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Florida Gators News: Billy Donovan to be honored, Soccer gets first win, more

The legendary coach will be honored during the LIU game
ByBenjamin Henderson|
Mar 11, 2007; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Donovan cuts down the net after the Gators defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 77-56 to win the SEC Tournament championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images Copyright © 2007 Jason Parkhurst
Mar 11, 2007; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Donovan cuts down the net after the Gators defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks 77-56 to win the SEC Tournament championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images Copyright © 2007 Jason Parkhurst | Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Legendary Florida Gators basketball coach Billy Donovan is slated to be formally inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame next month, and to celebrate the Gators announced they will honor Donovan at halftime of football's opener against LIU.

Florida will have an in-game ceremony to honor the man who first put Gator Basketball on the national stage it enjoys today.

During his time with the Gators, Donovan went to four Final Fours, three national title games, and won the national title twice.

He left Florida after the 2015 season and has been coaching in the NBA ever since.

Soccer recovers for first win of the season

After the debacle against FSU, Thursday's contest against Towson felt like a must-win for a Gator Soccer squad trying to prove it is ready to take a step forward in 2025.

Thirty minutes into game action, Florida did not look ready. The Gators had some good fortune not to concede ten minutes in off a corner that had to be cleared off the line, and even after a length lightning delay, still weren't quite ready.

Florida conceded the first goal after losing containment along the wing, followed by a well-placed cross.

But after giving up the first goal, we saw shades of what Florida hopes is a more potent offensive attack in 2025.

Freshman Katie Johnston hit a beauty of a goal from outside the box to make it 1-1 in the 31st minute, then Johnston took advantage of space in the middle to drive the ball and find Njeri Butts for her first collegiate goal to make it 2-1 in the 34th minute.

A bad turnover made it 2-2 in the 42nd minute, but the game shifted early in the 2nd half when Towson was given a red card.

From there, Florida was able to take control and got another goal from Johnston to make it 3-2 before Skye Barnes sealed it off a corner from Johnston to make it 4-2.

Florida will next play North Florida on Sunday at 7 PM.

Volleyball starts season

Volleyball begins a new era tonight under head coach Ryan Theis, and the No. 16-ranked squad doesn't get to ease into its season.

Florida is in Lincoln, NE, to take on No. 6 Stanford at 9 PM on Fox as part of the AVCA First Serve Showcase.

Florida then comes back on Sunday to take on No. 3 Pitt at 1 PM on ESPN.

Theis came over from Marquette after longtime coach Mary Wise stepped down after last season.

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