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JULY 2007— Table of Contents

ONCE IN A LIFETIME
The class of 2004 exceeds expectations and weaves its way to two magical seasons before departing

They were not supposed to be this good. They weren’t supposed to be anywhere near this good. They were supposed to be a recruiting class that was perhaps good enough to keep Florida winning 20 games a year but national championships? Those were supposedly reserved for another Southeastern Conference school with its recruiting class that some were saying might be one of the best ever. Corey Brewer was the Florida headliner in 2004, a McDonald’s All-America from Portland, Tenn., who was rail thin and known more for defense than offense. The other three players in the class --- Joakim Noah, Al Horford and Taurean Green --- were better known as the sons of famous fathers. Good players? Yes. Great players, the kind that can take you to a championship? Not a lot of people thought so.
MOM KNOWS BEST
Florida’s Chris Richard learned a lot of life lessons growing up in a one-parent household

Growing up in Lakeland, there was no famous father, only a hard-working mother who supplemented the income from her full-time job by working as many as three part-time jobs. The lessons of sacrifice came early for Chris Richard, who still wonders where his mom got the energy to keep on keeping on. From his mom, who is also his best friend and role model, he learned the lessons of life. Little did he know the lessons learned from her would serve him well on, of all places, the basketball court.
A NIGHT OUT IN TITLETOWN
Gainesville parties hard after Gators win another basketball championship

Let’s see here. One national title last April. Another in January and on the eve of a third, a merry band of Gator fans started scheming for another celebration. It started hours after the first day of the Final Four, when a Florida victory over UCLA ensured a spot in the national championship game against Ohio State University Monday evening. Chase O’Malley and his buds hatched a plan to get a good seat at their favorite bar. They met at 11 a.m. at Gator City, a pub on the heart of University Avenue, 11 hours before tipoff.
ONE OF THE BEST EVER?
After winning back-to-back titles, five UF starters define their place in college basketball history

So what now? Now that the cheering’s stopped? Florida basketball’s version of the Fab Four are gone. Al Horford, Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer, and Taurean Green _ known as the ‘04s _ gave us one encore, but declined the chance to perform another.
NEVER AT A LOSS FOR WORDS
Former All-America Gator Cris Collinsworth has become a big hit as an NFL analyst

Flip through the channels and you’ll find him. NBC. Fox, HBO, The Tonight Show, Cris Collinsworth’s everywhere, talking the talk about pro football. One of the best known NFL analysts, Collinsworth has been an instant hit since he retired after eight years with the Cincinnati Bengals. As good as he was on the field (three-time Pro Bowler), Collinsworth may even better in the booth. Few are more insightful or outspoken. Even fewer can back it up. He has won two Emmys for his work in the studio.
SARASOTA’S FINEST
Former Gator Todd Johnson takes pride in giving to those who need his help

The street sign outside the St. Louis Rams training facility reads: One Ram Way. That probably comes as no surprise to any of us. But, for former Florida safety Todd Johnson it’s an affirmation of sorts that his football career has come full circle. You see, the paved road outside of Sarasota Riverview High School, where Johnson crafted so much of his football wisdom also reads, One Ram Way.
SPRINGING INTO FALL
With spring workouts done, Gator Country takes a detailed look at Florida’s football team

Spring football has been over for several weeks and with a few months left until summer workouts start, Gator Country recruiting analyst and football insider Hollywood Bob Redman gives his assessment of each position.
THE BLOOM OF SPRING FOOTBALL
Buddy Martin Column

Turns out it was no dream – 92,000 did show up, but it wasn’t Mississippi State and I didn’t get trampled. To be exact, 92,138 attended A-Day in Tuscaloosa for Alabama’s first public scrimmage for the new Crimson Tide coach. This leads me to wonder if they were expecting the return of Bear Bryant instead of the debut of Nick Saban.