Former 'Canes
This is a quarterly newsletter for former Hurricane student-athletes.
Hurricanes Win College World Series!
The University of Miami’s baseball team captured the 1999 College World Series Championship with a 6-5 victory over Florida State on Saturday, June 19 at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE. With the win, the Hurricanes claimed their third CWS championship in school history. The Canes also won national baseball titles in 1982 and 1985.
This was the Canes sixth consecutive trip to the College World Series under Head Coach Jim Morris and 18th trip overall in school history. This is the first national baseball championship for the team under Coach Morris who has lead the Canes to the CWS in each of his six years at Miami.
The Canes ended their season with a record of 50-13 following undefeated post-season play of 10-0. The baseball team’s recent victory increases the number of UM sports national championships to a total of 14. In addition to the three baseball championships, UM has earned four national football titles, two women’s swimming and diving championships and five women’s golf national titles.
Upcoming Events
The following is a list of upcoming events for Former `Canes. Contact the Hurricane Club for your Former `Canes membership card which will serve as your name tag and entrance pass (you must have a membership card for entrance into Former `Canes events). Events will be posted in the Former `Canes Newsletter and on the Hurricane Club website (www.miami/athletics). Order your membership card today by calling 1-800-GO-CANES, option 4.
1999-2000 Full Force Football – The Athletic Club in the Orange Bowl is available to all Former `Canes during half-time at all home football games during the regular season. Take a break from the heat and meet up with former teammates while you enjoy refreshments courtesy of the Hurricane Club.
HOMECOMING – Join the University of Miami as it celebrates HOMECOMING on Saturday, November 20. Join fellow alumni and teammates at the football game against Rutgers.
1989 National Champion Football Reunion – A reunion, honoring the 10-year anniversary of the 1989 National Champion Football team, will take place Homecoming weekend. For more information contact Jennifer Torrez at (305) 284-6699.
Women’s Basketball Reunion – Alumni Day for women’s basketball will take place on Sunday, November 21 when the basketball team plays Furman. For more information contact the women’s basketball office at (305) 284-5802.
Crew Reunion – Alumni weekend for crew is set for March 24-26. A home race is scheduled for March 25 against the University of North Carolina and the University of Central Florida. For more information contact the crew office at (305) 284-3811.
If you would like more information on the events listed please contact the Hurricane Club at (305) 284-6705.
`Canes Spotlight: Mark Cooper
Thinking of relocating to Colorado? Call Mark Cooper! This Former `Cane played football and graduated from the University of Miami in 1983 with a bachelor of arts in communications-public relations.
As a second-round draft pick in 1983, Mark played offensive tackle for the Denver Broncos (including the team that went to Super Bowl XXI) from 1983 to 1987. Mark then moved to Tampa Bay to play for the Buccaneers from 1987 to 1989.
These days, you can find Mark in the Rocky Mountain region of Colorado. He is the Managing Broker for the Englewood, Colorado, Caldwell Banker Van Scaack & Co., office.
Mark has received numerous awards as a top producing Caldwell Banker Associate and holds, among others, the coveted CRS (certified residential specialist) designation. Mark, his wife Nancy and son Michael live in Aurora, Colorado.
For more information about this Former `Cane, visit his website at www.come2colorado.com.
Bosseler Inducted into NY Hall of Fame
Recently, the state of New York bestowed its highest honor onto University of Miami alumni Don Bosseler, inducting him into the state hall of fame. Don’s induction was a result of his extraordinary achievements in college and professional football.
Bosseler, a New York native, played running back for the Miami Hurricane’s football team from 1953 to 1956 earning All-American honors in 1956. This former team captain was named the best player in Florida that very same year. He was then drafted by the Washington Redskins in the first-round and went on to have an eight-year career.
In 1990, Bosseler was not only inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, but the College Football Hall of Fame as well. He is also a member of the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. Currently, Bosseler resides in Miami with his wife and three children.
`Canes Spotlight: Thomas Hilbish
One might not guess it to look at him. His distinguished career in music might lead one to believe that his talents end there. But Thomas Hilbish, who attended the University of Miami on a music scholarship from 1939 to 1941, was also the captain of the men’s basketball team. In 1941, star forward “Tiny” Tommy Hilbish was known for his leadership, agility and field goal accuracy.
Now, Thomas’ achievements aren’t so tiny. After graduating from UM, Thomas was named the Princeton Public Schools Supervisor of Music. Under his guidance, the Princeton Choir became the first high school ensemble to receive sponsorship by the U.S. State Department for tours in Europe (1962 and 1964).
In 1965, Hilbish was named Chairman of the Conducting Department for the University of Michigan. He later became the Director of Choirs and again led his Chamber Choir to international acclaim for its excellent performance.
In 1981, Hilbish received a Grammy nomination for his recording of Menotti’s The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore making his the only university ensemble to be nominated. The following year, Hilbish participated in the Fifth Annual International Choral Festival in Philadelphia where he conducted the joint chorus of 500 singers from 11 countries and five continents.
Thomas Hilbish retired from the University of Michigan in 1987. His list of achievements span the globe and have afforded him, among various honors and awards, a respected reputation for his ability to inspire.
Thomas and his wife, Barbara, continue to make Ann Arbor their home.
Where are U now?
Have you just been married or did you get that great job? Are you living in your dream house or did you conquer Mt. Everest? WE WANT TO KNOW! Drop us a line and let us know how and what you’re doing. Check out the Where Are They Now section of the Former `Canes newsletter to catch up on long lost teammates and fellow former student-athletes. It’s a great opportunity to get in touch and stay involved.
Send your pictures and information (including current address and telephone number) to: University of Miami Hurricane Club, Attn: Mitzi Johnson, 5821 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146, or e-mail to: mmjohnson@miami.edu
1998-99 Athletic Highlights
BASEBALL – Won 1999 National Championship with a 6-5 win over FSU…Head coach Jim Morris was named National Coach of the Year by Collegiate Baseball…Morris earned 900th career victory with a win over Princeton…catcher Russ Jacobson named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week going six-for-six with four home runs, one double and six runs scored in two games against Princeton…Jacobson, shortstop Bobby Hill, pitchers David Gil, Michael Neu and Alex Santos each received All-Independent honors…final record 50-13.
FOOTBALL – Ended regular season 8-3 with a 49-45 win over UCLA on December 5…the win ended UCLA’s 20-game win streak and national title hopes…Edgerrin James tied a school record with fourth straight 100-yard rushing game against Pitt…James became first player in UM history to compile two 1,000-yard rushing seasons…won 46-23 against NC State in Micron PC Bowl…finished season 9-3.
SOCCER – Inaugual year of women’s program… won first home game against Tampa, 2-0…Kazmeen Moolchan scored 10th fastest goal in NCAA history against Kansas…Nina Wathne named National Player of the Year for First-year Programs by Soccer Buzz magazine… Jennifer Sanchez, and Wathne, selected to All-National first team for first-year programs…finished 11-7-1.
GOLF – Brandi Miller won First Coast Women’s Championships and advanced to semifinals of U.S. Women’s Amateur Championships …Shayne Wild named Academic All-American by National Collegiate Golf Coaches Association… Luisa Cuartas led UM to fourth place finish at UCF Invitational… hosted inaugual Casa de Campo Intercollegiate Classic in La Romana, Dominican Republic.
MEN’S TRACK AND FIELD – Finished fourth at both BIG EAST Indoor and Outdoor Championships…Aaron Moser won the pentathlon at the BIG EAST Indoor Championships and the decathlon title for the second consecutive season… other BIG EAST champions include Santana Moss (60-meter dash), Daryl Jones (100-meter dash) and Ed Reed (javelin)…Miami also took home the 4×100-meter relay title.
WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD – Finished first at the 1999 BIG EAST Outdoor Track and Field Championships for the second consecutive season…took second at the 1999 BIG EAST Indoor Championships…Yolanda McCray won BIG EAST titles in the 100-hurdles and 400-hurdles and was named the BIG EAST Most Outstanding Track Athlete …head coach Amy Deem a her staff were named Coaching Staff of the Year…McCray, who earned All-America honors for the sixth time, won the 1999 NCAA National Championship in 100-meter hurdles.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL – Kym Hope named to All-BIG EAST First Team…Hope, Jennifer Jordan and Cassaundra Wimes surpassed 1,000 career-point plateau… defeated No. 21 Boston College on road 66-53…defeated Pittsburgh 75-60 for program win No. 400…lost to Rice 63-56 in first-round of women’s NIT in Houston…final record 15-14.
CREW – Varsity women took Varsity Eight title at Head of the South Regatta, Overall men and women claimed five first-place finishes…men and women took seven of nine first-place finishes at own Miami vs. Central Florida and Jacksonville Match Race…men’s varsity and novice fours won races at ’99 Clemson Sprints…at Florida Intercollegiate Rowing Association, women claimed five of seven races…Aisha Chow earned her second consecutive Academic All-American honor.
SWIMMING AND DIVING – Emily Brelsford named `99 Women’s GTE Academic All-American First Team…diving coach Randy Ableman and All-American diver Rio Ramirez named Coach and Diver of the Year respectively…All-American diver Jenny Keim named `99 Women’s NCAA Diver of the Year…Christy Cech broke UM records in the 50- (23.30) and 100-free (50.53)…both records were previously held by Anne Kelly.
WOMEN’S TENNIS – Finished dual match regular season with an 18-9 record… Lioudmila Skavronskaia led team with 20 dual match single wins and earned her second straight All-American honor… as a team, was 4-1 against Florida colleges with wins over FSU, South Florida, Florida Atlantic and Barry…took second at BIG EAST Championships… defeated No. 9 Texas 5-4 at regionals to advance to NCAA Sweet 16 Championships.
MEN’S TENNIS – Each member had double-digit singles victories (10 or more)…advanced to BIG EAST Championship finals for seventh straight year…Jose Lieberman led team with 13 dual match victories…17 of Miami’s 22 opponents held a national ranking…final record 10-12.
MEN’S BASKETBALL – Defeated National Champion Connecticut 73-71 during the regular season…Tim James named third-team All-American… James named BIG EAST Co-Player of the Year…Johnny Hemsley named league’s Most Improved Player… Leonard Hamilton named BIG EAST Coach of the Year…advanced to the NCAA Tournament for second straight season… finished season 23-7 and ranked 10th in final Associated Press College Basketball poll.
CROSS COUNTRY – Both men’s and women’s team advanced to NCAA South Regional and finished 10th… both teams finished second at state championships.
Do You Know Where these Former `Canes Are?
We currently have no contact information in our database for these former Hurricane baseball team members. Give us a call at (305) 284-6705 or send in a current address or telephone number to: Hurricane Club, Attn: Former `Canes, 5821 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL, 33146. In each newsletter we will list members of a different sport in hopes of finding all of our “lost” alumni!
’53 Bob Alvarez
’73 Mike Armstrong
`92-93 Fadul Arrieta
’69-70 Tony Barletta
`70-71 Pat Barrett
’74 Tom Baxter
’71 Greg Beish
’73 Steve Berry
’65 Bob Biletnikioff
’46 Ed Blanton
’73 Hank Boguszewski
’95 Ryan Brannan
’59 Bob Brewer
’80 Lou Burmester
’50 Bill Burrell
’70 Rusty Cameron
’57 Jim Claude
’77 Joe Chaney
’63 John Chefas
’53 Jerry Connell
’92 Dean Crow
’93 Bernie Cuervo
Canesport Delivered to You!
As an important member of the Hurricane Family we’re proud to announce a new partnership with Canesport magazine which you will be a part of! Starting in August, you will receive three free issues of Canesport, the local newspaper covering all UM sports, courtesy of the Hurricane Club. The Hurricane Club wants to keep you up-to-date on all the great UM sports action. Enjoy!
