DeQuan Jones Opened the NCAA Slam Dunk Contest with Four Perfect 10s
www.HurricaneSports.com
April 2, 2012
Get to Know Miami Hurricane Student-Athletes Shenise Johnson, Raphael Akpejiori, Patricia de Arana
Photo of the Week
Miami senior Shenise Johnson (second from the left) was recognized as one of the 10 best women’s basketball players in the nation, being named to the WBCA All-America Team.
Video of the Week
Raising Canes - Spring Football Begins
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2011-12 Calendar of Events
Click the text below for more information about each Hurricane athletic event
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Games of the Week
Johnson On All-America Team
The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association named University of Miami senior Shenise Johnson to its 2012 WBCA Division I Coaches’ All-America Team. It is the second consecutive season that Johnson has been named to the squad. The WBCA All-America Team is considered the most prestigious in women’s basketball and is the fifth entity to honor Johnson as an All-America member this season.With the honor, Johnson becomes the first Miami player to be recognized by the WBCA more than once. Last season, the Henrietta, N.Y. native joined Frances Savage (1992) as the only two players in program history to be named to the All-America team. The organization started naming an All-America Team in 1976. Read more...
Save the Date April 14, 2012
BankUnited CanesFest & Spring Football Game Sun Life Stadium | Miami Gardens, Fla. 2 p.m.
April 19, 2012
2012 Women’s Basketball Banquet Newman Alumni Center | Coral Gables, Fla. 7:30 p.m.
May 4, 2012
‘Canes Alumni Golf Tour U Miami Golf Classic & Dinner Featuring Head Football Coach Al Golden Biltmore Golf Course | Coral Gables, Fla. 12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start
Football Spring Game
Join the Hurricanes on April 14 at Sun Life Stadium for the 2012 Spring Football Game at 2 p.m.
Women’s Tennis
UM’s nationally-ranked women’s tennis team hosts Fresno State at 1:30 p.m. on April 4 at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.
Up Next at Home 4/4 W Tennis vs. Fresno State | 1:30 p.m. 4/4 Baseball vs. UCF | 6 p.m. | Buy Tickets 4/6 M Tennis vs. North Carolina | 2 p.m. 4/6-8 Baseball vs. North Carolina | 7/7/1 p.m. | Buy Tickets 4/8 M Tennis vs. Duke | Noon 4/11 Baseball vs. Florida Gulf Coast | 6 p.m.| Buy Tickets 4/13 W Tennis vs. Virginia | 3 p.m. 4/14 Football Spring Game | 2 p.m. | Sun Life Stadium 4/14 Track&Field Hurricane Alumni Invitational | All Day 4/15 W Tennis vs. Virginia Tech | 12 p.m.
Quick Links > Are you following the rivoting Raising Canes series on HurricaneSports.com? Here’s a link to 50+ plus episodes on YouTube. > The UM Ticket Office can now be reached through Live Chat during standard business hours. > UM Athletics and Spanish Broadcasting Systems have inked a new deal to bring Spanish language radio broadcasts to CIMA 106.3 FM. > UM has launched a ProCanes Monday Morning Recap that highlights the exploits of Miami alums in the NFL. > Text “canes” to 55888 to join the Canes Mobile Fan Club.
@HurricaneSports Tweet of the Week @Kadji64: Ok, since everybody keeps asking me - I am going back to school for my senior year.
M ario Rincon Men’s Tennis Head Coach On a small country farm just outside of Colombia’s beautiful capital city, Bogotá, lived a rather large family of seven. Mario and Ernestina Rincon raised their five children on this farm on the outskirts of a small town called Duitama. Here Rincon built his family a tennis court. This is where the legacy of his namesake and middle child began his tennis career. The elder Rincon always loved tennis so when his children were old enough he began practicing with them. Growing up, the father was the strict parent in the house. The mother was soothing and more relaxed than her husband especially when it came to tennis. The younger Mario, like most South American boys, enjoyed playing soccer but his father had other plans. He saw potential in his son’s game and encouraged him to pursue it. The son welcomed the challenge. “It was a lot of fun. I have a big family and it was always fun being together and growing up playing tennis. Tennis was a huge part of our family,” said Mario Rincon, the University of Miami men’s tennis coach. “I think being part of a big family allows you to always have someone to play with and compete against. It’s a lot of fun.” At 14 years old Rincon began travelling throughout South America playing in tournaments. After high school he attended North Greenville University, a junior college in South Carolina, before he was recruited by the University of Kentucky. Kentucky was a state school and home to about 35,000 students. While collegiate tennis gave him the challenge he was looking for, the experience was unlike anything else. Used to living in a small town, he found the size to be overwhelming. “I was really shy when I was in college. I didn’t make a lot of friends. The friends that I had were friends from the tennis team and I had a good relationship with them and the coaches,” Rincon said. Basketball became one of Rincon’s secret pastimes. Although he loved the game he regrets playing the sport. “I wish I hadn’t played because I spent so many hours playing basketball there for fun that my knees took an unnecessary beating. I was never any good in basketball but it was a lot of fun,” he said. After graduating from Kentucky in 1988 with a bachelor of science in agricultural communications, Rincon went on to play professional tennis. He spent nine years with the Association of Tennis Professionals and five more on the Japanese pro tour. Rincon made appearances at each of the four Grand Slam venues: the U.S. Open, French Open, Wimbledon and Australian Open. During the Japanese pro tour, at one point he was ranked No. 2 in singles. “It was incredible. I loved every single day
I was out there. Battling and making money playing tennis, that was a dream come true. Although I didn’t make any headlines, I got to play the Grand Slams and the Sony Ericsson here. It was great. I played for many years and I tried to play for as long as I could. I’m really happy I had that opportunity,” he said. When Rincon’s ranking began to decline, he weighed his options and decided it was time to retire. Off the court distractions may have played a role in the end of his career but family will always be his top priority. “My mother was battling cancer. She went through a bunch of chemotherapy treatments and her body was really weakened. She had Osteoporosis. It was rough to see because with that illness, a person’s bones just disintegrate and break one-by-one,” he said. “My mom was very brave and she always wanted to overcome the illness, but in the end it was just too much. We were always around her and she was a loving mom. She was great.” Around the same time, Rincon met his wife, Laura, who is from Bogotá as well. The pair met in Colombia and after they were set up on a blind date by Rincon’s cousin. After dating for two years the pair tied the knot and now have three daughters, Laura Sofia, Daniela and Gabriela. Living in Kendall with his family, Rincon is now in his eighth season as the head coach of the University of Miami men’s tennis team. Those closest to him praise his coaching style and genuine care for each of his players. “He gets to know all of the players. He really understands each one of them. He finds out what makes them tick and what motivates them,” assistant coach Mark Dickson said. “He communicates so well with his players.” Rincon understands that his players come from all walks of life and have learned tennis differently. He believes as the head coach it is his responsibility to be able to adapt to their ways of learning. “I think a very important part of coaching is listening because that’s how you learn their minds and how they listen on the tennis courts and what decisions they’re going to make,” Rincon said. Upon the arrival of his players, Rincon felt it was his job, along with Dickson, to get to know each player and determine how he can help them become better. Victor Mauz, a junior from France, did not visit the university prior to coming to UM as a transfer student, but built a relationship with Rincon beforehand through e-mails and phone calls. When his plane landed thousands of miles away from home, as well as everything and everyone he had ever known, Rincon was waiting at the airport for his arrival. “We can talk about a lot of things and exchange about not only tennis. He’s younger so
that helps but it is also in his personality to be engaging and closer to his players,” Mauz said. As a child Rincon’s father was hard on him when he played tennis but the head coach does not give his players the same treatment. Always looking for the positive in a situation, he is constantly trying to motivate the team and bring them closer together. “His coaching style is so quiet and passionate and I think everything about it is wonderful. He brings out the best in me and the best in everyone he’s around,” Dickson said. While he gets to do the one thing he loves every single day, the job can be demanding. He spends a considerable amount of time away from his family due to recruiting and traveling for matches throughout the season. His girls do not know life any other way, but he tries to make up for lost time when he is home. “If I could describe all of my girls in one word it would be active. They’re always up to something, always saying things, always busy,” Rincon said. “They’re great. I love when we play matches here and they’re around the university and cheering for the players.” Rincon’s daughters are following in his footsteps and learning how to play tennis as well. They’re active in physical education classes and enjoying running at school. “I don’t have a lot of time to teach them on a full-time basis but they enjoy lessons every once in a while,” he said. “I try not to push them too hard.” Rincon and his siblings remained close even after their lives took different paths. His oldest brother Juan is now a resident of Buenos Aires, Argentina, while José, who is one year Rincon’s senior currently lives in Port St. Lucie, about two hours from Miami. Maria, a year younger, remained in Bogotá, and Eduardo, the youngest, works at the University of Arkansas as an assistant tennis coach. While the siblings may be spread out, they find time to see one another and keep in contact. The head coach does his best to make those around him feel comfortable. He is more engaging than any coach one would ever meet. He spends extra time giving players the oneon-one attention they sometimes need. He eats a healthy Cuban meal at Mango Manny’s in the campus food court with his assistant coaches. He takes his wife dancing at their favorite salsa and merengue spots when he can. When his father travels to the United States to participate in a marathon or visit his grandchildren, he is there. Rincon’s love extends beyond the tennis court. It is radiant and everyone around him can feel it. by Mikayla Vielot
2012 Hurricane Club Membership Renewals 2012 Annual Contributions: $5,535,802 2012 Active Hurricane Club Members: 2,787 40for40 Campaign Participants: 682 @ $27,870 States Represented: 41 Countries Represented: 4 Goals • Raise $10.1 million for scholarship support • Increase Hurricane Club membership to 5,500 active members • Achieve a 40 percent participation rate among active members in the 40for40 Campaign in honor of the Hurricane Club’s 40th anniversary, with each member increasing his or her annual gift by $40
Important 2012 Dates • 01/01 Annual giving cycle begins • 01/31 Hurricane Club contributions due in full or on approved five-month payment plan from January 31 to May 31 • 01/31 Donation payment plan charge #1 • 02/15 Priority Points update #1 • 02/29 Donation payment plan charge #2 • 03/30 Donation payment plan charge #3 • 04/30 Donation payment plan charge #4 • 05/25 Donation payment plan charge #5 • 05/31 Priority deadline for Notre Dame and awaygame tickets • 06/15 Priority Points update #2 • 11/15 Priority Points update #3
Please Note: • All Hurricane Club donations were due in full or on an approved payment plan by Tuesday, January 31, 2012. • Ticket invoices for 2012 Football & 2012-2013 men’s basketball will not be mailed until your Hurricane Club membership is renewed in full or on an approved payment plan. • Only Hurricane Club members at the Orange Level ($250+) and above are guaranteed priority to order tickets for the Miami vs. Notre Dame game, October 6, 2012 at Soldier Field in Chicago. The number of tickets allocated per giving level will be announced this June. Click here to Renew your 2012 Hurricane Club Membership Now Please use your Account ID and your security password. If you do not have your security password, use the password reminder link at sign in. Click here to download 2012 Giving Opportunities Brochure
Save the Date
BankUnited CanesFest and Spring Football Game, Saturday, April 14, 2012 Location: SunLife Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla. Time: 2 p.m. 2012 Women’s Basketball Banquet, Thursday, April 19, 2012 Location: Newman Alumni Center, 6200 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL Time: 7:30 p.m. Cost: $50 Adults, $35 Children (12 and under) R.S.V.P. by Friday, April 13, 2012 by calling the Hurricane Club at 305-284-6699. ‘Canes Alumni Golf Tour U Miami Golf Classic and Dinner, Friday, May 4, 2012 Featuring Head Football Coach, Al Golden Location: Biltmore Golf Course Click here for more information or call 305-284-2872 to register. Hurricane Club Spring Tour – Atlanta, Tuesday, May 1, 2012 Featuring Head Football Coach, Al Golden Location: STATS Restaurant and Bar, ADIDAS Room, 300 Marietta Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30313 Time: 6:30 p.m. Cost: $20 Hurricane Club members, $30 non-Hurricane Club members, $40 at the door R.S.V.P. by Friday, April 27, 2012 by calling the Hurricane Club at 305-284-6699. ‘Canes Alumni Golf Tour U Miami Golf Classic and Dinner, Friday, May 4, 2012 Featuring Head Football Coach, Al Golden Location: Biltmore Golf Course, Coral Gables, Fla. | Time: 12:30 p.m. Shotgun Start Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Click here for more information or call 305-284-2872 to register. Hurricane Club Spring Tour – Orlando, Thursday, May 10, 2012 Featuring Head Football Coach, Al Golden Location: Panama Jack, 724 Franklin Lane, Orlando, Fla. 32801 | Time: 6:30 p.m. Cost: $20 Hurricane Club members, $30 non-Hurricane Club members, $40 at the door R.S.V.P. by Friday, May 4, 2012 by calling the Hurricane Club at 305-284-6699. Hurricane Club Spring Tour – Tampa, Friday, May 11, 2012 Featuring Head Football Coach, Al Golden Location: Cheval Country Club, 4312 Cheval Blvd, Lutz, Fla. 33558 | Time: 6:30 p.m. Cost: $45 Hurricane Club members, $50 non-Hurricane Club members Advance registration is required; R.S.V.P. by Friday, May 4, 2012 by calling the Hurricane Club at 305-284-6699. University of Miami Alumni Association and Hurricane Club Spring Tour Featuring Head Football Coach Al Golden – Chicago, Wednesday-Thursday, May 16-17, 2012 University of Miami Alumni Association and Hurricane Club Spring Tour Featuring Head Football Coach Al Golden – New York, Wednesday-Thursday, June 6-7, 2012
Erik Swoope
LAKE ELSINORE, CALIF. | FORWARD | SOPHOMORE
Click here to learn more about Erik
They are stories of perseverance. Stories about growing up, becoming men and being a part of a family. One-by-one, we hear from them. These are the Miami Hurricanes...
I started playing basketball when I was about two years old. I first started playing soccer and kind of mixed the two, but I found my love in about middle school. My favorite holiday is Christmas, especially because nowadays I don’t get to see my family a lot. It’s nice because I know everyone that’s when everyone takes vacation. Nobody knows that I can play the guitar. I just started about two months ago, so that’s my new hidden talent. When I was younger I wanted to be a professor. I also wanted to play professional soccer. I secretly wish I could have a school year abroad. Legacy represents your family name. I’ve always had that philosophy, which I think is old school. Everywhere you go you’re representing your family. The U is internationally known. It’s something that, no matter where you are, people will respect you or ask about you or how you’re affiliated. Either they have an interest, have heard of us or want to be a part of The U.
Fast Breaks
I’m afraid of spiders (laughs).
how to approach the game in general is just a new twist compared to last year. His After college I want to play profession- whole general outlook and philosophy that ally. My two other dreams would be to do the whole coaching staff follows, I’m buymarketing for Nike or be a doctor. ing into it faster and just can’t wait for the season to start. My favorite quote is from my favorite movie Idlewild, “God don’t make no mis- The actor I would want to play me in takes.” I know it’s a double negative, but I a movie is Dave Chappelle. Since he still like it. just recently got buff I think he could do it (laughs). My favorite midnight snack is probably oatmeal raisin cookies. Check out more player profiles on Coach Larranaga is really influential in the University of Miami’s athletics website my life so far. His new philosophy towards at Fast Breaks Central.
Getting to Know U RAPHAEL AKPEJIORI | SO | LAGOS, NIGERIA Favorite cartoon?
Voltron, Defender of the Universe.
My first memory of playing basketball is... Playing on the streets of Lagos.
Other than basketball, I am talented at...
Soccer, ping pong, volleyball, chess and badminton.
No one can believe that I watch... Untold Stories of the E.R.
If I could spend a day with someone, it would be... Nelson Mandella.
When I was little, I wanted to be... and now I want to be... An aircraft pilot and an aircraft designer.
PATRICIA DE ARANA | SR | BARCELONA, SPAIN What is one thing on your bucket list? To buy a yacht.
If you could invite three people to dinner, who would they be? Gia Carangi, Lady Gaga and Freddie Mercury.
Pregame rituals?
Listen to We are the Champions by Queen right before teeing off.
If you could visit one place, where would it be? Bali.
What one person would you love to trade places with for a day? Brad Pitt. I can’t go a week without watching... Lady Gaga videos.
SHENISE JOHNSON | SR | HENRIETTA, N.Y. Favorite magazines? Jet, Sports Illustrated.
Favorite movies?
Inception, Notebook, Set it Off.
Career ambition?
Work with teenagers in any way.
Farthest you’ve traveled from home? Thailand.
Early morning workouts make me want to... Have a great day.
Favorite restaurants? Olive Garden, Subway.
Gettin’ Jiggy With Caitlin This year the women’s rowing team will compete in 10 regattas throughout the country, representing Miami in such places as Chattanooga, Tenn., Philadelphia and San Diego. We want []_[] to learn more about the exceptional women that are a part of the Hurricane Rowing Family, so we are taking you “Inside the Shell.” What do rowing and Irish Step Dancing have in common? Almost nothing, but Caitlin Morrison can do both. She may be a novice on the rowing scene (she joined the team last season), but Irish Dance has certainly provided Morrison with the skills she needs to be a part of the Hurricane crew. Here’s her story: I grew up with Irish Dance. My sister was an Irish Dancer, my cousin was an Irish Dancer, my grandparents are from Ireland; I was brought up in an Irish community. My sister started dancing when she was eight, and I’m eight years younger than her, so I spent almost every weekend going to dance functions for her. I danced for the McGinley School in Tampa from when I was 12 years old until I retired in college. There are five levels in Irish Dance: Beginner, Novice, Prizewinner, Preliminary and Open Champion. At a typical dance competition, called a feis [pronounced “fesh”], the dancing begins at 8 a.m. and runs until the late afternoon. In the higher levels you compete in a soft shoe dance and a hard shoe dance. Three judges rate you using a point system, from zero to 100 points. In Irish Dance, there’s no mercy. Either the judges love you and you’re on the podium, or you’re not. They see something they don’t like, and you’re gone. This really prepared me for winning and losing aspect of college athletics. When people find out I’m an Irish Dancer, they usually think I’m a clogger. My favorite is when people try to imitate it and end up doing leprechaun jumps. A lot of people don’t take Irish Dance as seriously as a normal dance competition or sports, but we practice just as hard as any other sport. We don’t do weightlifting, but we do drills for hours (often to the point of throwing up). Before I retired, I was the only visually impaired Irish Dancer in the southern region. I have aniridia (a condition in which the iris deteriorates and only the root remains). I never liked the idea of getting special treatment because of it. Some judges loved it, but one judge gave me a zero at the Southern Regional Championships because of it. It doesn’t really affect my dancing, though, other than finding my way around the stage. Rhythm, I think, came easier to me than it did a lot of the girls I danced with. I used to pick up steps by listening to them first and then figuring out the movements that went along with the sounds. I think a big reason why I like rowing is because you don’t need too much vision. Once you get the technique down it’s all about feel
and rhythm. When Coach Carter is showing something I have to go up close and look at what he’s doing, but other than that, I’m fine. Irish Dance has taught me many things that help me in other areas of my life. I decided I wanted to be a stage manager after helping with the dance shows we used to put on in churches and pubs around Tampa. I liked the organization of the shows and finding order in the chaos. I also have a performer’s point of view as a manager, since I’ve danced in shows, and I know how to calm stage nerves from experience. I definitely learned a lot about stage makeup, too. I still find myself dancing my steps with my hands in class. I always stand with my feet crossed, toes out. When we’re running through a particularly hard set in rowing practice, I go through the hornpipe (an energydraining hard-shoe dance) in my head. I hated the hornpipe, it took a lot out of me, but it definitely helped build my stamina for rowing. I also learned a thing or two about discipline, patience and camaraderie from my hours at dance practice. Teamwork; finding a way to get along with the people around you—that’s probably the most important thing I took away from Irish Dance, and it has definitely made a difference in my rowing. by Casey Riordan
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