May 3, 2002
Here are emails from those who consider themselves the best Hurricane fans! And to all of those who haven't written yet, "Go Canes!"
From DAVID G GUYTON, EAST SUSSEX, ENGLAND: In 1987 I travelled over to the USA on vacation. I went to the Orange Bowl to see UM play Maryland,from that moment on i have been hooked. Every year since i have come over from England with my wife to see the Canes play football.We plan our vacation around the Miami schedule usually taking in 3 or 4 games.We are both Hurricane club members and travel to at least one road game a season.This coming season we are attending the 3 consecutive road games at West Virginia,Rutgers and Tennessee. We were at the Rosebowl in January and at the Sugarbowl the previous year. This season will see us take in our 40th UM game on my 40th birthday.I have got some friends hooked on UM football and they too now come over with us to see the Canes play. One of these is now a Hurricane club member aswell. On the gamedays we are stuck in England we religiously listen to Hurricane audio broadcasts on the internet.The spare room in our house is a shrine to UM football, painted orange, gree!
n and white with wall to wall posters and photos of Hurricane players. Everything in my wardrobe has UM on it. Well thats my story.GO CANES.
From Pat Fitzmaurice, Arnprior, Ontario Canada: I have been a loyal Hurricanes fan since 1982. I watch all the games I can, follow their articles in sports magazines etc. I have met and talked with past members of the coaching staff such as Tony Wise at functions. I have had season tickets in Syracuse since Miami joined the Big East so that I can be guaranteed a seat evry second year when the Canes come to the Dome. I had planned on attending the Orange Bowl Game last season to witness the Canes in the National Championship until they were passed over in the BCS. I was glad they made the Rose Bowl this year and grabbed title number 5. It is my dream and goal to someday get down to the Orange Bowl to see the Canes play FSU!!
The Orange Bowl is awesome and I hope they never move out!
Go Canes Go!! Good luck in 2002 and see you Nov 30 in the Carrier Dome!!
Pat
From Mike R. Yozipovich, Painesville, Ohio: There seems to be a lot of Hurricane fans out there. I would like to consider myself the biggest of them all. I have 3 'Canes tatoos. I got my first in 1998, and that is the Ibis on my arm. I recieved my second in that same year, when i got the "U" on my chest. My last came in the summer before the national championship year. I got MIAMI tatoos over my stomach in the new script in the endzone. I am from Cleveland and I have only went to 4 games, but they were all amazing. I saw Miami beat Cincy in Edgerrins last year, I saw Miami kill Ohio State in the Kick-off Classic, I then realized my dream when I went to the Orange Bowl and saw Miami beat FSU 27-24!!! Lastly I went to the Pitt game this past year. All in all the reason that makes me the best Hurricane fan is that i never gave up. When we were a mere 5-6, I knew we could come back from bad seasons. I had confidence in Butch, so much so I even wrote a paper about him when i was in 9th grade. I am 23 now and have!
been a 'Canes fan since Bernie Kosar. Being a fan of the Browns as well, we have had some Hurricane greats line-up for us, or being on the sidelines. I really hate fickle fans, and I know a lot of people jumped back on since they won the national championship this year, but I havent missed a game in over 11 years. I cried when we lost to 'bama in suger bowl in 1993( 1992 season). I could talk all day how I am the most dedicated fan ever, but the thing that makes me the best fan is that if you do not have a Rohan Marley jersey you are not a FAN! OUT! GO CANES!!
From dick chaney, cheltenham P.A.: i love the hurricanes and i want to play for theme one day
From charles e. smith, jr, san antonio, texas: i have 4 of my eleven tattoos that are dedicated to the miami hurricanes. the newest ibis logo, hurricanes written in japanese, a um band around my arm and you aren't a real fan if you don't have the"u" emblazened on your body. props to the cat with that huge back piece!
From Richard, Pepe, K. UM 75 BSchem & 78 BSN, Meriden CT: I've got tons of Cane hats,
and one gets picked
as the designated "gameday" hat.
Every time I wore a
particular hat we lost! This was made painfully
evident after the 1998 66- 13 Syracuse debacle,
I burned the hat the next day with
a solution of lighter fluid. I preserved
the moment on video. On the video,
I assured Coach Davis
that I took full responsibility for the
loss and that the source of such bad
luck now gone so please Coach, don't
worry about undefeated and BCS
favorite UCLA. We will win. I sent
the tape FEDEX to Coach Davis.
Well, we BEAT UCLA in what
some call one of the great
turning points in
UM football history. A game nobody
gave us a chance to win.
You know, I never did hear back
from him. Either he was too busy or
he was convinced I was cracked.
I always thought I deserved a
"tip of the hat" for my tiny
but significant contribution.
Rik Pepe
BS chem '75
BSN '78
Hurricane Club member for I forget how many years
I still have the video if you want it!
From rick jackson, brunswick, ga, i'm proud to say i have never regretted having the classic "u" tattooed on my ankle and i even named my 9 year old chocolate lab "miami", but i don't think i can convince my wife to let me cover my complete back!
From Thomas Williams, A, Dunnellon, Florida: I moved from Alabama to South Bay, Fl in 1941. South Bay is on US 27 about 75 miles north of Miami. Most of the residents of South Bay were Gator fans, and I thought it would be the way to go. But the "old gator guard" did not want to welcome an outsider, me, into the pack. So I said to heck with them, I would be a HURRICANE!! That was 1941. Have had many peaks and valleys, but will be a HURRICANE forever!!!
From Mario Williams, R, Tampa, Florida: Hi, I'm a huge fan. My uncle is the defensive end for the Canes. I've been to every game. I support him and the rest of the players. You have a great team. The rose bowl is coming back to UM. I'm a freshman at Hillsborough High
School. I play baseball and football, and I plan on attending the University of Miami
in year 2006, so keep up the good work. GO CANES GO !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Jarrod, Oliver, K., Culman, AL: I am a great Hurricane fan. I truly do, as they say "bleed green and orange". I have loved the 'Canes since I was 6 and love them more today. Being stuck in the middle of Alabama, you can guess who most people root for. So it is especially awesome when our team(s) do better than theirs. I have a room in my house that has nothing but Miami items in it,and of course it is painted orange and green. All I have to say is GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From Jerry Rizert, Wexford, Pennsylvania: I flew from Frankfurt, Germany, January 2, 2001, into Pittsburgh, connected to New Orleans in time to meet by brother to go to the Sugar Bowl, caught the 8:00 am flight out of New Orleans back to Pittsbugh and made the
connection to Frankfurt. Basically, I flew 12,000 over a 2 day period, to watch the Sugar Bowl. I would do it again, anytime!!!! GO CANES
From Edward Burfield H., Leesburg, FL: First game in OBOWL IN 1956 when Andy Gustufson was coach. Lived in S.FLA for 46 yrs and watched all the lean years with 15-19 thousand fans in stands and no bowl games except for George Mira exploits. Now I retired to
gator country and can show them the five rings in football and four in baseball.GO CANES!!
From Slade Miller, Southside, AL: One time I had my face painted orange and green with "Miami #1" on one cheek and "National Champs" on the other. I went to school with this
on my face all day long.
From Jen Thayer, Pompano Bch, FL: Well I am the wife of the Crazy man shown above. It's not enough to have his tatts. We also have a spare room dedicated to the CANES and this past February when I got an Akita pup for my Birthday we named him "C.C. Sebastian" (C.C. is in memory of Chris Campbell #48 and Sebastian....the Ibis of course!) And when you see that van and car with all the CANES writting on the windows, you can bet that it's one of us. I make sure that when season comes along there's always something written on all the windows of both vehicles....you gotta love those CANES!!! THEY ARE #1 !!!
From Greg, Thomas, S., Starke, FL: I have been the biggest Canes' fan for as long as I can remember..through the good and bad times!! They have always been #1 in my book!!!
GO CANES!!
From Benjamin G. Hawkins, Gainesville, FL: It's looks like we're back in business Canes, even after probation, losing scholarships and more recently losing 11 great
players to the draft. The Canes appear to be cocked and loaded for the 2002
Season. This program's ability to bouce back is unparalleled! I for one cannot wait until Sept. 7 when the Canes roll into, over and through the
Swamp!!!
GO CANES!!!! ( Representing in G'ville)
From Scott Tunnell, Seminole, FL: Well back in '91 when the Canes got to go to the cotton bowl, I
lived in Dallas at that time, and being a HUGE Canes fan since the day I was
born, I had to go see them. So me and my brother drove to Texas stadium
(home of the Cowboys) where the Canes where having a closed practice. We
tried to go in through the conventional method(the front door) but we were
told we couldn't get in since the practice was closed. So me and my brother
had to sneak into Texas stadium, now mind you this is not an easy task. We
ended up comming through the tunnel the players come onto the field from.
We had been spotted by security. We were busted, so after explaining how
much we loved the Canes and how much it would mean for us to see them be
able to practice, the guard let us stay. Thank you Mr. Security
guard(whoever you are)!!
From Craig Bernier G, Williamson, GA: You guys rock. National Championship in 2003 repeat baby!!!
From Warren Shaw, Daytona Beach Fl: I walked into Garnet and gold (the on campus sports store for the
Seminoles) in full Canes gear (head to toe!)the day after the first wide
right game and asked if they had any Canes hats! I was promptly asked to
leave before a fight broke out.
From Victor Cuzan J, Miami, FL: My dad went to the University of Miami back in the seventies and has
been going to the games for about 25 years . I'm 15 years old and he has
been taking me to the games since I can remember . I have been to every home
game for the last 10 years, and I have watched every away game on tv since
then . From the dissapointing loss to Alabama in the sugar bowl to the
"greatest game ever" which is the Fsu v.s Miami game in 2000 . I am the
biggest fan . I even wear the same outfit to everygame because we have not
lost a game since i have been wearing the outfit, which consists of a black
Hurricanes jersey of Ken Dorsey with khaki shorts and my black and orange
sprewell shoes . I am able to name u the entire 2001 team in numerical order
. I have been known to lose sleep due to a UM football loss . For example, in
2000 I couldn't sleep for 2 days after we lost to Washington . I am the
biggest fan of the University of Miami and if you don't believe me I will
prove it . GO CANES!!
From Ryan Stuart, Tampa, FL: I have been a 'Caness fan since my first game in 1987 when i was
only 6 years old.. i havent missed one home game and have traveled to many
away games to Seattle, South Bend, Pasadena, Dallas, New Orleans, and of
course Tallahassee. If anyone was to ever see a picture of my bedroom you
would all four sides of my room covered in Hurricane autographs, Pennents,
pictures, and etc...
Charles Wittman, E, Fort Lauderdale,FL: Last Jan.2 I was on vacation in Virginia on a skiing trip. I
convinced my extended family to take the trip into Washington D.C. to
sightsee; and, privately conspired to go to the Cane-Hoya basketball game
that evening, while they went to dinner in Alexandria. This was during the
fantastic winning streak by the baseball, football and B ball teams. It was
like forty something wins in a row. Everything went great until at the last
minute, when I pulled the hamstring in my right leg. I slipped in the snow
and it just popped. Undaunted, I was able to persevere through the pain,
somehow feeling that the team needed an extra dose of spirit; being on the
road as they were this holiday season, a team with so little respect and
recognition, overshadowed in their own town by two national champions who
are in no need of fan support at the present as they have and rightfully so,
garnered their own fan base over the years. So with my Cane regalia in full
bloom, standing out in a sea of blue like a bastion of Cane pride trying to help cheer our team to
yet another victory, to keep the streak alive, in front of a hostile crowd
at the MCI Center. Outlasting a valiant effort by Kevin Braswell and company
at the finish, to keep alive a great, if not, the greatest major college
winning steakof all time.
I have to believe I was the only person, not directly or indirectly , family
related to members of our team ,in the building. I was rewarded that night
by meeting John Salmons and James Jones; the heart and soul of Canes
basketball. After that close victory, as I limped out into that D.C. night,
facing the long walks between subways and park & locks;I couldn't help but
feel, that every cheer and clap that I was able to deliver for the team that
night helped make it my streak too.
Luke Elmore, Murfreesboro, TN: I was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale and have been a Cane fan
since I learned to walk. It was a long road back to the top, where Miami
truly belongs. Living up here in Vol country, I have to stomach all the
hype coming out of the mouths of countless Tennessee fans each and every
week of the season. On the morning of Jan 4, I heard nothing but sweet
silence from their big mouths. I will be in Knoxville on Nov 9 this year to
hear more silence at the end of the game when they have all watched their
precious Vols take a proper woopin by a real football powerhouse. My wife
and I have bought a baby Hurricane outfit for when we have our first child,
who will most definately be a Miami fan maybe even before he can walk.
Eli Salazar, Chicago, IL: While I was living in San Antonio, Tx during the mid-1990s, the
local CBS affiliate was under a contractual obligation to air the Big XII
games. As a result, they were not going to air the Miami/FSU game, so I
traveled to Austin, Texas and rented a motel room just to watch the game and
left after it was over. To me, that shows dedication and love for the CANES!
David Swinson, Chicago, IL Go Canes! We were robbed of the title in 2001 but we won it last
year and I am looking forward to another outstanding campaign this year.
I live close to Notre Dame only eighty-five miles away and I want everyone
in the world to know that I root for the Canes no matter what part of the
world I am in. Go Canes!
Joe Schaecter, Miami, FL Although I am only 13, I consider myself the biggest canes fan
ever. My dad grew up across the stret from UM, and he has had season
tickets since the early 70's. I have an official game used Edgerrin James
game used jersey, not to mention a Ken Dorsey and Andre Johnson jersey. I
haven't missed a home game since I was 5 years old. I also go to see one road
game each season. This year, I attended the rose bowl, and in 2000, I went
to the sugar bowl. In 1997, when we went 5-6, I still remained loyal... I
never stopped being great fan. GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!
Jim Roman, Irvine, CA: I am the Canes fan #1 in So. Cal. having to endure UCLA and USC.
Did my heart good for the Canes to be in the Rose Bowl here in Calif. where
I could stick it to the locals. I will fly to Miami for the Canes v. Boston
College. I am sorry to say I was present in Washingtion for the Canes last
loss. Let's go for two in a row.
Adam Orgeron, Lafayette, LA: This was about 9 or 10 years ago, but when i was in junior high
school I showed my devotion to the Hurricanes by completing a challenge by a
friend of mine. I wore a Hurricanes shirt every single day for an entire
year. If i had to dress up for something, my undershirt was a hurricanes
shirt. Some of my friends still come to me these days asking me if i
remember that.
Chris Anastasi, Atlanta, GA: My friends and I fly from New York to Miami to see Miami &
Florida State play every other year. We have been doing this for 10 years now.
I have since moved to Atlanta, but we are still on schedule this year.
Roughly 10 of us are going again. We cook out, tailgate, whatever, it
doesn't matter, as long as our 'Canes win!! Miami is our second home. And
on odd years, when Miami is at FSU, some of us still go down and try to
catch a game. It's our guys trip, it gets us away from the everyday, so to
speak. Thanks.
Anthony M. Foley, North Palm Bch, FL: Have been a loyal Canes fan for 40 years. Have a great year
boys, kick Gator/Seminole tail. GO CANES!
David A. Krueger, Chicago, IL: College Football Saturdays around my neighborhood consists of
about 10 - 20 of us getting together either at someone's house, or in the
backyard with a few portable TV's, enjoying a Kegger, grilling some burgers,
etc... the thing is, everyone is a Die-Hard Notre Dame Irish Fan. Growing
up among them I should be a ND fan as well, until one day way back in 1987
when a team I really paid no attention to (or really knew for that matter)
climbed up the Golden Pedestal that ND sits on and slapped them all the way
back to 1st Grade. I was in complete awe! I LOVED IT!!!! I saw a team that
would not be intimidated in any way shape or form by the self proclaimed
legend of ND and the brainwashed masses that are their fans.
I don't remember the day exactly, but I remember the score all right: 24-0
!!!
Silence echoed ever so loudly that day. The very next day I went to the
sporting goods store at the local mall, all I could find was a Hurricanes
Cap but I bought it nonetheless. The next year, I wore that cap to the
rematch but the "Canes lost the game 31-30. I received a healthy dose of
ridicule over the years, but have never swayed in my loyalty at that time or
since.
Anyway, 14 years later, getting all the old guys together for a few beers is
just about next to impossible, but it's the National Championship Game,
January in Chicago and I'm the only one sitting in an Irish Pub wearing my
white Ken Dorsey jersey and a green Hurricanes cap watching the halftime
score flash across the screen: 34-0 and slowing looking at all my friends
who are rooting for the Huskers to put the BCS to shame with a grin on my
face that just had to be seen to be appreciated.
Yeah, my love for the 'Canes may not sound that special as some of the other
stories told, but Saturday afternoons have a special meaning all to
themselves as far as I'm concerned. One day I hope to get the chance to
visit the Orange Bowl in person, until then, I'll be glued to the tube!
Annejeanette Washington-Wooten, Plantation, FL: Every home game I must have my nails done in Orange with green
and clear rhinestones and a UM-93 on one of my fingers. In my classroom,
there is my UM Barbie doll, Sebastian, UM blanket, UM degree (of course), UM
schedule,UM teddy bear with the 2001 National Championship rings T-shirt), UM
stationary. I also give prizes to my students when they wear UM attire
during our weekly sports day (Fridays.)
And of course at the 2002 Rose Bowl: I wore my nails in orange and green and
a #1 on the 5th finger since this is our 5th ring.
Kent Butler H, Hollywood, FL: Growing up in South Florida I just loved the Canes. I was
fortunate enough to play high school ball against M Irving, Bennie and Brian
Blades, Eric Rhett just to name a few however my love for Miami got much
sronger over the years wathing games with my father who just past away. He
and I had so many fond memories of games and seasons past well I know this
will sound crazy to ask this but I prayed to god that he would see Miami win
the title one more time. You all know they won it in baseball and football.
I will always be grateful. Go Canes.
Eric Gold, S., Westminster, CO: I have been a UM fan since I started watching college football
back in the mid 1980's. My family is full of Gator fans and even a Seminole
lover so I have dealt with my share of grief! Unfortunatly for them, the
Canes always seem to come out on top. I'm from Florida but have lived in
Colorado for a while. A friend and I try to make at least one game a year.
We were there for the Gator Bowl victory over GA Tech which marked the true
return to dominance. We also were there for the Wide Right III game at the
Orange Bowl two years ago. Last year we went to the West Virginia game in
the pouring rain. Not the most exciting game since it was a blowout, but at
least we can say we were there during the 5th Championship season. I have a
tatoo of Sebastian on my arm, I wear a Canes shirt almost every day, and I
can't wait for the new season!!! GO CANES!
Andrew S. Curfman, Akron, OH: I didn't become a Canes fan until later in life. Near the end of
high school to be exact. It is then I started looking at colleges, and long
story short ended up attending UM. That was back in 1997, and now every
thing I do is somehow related to the Hurricanes. I even bleed green and
orange. My first year there, the Canes went 5-6, but it didn't matter, I
was hooked. Since I moved back to Akron, Ohio, I have travelled back to
Miami to attend games on multiple occasions. Once even going as far as to
drive 1200 miles to Miami, meet up with my best friend Chris, and then the
next day, get in his truck and the two of us drove to New York to watch the
Canes beat my mom AND dad's alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes. I still try
to attend as many games as possible, and when I cant attend, I am listening
on the internet radio, or watching on TV. Lastly, I am the manager of an
adult amateur baseball team, aptly named the Hurricanes and proudly sporting
the Green, Orange a!
nd White for our team colors. Go CANES!!!
TSgt Norman I. Harris, Eglin AFB, FL: I have been a die hard Hurricanes since the early eighties. As a
high school student, I used to attend all of their games free when they
weren't yet the "team of the 80's". I was there when they beat Notre Dame,
West Virginia, Florida State, even the last game against Florida which was
won by a field goal with a minute left in the game. I graduated in 1984 from
Northwestern High and joined the United States Air Force, that was 18 years
ago. I was stationed in Plattsburgh AFB, NY watching the Miami-Boston
College Game when Flutie threw "the pass", I was in Comiso Air Station,
Sicily, listening to the Fiesta Bowl on the radio at 0500 in the morning
when Miami lost to Penn State. I'm now stationed at Eglin AFB, in Northwest
Florida, FSU country but the UM jerseys still get worn with no fear! I may
not have it tattooed on my back, but no matter where I'm stationed I
represent my clique to the utmost!!! Canes 4 Life!!!
Steve Johnson, Grantville, GA: Well I used to do a lot of crazy things especially when they lost, and especially if it was to FSU. I despise them!! I have kicked screens out of TVs and dumb things like that. I have a tattoo on my arm, and I don't regret it though a lot of people said I would. Because I live in GA, I don't get to see a lot of the games on TV unless they are big games, so I get season tickets and fly down to as many games as I can. If I can't do that, well IT IS PAY-PER-VIEW TIME!! It does not matter who they are playing if I can't go and they are not on regular TV well then I order it on DIRECTV!! I
hate to see the season end!! CAN'T WAIT TIL AUGUST 31ST!! GO CANES!!!
Jerrod Mathew Mott, Pembroke Pines, FL: My Hurricane blood runs very thick, I do however, beleive that
the man with Sebastian on his ENTIRE BACK deserves top honors. Anyways,
here's my story. During the year of the 2000 season, I had placed as many
wagers as possible on the Miami- F.S.U. game. At the time I was a student in
Orlando, working in a bar, and from down South. Being in O-town, there were
a-lot more Semi-hole fans and Gator fans than Canes' fans. I managed to rack
up quite a few bets with the patrons at the bar, friends that I had met up
there, and co-workers. So the whole week was full of trash talk, and it all
ended in Me making a cool $375.00 off of Semi-hole fans. What could be
better? The way I see it, the Seminoles paid a Hurricane fan's rent for a
month. Oh, I forgot, I went to the game with 4 of my best friends who are
also die-hard Canes'.
George I. Pino, Miami, FL: I am a UM fanatic. Since the days of Kelly, Brodsky, Brophy,
Rocky Belk to the powerhouse we currently have, my favorite activity is to
watch, talk and breathe Canes football. I own and religously watch every
big Canes football game on tape and it's commonplace for all my buddies to
come over and watch the 1984 National Championship game, the best college
game of all times. I drive my Gator wife crazy with Hurricane Trivia, since
there is no Gator history or trivia at all! The 2000 Sugar Bowl almost
caused a split-up, but we survived! I'm looking forward to this years road
games and especially crushing the Gators this year ! Go Canes, bring
another title home!
Eliseo Duran, El Paso, TX: I'm a super hurricane fan, I live in
El Paso, Texas, and I am a season ticket holder, and fly out to miami
to almost all the home games. To me
spending all that money for airline
tickets is worth it just to feel the
adrenaline and excitement of my
Hurricane Football Team. The greatest
team in the nation! Bar None!!
My friends and family think i'm nut's,
but they just don't understand what it's like to be a Hurricane Super Fan,
always and forever my friend! GO CANES!!!!
Jason H. Cottingham, Unionville, TN: I'm a true #1 fan of the Miami Hurricanes.
I have been a fan of the Miami Hurricanes since 1988, and I must know that the Canes are truly awesome to the bone!!
I hope they carry on the tradition of winning every year, because I have a lot of faith in the team and I know they can win, cause I've seen it. So I say to the awesome and mighty Miami Hurricanes, may you crush your opponents this year. "Go Canes!!!!"
Patrick L. Collins, Winter Park, FL: The Canes are the best! We should have 7 national titles instead of 5! I like Larry Coker and the way he runs his team. I hope the baseball team can rebound this year and show everyone they are again National Champs. Let's beat...Florida and Florida State
and go undefeated again this year. GO UM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vaughn Lasater, Panama City, FL: Been a cane fan forever. Grew up in
Homestead, Fl., now live in P.C., Fl.
Go Canes !!!!!!
Robert A. Rubiella,Jr., Virginia Beach, VA: I have a tattoo of Sebastian the Ibis on my leg.
Ray Jones, Ormond Bch, FL: I've been a Cane fan since around '82 when I was 12. When I was
in high school three of my friends and I got the almighty IBIS on our right
shoulder with "Razin Cane" above it. One friend had a orange chow-chow named
Cane, another a white one named Sebastian, and myself with one named Miami.
The forth guy had a son about a year and a half ago and named him Caine
Sebastian. Until this day we all live and breathe HURRICANE PRIDE!!!!! Go
Canes!!
Susan E. Sattui, Santa Rosa, CA: Just left Miami, but you guys will always be my team. Look for
the car in California covered in UM stickers! Best to all!
