Latest news with #Condon
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'I can't thank her enough'; celebration Sunday to honor late Duval principal Jane Condon
The show will go on. Three months after storied Duval County school principal Jane Condon's death, former students, colleagues and friends are meeting this weekend to sing, dance, make music and share memories at a celebration of life for the woman who led both Douglas Anderson School of the Arts and LaVilla School of the Arts. 'People are coming in from out of town,' said Lee Hamby, a 1993 Douglas Anderson graduate helping coordinate a performance involving dozens of artists. 'So many people leave to pursue their art, so I know people are flying in' for the event, said Hamby, artistic director for Jacksonville's fledgling Arts Collective Theatre. More: Douglas Anderson's 'Extravaganza' provides a showcase for the stars of the future Maybe 150 to 200 people are expected at the celebration, scheduled to start at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 1 at the theater in the LaVilla school at 501 N. Davis St. Organizers are asking people attending to wear something red, a nod to Condon's go-to color choice. Condon, who died Feb. 13 at age 86, impacted thousands of lives during a career in education that spanned five decades. A fervent supporter of arts and culture, her signature accomplishments involved developing Douglas Anderson as a nationally recognized arts magnet high school and designing and launching LaVilla as an arts middle school. 'She was amazing,' said Sarah Sanders, a Douglas Anderson graduate widely known in Jacksonville as vocalist Mama Blue. 'I can't thank her enough for what she's done for me and for this community,' said Sanders, who will sing at the celebration. People who try to stay out of the spotlight will be there too. Teacher Abbie Malkewitz had worked as a stagehand before meeting Condon but hadn't seen a role in middle school like the technical director post she has now, training kids to work with lights, props, sets and sound systems. LaVilla has about 50 to 60 kids in the technical program now, Malkewitz said, adding she didn't know of another middle school anywhere offering similar training. While some youngsters will continue in that field through high school and others won't, they'll at least carry lessons about tools they may need for home repairs when they're living on their own. That only happened because Condon shepherded the school from a concept to a design to reality. The celebration will also be a pitch session for another project Condon's family care about, endowing the Jane Condon Outstanding Educators Fund at the Community Foundation of Northeast Florida to nurture educators committed to sharing a passion for artistic and academic growth. The goal is to raise $50,000 to launch the fund as a long-term support to teachers, said Sarah Boren, Condon's stepdaughter. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Celebration Sunday honors Jane Condon, late Duval arts schools principal
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Florida basketball an overwhelming winner after NBA draft deadline passes
Florida basketball an overwhelming winner after NBA draft deadline passes The Gator Nation exhaled a collective sigh of relief when rising junior forward Alex Condon's decision to withdraw his name from the 2025 NBA draft was announced, signaling his return to Florida to defend its national title. Not only did fans of the Orange and Blue cheer the native of Australia's decision to go back to school, but also the sports media as a whole. After the NBA draft withdrawal deadline passed, USA TODAY Sports' Paul Myerberg, CBS Sports' Cameron Salerno and Sports Illustrated's Kevin Sweeney all anointed Todd Golden's gang as "winners" heading into the summer months. Take a look below at what the trio offered on the Florida Gators and why they were winners in the eyes of each respective writer. USA TODAY Sports: Gators a post-draft decision winner "Condon had an uneven NCAA tournament but came up huge in the championship game against Houston, illustrating his potential along with the need to hone his game before taking the next step into the NBA. Junior center Rueben Chinyelu also backed out of the draft, while forward Thomas Haugh decided not to enter the process and will see an increase in minutes with three key seniors, led by Walter Clayton Jr., gone from last year's team," Myerberg notes. "The Gators also added one of the biggest transfers of the spring in former Arkansas guard Boogie Fland — another player (who) considered turning pro before staying in school." CBS Sports: Florida primed to make another title run "The reigning national champion saw its starting frontcourt of Alex Condon and Rueben Chinyelu withdraw from the draft to return to school. Their return solidifies Florida's frontcourt depth as the best in the country. That group gave opposing teams nightmares during the NCAA Tournament," states Salerno. "Add in transfers Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee, and you have a team capable of making another title run next year." Sports Illustrated: Legitimate chance at repeat "It had already been a strong offseason for Florida after Thomas Haugh elected to return for his junior season and star portal guards Xaivian Lee (Princeton) and Boogie Fland (Arkansas) committed to the Gators. That said, a huge part of Florida's national title run in 2024–25 was its frontcourt, and Todd Golden will officially bring back the top four bigs from that squad with potential first-rounder Alex Condon returning to school," Sweeney begins. "Condon will be the Gators' leading returning scorer and rebounder as he continues his upward trajectory from former Australian Rules Football star into serious NBA prospect. His toughness, versatility and feel for the game make him one of the most effective bigs in the SEC, and as he continues to get more comfortable on the perimeter, he could enter the All-American conversation," he continues. "Condon's return gives the Gators a legitimate chance to repeat as national champions and positions them as a likely top-five team in the preseason." Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Alex Condon returning to Florida basketball for junior season
Florida basketball will return all four core pieces of its frontcourt rotation in the 2025-26 season following the news that rising junior Alex Condon is returning for another year with the Gators. ESPN's Jonathan Givony broke the news Tuesday afternoon. Condon had been going through pre-draft evaluations and meetings to gauge his stock for the upcoming summer. The No. 38 overall prospect on ESPN's big board, Condon is looking to lock himself into a first-round pick with his decision to give college ball another year. Of course, Florida has a history of contending for back-to-back national championships while being led by a frontcourt duo. Advertisement "It's a really good situation waiting for me there," Condon said. "A great coach with Todd Golden. Teammates I won a national championship with. I have great chemistry with those boys. We have a good transfer class coming in. I expect guys to make a leap. My big man coach, Carlin Hartman, is returning, so I will keep developing my game with him." Condon averaged 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks over 24.9 minutes per game last year. He earned a third-team All-SEC nod but did not receive much national recognition, even through the NCAA Tournament. His return is Florida's biggest addition, or retention rather, of the offseason. Replacing the entirety of the backcourt has taken center stage, but getting Condon back makes the Gators surefire contenders heading into next season. He'll have to learn how to play with Boogie Fland and Xavian Lee; however, both are strong pick and roll players, which should make things easy/ Thomas Haugh and Rueben Chinyelu are also returning despite being draft prospects. Haugh never entered his name into the draft and Chinyelu withdrew a couple of weeks ago. Florida started Condon and Chinyelu for most of the year while using Haugh as a pseudo-starter off the bench. After a strong finish to the 2024-25 campaign for Haugh, the rotation might change in his favor, but there's also Micah Handlogten to consider. He'll be healthy and ready for more action next year as well. Advertisement However, Todd Golden decides to play this group, getting Condon is the ribbon on top of the present or the star on top of the tree. He completes the roster and makes Florida a marketable top-5 team ready for the spotlight, both nationwide and within the SEC. Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions. This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida basketball F Alex Condon decides on return, exits NBA draft
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Aussie big man Condon withdraws from NBA Draft for Florida return
Australian forward Alex Condon, who helped spark the University of Florida to a US national college crown last month, said Tuesday he is opting out of the NBA Draft. The 20-year-old from Perth will instead return to the Gators for his junior season in hopes of repeating as NCAA men's basketball champions as Florida did in 2006 and 2007. Condon confirmed his decision a day before the deadline for withdrawing from the NBA Draft, posting the message "I'm back" with himself in a Florida jersey on social media. Condon scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, made four steals and dove on a loose ball at the end of a 65-63 championship game victory over Houston on April 7 at San Antonio, Texas. The Aussie averaged 10.6 points and a team-high 7.5 rebounds a game for the Gators last season, when Florida went 36-4, winning their final 12 games. He was also invited to the NBA Combine in Chicago, a workout for top prospects. Condon had been a youth prospect in Australian Rules Football before devoting himself to basketball at age 16. js/bsp
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Todd Golden reacts to Alex Condon returning to Florida for junior year
Todd Golden reacts to Alex Condon returning to Florida for junior year Florida sophomore Alex Condon announced Tuesday on social media that he is withdrawing from the 2025 NBA draft and returning to school next season. Condon was named to the All-SEC second team by USA TODAY, averaging 10.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks on 49.3% shooting from the field. He ranked third in the conference in total rebounds (279) and seventh in blocked shots (49). The 7-footer was among the notable prospects who were still weighing their decisions ahead of the early entrant withdrawal deadline on Wednesday. Gators coach Todd Golden is excited to have his starting center back for another year. 'Really thrilled to get him back,' Golden said Tuesday at the SEC spring meetings in Florida, via Edgar Thompson of the Orlando Sentinel. 'He's had a great process. He got great feedback from some teams. We were worried there for a little bit that he would stay in.' Condon competed in the draft combine earlier this month, shooting 25-of-51 from the field in two 3-point shooting drills in Chicago, Illinois. He also registered a 2.76-second time in the shuttle run, the fourth-fastest among all participants this year. The Australian was considered a borderline first-round pick, likely factoring into his decision to forgo turning pro. He previously stated at the combine that he'd likely remain in consideration if he received a high first-round grade, adding that he'd be comfortable returning to Gainesville. Condon joins Rueben Chinyelu and Thomas Haugh in returning to the program. Golden and the Gators are also adding AJ Brown (Ohio), Boogie Fland (Arkansas) and Xaivian Lee (Providence) via the transfer portal, the eighth-ranked class, according to 247Sports.
