GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The first sign that it wasn't a normal-normal day at the University of Florida on Monday was the abundance of parking spaces in the lot adjacent to Exactech Arena/O'Connell Center when I arrived late morning. Normally on the first day of fall-semester classes, you arrive early-early or you put on your walking shoes.
At least that's been my experience as I enter my 11th academic year documenting Gators here on our official website. Oh my, a quick head shake: Where did the time go? OK, back to the start of the 2020-21 school year at UF.
We all know nothing about 2020 has been normal due to the coronavirus pandemic, so the pleasant surprise of open parking spaces should not be a surprise to anyone. However, there were more spots filled than usual during the past six months and that is a good omen as we take small steps toward a return to normalcy, a term with an altered meaning these days.
Many of UF's classes are online-only this fall, and those classes held in-person
will look much different. For now, Aug. 31, 2020, is a hint at the familiar. Students walking around campus. Scooters chugging along local roads. Chatter about the
return of college football this past weekend. Has anyone tackled
CJ Evans Jr. yet?
Of course, the next three weeks will be critical not only at UF, but at campuses all around the country if so much of what we love about the fall is to resume and continue to build steam heading in 2021. A positive development for those in college athletics will be if the three Power 5 conferences scheduled to play football – the SEC, ACC and Big 12 – kick off their seasons as planned next month.
The Gators are scheduled to open the season Sept. 26 at Ole Miss and enter their third week of training camp. They are full-steam ahead. As the season approaches, we'll continue to keep you updated on the latest happenings of interest to Gators fans.
Let's start with some stories from around the internet that might be of interest:
--Gators head coach
Dan Mullen seeks answers on roster limits from SEC writes
Demetrius Harvey of
SI.com.
--Like many UF students, UF football players will be taking
most of their classes online writes
Robbie Andreu of the
Gainesville Sun.
--Former Gators DB
Marcus Maye is
ready to take over Jets defense in new role writes
Charles McDonald of the
New York Daily News.
--What will college football look and feel like during the coronavirus pandemic? Question posed
in this story by
Matt Baker and
Joey Knight of the
Tampa Bay Times.
--Speaking of the Jets and their Gators connections, rooking RB
Lamical Perine had to leave practice Saturday. Hopefully nothing too serious:
--Former Gators pitcher
Dane Dunning is getting it done in his two big-league starts writes
Vinnie Duber of
NBCSportsChicago.
--Former Gators DL will be looking for new NFL spot:
--Good way to start professional career for former Gators softball player:
