Sweet Sixteen!

Memphis, here we come!  Our Gator Basketball team defeated the Pittsburg Panthers 61-45 on Saturday.  We are moving on to face the UCLA Bruins in Memphis.  This game will air at 9:45 PM on CBS.  Students can order tickets starting tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25 at 6 pm at gatorzone.com/students/.  All students are eligible to order tickets to the sessions Florida plays in.  All eligible UF students will receive an email this evening (Monday) with specific ordering instructions.

March Madness

The Big Dance has officially begun.  Yesterday, our Florida Gators played the Albany Great Danes at the Amway Center in Orlando, FL.  Florida emerged victorious with a final score of 67-55.  Our next game is tomorrow at the Amway Center where we will face the Pittsburg Panthers at 12:15.  You can catch this game on CBS or check NCAA March Madness Live.

Yesterday's games brought several upsets that were sure to mess up some brackets.  No 12 North Dakota State took down No 5 Oklahoma 80-75.  The South Region also experienced an upset when Dayton knocked out Ohio State with a close victory 60-59.  The Ivy League toppled the Big East in Harvard's 61-57 victory over Cincinnati.

GO GATORS!

It's Blitz Week

This week is Student Government's annual Blitz Week where we put on events all week to reach out to the student body to better meet their needs.  Monday's event was Carnival with Cabinet.  The weather forced us to change our plans a little bit, but we still met with students outside of Library West and gave away a bunch of free food.  Yesterday was Snacks with Senate in Turlington Plaza.  Today is the SG Exec Meet and Greet in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom Salon A.  I hope you will make a point to stop by as I love talking to students and learning how Student Government can best meet the needs of the student body.  Thursday is Agency day on the Plaza of the Americas, and Friday is SG's first outdoor movie night.

I want to give a special shout out and a BIG thank you to Action SG Chairwoman Sally Cohen and her Action SG Staff.  Sally has been working tirelessly to promote SG events and initiatives all year and is doing a fantastic job with Blitz Week.

SEC Champions!

Me and TJ celebrating the Gator victory!

The Georgia Dome was buzzing with energy during yesterday's championship game.  I know.  I was there.  Yesterday's game brought every emotion imaginable: anxiety, cautious enthusiasm, fear, and of course, overwhelming excitement and happiness.  After all the drama that only college basketball can bring, our Gators pulled out the W going undefeated in all conference games and winning the SEC Championship!

March Madness is in full swing.  The NCAA released the official bracket last night and our Florida Gators will be playing in Orlando at the Amway Center.  The Student Ticket Office has a limited number of tickets to rounds two and three at the Amway Center.  Tickets will be available for sale starting at 6 PM tomorrow night.  Students must have attended at least 11 home games to be eligible for these tickets.

Visit Gatorzone.com/students for student tickets.  If you do not meet the 11 game requirement, you can find tickets on Ticketmaster.com

Photo: Dale Zanine, USA TODAY Sports

SEC Tournament

Our Men's Basketball team is currently facing the Missouri Tigers in the first round of the SEC tournament. Missouri, the 8 seed, has a 9-9 SEC record. When the Gators faced the Tigers back in February, Florida won 68-58. The winner of our game will advance to play the winner of the South Carolina V. Tennessee game.

Tipoff was scheduled for 1:00.  You can catch today's game on ESPN U. We're 18-0 with more to go!  GO GATORS!!

Sign Up for Rally in Tally 2014

Rally in Tally is an annual event hosted and produced by the Florida Student Association.  Students from Florida's public universities come together to lobby on behalf of the 300,000 students that attend Florida's public universities.  Transportation to and from Tallahassee is covered by Student Government.  Students that choose to attend will be responsible for their own lunch.  Space is limited and is reserved on a first come, first served basis.  Sign up below to reserve your spot!

Florida's G.I. Bill Awaits Governor's Signature

The Florida Senate just passed Florida's First G.I. Bill.  This bill passed in the House on March 4 and is ready for Governor Scott to sign it into law.  Thanks to Speaker Weatherford and President Gaetz for their leadership on this important issue.  Also, thank you to the men and women who serve our country and protect our freedoms!

Florida's G.I. Bill Passes the House

The state legislature opened its 60 day session yesterday.  The House's first legislative action of the session was passing the Florida G.I.  Bill.  This bill, among many other things, provides in-state tuition for veterans pursuing a college degree.  Thanks to all of our State Representatives for passing such important legislation.  I look forward to this bill's passage in the Senate and can't wait for Governor Scott to sign it.  Read more at SaintPetersBlog.com