The mission of the Hurricane Club is to strengthen the University of Miami's commit¬ment to student-athlete excellence. Through the Hurricane Club, alumni, former student-athletes, and volunteers collectively seek to increase scholarship funding, improve facilities, and provide the operation and maintenance funding essential for all 17 varsity sports.

An average annual athletic scholarship at the University of Miami is $52,000. Annually, the Hurricane Club must strive to meet the scholarship costs for our 400+ dedicated student-athletes. Through gifts to the Hurricane Club we are able to raise funds that currently help offset the costs of athletics scholarships with a long term goal of fully funding our scholarship costs through annual donations.

As a member of the Hurricane Club, your char¬itable gift is tax deductible and affords you several benefits—priority seating, parking, members-only events, and other exclusive rewards. The greatest reward, however, is the direct and immediate impact you make on the lives of our student-athletes.

There are many ways to support our athletics program and become involved through the Hurricane Club. We truly appreciate all of your generous and continued support of University of Miami Athletics.

Hurricane Club Goals for 2012:

1. Raise $10.1 million in Scholarship Support - $500,000 increase from 2010.
2. Increase our active membership base to 5,500 members.
3. 40% participation in the 40for40 campaign

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Blake James - Senior Associate Athletic Director - External Operations
bjames@miami.edu | 305.284.6699

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Blake James is beginning his first year with the University of Miami Athletics Department serving as Senior Associate Athletic Director for External Affairs. While at UM, James will be responsible for several aspects of the `Canes athletics operations. He will oversee marketing, development, ticket sales and ticket operations. James will also be a member of the Hurricanes' executive staff. James arrives to UM after spending the past five years as the Athletics Director at the University of Maine, where he has held that post since September 2005.

James is no stranger to south Florida, beginning his athletic career with the University of Miami, working in corporate sales and athletic development with former Maine Athletic Director Patrick Nero. James also has experience working at the University of Nebraska. The 41-year old graduate of Minnesota State University - Mankato, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing in 1992, went on to achieve his Master's Degree in 1994, from St. Thomas University in Miami, Fla. He and his wife, Kelly, have two children in daughter, Haley, and son, Ryan.

Development | Major Giving

Jesse Marks - Assistant Athletic Director for Development - Major Gifts
j.marks@miami.edu | 305.284.2981

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Jesse Marks returns to the University of Miami, beginning his first year back in the Athletic Department as an Assistant Athletic Director for Major Gifts. He comes to UM from Wake Forest, where he served in a similar capacity for the Demon Deacons.

Jesse began his career at the University of Miami Hurricane Club where he served as Development Associate from 2004-2006 and then Assistant Director of Development for Annual Giving from 2006-2008. At Miami, Jesse managed all aspects of The Golden Cane Program in addition to assisting with all annual fund operations. During Jesse's time at UM, annual giving increased by over 50 percent.

Jesse holds both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Sport Administration from the University of Miami.

Chris Cohen - Director of Development - Major Gifts
ccohen@miami.edu | 305.284.4810

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Chris Cohen is currently in his eleventh year with the University of Miami Athletic Department. Serving as the Director of Development for Major Gifts, Cohen is primarily responsible for raising funds for Athletic Department capital and special projects through the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of key supporters. He has been involved in the fundraising for numerous capital projects including the BankUnited Center, Alex Rodriguez Park, and the Schiff Tennis Center. Cohen also served a key role in the University's overall $1Billion-plus "Momentum Campaign" as part of the Athletics team that was able to raise close to $90 million for the campaign.

Prior to becoming Director of Development for Major Gifts, Cohen served as Assistant Director of Development for Major Gifts. Cohen began his career at Miami as an intern in the Hurricane Club, then went on to work in ticket sales where he focused on the BankUnited Center Campaign. A local native of Miami Beach, Cohen is an alumnus of the University of Miami, graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, majoring in Sport Management. Cohen went on to receive a Master's in Sport Administration in 2009.

Kristy Richie - Events Planner
k.richie@miami.edu | 305.284.5240

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Kristy Richie is in her first year with the University of Miami as Events Planner, Athletics Development for the Hurricane Club. She coordinates and manages all Hurricane Club Special Events including football game day operations, basketball game day operations, athletic fundraising events, team banquets, and golf tournaments.

Prior to joining the Hurricane Club, Kristy worked for the Wolfpack Club at North Carolina State University where she completed an internship that focused on four different areas of athletic development: membership, special events/clubs, annual giving, and capital campaigns/ticketing. While in Raleigh, she also worked for North Carolina State Athletics Marketing during home gymnastics meets, softball and baseball games. She was a Sports Complex Intern for Athletes in Action during the Summer of 2009 and also worked the 2010 ACC Women's Basketball Tournament as a member of the promotions team.

A native Floridian, Kristy received her Bachelor of Science degree from North Carolina State University and an MBA from Auburn University.

Crystal Demps - Administrative Assistant
cdemps@miami.edu | 305.284.6699

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Crystal Demps is entering her fourth year with the University of Miami, serving as an administrative assistant to our senior staff in the Hurricane Club. In her daily duties, she oversees all office communications and various administrative tasks for the department. She also coordinates schedules for the development team as well as the interns and student workers.

Prior to working for the Hurricane Club, she was a Senior Administrative Assistant for an engineering firm here in Miami.

She is a graduate of the University of City College with a degree in Business Administration, a native of Miami, and is married with three kids.

Hurricane Club 5821 San Amaro Drive Coral Gables, FL 33146 Phone: 305-284-6699 Fax: 305-284-3838 hurricaneclub@miami.edu

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