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UF Player Dies In Motorcycle Wreck

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By ANDY STAPLES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2007

GAINESVILLE - At a dinner held in their honor Thursday, members of the University of Florida football scout team laughed and cheered during a highlight video when the image of quarterback Michael 'Sunshine' Guilford appeared on screen, smiling and flashing a peace sign. Guilford, a redshirt freshman who had spent part of Thursday afternoon impersonating Kentucky quarterback Andre Woodson to help Florida's defense prepare for next week's game, smiled along with them.

Friday, the Gators mourned the fact that they will never again see that smile.

Guilford, 19, and fellow Florida student Ashley Slonina, 20, were killed instantly at about 2 a.m. Friday after the motorcycle they were riding hit a curb at the intersection of Old Archer Road and Southwest 23rd Terrace, Gainesville police spokesman Lt. Keith Kameg said Friday morning. Kameg said neither Guilford, the driver, nor Slonina, the passenger, wore a helmet. Kameg said the cause of the wreck appeared to be excessive speed. He said it is unclear whether alcohol was involved, and police are awaiting a toxicology report.

Guilford, a speedy walk-on from Blountstown, became the Gators' scout-team quarterback shortly after his arrival in June 2006. At about the same time, teammates began calling him 'Sunshine' because Guilford's flowing blond hair reminded them of Kip Pardue's character in the 2000 film 'Remember the Titans.' During the run-up to January's national title game, he was featured on ESPN's 'SportsCenter' after drawing the unenviable task of impersonating Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

'Passing is not really my thing,' the 5-foot-11, 193-pound Guilford joked in an interview Jan. 5, 'but running is my thing.'

Sean Cronin, the graduate assistant who has run the scout-team offense the past two seasons, considers that assessment typical Guilford modesty. Cronin said Guilford deserves much of the credit for the Florida defense holding the Buckeyes to 82 total yards in a 41-14 win.

'He'd make defensive starters look dumb,' Cronin said, 'if they didn't use great technique.'

Cronin said Guilford always volunteered to help coaches with anything they needed. Cronin, who spent Friday morning informing Florida players of Guilford's death, said the news crushed him.

'He was such a good kid,' Cronin said. 'He didn't drink. He got good grades.'

Reporter Andy Staples can be reached at (352) 262-3719 or astaples@tampatrib.com.

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