"Best Fans In The World"

An editorial from the Gainesville Chief of Police regarding the night of the NCAA championships:

On behalf of the Gainesville Police Department, I want to express my pride and gratitude for the behavior of the Gainesville community during Monday night's impromptu victory celebration. After the Gator basketball team won the 2006 National Championship, Gator fans young and old emptied onto University Avenue to celebrate this great victory.

In preparation for the evening GPD had more than 90 officers on duty including officers from all parts of our department. As a police chief, you have to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. I was extremely pleased, all of the reports I received from my officers talked about positive interactions that they had with celebrating fans.

Gator fans handled the win peacefully and treated our officers with great respect, and I applaud you. All in all, the 2006 basketball team proved they were the best team in the nation, and their fans were just as impressive in the way they handled the victory.

Members of the Gator team couldn't have said it better themselves. The Gator Nation has the best fans in the world.

Chief Norman Botsford,

Gainesville Police Department

We are NOT fans that feel the need to storm the field. We aren't fans that have to overturn cars and hurt people to show our unity. We are, simply, the best fans in college sports.