remodeling may affect me. But my goal is to keep playing and dancing, even if I have to do it in a wheelchair. I will spin around on the platform up there. So, shelve the banner…err, bandana-raising ceremony! Trombone Man plays on!
A PACKED O’CONNELL CENTER AWAITS FOR THE TROMBONE MAN TO BEGIN HIS PERFORMANCE. PHOTO BY JOHN PARADY
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 35
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
Story by Daniel “DK” Thompson Photos by Curtiss Bryant
Spring Position Battles:
Defense
Once upon a time, Florida was an offensive juggernaut. Between the Fun-N-Gun offense of Steve Spurrier and the Spread/ Zone Read of Urban Meyer, the Gators struck fear in the eyes of their competition. The last five or so years have been a different story. Since 2008, the Gators offense only ranked in the top-10 nationally once, while their defense has been ranked in the top-10 all five years.
36 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
Under Head Coach Will Muschamp, the Gators will likely always have a strong defense. The Gators defense ranked 5th in the country and only gave up 286.7 yards per game in 2012, but will enter spring practice with at least seven new starters and a new defensive coordinator with the departure of Dan Quinn to the NFL.
sacks in 2011, and showed great range in coverage/spy assignments, as well as did a great job rushing the quarterback and getting in the backfield with nine tackles for loss (4th on the team). Powell may have a bit of rust entering practice, but if Powell can improve on his 2011 late season performances he will be the presumed starter.
As former Linebacker/Special Teams coach D.J. Durkin takes over the reigns as defensive coordinator, he will have some difficult decisions to make as he names the starting line-up.
That is true unless sophomore Dante Fowler, Jr. has something to say about it. Fowler, a 6’3” 277-pound Buck, had 30 tackles (8.5 for loss) and 2.5 sacks during his freshman campaign and was an incredible pass rusher and run stopper for the Gators. Fowler will spend the 2013 spring practice calendar improving his technique, which is still a bit raw. Fowler will certainly push Ronald Powell every single moment of spring practice. No matter the starter, the Gators cannot go wrong at the Buck position.
The following Gators graduated, transferred, or left for the NFL after the 2012 season was completed: Nick Alajajian, Kedric Johnson, Sharrif Floyd (Starter), Earl Okine, Omar Hunter (Starter), Lerentee McCray (Starter), Jon Bostic (Starter), Jelani Jenkins (Starter), Josh Evans (Starter) and Matt Elam (Starter).
Defensive End/Buck
Previous Starter: Lerentee McCray Potential Replacement: Ronald Powell/Dante Fowler, Jr. Lerentee McCray was a great Gator. He patiently waited his turn to start for the Gators and became a solid contributor. During his final season, McCray had 25 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble and one interception. However, as the Gators enter 2013, two incredible players will fight tooth and nail for the starting role. Redshirt Junior Ronald Powell was the slated starter entering 2012 before injuring his knee. Powell came on strong during his sophomore season, and showed flashes of his ranking as the number one player coming out of High School. Powell, a 6’4” 248-pound Buck, had 32 tackles and six
Defensive Tackle
Previous Starters: Omar Hunter, Sharrif Floyd Potential Replacement: Leon Orr, Damien Jacobs/Bear Cummings/Jarran Reed The loss of Omar Hunter and Sharrif Floyd is tough for the Gators. Floyd who is likely a top-10 NFL Draft pick, along with the big space eating Hunter, will force the Gators to rely on two new starters in the interior. Taking over for Omar Hunter will likely be Leon Orr. Orr played in nine games for the Gators last season, and finished the season with 15 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and one sack. Before missing out on the last four games of the season with illness, Orr was coming on strong and proved he could be a competent replacement for Hunter. Taking over for Sharrif Floyd is easier said than done.
Fact: The September ’91 north end zone addition cost $17 million, but involved no state funding.
ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT
A committee of former East Mississippi Community College graduates will likely take on the task of replacing Floyd. Senior Damien Jacobs will be the likely starter, with newcomers Bear Cummings and Jarran Reed taking snaps behind him. Jacobs ended the 2012 season with 10 tackles and two sacks.
Linebacker
Previous Starters: Jon Bostic and Jelani Jenkins Potential Replacements: Michael Taylor and Antonio Morrison Between the loss of Bostic and Jenkins, the Gators are losing 63 career starts and seven years of experience. The Gators are fortunate to have two dynamic, hard-hitting replacements. Redshirt junior
Michael Taylor finished the 2012 season with 32 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception. Taylor will play faster than Bostic and should be just as physical, but may struggle a bit in lateral coverage. Taking over for Jenkins, will be sophomore phenom Antonio Morrison. Last season, Morrison, who was named to the SEC Coaches All-Freshman team, had 34 tackles, two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble. Morrison is a very hard hitting linebacker with great football IQ and instinct. If Morrison continues to improve on his play last year, he could be an All-American before he moves on from Florida.
Safety
Previous Starters: Josh Evans and Matt Elam
Potential Replacements: Jabari Gorman and Brian Poole/ Marcus Maye The Gators are in a tough position replacing two NFL bound safeties, as they will rely on three rather inexperienced players to fill two major losses. Junior Jabari Gorman will be the likely replacement for graduating senior Josh Evans. Gorman, whom appears to play similarly to Ahmad Black, doesn’t have much experience playing safety as most of his experience has come on special teams. Gorman, who has 10 career tackles, with one forced fumble, one recovered fumble and one interception in his career, played very well for the Gators in the 2012 Orange and Blue Debut. Gorman will have to step up to the plate quickly for the Gators.
Not surprising, replacing Matt Elam will be the tough for the Gators. The former AllAmerican safety was a powerful combination of physicality, quickness, and capable coverage for the Gators. Florida will likely replace Elam with a combination of sophomore Brian Poole and redshirt freshman Marcus Maye. Poole played in 12 games as a freshman, and while he only recorded three tackles on the season, is the probable starter. Poole who was a highly touted cornerback in high school, grew into a safety prospect in college and with another offseason of coaching, has the skills and tools necessary to excel. Splitting time with Poole, Marcus Maye has good speed, great range, and is a sound tackler. Maye may not be as physical as Elam, but he may be just as reliable in coverage.
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Fact: The September ’91 construction made Florida Field one of the eight largest on-campus collegiate football stadiums in the nation.
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 37
SCENES FROM THE SWAMP
38 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
Fact: Head Coach Steve Spurrier tagged Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field “The Swamp”
SCENES FROM THE SWAMP
Fact: On November 30, 1991, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium hosted the largest football crowd (college or pro) in Florida history (85,461 vs. FSU).
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 39
Angling FOR A NIBBLE
Hook. Line. Sinker. As of February 2013. Courtesy of Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. LAKE SANTA FE
Water levels and conditions are excellent. Local reports of game fish using near shore habitat are again encouraging for this quarter. Crickets, earthworms, and grass shrimp are always good choices of bait for panfish. Rubber worms or suspending jerk baits fished along the maidencane edge can be very effective on largemouth bass and chain pickerel. Fishing over submerged structure in the deeper portions of the lake can also be a productive approach. As with other areas, remember to work artificial slowly in cold water. There are still some tagged fish in the lake that could earn you a cash award. Contact information for the return of tags can be found on the tags as well.
SUWANNEE LAKE
Floating vegetation control measures have been successful and only remnant amounts remain. Navigation throughout the lake is easy at present water levels. Watercolor remains dark from organic material staining. Currently the fishing dock that extends out into the standing timber is being re-decked.
LAKE WAUBERG
Panfish species will seek the overhanging woody brush along the banks in shallow water, possibly trying to avoid predation by hungry migratory cormorants. Black crappie fishing is always better during the winter months and jigging rubber-skirted tube baits (yellow with white) under a float or flipping minnows close to structure is productive. Although, the catfish bite slows down during cooler temperatures brown bullheads will continue to feed on chicken liver or earthworms fished on the bottom. Midday is the most productive time for targeting catfish this quarter. Jazz up your earthworms by adding crushed garlic cloves to your holding container for the added scent.
NEWNAN’S LAKE
Among the large lakes near Gainesville, Newnan’s Lake benefited most from the water it received from the fall rains. The cypress fringe around the lake is still inundated, and access to the lake is now available at both the Windsor and Powers ramps after the floating islands were
removed from the canals. Although black crappie catches have been off and on over the last several months, the crappie bite is expected to improve as they make their way to the shoreline with declining temperatures. The east shoreline from Powers boat ramp to Hatchet Creek has been the most productive area. Anglers should also be aware of black crappie with reward tags. If you catch a tagged crappie, call the number below to receive information on how to claim your reward.
SUWANNEE AND SANTA FE RIVERS
Lower Suwannee River tidal creeks at low tide corral panfish into deeper holes. Locate these holes, typically on outside bends of the channel, and use small spinners tipped with shrimp. Good catches of spotted and redbreast sunfish are possible with these methods. As a result of the water temperature and tidal influence, saltwater fish species utilize more of the river during this season. In both rivers, black bass (largemouth and Suwannee), will be feeding in preparation for the spring spawn. This season marks the traditional time of year to catch bigger fish; fish outer bends of either river for both types of bass with soft plastic baits (crayfish colors). Target fallen treetops, log jams, and spatterdock edges realizing that where the emergent vegetation stops is deep water or currents prevent growth. These areas would be like spots that hold and attract fish. Warmer water from spring run or feeder creek mouths makes for likely areas that would attract fish. A degree or two of difference in water temperature might be the key to locating fish that are ready to feed.
ORANGE LAKE
Although the water levels on Orange Lake are still at a level well below average, anglers can access the lake at the Heagy-Burry boat ramp now that a trail through the thick vegetation has been created. The largemouth bass fishery has declined by the standards set during the 2010–2011 years due to the drought, but Orange Lake can be a fine destination for those searching for bream and black crappie. Good and steady catches of black crappie have been reported over the last month, and the trend should continue throughout the spring. Black crappie anglers should drift or troll live minnows or artificial jigs along vegetation edges at the north end of the lake, and near Red Bird Island and Sampson’s Point. For those looking for some stocky bream, grass shrimp, crickets and minnows are your best baits for warmouth, shellcrackers, and bluegill sunfish.
For the latest updates, visit myfwc.com 40 GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013
Fact: UF student spending supports local and statewide businesses and tourism.
SCENES FROM THE SWAMP
Fact: UF began a partnership with Spain in 2000, to create the world’s largest telescope in the Canary Islands.
GATOR COUNTRY | MAR/2013 41
Events
March March 1st
UF Men’s Swimming & Diving @ Bulldog Last Chance Meet, UF Track & Field @ Virginia Tech Qualifier, UF Track & Field @ Alex Wilson Invitational, UF Women’s Swimming & Diving @ Bulldog Last Chance Meet 4pm UF Softball Drake 6pm First Friday Passport to Downtown 6pm UF Women’s Tennis @ Missouri 6pm UF Softball Mount St. Mary’s 7pm UF Gymnastics Minnesota 7pm UF Baseball Miami (Fla.)
March 2nd
March 6th
4pm UF Women’s Tennis
@ Florida State
6pm Cooking Class – Around
the World to India! @ Take Away Gourmet 7pm UF Softball @ Alabama 7pm UF Baseball Jacksonville 8pm UF Men’s Basketball Vanderbilt
March 7th
7:30pm Harlem Globetrotters
@ Stephen C. O’Connell Center
March 8th
UF Track & Field @ NCAA Indoor Championships, UF Men’s Golf UF Men’s Swimming & Diving @ @ S.H. Collegiate Masters Bulldog Last Chance Meet, UF Track & Field @ Virginia Tech 3pm Alachua County Youth Fair Qualifier, UF Track & Field @ Alex and Livestock Show @ Alachua Wilson Invitational, UF Women’s County Fairgrounds Swimming & Diving @ Bulldog 5pm UF Men’s Tennis @ Last Chance Meet South Carolina 12pm UF Softball Drake 7pm UF Softball @ Auburn 12pm UF Men’s Basketball Alabama 7pm UF Baseball Indiana 2:15pm UF Softball FAMU 5pm UF Lacrosse @ Syracuse March 9th 7:30pm UF Baseball Miami (Fla.) UF Track & Field @ NCAA Indoor Championships, UF Men’s Golf @ S.H. Collegiate Masters March 3rd 1pm UF Men’s Tennis Texas A&M 9am 2nd Annual Citizens Fire Academy @ Gainesville Fire Rescue 1pm UF Women’s Tennis @ Texas A&M 9am 4th Annual Run Amuck with the Duck @ North Florida Regional 1pm UF Women’s Basketball @ Medical Center South Carolina 1pm UF Baseball Miami (Fla.) 10am Gainesville Sun Home Show @ Stephen C. O’Connell Center 1:45pm UF Softball Presbyterian 2pm Apollo’s Fire – Come To The 12pm UF Lacrosse @ Dartmouth River @ University Auditorium 12pm UF Men’s Basketball @ Kentucky March 5th 1pm UF Women’s Tennis South Carolina 1pm UF Lacrosse Loyola (MD) 6pm UF Baseball @ Jacksonville 2pm UF Softball @ Auburn 7:30 SPECTICAST: Georges 3pm Alachua County Youth Bizet’s Carmen @ Phillips Center Fair and Livestock Show @ Alachua County Fairgrounds 7:30pm Interpreti Veneziani @ University Auditorium 4pm UF Baseball Indiana 38 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
7pm Danscompany’s 30th Anniversary Dancin Thru the Decades & The WIZ @ Phillips Center
March 10th
UF Women’s Swimming & Diving Gator Last Chance, UF Men’s Swimming & Diving Gator Last Chance, UF Men’s Golf @ S.H. Collegiate Masters 1pm Teen Tech Challenge @ Alachua County Headquarters Library – Downtown 1pm UF Baseball Indiana 2pm UF Softball @ Auburn 3pm Alachua County Youth Fair and Livestock Show @ Alachua County Fairgrounds
March 11th
UF Women’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Diving Zone Championships UF Men’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Diving Zone Championships
March 12th
UF Men’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Diving Zone Championships UF Women’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Diving Zone Championships 5:30pm Social at Chuy’s @ Chuy’s Restaurant 6pm Cooking Class – Gluten-Free in America @ Take Away Gourmet 6:30pm UF Lacrosse Lehigh 7pm UF Baseball Florida State
March 13th
UF Women’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Diving Zone Championships UF Men’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Diving Zone Championships 12pm Game Day Luncheon and Benefit @ Gainesville Woman’s Club 6pm Stephanie Coontz: Madmen, Working ‘Girls’, and Desperate Housewives: Women, Men and
Marriage in 1963 and 2013 @ Pugh Hall-Bob Graham Center 8pm AWOLNATION @ Florida Theatre
March 15th
UF Women’s Golf SunTrust Gator Invitational, UF Men’s Golf @ Chris Schenkel Invitational 2:30pm UF Men’s Tennis @ Georgia 3pm The Florida Trail Association 44th Annual Conference @ YMCA Camp McConnell 3pm SP Designs by Susannah Peddie @ Family Treasure 5pm UF Women’s Tennis Georgia 6pm UF Softball Tennessee 7:30pm UF Baseball Kentucky
March 16th
UF Men’s Golf @ Chris Schenkel Invitational, UF Track & Field @ UCF Black & Gold Challenge, UF Women’s Golf SunTrust Gator Invitational 7:30am Rebels with a Cause- Run, Walk, or Roll 5K @ Flavet Field 9am Antique Tractor and Car Day @ Dudley Farm Historic State Park 9am India Fest & Health Fair 2013 @ India Cultural & Education Center 10am Can You Dig It? @ Florida Museum of Natural History 10am SP Designs by Susannah Peddie @ Family Treasure 11am UF Softball Tennessee 12pm UF Baseball Kentucky 4pm UF Lacrosse @ Oregon 4:30pm 4th Annual Run for Haven @ Tioga Town Center 6pm Spirit of Charity Gala benefitting Catholic Charities @ Stephen C. O’Connell Center 7:30pm Rite of Spring @ Phillips Center 8pm UF Gymnastics @ Utah
I was never afraid of failure, for I would sooner fail than not be among the best. John Keats
March 17th
UF Women’s Golf SunTrust Gator Invitational, UF Men’s Golf @ Chris Schenkel Invitational 11am St. Patrick’s Day Celebration @ St. Patrick’s Catholic Church 1pm UF Men’s Tennis @ Tennessee 1pm UF Women’s Tennis Tennessee 1pm UF Softball Tennessee 1pm UF Baseball Kentucky 1pm Leipzig String Quartet @ University Auditorium
March 19th
6:30pm UF Lacrosse Stetson
7pm UF Baseball North Florida
March 20th
6pm UF Softball USC Upstate 7:30pm Chick Corea and Bela
Fleck @ Phillips Center
March 21st
UF Women’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Championships (W)
March 22nd
UF Track & Field @ UCF Invitational UF Track & Field @ FSU Relays UF Women’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Championships (W) 1pm UF Women’s Tennis Alabama 4pm UF Men’s Tennis @ Alabama 6pm UF Softball Arkansas 7:30pm UF Baseball @ Vanderbilt 7:30pm Mark Morris Dance Company @ Phillips Center
March 23rd
UF Track & Field @ UCF Invitational UF Women’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Championships (W) 9am Spring Garden Festival @ Kanapaha Botanical Gardens 11am Springs Celebration/Chili Cook @ O’Leno State Park UF Track & Field @ FSU Relays 11am VIVA EUROPE! @ Bo Diddley Community Plaza 1pm UF Lacrosse Ohio State 3pm UF Gymnastics @ Southeastern Conference Championships – Session I 3pm UF Softball Arkansas 7pm UF Gymnastics @ Southeastern Conference Championships – Session II 7pm UF Baseball @ Vanderbilt
March 24th
1pm UF Baseball @ Vanderbilt 1pm UF Women’s Tennis Auburn 1pm UF Softball Arkansas 2pm UF Men’s Tennis @ Auburn 4pm Bowl For Kids’ Sake @ Splitz
March 26th
6pm UF Baseball @ Florida State
March 27th
UF Track & Field @ Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays 6pm UF Softball FSU
March 28th
UF Men’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Championships UF Track & Field @ Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays
Every Day is Gameday in
Gainesville
March 29th
UF Track & Field @ Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, UF Women’s Golf @ Bryan National Collegiate, UF Men’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Championships, UF Track & Field @ Stanford Invitational, UF Track & Field @ North Florida Invitational 4pm UF Women’s Tennis @ LSU 5pm UF Men’s Tennis LSU 7pm UF Baseball Ole Miss 7pm UF Softball @ Ole Miss
Only the venues change!
March 30th
UF Track & Field @ North Florida Invitational, UF Men’s Swimming & Diving @ NCAA Championships UF Track & Field @ Clyde Littlefield Texas Relays, UF Track & Field @ Stanford Invitational, UF Women’s Golf @ Bryan National Collegiate 12pm UF Lacrosse @ Penn State 1pm UF Baseball Ole Miss 3pm UF Softball @ Ole Miss 7:30pm One Night of Queen – Performed by Gary Mullen And The Works @ Phillips Center at the University of Florida
March 31st
UF Women’s Golf @ Bryan National Collegiate 1pm UF Women’s Tennis @ Arkansas 1pm UF Men’s Tennis Arkansas 1pm UF Baseball Ole Miss 2pm UF Softball @ Ole Miss
It is foolish to fear what you cannot avoid. Publius Syrus
VisitGainesville.com Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013 39
The Board of Directors of Catholic Charities requests the honor of your presence to celebrate
G
SPIRIT OF CHARITY
ALA
B E N E F I T S T H E P R O G R A M S AT C AT H O L I C C H A R I T I E S T H AT H E L P PEOPLE IN NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY S AT U R D AY, M A R C H 1 6 , 2 0 1 3 1 6 ,- /9Ê" ÊÊ ", ÊUÊ-/ * Ê"½ "
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COCKTAILS AND SILENT AUCTION BEGIN AT 6 PM LIVE AND SILENT AUCTION LIVE AUCTION HIGHLIGHT: TRIP TO ROME, ITALY INCLUDES ROUNDTRIP AIRFARE AND A WEEK AT THE SHERATON ROMA INCLUDING SHERATON CLUB PRIVILEGES Music by Mark Gaignard and the Barstool Prophets with Trigger Sound. Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities are available on our website www.catholiccharitiesgainesville.org
For addition information call 352-224-6442
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Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013 37
Gadgets By Sarah G. Mason
Click and Grow Mini Tomato Garden A hassle-free gardening dream come true. This electronic smartpot grows herbs and flowers without watering and fertilizing. No knowledge is necessary, as Click & Grow measures the exact amount of water, fertilizer and air your plants need. $59.99 www.clickandgrow.com
Q Card Case by CM4 This half wallet, half phone case is perfect for your on-the-go lifestyle. With enough space to carry up to three cards – as well as cash – the Q Card Case lightens pockets and provides a modern solution in a sleek iPhone 5 case.
Skinny for iPad Mini, Pink Use and protect your iPad Mini with the Skinny, a slim and sleek folio that folds backwards for typing and viewing.
$39.99 www.cm4.com/Q
Satechi iFit Portable Rechargeable Speaker Stand (Pink) for Smartphones
$35 www.stmbags.com
The compact design and high-fidelity speaker allows you to play music virtually anywhere with this portable audio system. Enjoy up to six hours of uninterrupted movie-watching and music-listening with this high-powered external speaker. $15.99 www.satechi.net
Eco-Care Training Pads Move smoothly past those messy puppy days with the environmentally friendly alternative to the original potty pad. Price may vary. Walmart, pet supply stores nationwide
x-doria iPhone 5 Case These stylish cases have a soft outer layer, a tough, polycarbonate shell and a 3D, textured fabric wrap that is perfect for your iPhone 5. $29.99 www.x-doria.com
34 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt. William Shakespeare
Soothe By Katelyn Vilardell
Your Skin This Spring Do you suffer from psoriasis? Eczema? Stressed Skin? It’s time to de-stress with Haile Village Spa & Salon’s intensive calming facial and body treatments. Neurodermatitis, psoriasis, dry skin and unpleasant itching are instantly soothed and reduced with Haile Village Spa & Salon’s Doctor Babor Neuro-Sensitive skincare line. They offer facial and body services as well as soothing take-home products to help treat dermatitis. The Doctor Babor NeuroSensitive line regenerates your skin’s protective lipid layer, restores the moisture balance and significantly reduces your skin’s risk of bacterial irritations. As a result, your skin’s natural defenses are effectively strengthened, unpleasant itching is calmed and redness is reduced – with lasting results! The Neuro-Sensitive line will help your skin recover faster and reduce feelings of tightness in dry and irritated skin. Your nerve endings have special molecules that are able to send or receive nerve signals and translate them into information. If your skin is extremely dry or hyper-sensitive, an imbalance between transmitters and receptors occur, which can cause too many nerve signals to fire without enough receptors to react. As a result, the skin becomes irritated and red. The Doctor Babor Neuro-Sensitive product line contains Neuroxyl, which desensitizes these nerve endings, instantly soothes unpleasant itching and reduces redness. Neuroxyl also redresses the balance between nerve signals and receptors by increasing the amount of receptors.
Another main ingredient in Doctor Babor’s skincare line is Microsilver. This powerful component discharges silverions and neutralizes the bacteria on the skin’s surface by blocking enzymes and destroying the bacteria’s membrane. As a result, irritations are reduced. Dry and hyper-sensitive skin has a weak and fragile lipid barrier, usually caused by a lack of essential fatty acids. These fatty acids, or ceramides, are responsible for making the skin layer ‘impervious.’ If the amount of ceramides isn’t high enough, external irritants and bacteria can penetrate into the skin. The Neuro-Sensitive skincare line includes a power-packed ingredient called GammaLinolenic acid, which reverses these negative affects by restoring the lipid barriers and activating the skin’s own ceramide production. To try these services or take home products, come to the picturesque Haile Village Center, located in Haile Plantation just West of Butler Plaza in Gainesville at 5207 SW 91st Terrace. We are open 7 days a week to accommodate your busy schedule! Please call (352) 335 5025 to schedule your appointment today, or come in to sample of these amazing MedSpa quality products!
Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent success. Napoleon Hill
Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013 35
Spring
Fashion
By Sarah G. Mason
O’Neill 365 Approach Shorts
With a wide waistband and adjustable drawcords, you get both function and comfort. Wicking technology keeps your skin comfortable and dry, leaving you to focus fully on your workout goals. $38 www.oneillclothing.com
Tiki Too Sandles These flirty sandles come with faux nubuck straps and stamped EVA outsole. $29.50 www.oneillclothing.com
Zao Sandles Faux leather upper with braided accents, EVA midsole, custom rubber outsole and logo metal badge. $24 www.oneillclothing.com
32 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
I failed my way to success. Thomas Edison
365 Pursuit Longsleeve Layer Top Great for layering in or out of water, this micromesh top comes complete with UV 50 sun protection. Quickdry material and wicking technology leaves you comfortable and dry. $54 www.oneillclothing.com
365 Coze Pullover This super-soft, french terry has a brushed back to keep you cozy on the inside as well as the outside! Easy pullover with a cowl neck and hidden stash pockets. $68 www.oneillclothing.com
Kriss Cross Tote A perfect runaround tote. Cotton printed canvas mixed stripe, cotton poplin lining, faux leather straps and bottom piecing. $34 www.oneillclothing.com
Purchase Your Tickets at
www.gainesvillejrleague.org
Half of the failures in life come from pulling one’s horse when he is leaping. Thomas Hood
www.gainesvillejrleague.org Price: $35 per person Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013 33
H T N O M Y R E V E Y P O C E E R F R U O Y B A R G
30 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed. Theodore Roosevelt
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New Ways to
Reuse Old Baby Clothes By Kelly Herman
It’s hard to let go of the clothes we saw our kids in as babies. Donating them isn’t easy, especially when all you want to do is go back to the days when your children could fit into their onesies. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can hold onto these old pieces by turning them into something useful. This way, they aren’t collecting dust in storage as the memories continue to pile up. Quilt It Make a quilt or pillow – it’s fairly simple to do. Even if your attempt turns out less than perfect, these keepsakes will be too adorable not to love. Try stitching shirt holes closed and stuffing them with cotton for an easy throw!
Build-a-Better-Bear Turn old clothes into new toys. Sew together “softies� and rag dolls from footie pajamas, or use the clothes to put on teddies. Who needs ya, Build-A-Bear?
Photo Memories Cut out pieces of outgrown clothing to use for a scrapbook,
or decoupage a picture frame. You could also take your favorite baby picture, along with their clothes, shoes and toys from that time, and create a shadow box.
Practicality Be utilitarian. Use stained clothes as a cleaning rag, and nicer clothes for kitchen accessories like place mats, oven mitts and coasters.
Out with the Old Repair new clothes with pieces of the old ones. Use old buttons to replace missing ones, and add old bows and decorations to cover up a stain!
Do you have old toys you can’t let go of, either? As your child stops using them, put them into a clear lamp. By the time they’re 18 and going off into the world, the toys will have piled up and they’ll have a usable time capsule to take off with them. You can even use some of their old clothes to decorate the lamp shade – with nonflammable fabric, of course. Save the nicer, patterned pieces for dorm days, to brighten up the white walls. Go back a little to leap further. John Clarke
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Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013 31
St. Patrick’s Day
Popcorn By Sarah G. Mason
Just like a leprechaun, this St. Paddy’s Day popcorn will disappear before your eyes – because your friends and family will eat it so quickly, that is! If you want something festive for March 17, try this delicious take on a snack-time classic.
Do not forget small kindnesses and do not remember small faults. Chinese Proverb
What You’ll Need: • 4 quarts popcorn (popped) • 1 cup sugar • ½ cup brown sugar • ½ cup light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar • ¼ teaspoon salt • ½ cup butter • 9 drops food coloring (green)
1) Place the popcorn in a roasting pan; keep warm in the oven at 250 degrees F 2) Meanwhile, combine sugars, water, corn syrup, vinegar, and salt in a large saucepan 3) Cook, stirring occasionally until the mixture comes to a boil 4) Remove from heat; stir in butter until melted. Stir in food coloring. 5) Drizzle over warm popcorn and toss to coat. Cool. 6) Break into pieces and enjoy!
Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013 29
Style By Heather Aulisio
Impersonator
How You Can Look Like Some of the Most Stylish Women in Hollywood! at home. It demonstrates her love of classic vintage pieces and modern silhouettes, prints and colors. You too can impersonate Zoe’s retro chic style. First, zip on a pair of form fitting, dark wash bell bottom jeans. Next, pair them with a silky button down blouse in a bold but neutral tone, like raspberry or jade green. Opt to wear these silky shirts in a playful pattern, like snake print, polka dots, or retro flowers. Rachel Zoe is a huge accessories fan the more the better! Pile on layers of stackable bracelets in various metals, textures, and sparkles. You can even wear an oversized chain link necklace with a shiny, ornate embellishment like a sunburst; or a turquoise jewelry statement necklace. Rachel Zoe loves mile high pointy toe heels, so select a pair of brown, Mary Jane inspired heels that can be worn year round with skirts, pants or even shorts to maximize your investment. Before you know it, you will be walking around in an outfit that is “to die for.”
One woman that will make you go completely “bananas” is Rachel Zoe! A top stylist, designer, mother, friend and daughter; this woman wears many hats. She has developed one signature look that she is able to wear throughout her day at work and
26 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
Another woman who is known for her creative but classic ensembles (and super cute dimples) is Olivia Palermo. The former MTV “The City” star has truly paved her way in the fashion industry as a stylist and has become one of the most popular fashion icons due to her impeccable taste and style, no matter what she is wearing. She is always dressed for the occasion, no matter what the occasion may be. If you want to claim some of this youthful star’s style, start by wearing a pair of grey tailored wool trousers into which you can tuck a silky and sophisticated navy jewel embellished scoop neck tank. Wrap a belted, charcoal grey, fur
If you look to Hollywood’s leading ladies for some style inspiration, you are not alone! We all tend to eyeball who’s on the latest fashion magazine covers in the grocery store and we even secretly begin planning how we can recreate their winning look in a way that will work for our body type and budget. If you are a style impersonator (or just want to be one), read on to learn how you can put together outfits that reflect five top Hollywood stars and personalities’ casual or formal looks.
lined lapel pea coat around your figure and secure a pair of oversized freshwater pearl earrings into your lobes. To put the finishing touches on your look, wear a pair of black leather, round toe ankle booties and slide on an agate stone cocktail ring. You’ll be city chic in a second flat! Jennifer Aniston’s simple style is also sought after by many women globally. Known for her straight hair, structured and polished apparel and neutral tones, it is easy to see why her crisp and clean look is something to be desired. Create your own Aniston outfit by wearing a belted, creamy colored A-line sheath dress and a pair of shiny black patent leather peep toe pumps. Add a pair of gold thin hoops and a pair of aviators to pull together your naturalistic ensemble. Aniston’s style is perfect for working in an office all day and transitioning into an evening business dinner or out for cocktails with friends. This fashion “friend” is an inspiration to many women who think that the most beautiful clothes are timeless, tame and tailored. Sarah Jessica Parker is a style icon on and off of the big screen. This former “Sex and the City” star sure knows how to make a statement when it comes to styling an outfit for her casual moments with her children and movie star hubby or for her red carpet
Men are more mindful of wrongs than of benefits. Proverb
appearances. If SJP’s personal style speaks to you, why not piece together a look that mimics hers? First, put on a pair of black leather leggings. Wear an oversized, plain white t over top of the tight, edgy pants. This will provide visual balance. Wear a silver monogram necklace on an extra-long chain around your neck and add some shiny and sparkly stackable silver rings on one of your fingers. If you know Sarah Jessica Parker and her famous character, Carrie Bradshaw, you know the most important part of her outfit is a drool worthy pair of shoes. Select a pair of bright pink, bow-embellished, pointy-toe pumps to be the star of your accessory show. Since a majority of SJP’s outfits are muted and neutral, there is room for color, shine and innovative design on your feet! Be sure to wear a stone grey fedora to put the finish touch on your city ensemble if you are going to be out and about.
Actress Sienna Miller is one of the most widely recognized women, not only for her on screen performances and off screen romances, but also for her Boho-chic style. If you love the look of her carefree, loose fitting, boldly colored and uniquely patterned clothing, you should consider mimicking her fashion flair. Wear a silky, feather printed mint green maxi dress with a pair of chunky, brown lace-up military inspired ankle booties. Wrap a cream colored fur or cashmere cardigan around yourself and be sure to wear layers of golden necklaces in staggered lengths. Miller regularly wears her hair in a messy pony tail and a pair of clear, oversized sunglasses. A playful yet easy going personality can pull off this eclectic style with ease. Each of these women has what it takes to get noticed. From their clothes to their shoes and even their accessories, we try to make their own personal style complement our lifestyle. You, too, can be a celebrity style impersonator by following some of the style tips and guidelines above. You know how the age old saying goes, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!”
It requires less character to discover the faults of others than is does to tolerate them. J. Petit Senn
Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013 27
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April
Daniels Hairstylist extraordinaire, wife of LaShawn Daniels and star of the new hit comedy series Tamar & Vince, April Daniels talks about her reality TV experience, some favorite hairstyling memories and her big plans for the future. Tell me a little about the show. Basically, the Tamar & Vince show is a look into the life of the youngest Braxton sibling, Tamar, and her husband. They’re a really funny couple. It shows their lives as two married people – how they balance business and how they share love.
How did you get involved with the show? My husband and I are friends with Tamar and Vince, so it wasn’t anything orchestrated for television. They were working on this venture and told us how they would love for us to be a part of it. They wanted to share both their personal side and a side of the business relationship they have with their friends.
How has your experience on reality television been? [Laughs] It’s been different … you have to get used to the camera being in your face constantly. For the first few episodes, I was very quiet, just sitting there like, “Oh, my gosh.” You just have to get to the point where it wears off. Then you can say the things you normally would say and not really care if the cameramen are in the room or not.
Did you have second thoughts about putting yourself out there? No, definitely not. When we signed up for it, we knew what reality TV was about. You definitely can’t have regrets going into it because then it won’t be organic. When you sign up for reality TV, you have to be willing to be transparent, whoever you are.
Can you tell me a little bit about your background in hair? I started as a celebrity hairstylist and I was very successful in that. I was established in the hair industry for video and music and was in the process of opening a hair salon when I met my husband. I had to choose between the hair salon or love, and, since I’m an old fashioned girl, of course I picked love. Still, it was definitely something I enjoyed and, although I’m not doing it right now, it’s still a passion within me. 24 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
In many things it is not well to say, “Know thyself,” it is better to say, “Know others.” Menander
What are some of the things that you’ve learned from working with celebrities?
I’m just really happy to be introducing this to the world. There’s a large variety of styles, though it’s definitely for women who are into fashion. Of course, I have some conservative styles, too, but they still have an edge to them. As for the relationship book that my husband and I are working on, we’re looking to launch it at the top of next year. So, great things in the works!
I would say the biggest thing I’ve learned is how to deal with different personalities. Hollywood can be hard on its own, but people can be hard, too. Sometimes people aren’t in a great mood, sometimes people are nasty for no reason, sometimes people are nice all the time…I learned how to coexist with anyone. It’s been a blessing because it’s prepared me for life, in a sense. Whether somebody’s personality is good or bad, I’ve learned to not let it affect my day.
How did you get started doing the line?
What are you currently working on?
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For me – and I don’t want to be spiritual on everyone – but I always pray on it first to make sure it’s not something I’m moving too quickly on. Haste makes waste, I always say. It has to be something you really love,
GOING
EAT
I always try to treat people the way I want to be treated. It’s really that simple for me. If you focus there, you can’t go wrong. Also, you can’t ever stop learning. Some may believe that when you get to a certain age you know it all – but I’m still learning, and that’s a great thing. Treating people the way you want to be treated and being open to learning new things in life are great things.
UT
R EC
When you look back on your life, what mantra have you always lived by?
Do you have advice for anyone thinking of branching out as an entrepreneur?
RE ALOOF
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I had to find someone to create my look as a sketch, and I found a designer who has done just that. I’m really excited! Now we are working on samples. Once you create your sample, you have to showcase it for people to see your product and move forward that way. I’m still deciding whether I’m going to place my product in stores or if I’m going to take advantage of the internet world. Still, I’m really happy about the process and how everything is falling together.
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because if you don’t love it, you shouldn’t waste your time on it. I absolutely suggest that you go after the things that you love. Nothing is impossible; you just have to put in the work to make it happen. Sometimes it’s a lot of work, and sometimes it’s hard work, but anything worth having is worth the work.
R
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I’m working on a women’s shoe line and also on a relationship book. For the shoe line, we’re looking to launch fall of 2013. I’m really excited about it – great looks that are affordable.
Fashion has always been a passion of mine. I just have to do something with it, or I’m going to explode! I started pulling ideas together and taking pages out of magazines that I loved. Then I went on to design. I don’t know how the average designer inspires their creativity, but for me I just pooled everything that I absolutely love and built a shoe from it.
Where did you go from there?
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NEUROSIS PERCIEVED BY OTHERS
The less people speak of their greatness, the more we think of it. Lord Bacon
Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013 25
Live Long and Prosper! By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
ve added “only if d prosper,” he might ha an g lon ve “Li id, sa k oc When Sp ats (lunch meat, .” Red and processed me you don’t eat red meat shot to heart bacon) are a straight sausage, hot dogs and dition to and memory loss. In ad disease, some cancers ed mation-boosting saturat artery-clogging, inflam es, home iron and fats, they contain nitrat at form as a result of certain carcinogens th ng, pan frying or high-temp cooking (broili age on a fork! grilling). The stuff is old
You’re singing now! Foods that improve your outlook and your smarts
Laugh your way to health What’s black and white, and read all over? Hopefully, this tip. (Everyone knows embarrassed zebras are r-e-d.)
1) “That’s a nice sweater. Too bad they didn’t have it in your size.” (Negative. Doesn’t help the situation).
A recent study on humor surveyed people in Switzerland and the U.S. (there’s a joke in there somewhere) and found that good-natured humor (e.g., “Waiter, what’s that fly doing in my soup?” “The backstroke.”) elicits more positive emotions than darker punch lines.
2) “I just had an MRI to find out if I’m claustrophobic.” (Positive. Relieves stress for those who don’t like closed MRIs).
Add to that the newest findings on the power of the smile – the act of smiling, even when it’s forced, not felt, lowers your heart rate, and if you’re over 40, smiling makes you look a lot younger – and you’ve got a good case for lighthearted jokes. So, here’s our quiz. Can you identify the positive (boosts mood and optimism) from the more negative (amusing, but not so health-promoting) ripostes? 22 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
3) “Yes, Madame, you are ugly and I am drunk. But the difference is that when I wake up in the morning I will be sober.” (Quite negative. Winston Churchill’s days as prime minister were numbered.)
Sir Paul McCartney, 70 and still rocking, says being a vegetarian accounts for a lot of the happiness in his life. Although you don’t have to abandon all poultry and fish to upgrade your attitude and roll back your brain’s RealAge (yes, red meat is out), you just might want to Listen to What the Man Said. Recent studies show that eating a veggieintense diet makes you happier. We say clearing the junk out of your meals – saturated and trans fats in meats and prepared foods, refined carbs (that’s any grain that’s not 100 percent whole) added sugars and sugar syrups (they’re everywhere) – gets body and mind feeling great!
4) “That restaurant is so crowded nobody goes there anymore.” (Yogi Berra), AND “Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.” (Groucho Marx) (Both positive.) Our tip? Stick with kind-hearted humor. We know Joan Rivers’ fans may disagree, but before you decide the debate for yourself, remember, “It ain’t over, ‘til it’s over.” Every man is a volume if you know how to read him. William Ellery Channing
By Michael Roizen, M.D., and Mehmet Oz, M.D.
Women , diabetes and sexual pleasure
The deli delight scene in When Harry Met Sally demonstrated that it can be hard for a guy to tell if a woman is getting true pleasure from intimacy. Turns out researchers were equally deceived when it came to figuring out how diabetes affects women’s satisfaction level. They’ve long known that the disease causes sexual dysfunction in men. If they can’t salute, they can’t enjoy that parade. But scientists didn’t know if diabetes made sex less pleasurable for women.
Now a study reveals that while women with diabetes are just as enthusiastic about intimate relationships as those without it, they have far greater trouble with lubrication, orgasm and feeling happy about sex. The difficulties come from problems with circulation and nerves, side effects of medications and related complications such as kidney disease.
If you have diabetes or prediabetes, we want you to know you can protect or revive your enjoyment of intimacy. Shed the pounds. Overweight? Losing 10 percent of body weight lowers insulin resistance. That’ll put some bounce in your step. Prescription problems. Follow your prescribed treatment plan – between 35 percent and 85 percent of people with type 2 diabetes don’t take their meds or follow lifestyle recommendations for diet or physical activity! Healthy living. Increase physical activity with walking and/or using stretch bands for arms and legs. Ditch the five food felons: added sugars, sugar syrups, saturated and trans fats, and any grain that isn’t 100 percent whole. Kiss stress goodbye. De-stress with meditation and progressive relaxation. Then grab your sweetie and cuddle to get back in touch with touching.
RENEW
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Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013 23
By
ie M Kat
os s
Healthy Ways to
Deal with
a Breakup
Let’s face it: breakups can truly leave you “broken,” and finding the best way to put yourself back together isn’t always easy. It can be tempting to “rebound” quickly into a new relationship to try and forget the hurt you’re feeling, or to throw yourself into working long hours so you’re too busy to concentrate on your social life. However, these aren’t healthy ways to deal with it, and they’re likely to leave you feeling worse in the long run. So, what can you do to make things a bit easier for yourself? Though time certainly does heal all wounds, there are some actions you can take in the meantime.
Don’t make impulsive decisions This is perhaps one of the most important pieces of advice I can give you. Grief, sadness and loneliness can cloud your judgment significantly. Set boundaries for yourself. If you truly want to be finished with the relationship, don’t be tempted to call, text or hang out. Give yourself and the other person some space before becoming friends again. Don’t compromise your goals in life, your morals or your better judgment just because you’re upset.
Take a day off There, I said it. Right after your breakup, use your PTO (if you have it) or call in sick. No boss wants a worker who’s emotionally distressed, especially if you’re customer facing. Take a day or two to be sad. Cry. Eat ice cream or chocolate. Call your girlfriends. Stay in bed late. Ignoring your feelings isn’t going to help unless you fully flesh them out first. So take your time to be upset, and then make a resolution to move on with your life, even if that means starting with baby steps.
Better yourself Take some time to do all of those things you should have been doing all along. Eat 20 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
healthy meals and snacks. Floss daily. Get in good workouts several times a week. Clean your apartment until it shines. Buy a new outfit. Get a haircut. Anything that makes you both healthier and happier (without putting too much of a strain on your budget) will help you feel better overall.
Do something kind for others Perhaps this means buying your co-workers a coffee or helping an elderly person carry his or her grocery bags to a vehicle. Whatever it is, do this act with a kind heart, expecting nothing in return. Sometimes, to heal ourselves, it helps to start by helping others.
Take a risk Is there something that you’ve always wanted to do but have never actually had the courage to do? Maybe it’s skydiving, or perhaps it’s simply dying your hair a bright new hue. In any case, this is your time to do it! You’ll both feel a sense of accomplishment when you complete this task and likely be inspired to create a new (perhaps even more ambitious) goal for yourself. Keep that pattern up, and your energy will attract new friends and acquaintances all around.
Think about what you’ve learned This may not be the most pleasant of tasks, but reflecting back on what you learned about yourself and your relationship can be a very healthy step. It can help you determine what changes you’d like to make in the future, as well as which qualities you’re looking for in a future mate.
Move forward When you realize you’ve stopped thinking about your ex all the time (and that when you do think about them it doesn’t hurt anymore), don’t dwell on that fact. Smile, congratulate yourself for making it through and simply live your life! Of course, this advice is just that. Sometimes those who struggle receive excellent advice from several friends and relatives, but it’s simply too hard for them to swallow. Though it’s not what anyone wants to hear during a hard time, things will get better eventually. You’ll be happy. You’ll feel fulfilled. And, you will get over him or her. Remember, in order to love others, it’s most important to first truly understand, accept and love yourself. Love and relationships of all types can be messy, but they’re also the most rewarding part of life.
The soul of conversation is sympathy. Thomas Campbell
NEWS ALERT! FDA APPROVES TWO NEW
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PATIENT
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Creating a
Learning By Kim Vij
Garden
with Kids irt ! s love d ple id k ; it ce Let’s fa vered a few sim come be isco We’ve d ourage kids to t the e nc abou ways to eaters, learn t a little r e healthie nt, and yes, g e ! e m tim environ at the same y s! t dir w with u o r g e m Co
This gardening season, let’s encourage our kids to connect with nature and become involved in their very own learning garden. Here are some simple tips to get yours started!
hands-on sensory garden. Top picks include cilantro, basil, mint and rosemary. Encourage your child to smell the herbs as you have fun picking a few leaves for dinner each night!
Location, Location, Location
Helping Hands
When starting a kid-friendly garden, location is key. Make sure you choose a spot that gets enough sunlight for plants to grow but that’s in a sensible place for kids. Raised beds and planter boxes are great to start.
As you’re creating your garden, consider adding a few flowering plants. Flowers attract bumblebees that help pollinate the vegetables; it’s simple science for kids! If you find that your vegetables aren’t growing, you might have to help out those bees. Grab a small paintbrush and touch it from blossom to blossom; your kids will love becoming helper bees!
Patience is a Virtue Fast growing vegetables such as peas, beans, cucumbers and zucchini are perfect for kids who are still learning patience. Plus, these are fun to pick since they reproduce quickly! If you’re looking to plant tomatoes, peppers or strawberries, considering buying them as seedlings, which will cut back on growing time.
Stimulating the Senses Herbs are an excellent way to create a 18 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
Fun with Seeds For the youngest gardeners, it’s fun to discover the step-by-step growing process. In order to teach your child the process of planting and growing, choose seeding flowers. Perfect selections include marigolds, gerber daisies, zinnias and sunflowers, which will produce a never-
ending supply of seeds for kids to plant and share with friends.
Butterfly Voyage Don’t forget a garden favorite: the butterflies! In order to attract these beauties, visit your local nursery for anise, butterfly bush, aster, mexican sunflowers and milkweed. Once your garden has started, let the learning begin! Kids will have lots of fun recording butterfly observations and visiting the library to check out their finds in insect books. With all the excitement of a new garden, the plants won’t be the only thing growing. Kids learn and develop every step of the way, from watering to weeding to bug hunting. With love and care, soon it will be time to harvest and eat! We can’t wait to hear what you’re growing with your family this year. We have over 30 ideas for gardening with kids on The Educators’ Spin On It, including several printable books! Visit TheEducatorsSpinOnIt. blogspot.com for more ideas.
Never lose a chance of saying a kind word. William Thackeray
E arge By M
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Readiness
Question: My son will start kindergarten this September even though he will not turn 5 until a month later. What is your opinion of this? He has been going to preschool for the past two years and loves it. I just don’t want to make the biggest mistake without all the facts. – Want Answers Answer: Almost every research study on the age of entry into school concludes the youngest children in kindergarten classes usually do not do as well as the oldest children. There is disagreement about how long the effects of being youngest last. Many researchers believe that by third grade the differences due to age disappear. On the other hand, other researchers found that some slight academic difficulties continue throughout the elementary years. When children are ready for kindergarten, their first encounter with school is likely to lead to future success in school. Children who are only marginally ready may be able to catch up with their readier classmates before the start of first grade. You may find it helpful to consult with your child’s preschool teacher, pediatrician and others who know the child well in order to evaluate his readiness. In the end, your own opinion is the most important, because you are the one who knows your child best. You should visit your child’s preschool and observe firsthand how he is handling it. This will be helpful in making your decision. 16 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
Dear
Teacher Question: My kid does not like to write. How do I know if he has a problem with writing? – Puzzled
Answer: Writing has become a more important part of our daily lives with all the emailing and texting friends. However, the sad part is millions of our children do struggle with writing, which puts them at a disadvantage in their daily lives. Just because your son does not like to write does not necessarily mean he has a writing problem. Discuss this with his teacher, and be sure to look at classmates’ writing samples.
2) Writing is unreasonably slow and careful. Two to three sentences are written in the time that others can write 20 to 30. They know the answer, but it never gets fully expressed because there isn’t enough time. 3) They can only write for short periods of time before they seem to get distracted. For some individuals, it can take a huge amount of effort and concentration to spell, read or write. It’s no wonder they need frequent breaks, but from the outside they seem easily distracted. 4) They avoid writing. Procrastination and avoidance is rarely a result of mere laziness.
Here are some common symptoms exhibited by children as well as adults who have writing problems, according to Neil MacGregor, the vice president of Learner Development for WordQ+SpeakQ:
5) They unknowingly leave spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes. It is possible they are reading what they think is on the page, not what is actually there.
1) A disconnect (between knowledge and ability to write about it). They can talk about and otherwise demonstrate what they know, but it doesn’t get expressed in their writing.
Send questions and comments to Dear Teacher, in care of this magazine, or 1 North Illinois Street No. 2004, Indianapolis, IN 46204, or log on to www.dearteacher.com, or email DearTeacher@DearTeacher.com.
The more you say, the less people remember. François Fénelon
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House Debbie Travis’
to Home
Desig n your with e own c asy-c are FL arpet t i le s t OR ca hat ar r e i n t ercha pet and w ngeab ill add le bright focus , ne w to you r room s. Dear Debbie: I would like to help my son and his wife spruce up their home for selling purposes. It’s a quaint little house, but the fact that it has only one bathroom and stairs has limited the market. I’m looking for any ideas that would make this home more attractive to potential buyers. – Dale Dear Dale: It is kind of you to offer your help, though not always easy, as you don’t want to injure feelings about the way the house appears at this point. There are a few common-sense rules that make a house appealing to perspective buyers. I wouldn’t be concerned about the size; at one point it was just right for your son, and everybody has to start somewhere. But how does it show? Cleanliness and order head the to-do list. If it is obvious that care has been taken in maintaining the home, its good qualities will shine through. It is often difficult for us to see details that we have lived with for years, but these can be a deal-breaker, so be gently honest about how you view their home. Organize clutter, and edit extra furniture so that the existing space glows. Personal 14 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
Fresh Style
Underfoot
collections can be packed away for their next home. If there are any eyesores, such as cracks in walls, broken faucets, mildewed grout, stained floors or carpets, it is worth every cent to repair or replace the damage. Eliminate the negatives wherever possible. A fresh coat of paint will brighten up any room; it’s not necessary to repaint the entire house, but you can’t go wrong with a welcome hallway or kitchen. I would keep the color neutral for resale. A warm white is probably best. Think about the floors. There are area rugs and runners that are not costly and will add a fresh touch to the interior. I’d suggest carpet tiles that can be applied wall to wall or as an area rug. They will fit perfectly in the entrance hall and living room, which are seen as soon as you open the front door. The FLOR carpet tiles shown here are available in traditional and contemporary patterns and textures – you can mix and match colors and designs to create any look and size. Visit their website to see the eclectic offerings available, www.flor.com. The tiles are stuck down with adhesive, not glue, so they can be removed and taken to another room or home. (Replaceable tiles are also a clever way to deal with stained or damaged sections.) Good luck with the sale; I’m sure it will go well.
Dear Debbie: I painted my kitchen Thai Green (a mellow, yellow beige). I love the color, and it works with my ruddy brown cabinets. However, the window and door trim is white, and doesn’t look good at all. Can you suggest a good trim color please? – Denine Dear Denine: Your kitchen colors sound lovely. The base for both the cabinets and walls is brown (light and dark), so the white trim, rather than being fresh, makes an unappealing contrast. Look for the antique whites or a butter-cream shade that has a brown tint to it. The softer tone will complement what you have, bring out the best in both colors and present a warm yet clean trim line.
Debbie Travis’ House to Home column is produced by Debbie Travis and Barbara Dingle. Please email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com. You can follow Debbie on Twitter at www.twitter.com/debbie_travis, and visit Debbie’s new website, www.debbietravis.com.
Let us believe neither half of the good people tell us of ourselves, nor half of the evil they say of others. J. Petit Senn
r o f e c r u o s r You ! e s i d n a h c r e logo m
WWW.WHATSHAPPENING PROMOTIONS.COM
352-371-5881
PART OF
Grow-It-Yourself The DIY By Sarah G. Mason
of
Radishes These crisp, brightly colored vegetables are a popular addition to salads and side dishes. Radishes mature quickly – some in as little as three weeks – and can be planted in both the spring and fall. Radishes require moist soil, so regular watering may be needed, but are otherwise a great, low-maintenance vegetable.
Strawberries
Gardening
Herbs Buying fresh herbs can be expensive, especially if you use them often. Not only will growing your own save you money, but it’s a new, exciting way to bring flavor to your kitchen. Best of all, herbs take up little space and grow fast – most can be harvested within a month. Try grouping herbs that grow well together, such as rosemary and basil or thyme and sage.
Looking for a way to spice up your kitchen cuisine but don’t exactly have a green thumb? Here are the easiest veggies that can be grown right at home – no plow or tractor needed! Hot Peppers
Known for its soothing powers, aloe vera is one of the most straightforward plants to care for and is great for those with a busy schedule. This bright green plant requires watering only twice per month and is tolerant of climate changes.
These spicy vegetables do well in warm weather and are simple to grow. They need about the same amount of care as the tomato, but are more resistant to climate changes. Furthermore, few pests attack peppers. If you’d like to add a little heat to your kitchen or if you’re looking for a radiant ornamental, consider adding hot peppers to your home garden.
Garlic
Tomatoes
Cucumbers
If vegetables had an Olympics, garlic would take the gold. It is extremely easy to plant and care for, buds beautifully, and is exceptionally versatile in the kitchen. A small, rectangular planter can grow enough garlic to last well into the winter. For warm-weather growing, the “softneck” variety is the best choice.
These bright red vegetables can be used in just about any dish, from salads and pastas, to quiches, soups, pies – the list goes on and on. Though some tomato species need a roomy garden to survive, others can thrive in pots on patios, like the cherry tomato. Before buying, ask your garden center for the “small space” tomato varieties.
Small pickling varieties are best if you want to grow your own refreshing cucumbers. These “mini” cucumbers are tasty and tender, and grow well on a fence or cucumber trellis. They are fulsome producers; once they begin to ripen, you can harvest them for several weeks. Best of all, you can eat them fresh or pickled; both taste great!
Who doesn’t love this sweet, summer treat? Strawberries can be grown right at home, no garden needed. The best pot-grown varieties are the ever-bearing and the day-neutral, which can be planted indoors and produce strawberries all year long. Plus, the beautiful flowers add a natural splash of color to the home.
12 Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
Aloe Vera
Look to be treated by others as you have treated others. Publius Syrus
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By Sarah G. Mason
March – Plant of the Month
The Shamrock The shamrock has long been known as the symbol of Ireland and – when that elusive fourth leaf appears – as an icon of good fortune. For those looking for a bit of extra luck, these little clovers can be grown right at home. Though no seed will exclusively produce four-leaf clovers, three-leaf clovers are quite popular and a joy to grow. If you’re lucky enough to beat the odds – about 1 in 10,000 – and stumble upon a fourleaf clover in your garden, remember what each leaf stands for: hope, faith, love, and of course, luck! 1) When growing shamrocks, it’s recommended you purchase packaged seeds.
3) Sprinkle the seeds into the pot, and then cover them with a final layer of soil.
TIP: Place the seed packet in the refrigerator for 24 hours before planting. This will trick the seeds into thinking winter has come and gone, and they will germinate quicker!
4) Place your shamrocks in a sunny spot in your home. Shamrocks grow toward the sun, so prepare to watch them lean. This can be fun to do with kids, who will enjoy seeing the plants move!
2) Pack your potting compost in a small pot of your choice, about an inch below the rim. Water the soil until it is slightly damp.
5) In a few days, you can expect seedlings to appear. For the best growing conditions, mist frequently.
TIP: If you are using a pot without a drainage hole, be careful not to overdo it; your shamrocks will require much less watering.
TIP: You might not see all three leaves at first. Be patient – the third normally appears a few days after the others!
Arguing with a fool proves there are two. Doris M. Smith
Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013 11
By Ginger Henderson
bedtime reading helps children get their
z
s ’ z zand ABCs, too!
It’s been said time and again that reading is fundamental. Reading helps children develop not only academically, but also personally, socially and emotionally as they connect with characters and evaluate experiences across a broad realm of realities. Creating and maintaining a nightly bedtime reading ritual with your child can help cultivate a lifelong love of reading. Just a few minutes spent reading to your child each night can have a profound effect on not only his or her social and emotional development, but on his her academic performance as well.
8
asked to sleep while researchers monitored his brain activity. When the activity indicated he was dreaming, the researchers woke him and asked him to recount his dreams. He stated that he was dreaming that he was playing the video game. After a full night of sleep, the researchers had him try the game again. On this, his second attempt, he found the game much easier to master, leading researchers to believe his dreams had actually provided a means of practicing the task throughout the night.
Researchers working in the field of sleep study have made some amazing discoveries about the ways our minds work when we sleep. It was once believed that our brains were at rest during sleep, much like our bodies. However, when researchers began to study brain waves of study participants as they slept, they made a startling discovery. Not only are our brains not simply resting as we sleep, they’re actually actively working.
So, what exactly does this have to do with reading to your children? This study, and others like it, suggest that sleeping and dreaming provide the practice necessary to master new and challenging tasks. By reading to your child each night, you are essentially “programming” your child’s brain. As your child drifts off to sleep, he or she is thinking about the story you’ve just read, thereby encouraging the brain to focus on the task of reading throughout the night.
In one study, researchers had the subject of their study perform a challenging video game. The subject had never played the game before and experienced great difficulty with it. After a period of time, the subject was
To make the most of your story time ritual, we’ll turn once again to science. Recent studies have found that children who are held close to their parent or caregiver while being read aloud to perform better on
Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
reading tasks in school and attain higher academic achievements. The prime position, according to researchers, is on the lap of the parent or caregiver. Researchers believe the importance lies in the proximity of the child’s ear to the voice of the caregiver partnered with the caregiver’s “tracking” the print as he or she reads. (“Tracking” is an educational term used to mean dragging the finger underneath the words as they are read aloud.) It is believed that simultaneously seeing and hearing the words creates a unique connection within the brain. Of course, the benefits of a bedtime reading ritual with your child are far greater than just academics. Nightly rituals provide a sense of security in children. They allow the child to expect that certain things will happen at certain times, and they serve to give the brain “cues” that future events are drawing closer (bedtime, for example). Holding your child close and sharing a bedtime story strengthens the bond between child and caregiver and often helps spur deep and meaningful conversations. For this reason, it’s important to continue a nightly reading ritual with your child for as long as he or she is willing. Even after your child learns to read on his or her own, reading aloud from a devotional, chapter book or piece of literature provides a stronghold of security in an otherwise often turbulent world.
Want to start a bedtime reading ritual with your child but unsure of where to begin? Here are a few great picks to get you started. • Dr. Seuss’s Beginner Book Collection, Dr. Seuss (includes the stories “Cat in the Hat,” “One Fish Two Fish,” “Green Eggs and Ham,” “Hop on Pop,” and “Fox in Socks”) • Goodnight Moon, Margaret Wise Brown • If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Laura Numeroff • Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See, Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle • Guess How Much I Love You, Sam McBratney • Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom, Bill Martin Jr. • How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight, Jane Yolen • Are You My Mother?, P.D. Eastman • Just Me and My Dad; Just Me and My Mom, Mercer Mayer • Amelia Bedelia, Peggy Parish
Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber
Something old, something new, something borrowed and something...for him? With all the wedding day excitement focused on the bride, we sometimes forget that the groom needs a little love on the Big Day, too. Here are five perfect ways to make the wedding just as special for him as it is for you. Secret Notes There’s just something exciting about a shared secret. The night before the wedding, write your soon-to-be husband a note. Whether it’s heartfelt or comical, just be sure to keep it a surprise! Attach a little picture or your favorite quote to it, and then sneak it into the pocket of his tux. When he finds it on your wedding day, he’ll love having a little piece of you to carry him to the altar.
10 Ideas to Make the Big Day Special
for Him! By Sarah G. Mason
Him and the Boys
With all the wedding day excitement, men need their nourishment! Schedule a breakfast that your hubby can share with his groomsmen. Make sure to include all of his favorites, and don’t be afraid to go all out. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, after all.
Hear the meaning within the word. William Shakespeare
Moonlighting DJ The venue, the dress, the menu – though you might want to plan every detail of your big day, it’s important to give the groom a say, too. Why not put him in charge of the playlist? He’ll love the chance to add his own personal flare to the music, and maybe he’ll even surprise you with a dance!
Groom’s Cake Does he have a favorite sports team? Hobby? Band? Decorate the cake according to his interests, whatever they might be. While some serve the groom’s cake at the wedding, consider serving it at the rehearsal dinner to make sure it’s all about him!
Raise Your Glasses Speeches aren’t just for Mom and Dad. All your friends and family have gathered to celebrate you and your new life partner, so take advantage of this opportunity! Find a mic and don’t hold back. Announce just how happy you are by dedicating a heartfelt speech, followed by a toast, just for him.
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Todd
Interview by Lauren Douglass
Patkin Finding Happiness:
One Man’s Quest to Beat Depression and Anxiety and – Finally – Let the Sunshine In Todd Patkin, author of the inspirational book, Finding Happiness, talks about his struggle with depression, his emotional breakdown and the realizations that helped turn his life around. What brought on Finding Happiness? After my breakdown, I learned a lot from looking back. People are so focused on success in this country. When we’re little, our parents seem so much happier when we bring home “A”s on our report cards or score the winning goal in soccer. When we do well, our parents are just thrilled, which makes us feel like they love us. Conversely, when we don’t do as well, we don’t feel love. I think that we are thus teaching our kids to feel worse about themselves and to only focus on what they’re doing wrong. Finding Happiness really came from my breakdown, my change in my life, and my 12-step program to happiness.
Do you think your breakdown originated from childhood, then? As a young kid, I was bullied and nervous. It was very stressful. I felt like I had to get straight “A”s so that everyone would be happy with me. I put a lot of pressure on myself, even as an 8 year old. When I went to college, I took a lot of that anxiety over grades with me and almost had my first breakdown. When I got out of school, instead of feeling like my grades needed to be perfect, I then felt like I needed to be perfect in the office. 6
Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
What did you do to cope with these feelings?
What motivates you to continue your new way of thinking?
Back in college, I used exercise to get me through all my stress. When I left college, I also became addicted to the high of work. When you don’t love yourself, you become addicted to people telling you how great you are, whether from your grades in school or doing great work in the marketplace.
I’m absolutely terrified of ever having a breakdown again. Having something that awful happen to you is a really great motivator.
Do you think a lot of people struggle with these same issues?
If you’re a perfectionist, how do you lower your expectations?
I think most of us are conditioned to look just at what we do wrong. I speak at a lot of high schools, and I’ll ask a group of 300 kids, “Raise your hand if you go home every day telling yourself you’re the most wonderful, coolest, most handsome person.” If I get 20 out of 300, it’s remarkable. Then I’ll ask, “Who here goes home and tells themselves they are a loser and no one likes them?” I get 280 hands. It is very sad.
Being a perfectionist is an illness; one of the worst you can have. Think of someone you love who gives a flawless speech, but mumbles the last few words and feels upset about it. You’d tell them that they were crazy, and that everyone else in the audience thought they were a rock star. Now, let’s say you were the one who made that speech. It’s highly unlikely you would be as kind and loving to yourself and tell
Tell me more about your program.
My 12-step program starts with exercise first. Exercise is a natural antidepressant, and it allows you to make other changes more easily in your life. The program really Tell me about your breakdown. helps you to make changes, because it’s The beauty of my breakdown is that there something that you take one week at a time. was a day that I really wanted to die. I had to Week 1: Exercise every other day. Week 2: say to myself, “What the hell is going on here? Read something motivational every day. You have an incredible wife, a wonderful little boy, you’re making more money than you ever Week 3: Be easier on yourself. And so on. dreamed, and you want to die?” I had to realize A big one is week five, which is to live in the present. Most people spend 70 percent that I was creating my own living hell. I was of their time focusing on disappointments focusing only on the wrong that I did, rather than the many more things I did right each day. from the past or fears for the future.
A man’s own good breeding is the best security against other people’s ill manners. Lord Chesterfield
yourself, “Just let it go,” when you were feeling bad about your performance. I suggest that you treat yourself the same way you would treat the person you love. You can’t be perfect, so you need to start loving yourself more. Another thing that helps perfectionists do the hard work to change is to tell them that their children will be like them. I’ve had grown men who start to cry, saying they don’t want their kids to be as unhappy as they are.
Why do you think so many people, with or without money, are unhappy with their lives? They don’t love themselves. I sold my company for $100 million. It doesn’t matter. People ask me, “Todd, what’s it like to be a millionaire?” I say, “Let me answer the question. Let’s say I offer you $5 million, but you could never again see the person you love the most. Would you take it?” Absolutely not. Or I say, “You can have $5 million, but it comes with something called cancer.” Would you take it?
Let me tell you a story that was told to me by a rabbi who teaches 18- to 22-yearold university students. He said, “Todd, it’s amazing. The first day of class, I always ask my new students to list all the things they think they will need in 10 or 20 years to be happy. I always get “money-oriented” things like “a Porsche” or “a summer home on a lake.” Next, I ask them to make a list of all the things they should be most appreciative of that they already have, and I suggest they start with things like their eyesight and people they love. Once they have finished both lists, I ask them what they would be willing to trade from the second list for something on the first. No one is ever willing to trade anything from that second list. Interesting, isn’t it?
ourselves in life. We work harder and stay later to get a raise, but years later we end up having missed out on our kids. I think women have the same problem where they have to divide their time between work and family. I tell people to take some of their work home, because not everything has to be done at the office. It makes all the difference in the world to just be there near their kids more often.
It seems many people take things for granted. We focus on what we don’t have. The things that really matter in life are having healthy children and lots of love. Men don’t realize that they’re missing out on parts of their kid’s childhood. We’ve become addicted to work because we want to feel good about
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Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
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Welcome
to the world of Flourish
This warm Florida winter is a blessing in more ways than one. As we toss our jackets aside to make room for swimsuits and sundresses, we’re surrounded by those we love: our friends, family and of course, our children. Make the most of the beautiful weather by starting a learning garden with the kids: the dirtier, the better! Not sure what to do afterwards with muddy, ruined clothing? We share tips on how to effectively reuse old baby clothes. Something old isn’t the only thing you’ll need to consider this spring, either. We’re also thinking about something new, something borrowed and something blue…From baby clothes to weddings, you DIY queens better be ready, because this season is full of creative promise. Learn the secrets to a stunning DIY wedding and have fun including the groom, too! Spring marks the start of fresh beginnings. I wish you the best this month in all your new endeavors, whatever they may be!
See you next month!
Lauren Douglass
PUBLISHERS Lauren Douglass Marc Douglass Managing Editor Sarah Mason COPY EDITOR Daniel Sutphin Assistant EDITOR Kelly Herman ART DIRECTOR Daniel Tidbury GRAPHIC DESIGN Daniel Tidbury Patrice Kelly Jane Dominguez PROMOTIONS Amanda Liles Karen Jones Hilah Driggers AnnMarie DeFeo ACCOUNTING Lynsey Parrish CIRCULATION Eddy Falla SPECIAL PROJECTS Lauren Kolansky Daniel Sutphin ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Shane Howell (shane@whpinc.com) ADVERTISING & SALES Shane Howell WRITERS Sarah Mason Mike Capshaw Katie Moss Kim Vij Heather Aulisio Kelly Herman Contributing Writers Katelyn Vlardell Michael Roizen Mehmet Oz Marge Eberts Peggy Gisler Debbie Travis
As always, we love hearing from you. So send us a note at mail@whpinc.com
What’s Inside… 5 How to Save for Your Summer Vacation (and Still Have a Life) 6 Finding Happiness: Todd Patkin 8 Help Your Child Get Some ZZZs 9 10 Ideas to Make the Big Day Special for Him! 11 Plant of the Month: The Shamrock
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Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
12 Grow-It-Yourself: The DIY of Gardening 14 House to Home: Fresh Style Underfoot 16 Dear Teacher 18 Creating a Learning Garden with Kids 20 Healthy Ways to Deal with a Break Up 22 Live Long and Prosper
23 Women, Diabetes and Sexual Pleasure 24 April Daniels 26 Style Impersonator 29 St. Patrick’s Day Popcorn 31 Reuse Old Baby Clothes 32 Spring Fashion 34 Gadgets 35 Soothe Your Skin This Spring 38 March Events
Flourish Magazine is brought to you by Gator Country Multimedia, Inc. and What’s Happening Publications, Inc. For advertising opportunities, please contact us at 352-371-5881 or sales@whpinc.com. Magazine subscriptions are available at www.gatorcountry.com For subsciption related questions or concerns, please call (800) 601-4623 or email folks@gatorcountry.com
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A man who finds no satisfaction in himself will seek for it in vain elsewhere. La Rochefoucauld
How to Save By Katie Moss
for Your Summer Vacation (and Still Have a Life!)
When you’re working a standard 9 to 5, there comes a point when all you want to do is take your summer vacation. You probably also want that vacation to be the best week or two of your year, because, let’s face it, when else do you get a real break from work? Whether you’re planning on traveling solo, with a friend or a few, or with your family, you’ll want to have enough cash not to worry about skimping on your vacay. Of course, you’ll also want to still enjoy your life without scraping by until your vacation occurs. How do you battle this conundrum? You find a way to save for your summer vacation and still have a life! There are several steps you can take to do this. One particularly effective solution involves your diet. Try eating fewer meals out. Typically, a family spends about $250 a month on restaurant meals, though it can get a lot pricier if you're going out every weekend. Instead, why not eat at home and save that money for your vacation? You can also try avoiding the grocery store more often and working with the staple foods you already have at home. It's not always necessary to stock up on your perishable favorites. Another way you can start saving is by having a clothes swap with friends. Instead of blowing your cash on those designer shoes, why not save a bit of shopping money for your trip and share with your girlfriends? Gather up that skirt you bought a few months ago and have only worn once (and don't really care to wear again), as well as other items you're just not into, and get your friends to do the same. Create a BYOB Clothes Swap with a fun party atmosphere. If you do want to go shopping, search for the best deals, and keep in mind that you
can recycle clothing for different seasons. A "summer" dress can easily be updated for autumn with a simple cardigan, for example. Shopping at thrift and vintage stores is also a great option for getting designer threads at discount prices. Even if it's $50 or $100 a paycheck, try putting aside some of your typical income towards your vacation. You might find you don't even miss the extra money. Perhaps you can save this much by cutting back on your happy hour beverages. Alternating cocktails with soda water and lime can help you save dough and feel a lot better the next morning. Even asking for a double can cut back on spending. Sometimes spending a bit of extra money can actually help you save in the long run. For example, if you have a serious Starbucks addiction, why not splurge on an espresso machine? If you're buying two or three coffees a day, why not have the convenience of getting your caffeine fix at home?
You must look into other people as well as at them. Lord Chesterfield
Check out the options available to shrink your cell phone bill, cable/internet bill, credit card bill, gasoline bill, etc. on billshrink.com. You're probably spending a lot more than you have to for these services, which can really add up over time. Look for deals in areas you would normally splurge, like haircuts and massages. Just because you pay more for a service, doesn't mean it's always better. Why not give an apprentice hairdresser or masseuse a shot? Often, you'll get the same great service at half the price or less. If you need a video camera, bike, a ladder, or anything really, for only a day or two, why not borrow this item from a friend or neighbor? This can definitely help you avoid large purchases that aren't actually necessary in the long run. Looking for a new piece of furniture or décor for your home or apartment but don't have the cash to splurge? Head over to freecycle.org. On this site, you can both collect free household items in your area, as well as advertise for items you'd like to have. Whatever you decide to do to save for your summer vacation, don't forget to enjoy your everyday life as well. Be sure to find a balance between what you need to be happy now and what you'll need in the future. If all else fails, simply take a luxurious vacation closer to home to save on travel costs. Flourish Magazine | Mar/2013
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Flourish M a g a z i n e
Looking to the
Future An Interview with Reality TV Star April Daniels
Sleeping Assistance for Your Child
Home Grown The DIY of Gardening
How to Deal with a Breakup in a Healthy Way
Ways to Have a Life and Save for Vacation!
Finding the Path to Happiness with Author Todd Patkin
North Florida MARCH 2013 Volume 1 Issue 8 www.MYFLOURISHMAGAZINE.COM
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