Hurricanes Continue Preparations For Temple
Dec. 1, 1999
CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The University of Miami football team (7-4, 5-1 BIG EAST)held a two-hour workout in full pads on Wednesday afternoon at the GreentreePractice Facility. With the practice, the Hurricanes continued itsgame-week preparations for their regular-season finale this Saturday vs.Temple (2-8, 2-4 BIG EAST) at the Orange Bowl.
Following the practice, Head Coach Butch Davis commended the 11 playershonored as All-BIG EAST selections earlier today. Tight end Daniel “Bubba”Franks, offensive guard Richard Mercier, wide receiver Santana Moss,linebacker Nate Webster, and center Ty Wise were first-team selections.Safety Al Blades, running back James Jackson, linebacker Dan Morgan, safetyEd Reed, and cornerback Mike Rumph were named to the second-team. Inaddition, Moss was named to the second-team as a kickoff/punt returner.
“It’s a nice accomplishment for those players,” said Davis. “Sincethese awards are chosen by your opponents, they are really meaningful. Thecoaches can not vote for anyone on their own team. It’s always nice to berespected by your opponents.
“It goes hand-in-hand that when the team has success, there is generally anopportunity for individual recognition. The more success a team has – themore recognition it receives.”
Sophomore running back Najeh Davenport and senior linebackerMichael Smith are both expected to be out for the year with right kneeinjuries. Sophomore quarterback Kenny Kelly (sprained MCL in left knee) isnot expected to play vs. Temple, and is week-to-week thereafter. Juniorrunning back James Jackson (sprained right knee) is probable for Temple,after missing the last three games.
FOOTBALL AWARDS BANQUET ON DEC. 13:
The annual University of Miami FootballAwards Banquet will be held on Monday, December 13 at the Radisson MartPlaza Hotel Centre (711 NW 72nd Ave.). At the banquet, Head Coach ButchDavis and the football coaching staff will honor the University of Miamigraduating seniors while presenting team awards. WQAM’s Marc Vandermeer,”the Voice of the Hurricanes”, will MC the event. A cash bar opens at 6:15p.m. with a dinner beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and $400for a table of eight. Call the Hurricane Club at (305) 284-6699 forreservations.
SONNY HIRSCH WAY:
On December 4th, the day of the Miami-Temple game,Northwest 14th Avenue (from 3rd – 7th Street) will be re-named and dedicatedSonny Hirsch Way in memory of the late Sonny Hirsch, longtime “Voice of theHurricanes”. Hirsch served as the radio play-by-play voice of University ofMiami football for 28 seasons, while also calling Hurricane basketball andbaseball during that span. He handled UM football and basketball radioduties from 1958 through 1971 for WKAT, Miami. After a 12-year absence, hereturned to Hurricane broadcasts, to also include baseball, working for WIOD(originally WCKR) and WINZ from 1983 through 1997. During his career as”Voice of the Hurricanes”, Hirsch was part of five national championshipteams – four in football (1983, 87, 89, 91) and one in baseball (1985). Agraduate of Miami Beach High School, the career of the 65-year old includeda 10-year stint as general manager of the Miami Marlins minor leaguebaseball team and a period in television for Channel 7, WCKT. Hirsch passedaway suddenly on March 25, 1999 from coronary artery disease.
