Amy Deem Tapped into the 2009 Fall Class of Iron Arrow

Dec. 15, 2009

CORAL GABLES – On Nov. 5, the University of Miami’s Director of Track and Field/Cross Country Amy Deem was tapped into UM’s prestigious Iron Arrow Society – known as the highest honor attained at the university.

Founded by UM’s first president, Bowman Foster Ashe, in 1926 only a month after the University opened, the society is steeped in the rituals of the Seminole Indian tribe and honors individuals who best exemplify the five qualities of Iron Arrow: love of alma mater, character, leadership, scholarship, and humility. Members are easily identified by their brightly colored Seminole jackets that are worn at official functions.

Deem, in her 20th season at UM, became just the sixth woman to be in charge of both the men’s and women’s track and cross country programs when she was promoted to her current position by Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt in July of 2008.

Under Deem, the Hurricanes have seen 39 student-athletes combine for 135 All-American honors and 11 national championships. With Deem as her coach Miami great Lauryn Williams won the 2004 NCAA Championship in the 100-meter dash and went on to represent the United States with a Silver Medal Performance in the Athens Olympics later that season.

Just this past season, Deem guided senior sprinter Murielle Ahoure to a national championship in the indoor 200-meter dash and a total of four All-American nods.

Miami opens its 2010 indoor season with the Kentucky Invitational, January 15-16 in Lexington, Ky.

Joining Deem in the 2009 Fall Class were Eduardo C. Alfonso, Eileen Bernal, Ginger Birghenthal, Jaife Calil, Michael Gorin, Denis Hector, Richard Horton, Davis Levi, Bryan Llenas, Jerry Markowitz, Paul Mendez, Suzanne Sayfie, Khari Taustin, Aileen Ugalde, Brittany Viola, Martin Weinkle, Chelsea Werner and Dan Westbrook.