Here are the Greatest Fans
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 pickedas the designated “gameday” hat.Every time I wore aparticular hat we lost! This was made painfullyevident after the 1998 66- 13 Syracuse debacle,I burned the hat the next day witha solution of lighter fluid. I preservedthe moment on video. On the video,I assured Coach Davisthat I took full responsibility for theloss and that the source of such badluck now gone so please Coach, don’tworry about undefeated and BCSfavorite UCLA. We will win. I sentthe tape FEDEX to Coach Davis.Well, we BEAT UCLA in whatsome call one of the greatturning points inUM football history. A game nobodygave us a chance to win.You know, I never did hear backfrom him. Either he was too busy orhe was convinced I was cracked.I always thought I deserved a”tip of the hat” for my tinybut significant contribution.
Rik Pepe
BS chem ’75
BSN ’78
Hurricane Club member for I forget how many yearsI 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 HighSchool. I play baseball and football, and I plan on attending the University of Miamiin 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 theconnection 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 togator 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 thison 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 greatplayers to the draft. The Canes appear to be cocked and loaded for the 2002Season. 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 theSwamp!!!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, Ilived in Dallas at that time, and being a HUGE Canes fan since the day I wasborn, 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. Wetried to go in through the conventional method(the front door) but we weretold we couldn’t get in since the practice was closed. So me and my brotherhad to sneak into Texas stadium, now mind you this is not an easy task. Weended up comming through the tunnel the players come onto the field from.We had been spotted by security. We were busted, so after explaining howmuch we loved the Canes and how much it would mean for us to see them beable to practice, the guard let us stay. Thank you Mr. Securityguard(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 theSeminoles) in full Canes gear (head to toe!)the day after the first wideright game and asked if they had any Canes hats! I was promptly asked toleave before a fight broke out.
From Victor Cuzan J, Miami, FL: My dad went to the University of Miami back in the seventies and hasbeen going to the games for about 25 years . I’m 15 years old and he hasbeen taking me to the games since I can remember . I have been to every homegame for the last 10 years, and I have watched every away game on tv sincethen . 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 thebiggest fan . I even wear the same outfit to everygame because we have notlost a game since i have been wearing the outfit, which consists of a blackHurricanes jersey of Ken Dorsey with khaki shorts and my black and orangesprewell 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, in2000 I couldn’t sleep for 2 days after we lost to Washington . I am thebiggest fan of the University of Miami and if you don’t believe me I willprove it . GO CANES!!
From Ryan Stuart, Tampa, FL: I have been a ‘Caness fan since my first game in 1987 when i wasonly 6 years old.. i havent missed one home game and have traveled to manyaway games to Seattle, South Bend, Pasadena, Dallas, New Orleans, and ofcourse Tallahassee. If anyone was to ever see a picture of my bedroom youwould 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. Iconvinced my extended family to take the trip into Washington D.C. tosightsee; and, privately conspired to go to the Cane-Hoya basketball gamethat evening, while they went to dinner in Alexandria. This was during thefantastic winning streak by the baseball, football and B ball teams. It waslike forty something wins in a row. Everything went great until at the lastminute, when I pulled the hamstring in my right leg. I slipped in the snowand 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 theroad as they were this holiday season, a team with so little respect andrecognition, overshadowed in their own town by two national champions whoare 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 fullbloom, standing out in a sea of blue like a bastion of Cane pride trying to help cheer our team toyet another victory, to keep the streak alive, in front of a hostile crowdat the MCI Center. Outlasting a valiant effort by Kevin Braswell and companyat the finish, to keep alive a great, if not, the greatest major collegewinning steakof all time.I have to believe I was the only person, not directly or indirectly , familyrelated to members of our team ,in the building. I was rewarded that nightby meeting John Salmons and James Jones; the heart and soul of Canesbasketball. 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 butfeel, that every cheer and clap that I was able to deliver for the team thatnight helped make it my streak too.
Luke Elmore, Murfreesboro, TN: I was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale and have been a Cane fansince I learned to walk. It was a long road back to the top, where Miamitruly belongs. Living up here in Vol country, I have to stomach all thehype coming out of the mouths of countless Tennessee fans each and everyweek of the season. On the morning of Jan 4, I heard nothing but sweetsilence from their big mouths. I will be in Knoxville on Nov 9 this year tohear more silence at the end of the game when they have all watched theirprecious Vols take a proper woopin by a real football powerhouse. My wifeand 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, thelocal CBS affiliate was under a contractual obligation to air the Big XIIgames. As a result, they were not going to air the Miami/FSU game, so Itraveled to Austin, Texas and rented a motel room just to watch the game andleft 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 lastyear 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 everyonein the world to know that I root for the Canes no matter what part of theworld I am in. Go Canes!
Joe Schaecter, Miami, FL Although I am only 13, I consider myself the biggest canes fanever. My dad grew up across the stret from UM, and he has had seasontickets since the early 70’s. I have an official game used Edgerrin Jamesgame used jersey, not to mention a Ken Dorsey and Andre Johnson jersey. Ihaven’t missed a home game since I was 5 years old. I also go to see one roadgame each season. This year, I attended the rose bowl, and in 2000, I wentto the sugar bowl. In 1997, when we went 5-6, I still remained loyal… Inever 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. whereI could stick it to the locals. I will fly to Miami for the Canes v. BostonCollege. I am sorry to say I was present in Washingtion for the Canes lastloss. 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 highschool I showed my devotion to the Hurricanes by completing a challenge by afriend of mine. I wore a Hurricanes shirt every single day for an entireyear. If i had to dress up for something, my undershirt was a hurricanesshirt. Some of my friends still come to me these days asking me if iremember 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, itdoesn’t matter, as long as our ‘Canes win!! Miami is our second home. Andon odd years, when Miami is at FSU, some of us still go down and try tocatch a game. It’s our guys trip, it gets us away from the everyday, so tospeak. Thanks.
Anthony M. Foley, North Palm Bch, FL: Have been a loyal Canes fan for 40 years. Have a great yearboys, kick Gator/Seminole tail. GO CANES!
David A. Krueger, Chicago, IL: College Football Saturdays around my neighborhood consists ofabout 10 – 20 of us getting together either at someone’s house, or in thebackyard 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. Growingup among them I should be a ND fan as well, until one day way back in 1987when 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 wayback to 1st Grade. I was in complete awe! I LOVED IT!!!! I saw a team thatwould not be intimidated in any way shape or form by the self proclaimedlegend 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 thesporting goods store at the local mall, all I could find was a HurricanesCap but I bought it nonetheless. The next year, I wore that cap to therematch but the “Canes lost the game 31-30. I received a healthy dose ofridicule over the years, but have never swayed in my loyalty at that time orsince.
Anyway, 14 years later, getting all the old guys together for a few beers isjust 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 mywhite Ken Dorsey jersey and a green Hurricanes cap watching the halftimescore flash across the screen: 34-0 and slowing looking at all my friendswho are rooting for the Huskers to put the BCS to shame with a grin on myface that just had to be seen to be appreciated.
Yeah, my love for the ‘Canes may not sound that special as some of the otherstories told, but Saturday afternoons have a special meaning all tothemselves as far as I’m concerned. One day I hope to get the chance tovisit 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 greenand 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), UMschedule,UM teddy bear with the 2001 National Championship rings T-shirt), UMstationary. I also give prizes to my students when they wear UM attireduring our weekly sports day (Fridays.)And of course at the 2002 Rose Bowl: I wore my nails in orange and green anda #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 wasfortunate enough to play high school ball against M Irving, Bennie and BrianBlades, Eric Rhett just to name a few however my love for Miami got muchsronger over the years wathing games with my father who just past away. Heand I had so many fond memories of games and seasons past well I know thiswill sound crazy to ask this but I prayed to god that he would see Miami winthe 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 footballback in the mid 1980’s. My family is full of Gator fans and even a Seminolelover so I have dealt with my share of grief! Unfortunatly for them, theCanes always seem to come out on top. I’m from Florida but have lived inColorado 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 truereturn to dominance. We also were there for the Wide Right III game at theOrange Bowl two years ago. Last year we went to the West Virginia game inthe pouring rain. Not the most exciting game since it was a blowout, but atleast we can say we were there during the 5th Championship season. I have atatoo of Sebastian on my arm, I wear a Canes shirt almost every day, and Ican’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 ofhigh school to be exact. It is then I started looking at colleges, and longstory short ended up attending UM. That was back in 1997, and now everything I do is somehow related to the Hurricanes. I even bleed green andorange. My first year there, the Canes went 5-6, but it didn’t matter, Iwas hooked. Since I moved back to Akron, Ohio, I have travelled back toMiami to attend games on multiple occasions. Once even going as far as todrive 1200 miles to Miami, meet up with my best friend Chris, and then thenext day, get in his truck and the two of us drove to New York to watch theCanes beat my mom AND dad’s alma mater, the Ohio State Buckeyes. I still tryto attend as many games as possible, and when I cant attend, I am listeningon the internet radio, or watching on TV. Lastly, I am the manager of anadult amateur baseball team, aptly named the Hurricanes and proudly sportingthe 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 ahigh school student, I used to attend all of their games free when theyweren’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 waswon by a field goal with a minute left in the game. I graduated in 1984 fromNorthwestern High and joined the United States Air Force, that was 18 yearsago. I was stationed in Plattsburgh AFB, NY watching the Miami-BostonCollege 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 morningwhen Miami lost to Penn State. I’m now stationed at Eglin AFB, in NorthwestFlorida, FSU country but the UM jerseys still get worn with no fear! I maynot have it tattooed on my back, but no matter where I’m stationed Irepresent 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!! Ihate 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 thatthe 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 manywagers as possible on the Miami- F.S.U. game. At the time I was a student inOrlando, working in a bar, and from down South. Being in O-town, there werea-lot more Semi-hole fans and Gator fans than Canes’ fans. I managed to rackup quite a few bets with the patrons at the bar, friends that I had met upthere, and co-workers. So the whole week was full of trash talk, and it allended in Me making a cool $375.00 off of Semi-hole fans. What could bebetter? The way I see it, the Seminoles paid a Hurricane fan’s rent for amonth. Oh, I forgot, I went to the game with 4 of my best friends who arealso 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 towatch, talk and breathe Canes football. I own and religously watch everybig Canes football game on tape and it’s commonplace for all my buddies tocome over and watch the 1984 National Championship game, the best collegegame of all times. I drive my Gator wife crazy with Hurricane Trivia, sincethere is no Gator history or trivia at all! The 2000 Sugar Bowl almostcaused a split-up, but we survived! I’m looking forward to this years roadgames and especially crushing the Gators this year ! Go Canes, bringanother title home!
Eliseo Duran, El Paso, TX: I’m a super hurricane fan, I live inEl Paso, Texas, and I am a season ticket holder, and fly out to miamito almost all the home games. To mespending all that money for airlinetickets is worth it just to feel theadrenaline and excitement of myHurricane Football Team. The greatestteam 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 Stateand go undefeated again this year. GO UM!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vaughn Lasater, Panama City, FL: Been a cane fan forever. Grew up inHomestead, 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 wasin high school three of my friends and I got the almighty IBIS on our rightshoulder with “Razin Cane” above it. One friend had a orange chow-chow namedCane, 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 CaineSebastian. Until this day we all live and breathe HURRICANE PRIDE!!!!! GoCanes!!
Susan E. Sattui, Santa Rosa, CA: Just left Miami, but you guys will always be my team. Look forthe car in California covered in UM stickers! Best to all!
