CONGRATULATIONS GATORS!

University of Florida fans everywhere are celebrating this morning after the Gators dominated UCLA last night in the NCAA Division I-A Men's Basketball Championship game in Indianapolis. The third time was the charm for the men from Gainesville, the second time with Billy Donovan as head coach.

I have to admit...I picked the Bruins to win the title matchup, but Florida's play easily handled the Pac 10 champs, who never led once during the contest.

The celebration continues today when the team returns to Gainesville. Fans are being asked to gather at the Gainesville Raceway, located at State Highway 441 and 53rd Avenue. The raceway will allow fans into the grandstand on a first come, first serve basis beginning at 11:00 AM. The team's caravan is expected to arrive there between 12:15-12:30 PM.

Another celebration is being planned for the Stephen C. O'Connell Centre Friday evening at 7:00 PM featuring video highlights, the Gator band and cheerleaders, and Coach Donovan addressing the crowd. More details will be available later in the week.

I should mention that Polk County has a tie-in to the championship team. One of the players, Forward Chris Richard, is from Lakeland and graduated from Kathleen High School.