Bratton & Highsmith to Host Fishing Tourney
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami Hall of Fame members and football greats Alonzo Highsmith and Melvin Bratton will host the sixth annual Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys/University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame (UMSHoF) Celebrity Fishing Tournament June 24-25 in Islamorada, Fla. Event activities will take place at Founders Park at Mile Marker 87 on the Overseas Highway.
New for the 2016 tournament an inshore fishing division has been added, expanding the already broad appeal. The tournament weekend will begin Friday evening with a kick-off party, silent auction and captain’s meeting, followed on Saturday by a full day of fishing, weigh-in, awards dinner and auctions featuring unique sports memorabilia, fishing gear, trips, artworks, as well as a variety of gift packages. This is the only fishing event of its kind that matches participants with former Miami Hurricanes sports stars for the competition. Cash prizes and trophies will be presented to anglers in eight categories. A portion of the tournament proceeds will go to Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys, The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis, Coastal Conservation Association and the UMSHoF.
“As we prepare for our sixth annual fishing tournament, we’re pleased to announce our renewed partnership with Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys and the Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis,” said Gerard Loisel, President of the UMSHoF. “We also welcome this year’s hosts Melvin Bratton and Alonzo Highsmith. This event will once again provide fans with a unique opportunity to fish alongside some of the greatest athletes to have worn the orange, green and white, while raising funds for the UM Sports Hall of Fame and our partners. We’ve added an inshore fishing division this year, so no matter what your fishing preference, be sure to come join us June 24 and 25 in beautiful Islamorada.”
“It’s an honor to host this year’s fishing tournament and to be a part of the Miami legacy,” Highsmith added. “I always wanted to be a Hurricane and will always be a Hurricane. It’s all about the U.”
“Get ready for the OC’s (original Canes),” Bratton said. “I am honored to be a part of this great event and we are going to have the two craziest Hurricanes hosting ever. High and Mel B! Get your fishing rods and boats ready! Go Canes!”
Former Hurricanes sports stars scheduled to participate include NFL Hall of Famer and 2012 Tournament Host Warren Sapp (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Oakland Raiders), NFL Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks (Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders), Clinton Portis (Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins), Brett Romberg (Jacksonville Jaguars, St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons), Gary Dunn (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Damione Lewis (St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, Houston Texans).
Tournament Information
The sixth annual Habitat for Humanity of the Upper Keys/UMSHoF Celebrity Fishing Tournament, brought to participants in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For information about tournament participation, including boat entry or sponsorship opportunities, visit www.canesfish.com, call (305) 667-0399 or contact Tournament Director Judy Layne at judy@canesfish.com. Save $150 on offshore tournament fees by registering online now until June 1. Follow the tournament on Facebook at www.facebook.com/canesfish.
About the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame (UMSHoF)
Nestled on the Coral Gables campus of the University of Miami, the UMSHoF is a 501(c)(3) corporation whose main purpose is to recognize those student-athletes, coaches and administrators who have brought acclaim to the university through their accomplishments and championships. The showcase for the UMSHoF and the repository of the great sports traditions of the University of Miami is the Tom Kearns Sports Hall of Fame Building, located next door to the Hecht Athletic Center on San Amaro Drive. On display are photos and memorabilia representing the 300 inductees, National Championship trophies and artifacts that span the 90-year athletic history of the university. The UMSHoF displays include memorabilia from all of the university sports programs. For information about planning a visit, participating in one of the annual fundraising events or contributing to the UMSHoF, visit www.umsportshalloffame.com, send an e-mail to umsportshallfame@aol.com or contact Executive Director John Routh directly at (305) 284-2775.
Editor’s Note: Photographs and tournament video available on request
