Behind Enemy Lines - Week Six: Chicago
Behind Enemy Lines isa weekly feature on HurricaneSports.com, highlighting the passion of Miami fansin opposing team territory. And if you’re reading this from Chapel Hill, N.C., give us a shout at @HurricaneSports – we want to hear from you.
This week’s Cane “Behind Enemy Lines” …
Jose Armario
Chicago, Illinois
How did you become aHurricanes fan?
“I can remember being a fan back when ChuckForeman was our running back, but that strong affiliation has grown over theyears from liking the Canes to bleeding Orange and Green everyday. It’samazing how far the program has come, and while we have gone through some growing pains, you can see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’mcertain Coach Golden is going to bring our football program back to it’s rightful placeat the top of the polls.”
Do you find itdifficult supporting Miami all the way from Chicago?
“Not at all! We have alumni and fans acrossthe nation and the world. I have run into Canes just about everywhere,including places like Mexico, Chile, Spain and Russia. Like in many ofthe major cities across the USA, we have a very active Alumni Club in Chicago. There are great folks who work tirelessly to bring Canes together forgame watches, business networking meetings, and our annual Coaches’ Dinner andGolf event. It also helps to have ‘CANES’ on your car’s licenseand get ‘The U’ thrown at you from time to time.”
Is there a place you visit to watch Hurricanes games in the city?
“Our Chicago Club has a partnership with “The HiddenShamrock” in the city. We have great turnouts to view our home andaway games, for both football and basketball. On a personal note, I lovewatching my Canes whether at home or during travel, and I will look long andhard to find a place that is showing our game, in Chicago, London, Singapore or wherever I may be.”
Have you found any other Hurricanes fans in Chicago?
“Yes, we have plenty of Canes out here. I’vegot my good friends and neighbors Raul Alvarez, Bob Mahaney, Dennis Lingle andStan Papuga around the corner. Our crew out here is led by David Panitch,Brian Kidder, Stu Ellison, Jess Marquez, and Paul Linden (and many others). I’ve also got to call out our biggest supporters from our former athleteslike Jarrett Payton, Ted Hendricks, Marcus Nettles and until recently GregOlsen (who just moved to Carolina).”
How do you support the Hurricanes – Any apartmentdecorations? Favorite piece of Canes gear? Travel for games?
“I’ve got my friends (we are known as the threeamigos – Dean Myers, Raul Alvarez and myself) and a crew from Real Cane Talk who travelto several away games every year, and go to home games when in town. Myother support comes in the form of being a Golden Cane for the past five years!”
Any favorite memories or stories from your time as aHurricanes fan?
“I have many great memories, but twocome to mind right away. First was attending the National ChampionshipGame in 2002, at the Rose Bowl. I was there with my son Joey, and mybrother in law and alumni Frank Lopez. It was such a dominatingperformance. There is nothing like being number ONE! We could nothave been prouder! The other has been putting our annual dinner and golfevent together with our Chicago Crew. We have put the event together tohelp bring alumni and fans in the same room with our head football coach andassistants to honor a former player that has done well for ourschool and their community. We have honored Ted Hendricks, RussellMaryland, Ed Reed, Greg Olsen and last year, the playmaker Michael Irvin. At the same time, we have raised over $350,000 over the past five years tohelp with academic scholarships for locally accepted students to The U, and forhelping support our football program.”
