Florida vs. Tennessee: Go Gators!

Tomorrow at 3:30 our beloved Gators football team will attempt to defend the Swamp for the second time this season. Last season, the Gators went undefeated at home, an accomplishment that puts fear in the thoughts of opposing teams.

The Tennessee Volunteers (2-1) and the Florida Gators (1-1) meet every season for what used to be an important rivalry game in the  Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference. The game used to typically decide the team that would represent the East in the SEC Championship game. However, in recent years the Gators have dominated the series. Tomorrow when the two teams meet, Florida will be looking for a ninth straight victory against them.

Both teams come into the game off of tough losses. The Gators are looking to rebound off a tough, surprising loss to Miami a couple of weeks ago. The Vols will attempt to bounce back after a crushing defeat at the mercy of the mighty Oregon Ducks last weekend. This game has major implications on the direction that either team will head for the rest of the season.

The weather is supposed to be 88 degrees and sunny at kickoff, so make sure to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen and bring a hat! The Gators' home field advantage of sweltering heat will be in full effect tomorrow afternoon.

Our 19th ranked Gators are favored by 17 points in their first SEC matchup of the season tomorrow, and will try to get a big win to help their status in both the AP and USA Today Coaches' top 25 polls. I hope everyone is as excited as me to get back inside the Swamp, where the girls are the fairest and the boys are squarest of any old state down our way. Go Gators!

UF Alumni Association

I hope everyone enjoyed the first of many Gator victories this football season.  The University of Florida's Alumni Association is one of the largest alumni networks in the country.  This weekend, I had the pleasure of briefing the Board of Directors on the projects I am working on.

I shared an update on the progress of the Blue Light mobile application that I have been working on.  This app will improve safety on campus by providing students with a Blue Light phone on the screen of their smart phone.  I also shared my legislative goals with the board - to keep higher education affordable and predictable for current and future students.  Finally, I discussed ways that the Alumni Association can expand student memberships and engage the student body with the work that the Alumni Association is doing.

Don't forget that the Alumni Association has student memberships as well as alumni memberships.  Student memberships are inexpensive and provide many benefits, including: a UF Alumni tailgate chair, a koozie, a wide variety of Gator Savers discounts at various locations all over Gainesville and a BEAT T-shirt for each home game.  For more information, go check out the UFAA website at www.ufalumni.ufl.edu.