Nationals Visits Florida

by Nick England
National Advisor

Whenever I tell people that I'm traveling out to Florida to visit the UF BYX chapter, they always get jealous. Their perception of Florida is that you're always minutes from the ocean, they have great Cuban cuisine, and that it's swarming with celebrities. However, when it comes down to it, Gainesville is nearly two hours away from the nearest ocean. No one really knows the difference between Cuban cuisine and other Hispanic comestibles like Fritos. Not to mention cockroaches outnumber celebrities at such an alarming rate that they are being hired to play for the Miami Heat. (Something about Pat Riley maxing out the salary limit.)

Getting out there requires that I fly into Tampa International Airport which is a convenient two hour drive from Gainesville. Not to worry though because you can now fly directly to Havana from Tampa! Great news for those who love Fritos! So while I do enjoy a trip out to Gainesville, I get so overwhelmed by planning the journey that I have to play Oregon Trail for a little while to calm down. Nothing like dysentery on the chuck wagon to bolster one's spirits to travel!

So I arrive in Tampa and was picked up by Treasurer RB Barrett. We made the trek up to Gainesville only to arrive for some lackluster Florida barbecue with some of the men. That may be my Texas barbecue pride speaking, but it was sub par to say the least. Either way, I had a great time getting to catch up with some of the guys and then went over to hang out with them and watch some Sunday night football in which we yelled at Rex Ryan a great deal.

The next day, my meetings began at Waffle House which is a wonderful place to start the day. That is as long as you are packin' heat, have a desire to contribute to the vomit smell in the bathroom, or want to listen to a man named Edgar talk about politics/how his wife was eaten by a tropical cockroach. So I ordered the usual double waffle and talked through socials with VP Colton Doll and pledgeship with Pledge Captain Joshua Allen. We had a good time and both men left our meeting ready to implement some new ideas and purchase a firearm.

Throughout the rest of the day, I had meetings with each of the officers which went well. Chaplain Dean Tzobanakis has a last name that is illegal to pronounce in 23 states and enjoys good food. So we had lunch at one of my Gainesville favorites, The Swamp. It's always reliable and never disappoints. And it's also right next to campus in case my fiance Erin Andrews walks by. [citation needed]

After lunch, I had the opportunity to meet with a few of the officers and we discussed the current state of the chapter as well as the vision for the future. It was a good meeting and helpful for both Nationals and the officers to understand one another. Following that meeting, we prepared for the Big Bro ceremony that night which is top secret. If I were to release any of that information, you would be sequestered and I would have to go Tom Cruise on your face.

I awoke the next morning and began the Oregon Trail/road back to Tampa. Overall, the visit was good and very productive! I got back to the airport happy for the opportunity I had to spend with the men of the Florida chapter. I'm excited for what's upcoming for them and how Christ will move through the leadership of the future officers.