Christian Ayers Archives

Former UNF Professor tests positive and shares experience with COVID-19

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Apr 7, 2020

Retired UNF journalism professor Dr. Paula Horvath was diagnosed with COVID-19 at the end of March. Despite living with several risk factors associated with the disease, Dr. Horvath described her symptoms...

COVID-19 can be deadly, no matter your age

Christian Ayers, Intern reporter | Mar 27, 2020

Not everyone is taking social distancing seriously. Warnings about the dangers of COVID-19 highlighted the particular deadliness the disease has over the elderly, infants, and immunocompromised. Unfortunately,...

The history of pandemics

Christian Ayers | Mar 24, 2020

COVID-19, the virus formerly known as 2019-nCoV, has been identified by several monikers since it’s outbreak at the end of 2019. Global scale pandemics historically manifest at least once every century,...

UNF faculty, Board of Trustees reach salary agreement and discuss coronavirus

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Mar 13, 2020

UFF-UNF and UNF's Board of Trustees met once again on March 13 to discuss wage increases for the 2019-2020 school year. UNF faculty formally proposed a 6% retroactive salary increase to the BOT, to which...

Disney and Universal theme parks close down over COVID-19 pandemic concerns

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Mar 13, 2020

Walt Disney World and Universal Studios theme parks plan to close for the rest of March due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. Busch Gardens Tampa and SeaWorld are continuing normal operations...

UF urges professors to prepare to move classes online ahead of coronavirus

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Mar 11, 2020

According to a post by the University of Florida’s student news outlet the Alligator, University of Florida Provost Joe Glover suggested to UF professors that they begin moving all face-to-face classes...

Universities begin to temporarily suspend classes due to coronavirus, UNF yet to announce any suspensions

Christian Ayers | Mar 10, 2020

Schools and universities across the United States have started suspending classes on campus as the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread. At least a dozen major universities, including Harvard and...

Ever wondered where food trucks go to sleep?

Christian Ayers | Mar 9, 2020

[Full disclaimer: The reporter for this story, Christian Ayers, works part time for a local food truck. The truck is not featured in any images or referenced in the article.] It takes a lot to run a...

UNF looks to improve campus security

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Mar 4, 2020

Campus security and personal safety are high priority needs for both students and university officials. At UNF, crime and other unfortunate incidents happen almost every day, but while most of these events...

UNF faculty still at odds with BOT over raises

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Feb 24, 2020

The United Faculty of Florida’s UNF representatives have yet to agree with the Board of Trustees (BOT) on pay raises for the 2019-2020 school year after another bargaining session on Feb. 21. The...

Jacksonville’s History With Lynching

Christian Ayers, General Assignment Reporter | Feb 18, 2020

150 armed, masked men took two black men -- Bowman Cook and John Morine -- from a county jail against their will and without any resistance from law enforcement, on Sept. 8, 1919. The mob took the two...

Coronavirus update: Death toll over 900; UNF cancels study abroad programs to China

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Feb 10, 2020

The coronavirus outbreak that emerged from Wuhan, China has killed over 900 as of Feb. 9, surpassing the death tolls of both SARS (774) and MERS (858). With over 40,000 confirmed cases of this novel coronavirus...

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Luncheon features leader of children’s movement

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Feb 7, 2020

UNF's University Center hosted the 39th annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Luncheon on Feb. 5. The luncheon featured Reverend Gwendolyn Cook Webb, a prominent voice of the civil rights movement...

Coronavirus update: Student Health Services Interim Director speaks on UNF response to coronavirus

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Jan 27, 2020

A seafood market in Wuhan, China is the epicenter of a coronavirus outbreak that has infected thousands. So far, a few cases of the outbreak, currently known as 2019-nCoV, spread to other Asian countries:...

UFF-UNF continues negotiations into the new year

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Jan 22, 2020

The United Faculty of Florida (UFF) continues to negotiate salary increases for UNF faculty after another bargaining session for their Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) on Jan. 8. The Jan. 8 meeting...

DeSantis announces Florida Prepaid refunds and reduced prices

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Jan 20, 2020

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced refunds and a price drop for the Florida Prepaid College program on Monday during a press conference at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Downtown campus....

Senator Cory Booker ends his bid for the presidency

Christian Ayers, Intern Reporter | Jan 13, 2020

U.S. Senator Cory Booker suspended his campaign for Democratic Presidential nominee in an open letter on Jan. 13. The Senator from New Jersey dropped out less than two weeks after fellow Democrat Julian...

Inside the huddle: Powerballers

Christian Ayers | Jan 13, 2016

Our sports staff talks Jaguars rebuild, Superbowl 50, and what they would do if they won the $1.5 billion Powerball.

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Video Game Review: Fallout 4 is a chronic thrill for hardcore and casual gamers

Christian Ayers | Dec 10, 2015

Despite some technical bugs, Bethesda's latest post-apocalyptic adventure is their most engrossing achievement yet.

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UNF women’s basketball fall 72-60 to Webber International

Christian Ayers | Nov 19, 2015

The women's basketball team's record fell to 1-2 on Nov. 19.

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[Photo] Men’s soccer dominates in Atlantic Sun championship 7-0

Al Huffman | Nov 15, 2015

In this 2015 photo, Osprey head coach Derek Marinatos celebrates an Atlantic Sun Conference championship after reaching the final match for the third straight year.

UNF volleyball brings out the brooms, sweep Spartans in season-finale

Christian Ayers | Nov 14, 2015

Volleyball ended the season with a 3-0 victory over Upstate.

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UNF to institute Honors College

Christian Ayers | Oct 15, 2015

UNF will become the sixth university in Florida to implement an Honors College on its campus.

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Now Playing: ‘Ted 2’ is a lazy, overstuffed MacFarlane comedy

Christian Ayers | Sep 23, 2015

If you liked Ted, the expected crude humor from Seth Macfarlane’s Fuzzy Door Productions is back in the sequel, but many of the jokes feel unearned and forced.

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Ceremony held by UNF Army ROTC to commemorate Sept. 11

Christian Ayers | Sep 11, 2015

The Osprey Guard held a rose-laying ceremony as tribute to the tragic events that claimed the lives of 2,977 Americans 14 years ago.

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UPDATE: Tropical Storm Erika dissipates, state of emergency still in effect.

Christian Ayers | Aug 27, 2015

The storm was projected to make landfall over Florida early next week.

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The tiny frontier: nanoscience at UNF

Christian Ayers | Aug 25, 2015

Thanks to a group of dedicated scientists, UNF is a hotbed of activity for a field where small machines have a huge impact.

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Swenson died in hospital, toxicology results pending

Christian Ayers | Aug 3, 2015

According to a Martin County Sheriff’s Office report, UNF student Andrew Swenson went to the Mad Decent Block Party in Ft. Lauderdale with a friend on Aug. 1, but the friend came back without Swenson, who did not have his cellphone.

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Senate passes $60,500 special request again

Christian Ayers | Jul 27, 2015

Only one senator, the Budget and Allocations Chair, voted against the $60,500 special request to fund a $50,000 lobbying contract and SG travel.

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Judicial review finds lobbyist bill in violation of SG Constitution

Christian Ayers | Jul 22, 2015

A bill to fund a $50,000 lobbyist contract and SG travel to Tallahassee will be sent back to a committee vote after it was found in violation of the SG constitution.

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Committees pass $148,770 in special requests, three appointments for Senate approval

Christian Ayers | Jul 13, 2015

Four committees approved a $120,000 request for a Homecoming comedy show, $28,770 for wages, new elections rules that retire party names and changes to SG absence points rules.

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The Week Ahead: July 13

Christian Ayers | Jul 13, 2015

Discounted tickets for the Jacksonville Jaguars' upcoming season will be available this week, and the Ogier Gardens will host a tea party sponsored by Health Promotions.

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Former major general joins UNF Board of Trustees

Christian Ayers | Jul 10, 2015

Governor Rick Scott appointed a new Board of Trustees member for UNF: retired Maj. Gen. Douglas Burnett.

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BAC Chair advises to table special requests, committee grants three travel requests at July 6 meeting

Christian Ayers | Jul 8, 2015

Two BAC voting members approve $3,050 in travel requests at the emergency BAC meeting July 6.

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UNF Foundation Board approves initiatives, new members

Christian Ayers | Jul 4, 2015

The Foundation Board that invests UNF's donations approved initiatives and discussed the end of the fiscal year.

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Suspect identified, considered person of interest in sexual battery investigation

Christian Ayers | Jun 30, 2015

A student reported a sexual battery on campus after inviting over a man she met through social media.

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Leone honored with reef habitat

Christian Ayers | Jun 29, 2015

John C. Leone, a UNF student who died in a hit-and-run, was memorialized by his family with an artificial reef off the coast of Ponte Vedra Beach.

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Little One: The perilous journey of Stuart Maddox

Christian Ayers | Jun 9, 2015

UNF's own national championship wrestler on rivalries, teamwork and the struggle to succeed.

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Behind the beauty: UNF’s flowers hide interesting quirks

Christian Ayers | Jun 3, 2015

Find out more about the fabulous flora growing on campus.

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UNF/FSCJ Connect program delayed to Fall 2016

Christian Ayers | May 27, 2015

Starting Fall 2016, some Florida State College in Jacksonville students can enroll in a transfer program with UNF.

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UNF committee plans to increase student awareness of Title IX

Christian Ayers | May 21, 2015

UNF's Title IX Committee discussed the low awareness level students have of the national gender discrimination policy.

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Senate committees appoint executive cabinet members, approve requests

Christian Ayers | May 19, 2015

Appointments included a new SG treasurer, director of governmental affairs, attorney general and external director of Osprey Productions.

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Ospreys win 3-2 against Bethune-Cookman

Christian Ayers | Apr 8, 2015

UNF's baseball team won against Bethune-Cookman on April 7 making it the fifth consecutive win of the season.

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Google among 90+ employers to participate in UNF Career Fair

Christian Ayers | Mar 26, 2015

UNF’s Career Services invites all students to attend its Osprey Career Fair on March 27 at the Herbert University Center. 96 employers are scheduled to attend, including the U.S. Department of State and railroad giant CSX.

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UNF’s ITS to host cyber security symposium

Christian Ayers | Mar 26, 2015

Cyber security is the primary focal point of the Cyber Security Symposium at UNF on March 30, including topics such as the Internet of things, UNF student research on cyber security and national concerns regarding Internet safety.

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UNF hires replacement for ITS Associate VP & CIO position

Christian Ayers | Mar 12, 2015

UNF’s Administration and Finance department announced it will soon replace Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer Lance Taylor. Newly hired Reginald Brinson will take over Taylor’s position on April 13.

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Student housing rent increases, 17 music course fees proposed to AOC

Christian Ayers | Feb 25, 2015

At the Auxiliary Oversight Committee meeting Feb. 11, UNF's College of Computing and Engineering & Construction requested to discontinue a lab fee while UNF's Music Department requested 17 new course fees. Housing and Residence Life requested a raise in rent, and ITS requested an additional $20,000 in additional spending authority.

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SG President to assess Spinnaker funding friction

Christian Ayers | Feb 18, 2015

Student Body President Joseph Turner answered questions during a press conference on Feb. 13. He spoke about the 2015-2016 Activity and Service fee budget which he still will have to choose whether or not to sign when it reaches his desk.

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Senate to discuss 2015-2016 budget changes on Feb. 9

Christian Ayers | Feb 7, 2015

SG Treasurer Morgan Wolf presented her budget proposal to the Budget and Allocations Committee on Jan. 30. The UNF Senate will meet Feb. 9 at 6:30 p.m. to review and finalize this budget proposal.

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SG holds public forum to discuss budget changes

Christian Ayers | Feb 3, 2015

SG Treasurer Morgan Wolf presented her budget proposal to the Budget and Allocations Committee Jan. 30. Wolf trimmed wages throughout the budget proposal as a start to the budget cuts, including OPS wages for the UNF Arena, SG Business and Accounting, and Recreation.

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Turner not running for re-election

Christian Ayers | Jan 28, 2015

Student Body President Joseph Turner will not seek re-election over summer term.

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Board of Trustees members contend performance-based funding

Christian Ayers | Jan 22, 2015

In the Board of Trustee's meeting Jan. 20, members discussed improving metric statistics that could potentially yield more state money for UNF. The board also looked at the Activity and Service fee allocation relating to the athletics fee and counseling fee.

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AOC approves two budget increases

Christian Ayers | Jan 15, 2015

The Auxiliary Oversight Committee approved budget authority to the Student Union Administration and the OneJax Institute at the AOC meeting Jan. 14.

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SG vice president resigns

Christian Ayers | Jan 7, 2015

Citing personal time constraints, Student Government Vice President Tony Stevens resigned from his position after nine months on the job with President Joe Turner.

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Athletics fee to increase in 2015, counseling request denied

Christian Ayers | Dec 3, 2014

On Dec. 2, the Student Fee Assessment Committee approved an increase of 29 cents per credit hour to the Athletics fee, and no recommendation was made to increase the fee for the Counseling Center.

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Ramirez found in violation, responsibility of the issue

Christian Ayers | Nov 20, 2014

On Nov. 19, Senate President Kaitlin Ramirez was found in violation of Student Government statutes.

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UNF signs partnership with opaque Chinese institute

Christian Ayers | Oct 29, 2014

UNF signed a contract to establish a Confucius Institute, well aware of the program's transparency issues as reported by the American Association of University Professors.

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Florida law allows UNF Foundation to keep records private

Christian Ayers | Oct 23, 2014

Direct Support Organizations (DSOs) make it so that Florida universities, including UNF, do not have to disclose all of their financial records, so long as the records derive from the university-created DSO.

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Defense attorney in Trayvon Martin case comes to UNF

Christian Ayers | Oct 3, 2014

George Zimmerman's defense attorney Mark O'Mara will lead a discussion about race on Oct. 2 evening at the Adam W. Herbert University Center. Accompanying him will be Dr. JeffriAnne Wilder who is also involved in the TalkingRace Project.

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Ospreys beat Savannah State in a nailbiter

Christian Ayers | Nov 19, 2013

Following a paltry 57.1 percent free throw outing against Southern, much to head coach Matthew Driscoll’s chagrin, the Ospreys (2-3) went 32-39 (82.1 percent) from the stripe on 27 Tiger fouls.

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Free-throw frustration leads to Southern loss, 87-78

Christian Ayers | Nov 17, 2013

“What’s crazy is, the last two days we shot a ton of free throws on those two goals.”

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Osprey men’s soccer finds soul in its youth

Christian Ayers | Nov 4, 2013

Two of eight talented freshmen on UNF men's soccer team aesthetically stand out from the team's diverse roster: Jay Bolt and Sean Young.

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ESPN’s Sara Walsh gives industry insight to communications students

Christian Ayers | Sep 20, 2013

“With ESPN, I sent a DVD and they must have put it in the day they got it because I heard from them immediately,” Walsh said. “They got on the phone with me and set up an interview. I was really open with them, and I probably shouldn’t have been.”

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ESPN anchor to Skype into UNF class

Christian Ayers | Sep 16, 2013

Sara Walsh will speak to communications students via Skype in Dr. Peter Casella’s History of Mass Communication course.

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Moon Jr. leaves UNF basketball, cites family ties

Christian Ayers | Sep 1, 2013

Citing family ties and availability as main factors, Moon Jr. decided to take a job away from basketball.

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Are you ready for some futbol? Women’s soccer set to kick off

Christian Ayers | Aug 19, 2013

"I feel pressure,” Linkfield said. “I want to do [the team] proud.”

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Men’s tennis gets new head coach

Christian Ayers | Jul 16, 2013

Following one of the most successful seasons in UNF men’s tennis history, the Osprey athletic department said goodbye to the top man in charge of the Atlantic Sun’s regular season champs Monday.

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Ospreys add to historic season, outlast Eagles

Christian Ayers | May 15, 2013

Hot from the start, UNF second baseman Joe Wielbruda stole second, to which the Ospreys followed with back to back RBI doubles from Donnie Dewees and Tyler Marincov to put the team up 2-0 in the first inning.

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Men’s golf Tallahassee bound for regionals

Christian Ayers | May 14, 2013

“If we play to our ability I like our chances,” Schroeder said. “Even though it is a bigger event than any other event, you can’t make it bigger than it is.”

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UNF baseball wins one in series, clinch A-Sun Tourney berth

Christian Ayers | May 7, 2013

UNF joins No. 21 Mercer and FGCU as the first teams to clinch conference tourney spots in the Atlantic Sun.

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Scrappy Ospreys earn 2-0 victory over FAMU

Christian Ayers | Apr 11, 2013

UNF baseball improved to 13-0 all time against the Florida A&M Rattlers with a 2-0 win Wednesday night at Harmon Stadium. UNF earned its second team shutout this season with the win, but were...

Men’s tennis seniors shine in 4-3 A-Sun Conference win

Christian Ayers | Apr 10, 2013

Senior Day was a success for UNF tennis, as both the men’s and women’s teams pulled off important conference wins over FGCU. Despite losing two players to injury, UNF men’s tennis still came out on top with a 4-3 conference win against the Eagles April 4.

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UNF men’s tennis has talent from all over the world

Christian Ayers | Apr 4, 2013

There are nine players on UNF men’s tennis team, and all nine are foreign born. The team currently features players from Canada, Brazil, Germany, Peru, Liechtenstein and Hungary.

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Ospreys tame Wildcats

Christian Ayers | Apr 3, 2013

“Every pitcher struggles a little bit in the first inning,” Incinelli said. “Coach Smoke has his inevitable two, you know. The first inning, you’re going to give up two 2 runs and if you can hold it to one or none, that’s awesome. As a starting pitcher, from there you start cruising.”

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Men’s tennis catches fire and continues win streak over spring break

Christian Ayers | Mar 27, 2013

After pulling back-to-back 7-0 sweeps against the Mercer Bears and Kennesaw State Owls March 14 and 16 -- its fifth and sixth straight win -- UNF men’s tennis had three more games on the horizon during spring break. Mother Nature and pirates obstructed the path, though.

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First round exit in A-sun tourney leads to March Sadness

Christian Ayers | Mar 13, 2013

With a 7-4 home record, this was UNF’s third consecutive season with a winning record at home, but they managed only four wins in 18 games outside of UNF Arena.

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Men’s basketball gets rolled by Northern Kentucky

Christian Ayers | Mar 1, 2013

Guard Parker Smith broke the record for three point field goals made by an A-Sun player in a season, and then promptly disappeared.

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Ospreys sink Buccaneers, clinch A-Sun tourney berth

Christian Ayers | Feb 22, 2013

After struggling for most of the season, junior forward Charles McRoy posted career highs of 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Ospreys coming off the bench.

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Osprey baseball beats Bethune-Cookman in wild finish

Christian Ayers | Feb 20, 2013

In their first road game this season, the Ospreys capitalized on BCU’s mistakes and played good defense to keep the Wildcats at bay and pick up the win following a 2-1 series win against West Virginia.

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UNF will look to flip the script against JU

Christian Ayers | Feb 13, 2013

In UNF’s last three games, there has been a strong showing on the defensive end, but they have struggled to get buckets. UNF averaged 56 points per game in its past five games, compared to its 65 points per game season average.

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Big losses bring big money to athletics

Christian Ayers | Feb 6, 2013

Driscoll said games against big name schools do a lot for his players, even in lopsided, losing efforts. Despite home teams winning 95 percent of guarantee games, Driscoll keeps his guys motivated to play better schools in bigger, more hostile venues.

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Column: Jags try to save face by making a new one

Christian Ayers | Feb 6, 2013

With a fresh start and a new logo, the Jaguars hope their cosmetic surgery turns into a medical miracle next season, instead of a botched operation.

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Ospreys can’t fly with Eagles

Christian Ayers | Feb 1, 2013

FGCU racked up 13 second chance points in the second half and shot wide open threes, hitting 52 percent from downtown. Five eagles scored in double-digits for the game.

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Christian Ayers, Intern/Copy Editor

UNF Spinnaker