We'll Be Back - Here are your emails to the football team.
Jan. 7, 2003
Coral Gables, Fla., ( www.hurricanesports.com) – Show your support – visit the online store
– charles walsh: middleport, new york: Thank you gentlemen for a wonderful season. My wife Maureen and I are long-time fans. Please accept our prayers and best wishes to Willis Mc Gahee for a complete recovery and to all of the other Hurricnne players. The team will have another great season next year, with the addition of new players to help the Canes. Thanks again to all Hurricane players and coaches. Sincerely, Charles and Maureen Walsh
: Gary Goldberg: W. Lafayette, IN: Canes fans are still proud of you. Living in a Big 10 town (Purdue) and being a Canes fan is tough, but I remain loyal. Attended Canes games from 1980-1998 and will always be a fan. Ohio State played unbelievable and you guys missed a few opportunities. I too was surprised at their toughness and speed. You will return to the elite next year, I doubt they will.
Stay focused, find a QB!
Vickie Buchanan: Morrilton,AR: The Arkansas Hurricane fans are proud of all of you. You fought hard and were gracious good sports. You are all Number One with us!! GO CANES!!
Robert Brown: Holland, MI: Congrats to all of you on great season, especially you seniors. I know the loss to OSU is tough, but you have no reason to hang your heads. 2 losses in three seasons and a National Chaimpionship is a GREAT accomplishment.
Talk up her in Big Ten country is OSU wants to do what Miami has done. You guys clearly have set the standard others wish to emulate. OSU will never do it…but they can dream.
Congrats again and best wishes for success in all that you do, both on and off the field!
Robert Brown,Class of ’75
Wren Sanders: Savannah, GA: Great Job this season. As you know people will argue over the call in the end zone forever. I am very proud of the way the team conducted itself when you had every right to be too proud and conifident. Thanks for rasing the bar in college football and especially in the state of Florida. Lets see if the other two trade schools (Florida & Florida State) will ever match ANY of your records!!!!
Dan Mahoney: Palm Beach, FL: You guys made me especially proud to be a Hurricane fan on Friday night. What an incredible group you are. Good luck to all you seniors, we look forward to having you back on the sidelines at next years Championship game. Thanks for another exciting season.
Ryan Teixeira, Coral Springs FL: Excellent job guys. Your toughness was outstanding. It is rare to find a team at any level with that kind of grit. In my mind you won no matter what others have to say.
Build on what you have done. Use this experience to push for even more excellence.
I’ll be there at the OB.
Jason Christie: Bellevue, NE: Great game guys. Thought you might like to know that you converted a Nebraska fan with your performance in the Fiesta Bowl. You’ll get ’em next year!
Mayra Gonzalez: Miramar, Fl: We are very proud of your acomplishments. Thank you for a great season and the memories. And of course, WE WILL BE BACK !!!!!
And everyone one knows…WE DID WIN THE GAME !!!!
GO CANES…
sanchez powell: atlanta, ga: you guys had an awesome season! and i felt the same kind of pain you guys had that night b/c i’ve been an miami fan for about 9 years now….so i know that you guys will be back next year. so, y’all just keep your heads up and pray that Willis will have a nice recovery.
Jason Christie: Bellevue, NE: Great game guys. Thought you might like to know that you converted a Nebraska fan with your performance in the Fiesta Bowl. You’ll get ’em next year!
Emmett Riffe: Virginia Beach, VA (Born in Columbus, OH)
Probably the greatest college football finale ever, though…
Best of luck and a speedy recovery to Willis!
Dan Boldt: St. petersburg,FL: I know that we’re all feeling down right now and that we all know that we had our championship taken away from us but stand tall, we are the best program in the nation and everyone knows that. it was the greatest run anyone has seen in thirty years. we win with class and lose with class ( but not much). we will miss all of you that are leaving but you will never be forgotten. we will be back next season to reclaim our trophy……thanks for everything…GO CANES…………
: Lance Sligar Sr: Norcross, GA.: In our hearts we know who really won the game! Not to be delussional, but We fans know that for all our and your lives football fans everywhere KNOW what happened. We saw your heroics on defense during both OTs, and whats this crap of having to play defense again starting the second OT? You have given your all….we love you for it! To the seniors, God Bless You, we’re glad you chose Miami. You now have a legacy that’s pretty amazing. I’m proud of not only the joy you brought me the last four or five years, but also the character of student athletes that speaks LOUD and CLEAR to the rest of us. To the rest of the team and coaches and staff: We now have at the U a reputation on the gridiron of excellence, CARRY ON gentlemen! We take care of family. Your personal contribution to the UM tradition isn’t over yet CARRY ON FINNISH WELL.
Steve Shepps, Mechanicsburg, PA: I know it sucks, it sucks for us your fans too. Just don’t let one game, one call, mar what you guys have accomplished. You have been nothing short of incredible for the last three years. Keep the tradition going and come back as strong as ever next year. There will allways be those lucky teams that can pull it off a year here a year there. You guys are and have been the class of College football for years. Don’t ever forget that. And keep the Cane’s tradition going!!!
Michael Herndon: Atlanta,GA.: As a long time Canes fan this past Friday was very difficult to swallow.We can talk about the call for years to come, but that will not help the situation.Let’s put this lost behind us and move ahead to better things like NEXT YEAR! There is no doubt in my mind that we will be one of the top teams next year, the race for the SUGAR BOWL has officially begun.You guys are a class act I know that WE’LL BE BACK!!!
Judee Graham: Boynton Beach, Florida: Go Canes! You are the greatest football ever. Some teams are a flash in the pan but you guys always come back. Keep up your spirits and let’s start another streak.
Nancy S. Short, Palm Beach Gardens, FL: You guys are a CLASS ACT! We, as avid football fans and season ticket holders, and those of us who have been with the football team through the “lean” years, can only appreciate your accomplishments even more.
This little “bump in the road” will make you even more committed to excellance next year.
Do not hang your heads…you done us proud!
Robert Adams: Casselberry, FL: The Canes will always be number one in my heart. I went to school at the University of Georgia but grew up near the UM campus in Miami. This past Friday, you guys showed so much heart and grit. Don’t fret about the refs calls. Those things are out of your control. Continue to focus and to make us all proud. Thank you for another outstanding season!
Jim Matthews: Tequesta, FL: NEXT YEAR!!
Based on reaction to the polls, America knows the CANES won 24-17.
Who would have imagined our Defense could stop all OSU drives, their only points coming on turnovers in the red zone. Even then, replays showed “what the official really saw was the right guard moved, drew the defender off’sides” – that ten yards was worth 4 points! Anyone watching could see OSU linemen holding blocks by holding, OSU secondary holding/interferring on most plays and OSU receivers pushing off to get their magical “separation” ala their Perdue game!!!
The fact of life is that each of the five titles is that much more important when the CANES have to not just overcome the other team, but also national press bias and referees’ vindictive reaction to whupping “their boys” so many times. It sure upsets the NY-based media when a small private school plays in the big game 10 times in 19 years!!
Zach Cheroff: Atlanta, Ga: No matter what happened you are the best team in the land. It took 5 turnovers, a injury to our star tailback and a botched call by an official for Ohio State to win. If you give us back just one of those incidents we are National Champs again. Keep you heads ups an lets look to next season. GO CANES
THERESA SWINTON, ST. PETERSBURG,FLA: HEY,GUYS WHAT A GREAT TEAM YOU ARE YOU HAVE NOTHING TO BE A SHAMED OF. GUYS ALL THE ENJOYMENT YOU HAVE GIVING US OVER THE PAST YEARS I CANT EXPLAIN HOW MUCH EXCITEMENT IVE HAD BECAUSE OF MY CANES I FEEL LIKE WE ARE ALL FAMILY WE ARE. SO KEEP YOURE HEADS UP IF I CAN STILL RIDE AROUND WITH MY FLAGS AND STICKERS ON MY CAR AND STILL FEEL SO MUCH PRIDE TO BE A FAN OF THE HURRICANES BABY FOR LIFE.WORK EVEN HARDER THIS NEXT YEAR COMING THIS WILL BE A NEW BEGINING FOR US MAKE THEM PAY FOR TAKING WHAT WAS OURS, EVERYTIME YOU LINE UP AGAINST THEM MAKE THEM PAY. WE WILL BE IN THE ORANGEBOWL SCREAMING OUR HEADS OFF THE THE BEST DARN TEAM IN THE NATION.I WISH EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU A INJURY FREE CAREER. YOUR ########1 FAN IN ALL THE LAND SEE YOU IN THE SUGARBOWL RASING CANE. GOOOOOOOOOCANES.
Dennis Miller: West Palm Beach, FL : You guys showed true resolve, forcing overtime. Most teams would have started pointing fingers, and laying blame on oneanother. You were gracious in defeat, however I will never recognize the Fiesta Bowl as a defeat. Know in your hearts that the game was taken from you.
Pamela Lariosa: Warner Robins, Ga: You are No. 1!!!! Thanks for such a great season. We love you guys.
Pam
George Kitchens, Tallahassee, Fl: I am proud of how you fought back and gave it all you had in the game. I was there and I felt your disappointment when we believed we had won the game but it wasn’t meant to be. I hate losing as much as you do so I encourage you to use this loss as motivation for getting ready for next year. I am behind you all 100%. God bless.
Justin Crum: Miami, FL: Congratulations on a great 2002 season and for winning 34 games in a row! You are all truly part of college football legend. You played hard and with class all year and I look forward to a strong 2003 season.
GO CANES!
Luis Lowe: Douglasville, Ga.: Just wanted to say thank you to all of you for a great season and a great 34 game run. That was a truly amazing effort, and I wish all of you seniors the best of luck and to the returning players I cannot wait for the sugar bowl next year!!!
Good luck and thank you again, keep working hard; you are all champions!
Luis Lowe
Joel K. Johnson: Carthage, Tennessee: Hey guys,
Great season !You all played like champions, and no one could ask for anything more than what you did.It is not your fault that you were cheated out of the title you all deserved.
Just keep your heads up and remember what happend and how it felt.So the next time you are in the Championship game….you will flat out crush the other team.
No matter what is said, always remember this,”If you play like champions, you will become champions.”You guys are the champions, and everyone that watched the title game knows it.
I cant wait for the 2003 season !Best of luck to you all in the coming season, and thank you to all the guys that are not going to be at Miami next year.
I am proud to wear all my Hurricane gear…even in the middle of Vol country.
With Honor,Joel Johnson
max l. wilson: omaha,ne.: you’re still the champs in my mind,a wonderful season a wonderful team,blown away by a stupid official on the worst call i’ve seen in my 65 years of following sports,he should be banned from officiating for life.See you next year.Max L. Wilson
Christopher Bowen: Smyrna Ga: 34 streak was great just like the past 3 seasons. You soldiers fought hard, but we came up short. A game in Tempe no one should be ashame of. Our 2002 campaign is over.Ohio state are the champs but The Miami Hurricanes are still the Cream of the crop. We might not win all the National titles but we will win the most. Looking forward to 2003, The Hurricanes will rise to the top once again because we’re the best
Slade Miller: Gadsden, Alabama: I am very proud of every one of you guys. You gave it everything you had and everyone knows that we really won that game!
Congratulations on a great season! We will be back next year to go for the title again!I will be there as usual supporting you all and cheering you on!Start getting ready for spring so we can kick some butt next season.Regardless of what the papers say, you are still champions!
: Susan Manning: Miami, Florida: Congratulations on a great season. You guys are the best. Hold your heads up; you did a great job. My best to all of you and especially Kenny and Willis. I am one of your greatest fans. We will come back!
Jim and Tanyia Honstetter: Ft. Walton Bch. Fl.: Keep your heads up!! You guys played a fantastic game.This is just time for a new beginning.I’m already getting my hotel resv.for the Sugar Bowl next year see you there!!!!
Remember you are and always will be “The Miami Hurricanes”
God Bless
Maurice D. Belcher, Rocky Mount, N.C. : I’m real pissed off right now, to tell you the truth. We deserved to win the game. PERIOD!!! Nevertheless, THE Miami Hurricanes are CHAMPIONS. We don’t need a scoreboard to tell us that. WE WILL BE BACK!!! BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER!!! GO ‘CANES!!!
1Name : mike nicora: hubbard, ohio: To Ken Dorsey-You played with tremendous heart. While your taking some heat from the press, keep in mind most of them would have thrown in the towel after the first hit you took in the championship game.It is easy to criticize, but few have the talent, the leadership, or the will to win you’ve shown over your career at Miami.You are clearly the main reason for miami’s success these last two years, and if I could have voted,you’d have gotten my vote for the Heisman. Keep your head high, as I’m sure you have what it takes to get through this. Reflect on your accomplishments, feel good about yourself, and use this as motivation for your pro career. By the way, I’m a die hard Buckeye Fan,and I was at the Fiesta Bowl. You clearly gave tremendous effort,in the face of adversity. I respect what you’ve accomplished, and wish you the Best of Luck in the future. sincerely, mike
Kim Oliver: Montgomery Alabamahave done. And just think, you will be back next year. KIMBBA 78
: Oscar Del Bosque, Georgetown, Texas: I guess your thinking I should be a Texas Longhorn fan being that I am from Texas? Well, I am but I am a Canes fan first. Their is no other team that gives me the excitement that the Canes do. Thanks for the memories over the years! Lets show the country we are the best in the following years to come. Go Canes!: Although we all wanted a win, I’m very proud of the way you played and carried yourself all year. Thanks for everything this year. You can feel proud of the job you
Chad Conant: Mount Vernon, Ohio: You guys made every Hurricane fan proud, not only with your skill in victory, but your class and dignity in defeat. You’re champions, either way. Continue to represent yourselves as champions on and off the field and you’ll be champion again very soon.
Brian C Gower: N. Canton,Ohio: As a OHIO STATE fan I just wanted to tell you that you guys are great champions and have nothing to be ashamed about.That game friday was probably the best college game I ever saw,thanks to both OSU and you HURRICANES for a GREAT game.
cameron swanson: portland oregon: I am a Oregon duck fan always, but the canes are a close second, always have been since I was a kid. I just want to say that the pass interference call was the worse call I have seen by a ref since the Vinny Testerverde touchdown against the Seahawks that ultimatly got Dennis Erickson fired. You guys are the true champs.
: Chris Wood, Columbus Oh: I am here in Columbus Oh on business and will be back in Florida soon. The sooner the better. You guys did an outstanding job this year and I know the way you are that this is only the beginning. I know that losing is not an option that is why I am not really sad as much as I should be. I know the Miami Hurricanes will be back. Too much talent and great coaching in this program to not be in the hunt for title #6. We are the best team in all of college football. Kellen Winslow Jr…it’s your time. You are the leader. Andre Johnson, Vernon Carey, Vince Wilfork and the other juniors..I know you may turn pro but you could stay and use the Fiesta as fuel to bring back the Championship where it belongs. I love you guys. GO CANES!
Nick Fyffe: Ashburn, Virginia: Yes i am an avid Ohio State Buckeye fan, yet i wanted to send a note to the Hurricanes and let you know what an incredible team you have. The Fiesta Bowl was just an incredible game that both teams deserved to win. I wanted to send my best wishes to Willis McGayhee. As he was injured i fell to my knees in prayer. I continue to pray for his total recovery. Congratulations to you all for being part of the greatest football game this 48 year old man has ever seen. Blessings to Willis!!
Jason Russell: Los Angeles: I just wanted to say that everyone on the team should be proud of what they accomplished and for the character that they showed during the game. Even though it was obvious that things were not going the Canes’ way, they continued to fight and show the heart of a champion. I was even more impressed with the class that the team showed after the game. The team made me proud to be a Canes’ fan and I know that the team will be back where it belongs next season — as National Champs! You guys are the greatest.
Chris Alves: Virginia Beach, VA: Guys,Having been a ‘Canes Fan since the 1983 National Championship Win over Nebraska for their first championship in the Orange Bowl (I was in the end zone seats at the game) and gone to school with Bennie and Brian Blades I have to say that we were robbed on Friday night. I am a die-hard UM Fan and have been even when we didn’t have the big seasons of the past and I have to say that it was a cowardly act of one official that cost the team another national championship in the Fiesta Bowl. How can you penalize a team when clearly in the replay there was no penalty. I mean I was jumping up and down for joy after the game was “over” then that Porter, a real loser of an official, clearly gives the Buckeyes one more chance to win it. I can’t tell you how upset I was. I will say that you guys are the best! You deserved to win! The NCAA should overturn the call and give the championship trophy to its rightful owners the University of Miami Hurricanes! In my heart and mind you wi!
ll always be #1. My blood bleeds green and orange.
The #1 U of Miami Fan,Chris Alves
Robert Lipp: Orlando.Fl.: Canes,First and foremost GO CANES!!! As a 24 year canefan I am disappointed by the championship game,but we have to move on.(I was at the game one row behind Roy Firestone)We represented well against a sea of red (and zebras)The cane pregame was unbelieveable(yamma yamma).We played well enough to win a national championship but not up to our normal potential.I show my colors now more than ever -watch out ncaa MIAMI IS ANGRY!! Thank You Seniors for all the memories. Robert Lipp
Rafael Pereda: Hollywood, Fl: TO THE FOOTBALL TEAM:
IF OHIO STATE WANTS THE BCS TROPHY VIA WAY OF THEFT, THEN SO BE IT. THEY WILL ALWAYS BE KNOWN AS THE TEAM THAT WAS GIVEN THE BCS TROPHY BY A DISHONEST “REF” THAT HAD NO BUSINESS IN A CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THESE DAYS PEOPLE HAVE NO SHAME OR MORALS. THEY’LL STOOP DOWN TO ANYTHING.
THIS SHOULD BE A MOTIVATION TO COME OUT THIS YEAR WITH A VENGEANCE AND STOMP EVERY TEAM ON THE SCHEDULE AND MAKE IT TO THE “SUGAR BOWL” IN NEW ORLEANS. MIAMI WILL SHOW THE REST OF THE COUNTRY AND THE “ANTI-MIAMI” MEDIA THAT THIS TEAM IS FOR REAL.
GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sara Weltzheimer: Manson, Iowa: hey, you guys did a great job in the game playing against Ohio State and I think that you really did win but you know everyone has to have their way!
Good job anyways
Billy Dittman: Toledo, Ohio: Congratulation on playing in the Fiesta Bowl. It is just unfortunate that you had to lose due to a bad call on the referee. I consider the Miami Hurricanes the National Champions of 2002. I hope to see you guys make it al the way again next year. I too know what it feels like to lose a big game due to a bad call. I would just like to thank the 2002 Hurricane Coachesand players for another fun and exciting season. Good Luck next year from a future Miami Hurricane footbal player.I hope.
: Vince AugustineMiami: The whole world just witnessed THE GREATEST ROBBERY in the desert on Jan. 3, 2003 with the aid & abetting from the ZEBRAS. We’ll be back with vengeance under the leadership of Brock Berlin at the Sugar Bowl.
Sharon Glaser: Parma, Ohio: I’m so proud of the effort you gave. I know how hard everyone worked this year to win the national championship. You left your heart and soul on that field. I know you’ll be back next year but in my book the effort, the teamwork and the respect and affection you have for one another, you’re all special and champions.
Tom Van Popering: Charlotte, NC: You guys are the winners to me! I am a huge fan and have been since I graduated in 1980! I have seen some awesome games over the past 22 years and many great memories! I was at the Virginia Tech game last year in the middle of the VT alumni section…what a game! I was at the Rose Bowl celebrating our national championship last year in Passadena…This year I went to Tennessee and sat in our small Miami section but made as much noise as our section could muster, we also went to the Virginia Tech game in Miami and finally Tempe AZ where for 8 seconds, we were the national champs again!!! I like you could not sleep with that call, it felt like the championship was ours and it was taken away but hey remember 2001 when we played Florida and Florida State (who we beat) played Oklahoma for the national championship…It is not always fair. Anyway, you have alot of huge fans out here who know the player alumni association will help keep Miami strong for many years to!
come and many more national championships. Like I said, you guys are our hero’s and we know who the true National Champions are!
Robert Volguardson: Boca Raton, Fl: I just wanted to congradulate you guys on a wonderful season and a championship season. You guys did not deserve what happened to you in Tempe especially the seniors. You are the true national champions.
Pam Glore Reese: Apopka, Florida: This is to the best football team in UM history:
I have been a Miami Hurricane Football fan since the early 80’s. I carried on my Dad’s tradition as he graduated from UM in 1950 and passed away in the late 70’s. I have never been more proud of a Miami football team as I have been this past year. Not only were you winners on the field but off the field as well. You many not have won the National Championship but in many ways you gained far more. You showed the rest of the country what a class team looks like and that will mean so much more in the future than you can even imagine.
I want to express best wishes for a speedy recovery to Willis. I know that he will be back better than ever.
Thanks for a great year and a great game. You guys rewrote the definition of what it means to accept what is handed to you with class.
I’ll be watching next year and cheering for you to go all the way once again. To those of you that will move on, best of luck in whatever you do. I know that you will do well. You have a great foundation to build from.
Go Canes….
Jim Fowler: Seffner, FL: You guys are the true Champs!!!!!!!!God Bless one and all in OUR Hurricane family!!! Our hearts cannot and will not stay crushed forever, remember WHO we are….GO CANES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JimBA’70
Fabian (Fafi) Rippe: Miramar,fla: This goes to every single guy on thisteam you guys like us fans should holdyour heads up high i have never seen ateam in this city or state with as muchheart as you guys.you all know sometimethe best team doesnt win and we fansknow who’s the best.For the seniors ihave had a great time watching you per-form,for those coming back i’ll be inthe O.B rooting next season.But guys 34in a row a national title is somethingi’ll never forget and will always reme-mber you for.Ken Dorsey dont think fora second you let us down because you didnt.you are the best thing that everhappened to saturday football in miami.I wish all who could come back do andlets tell the nation you better enjoyit because it wont happen again,so nextyear we smile on january 3 and we say(how you like us now 6 rings when wesmile)Well guys hopefully this showshow proud we are of you ,CANES fan forlife 1# THANK YOU for your time.
Billy Duffy: Pembroke Pines, Florida: Thanxz for the great season and for the best footbasll game ive ever seen. You all showed what being a cane is all about and ive never been more prouder of being a cane. A special thanxz to the seniors for the great memorys and good luck to all of you in the future. I look forward to next year and another run at the title
Mike Settle: Spartanburg, SC: I just want each and every one of theMiami Hurricanes to be proud of your accomplishments and remember youare #1 because Ohio St has an * besideits name for official assistance needed.I hope each of you will have a blessedoff season and come back this upcomingseason with the drive and purposethis team had in 2001 when theyhad to prove the computers they weredeserving to be in 2000 championship.
Mike Settle
Monica Vigo: North Lauderdale, Florida: You’ll get ’em next year canes!! As for you Dorsey, you’ll blow them away in the NFL!! 🙂
