Story Archive

UNF to Host NCAA East Regional Track and Field Championships: Bringing Economic Boost to Jacksonville

By: Isa Leen

The University of North Florida is gearing up to host the NCAA East Regional Track and Field Championship from May 28 to May 31, where top athletes will compete for a spot in the 2025 NCAA National Championships. This prestigious event has a significant economic impact on the city of Jacksonville as well.  

According to Nick Morrow, Athletic Director for UNF, the event generates an impressive $10 million in economic impact over just four days. The athletes, coaches, and fans help fill hotels, restaurants, and local businesses throughout the city with approximately 12,000 room nights, and 4,000-5,000 tickets sold.  

It is not the first time hosting for UNF. In fact, it has hosted more than any other school in the country. Since the school has hosted so many times, the NCAA is comfortable in collaborating. UNF is selected to host again in 2027 and is also selected to host the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2028. 

If you would like to be part of this anticipated event, check out the UNF Athletics website 

Hope’s Closet: Thrift with a Purpose 

By: Aaron Cox

Hope’s Closet is a Jacksonville thrift shop that is every bargain shopper’s dream but more than that. It is operated by the local church community and unites bargain items with a call of redemption, service, and spiritual renewal. 

There, in the store, shoppers will find themselves able to buy new and used products—clothing, books, furniture, and household goods—all presented in an orderly, dignified shopping area. The idea is to provide not just value in product, but also value in experience. 

Hope’s Closet is serving a greater good in the fact that it is helping to create income for ministry partners and ministries locally. Every purchase is helping to create resources so that ministries can be supported locally and overseas, and every purchase is a part of a long-term present. 

The store also features a successful volunteer program, wherein people from various walks of life can give back in the guise of time donation. The volunteers sort through donations, help customers, and otherwise keep the day-to-day functioning of the store going while learning, growing, and networked in the bargain.

Hope’s Closet is a thrift store but so much more. It is where second chances, faith, and giving converge. Whether shopping, volunteering, or donating, this community meeting place welcomes everyone to be a part of something greater

What is a Surf-Lifeguard Competition? 

By: Reid Murphy

According to the United States Lifeguarding Association, the first official lifeguard competition took place in 1967, when lifeguards from opposite sides of the country gathered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the East West Lifeguard Championship.  

Since then, lifeguard competitions have been an ever-growing demonstration of athletic ability. The multi-day events are made up an array of physical challenges. Open-water-swimming races, soft sand foot races, timed rescue simulations, and paddle battles, take place on the hosting organizations-beach, in invitational style contests.  

Interested in seeing it for yourself? Catch Atlantic Beach Ocean Rescue’s “Battle for The Tower,” which takes place every summer in mid-June. This inter-organizational competition is a friendly competition meant to boost the organization’s moral and share the sport with the community.