Behind Enemy Lines: UMass

Behind Enemy Lines is a weekly feature on HurricaneSports.com, highlighting the passion of Miami fans in opposing team territory. And if you’re reading this from Charlotte, NC, give us a shout at @HurricaneSports – we want to hear from you. This week’s Cane “Behind Enemy Lines” … Dusty SoucieUniversity of Miami Sport Administration GraduateNetwork Specialist at Burst MediaLawrence, Mass.  How did you become a Hurricanes fan?As organically as possible, I started rooting for the Hurricanes once they accepted my admission into their sport administration program as an undergrad. The school offers free tickets to all home sporting events, so naturally that meant weeknights and weekend afternoons at the BankUnited Center! It really means a lot to be a living, breathing part of the organization, knowing that you are rooting on fellow students. Do you find it difficult supporting Miami while living in Massachusetts?Not at all! Fortunately now with ESPN3 online and all of the channels that broadcast NCAA athletics, I can find the game on almost as easily as when I was in Miami. Although, my roommate does look at me awfully weird when she sees me yelling at the television wearing orange and green! Is there a place you visit to watch Hurricanes games in the city?A lot of my friends from home in New Hampshire went to schools that don’t have prominent college sports teams, and I was successful with turning them into Canes fans.  We love all getting together, grabbing a pizza, a couple cold ones, and having a watch party at one of our houses. I’m hoping that with our balanced team and good talent that we will be watching the Hurricanes during March Madness in 2013! Have you found any other Hurricanes fans in Massachusetts?I know some alumni that live in the Greater Boston area, and we always enjoy seeing each other to root on the Canes.  It has been fun re-connecting with some friends that I haven’t seen in 4-8 years by running into them at Hurricanes’ away games. How do you support the Hurricanes – Any apartment decorations? Favorite piece of Canes gear? Travel for games?I grew up loving Boston sports teams, so naturally former Cane Vince Wilfork of the New England Patriots is my favorite NFL player. I proudly wear my Wilfork jersey around town and when I go to New England home games.  As for my orange and green, I have a beat up old jersey that never misses a game since I bought it in ’04.  I’ll be wearing that old jersey at the Hurricanes away game at UMass on Dec. 1.  I’ve also worn at away games versus FSU, BC, VT, and now UMass. Any favorite memories or stories from your time as a Hurricanes basketball fan?When the team went to the tournament in 2008, I was interning at the Florida Marlins.  I remember how excited everyone in the front office was seeing the hometown squad make round two and almost upset Texas.  Not a lot of work got done that March Madness!  Also, all those nights, tired from studying and going to class, going down to the BUC to see the Canes play so many to-be NBA players against their top-tier ACC opponents.  It was such a great college basketball venue and always a memorable experience!