Golden Cane Society: Leadership Annual Giving
The Hurricane Club at the University of Miami receives generous financial support from over 8,000 members across 11 giving levels. While every donation has a direct impact on the lives of our student-athletes, the most substantial support comes from members within the Golden Cane Society.
“The Golden Cane Society is made up of four distinct giving levels: Golden Cane ($15,000), Golden Cane Plus ($25,000), Platinum ($30,000), and Champions ($55,000). Combined, these levels create the solid foundation of support for the Hurricane Club on an annual basis,” said Associate AD for Development Jesse Marks.
Since its inception over 30 years ago, the Golden Cane Society has grown to more than 200 donors accounting for more than $3 million in donations annually.
Ben Reid, longtime Golden Cane, shared, “Most people wouldn’t know, but my wife Jennie Lou and I did not attend the University of Miami. However, our passion for the Canes runs deep and has even led to two of our children earning graduate degrees from the University. We joined the Golden Cane Society a little over 10 years ago, and in that time, we’ve attended countless sporting events and built a strong network of dear friends. We became Golden Canes for one simple reason – to help provide an opportunity for young men and women to earn their degrees at UM. A student-athlete’s degree is most important and we are gratified to help make a difference.”
In addition to their philanthropic impact, Golden Cane Society members have access to the most exclusive benefits and experiences provided by Miami Athletics. These benefits range from invitations to private practices and exclusive events to first access to tickets and parking. However, the most sought after benefits are: Preferred Golden Cane Seating, Golden Cane Lounge, Champions Suite and Golden Cane Trips.
PREFERRED GOLDEN CANE SEATING (NEW in 2015)
Preferred Golden Cane Seating offers two styles of seats for donors at the Golden Cane ($15K), Golden Cane Plus ($25K), and Platinum ($30K) giving levels: (1) Premium Club and (2) Premium Club Living Room Boxes. These private sections are located on the 50-yard line in the lower bowl, and offer wider, more cushioned seats with additional legroom that rivals any stadium in the country.
GOLDEN CANE LOUNGE (NEW in 2015)
The private lounge, which is located on the ground floor of Gate G, is open to all Golden Cane Society members sitting in the Preferred Golden Cane Seating areas. The lounge provides all-inclusive food and beverage starting 90 minutes prior to kick-off through the beginning of the 3rd quarter as well as enhanced food options such as a chef’s action station, carving station, stone oven pizzas / flatbreads, and dessert station.
CHAMPIONS SUITE (NEW in 2015)
Members at the Champions ($55K) giving level have access to the Champions Suite, which sits directly atop the lower bowl on the 50-yard line. The suite offers all-inclusive food and beverage, personalized VIP parking, and the chance to share a suite with Director of Athletics Blake James and special VIP guests.
GOLDEN CANE TRIP
Each football season, the Hurricane Club offers a first-class away game trip to all Golden Cane Society members. In 2015, the Golden Canes will travel to Chapel Hill, N.C., to cheer on the Canes as they face the North Carolina Tar Heels. The trip includes a private charter, exceptional accommodations, intimate dinner with Director of Athletics Blake James, caravan escort to stadium, and official University of Miami pre-game tailgate party before kickoff.
“The Golden Cane Society exists as an opportunity for a small group of donors to have a tremendous philanthropic impact at an institution they are passionate about. The enjoyment of supporting our student-athletes, in addition to the many tangible benefits, has created a culture of giving within the Golden Canes that provides impactful support to our athletics program. Members of the Golden Cane Society will be overwhelmingly pleased with the new seating options, parking availability and first class hospitality,” Marks said. “This exclusive group of donors has and will continue to play an essential role in helping the University of Miami to continue #BuildingChampions in the classroom, in competition and in life.”
To join the Golden Canes or learn more about the Golden Cane Society, contact Associate AD for Development Jesse Marks at 305-284-2981 or by email at j.marks@miami.edu.
