UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI DEPARTMENT OF ATHLETICS 5821 San Amaro Drive Coral Gables, FL 33146 305-284-3244 www.HurricaneSports.com Facebook: MiamiHurricanes Twitter: @MiamiHurricanes EDITOR Tom Symonds EDITORIAL ASSISTANCE Camron Ghorbi, Kevin Ivany, Amy LaBrie, Leo Ramos, Alex Schwartz, Carter Toole, David Villavicencio
PHOTOGRAPHY JC Ridley, Richard Lewis, Steven Murphy COVER Kyle Stopperan
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI MISSION STATEMENT
The University of Miami’s mission is to educate and nurture students, to create knowledge, and to provide service to our community and beyond. Committed to excellence and proud of the diversity of our University family, we strive to develop future leaders of our nation and the world.
APRIL 2017 VOLUME VI, ISSUE 9
THE RUNDOWN
FEATURED After spending the past two seasons playing behind Rayshawn Jenkins and Jamal Carter, South Florida product Jaquan Johnson is working hard this spring to establish himself as the Hurricanes’ next great safety.
14 // TIME TO SHINE University of Miami men’s tennis senior Kevin Bondar is following in his family’s footsteps of studying medicine and hopes to become the next Dr. Bondar.
18 // PREPPING FOR THE FUTURE Two years ago, University of Miami athletics streaming efforts featured a small video camera and an ethernet cord. Today, Miami is armed with a million dollar TV studio and a five-camera shoot. With over 200 live events streamed over a two-year period, Miami’s broadcasting unit has become the envy of the ACC.
38 // LIGHTS, CAMERA, CANES 3
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LETTER FROM THE AD PRO DAY PHOTO GALLERY HURRICANE CLUB BY THE NUMBERS EVENTS THIS MONTH ATHLETES OF THE MONTH DIVING DYNASTY CANES ON THE WEB BASEBALL TICKETS ON SALE NOW BEHIND THE MIC WITH JOE Z FOUR TO KNOW MATCH MARCUS FOOTBALL: BY THE NUMBERS MEN’S AND WOMEN’S HOOPS: SEASON RECAP IRON ARROW WELCOMES FIVE NEW MEMBERS ODK WELCOMES TWO NEW MEMBERS STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT UM SPORTS HALL OF FAME
FROM THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS Hurricane Fans, As you know, our mission at Miami Athletics is “Building Champions.” It’s an ongoing mission, one that requires discipline, sacrifice and hard work from our student-athletes, coaches and administrators on a daily basis. So this past month was an especially exciting one for all of us at UM because we had the opportunity to see those efforts rewarded as two of our student-athletes reached the pinnacle of their respective sports. Senior Shakima Wimbley won the NCAA Indoor title in the women’s 400 meters, running a blistering time of 51.07 to edge out USC’s Kendall Ellis at the finish. Shakima’s time is the fastest in the world to this point in 2017. It was her first NCAA title and Miami’s first track and field title since 2011 Redshirt freshman diver David Dinsmore dominated the men’s 10-meter platform event at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships in Indianapolis, besting Purdue sophomore and 2016 U.S. Olympian Steele Johnson by 22.15 points. David scored 81 points or higher on all six of his dives. Nine Hurricanes have now captured 14 national championships under head coach Amy Deem, while David is the 13th UM diver to win a national championship under head coach Randy Ableman. Building champions is an all-around team effort, from our academic services staff to our athletic trainers to our strength and conditioning coaches. Congratulations to everyone on staff, and most importantly, congratulations to Shakima and David on delivering the performances of a lifetime when it mattered most. Spring is our busiest season in Coral Gables with baseball, golf, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s track and field, and rowing all in action. Every game is crucial for our baseball team as it seeks its 45th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, and the Hurricanes have 11 games at Mark Light Field this month. Track and Field hosts its last home meet of the season on April 7-8, and our two tennis teams have six home matches between them in April. We hope to see all of you cheering on the Hurricanes as we close in on the end of the academic year. Our football team is halfway through spring practice, which concludes on April 22. Our annual Pro Day took place last week at Greentree as 15 Hurricanes worked out for National Football League general managers, coaches and scouts. All 32 NFL teams attended Pro Day, which is a testament to both the talent on Miami’s roster as well as the respect these teams have for Coach Mark Richt and his staff and how they are building this program. Four of our student-athletes, as well as UM Athletics’ medical director Dr. Lee Kaplan, were recently tapped into the Iron Arrow Society. Founded in 1926 in conjunction with the University’s opening, Iron Arrow is the Highest Honor Attained at the University of Miami. Based on Seminole Indian tradition, Iron Arrow recognizes those individuals in the University of Miami community who exemplify the five qualities of Iron Arrow: Love of Alma Mater, Character, Leadership, Scholarship, and Humility. Joining Dr. Kaplan were football players Braxton Berrios and Demetrius Jackson, soccer player Phallon Tullis-Joyce, and cross country runner Megan Brown. Congratulations to all of them for their distinguished service to the athletic department and the university. We are fast approaching our goal of $34 million for the Carol Soffer Football Indoor Practice Facility, however we are still a few million dollars short and need everyone’s support. Thank you to everyone who has already made a commitment and, if you have yet to donate, please consider helping us with this final push. For more information on how to make a gift in support of this project, visit hurricanesfootballfacility.com or call the Hurricane Club at (305) 284-6699. Naming opportunities located within the facility are still available. I hope you enjoy this month’s magazine. For the latest information on each of our varsity sports, please be sure to visit HurricaneSports.com or follow us on Twitter @MiamiHurricanes. Go Canes! Blake James 5
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PRO DAY
AT THE U
BY THE NUMBERS A statistical look at the Miami Hurricanes
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Two University of Miami student-athletes and a Hurricanes Athletic staff member were tapped into the elite Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) National Leadership Society. Men’s basketball player Chris Stowell men’s tennis player Kevin Bondar and Miami’s graphic designer, Leo Ramos, both earned the prestigious distinction.
The Hurricanes earned eight All-America honors after an impressive performance at the 2017 NCAA Division I Indoor Track & Field Championships on March 10-11 in College Station, Texas.
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Fifteen former University of Miami football players took part in the Hurricanes’ annual Pro Day at the Greentree Practice Fields on March 29.
The University of Miami women’s basketball team ended the season ranked No. 19 in the USA TODAY Coaches Poll.
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DAVID DINSMORE | MEN’S DIVING
In his first trip back to the same pool where he lost out on a chance to represent the United States at last year’s Olympics, University of Miami redshirt freshman diver David Dinsmore won the NCAA national championship in the men’s 10-meter platform at the 2017 NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships at the IU Natatorium on March 25. Competing in his first NCAA Championships after redshirting his freshman year, Dinsmore outdueled Purdue sophomore and 2016 U.S. Olympian Steele Johnson, finishing with 528.20 points to Johnson’s 506.05. The New Albany, Ohio native became the 13th diver from the University of Miami to win a national championship under head coach Randy Ableman, now in his 28th year at the helm of the program. Dinsmore topped the field with 528.20 points, scoring 81 points or higher on all six of his dives. He clinched the title with 95.40 points on his final dive, a back 2 ½ with 2 ½ twists. Purdue’s Johnson scored 506.05 points for second after winning 1-meter and 3-meter titles earlier in the week.
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HURRICANE MAGAZINE | APRIL 2017
OF THE MONTH
SHAKIMA WIMBLEY | WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD
Shakima Wimbley ran the best race of her life on the biggest stage and emerged as the national champion on March 11. All eyes were on Miami’s senior superstar when she stepped on the track to run the second heat of the women’s 400m finals at the NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track and Field Championships and she did not disappoint. Wimbley won the 2017 women’s indoor 400m crown with a world-leading time of 51.07 seconds, edging out USC’s Kendall Ellis at the finish line to claim the championship she has always coveted.
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TIME TO SHINE
By Andrew J. Freeman HurricaneSports.com
including Alabama, LSU, and Florida State.
It doesn’t take long to realize that Jaquan Johnson knows what it means to be a Miami Hurricane football player.
“It means everything to me,” Johnson said. “To actually do it at home, and to win for them at home, for my family, and for the team, I wouldn’t want anything else.”
After all, this is his hometown team, and this fall the hard-hitting safety out of Miami Killian High School will get his chance to shine. “I’m looking forward to going out and winning, every game,” Johnson said. “That’s the standard we have here at the University of Miami and that’s how our whole team is thinking on the defense, just swarm to the ball.” A highly touted recruit out of high school, Johnson decided early he wanted to be a Hurricane. “I knew I wanted to come to Miami from the jump,” Johnson said. “I realized my family loved to come see me play, they loved to watch my games, that’s when we had our quality time.” Johnson chose the hometown Hurricanes despite being pursued by numerous powerhouse programs,
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Johnson is coming off his sophomore season where he played in all 13 contests and started five games. He made a strong impact in 2016, registering 38 tackles and three tackles for loss. Those around the program, including defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, have been impressed with his progress so far this offseason. “Jaquan is taking a leadership role, in an instant he became the most experienced guy we have on the back end, but I think he’s relishing in that role,” Diaz said. “He’s making all the calls, he’s keeping everybody going in all the drills, being first in every line, and doing what a guy should do when it’s his turn to be the head guy.” Johnson is among those returning tasked with replacing the 2016-starting duo of Rayshawn Jenkins and Jamal Carter, Sr.,
in the secondary. Last season, Jenkins and Carter, Sr., combined for 161 tackles and 26 starts and both could hear their names called in late April during the NFL Draft. Although Carter and Jenkins were ahead of Johnson on the depth chart throughout the year in 2016, the junior would not have had it any other way as he learned how to play like a Hurricane from the elder statesman. “They told me it wasn’t like that when they came, they didn’t have older guys looking out for them, and trying to teach them the defense and giving them the in’s and out’s on how to approach just having school every day,” Johnson said. “They taught me how to be a professional.” The senior tandem also helped Johnson develop his decisiveness on the field. “It was a blessing (having those guys to learn from), they helped me out a lot, they taught me how to really dissect the game,” Johnson said. “It’s more than just tackling, you have to know what’s going on all the time, and have great communication all the time, and you’ll be able to make a lot of plays.” Second-year safeties coach Ephraim Banda expects a lot from Johnson this year, and is ready to watch him prosper. “He has to lead,” Banda said. “The young man has to go out there and help his team and be the same guy every day, which is a challenge, but he’s doing a good job.” Banda added that Johnson needs to be in sync with all the leaders on the defensive side of the ball and after a productive offseason, Johnson seems up to the task. “My knowledge for the game has really taken off,” Johnson said. “I can really see the offense and see how they’re trying to attack me, and be in position to make a play.” With leaders across the defense, a dynamic offense, and an established coach coming into his second year in the 305, the stage is set for the Hurricanes to do something special in 2017. Johnson knows the pressure is on him to lead, not only in the secondary, but also on the defense and team as a whole. “I’m trying to step into a leadership role, I’m trying to get the respect of the locker room and have them believe in me, just like I believe in them,” Johnson said. For the hometown kid, who knew he wanted to rep that Orange and Green U on his helmet as early as his freshman year of high school, Johnson would like nothing more than to be Miami’s next hometown hero.
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DIVING DYNASTY AT THE U
Randy Abelman’s family atmosphere with coaching has translated into overwhelming success for Miami divers By Amy Taintor HurricaneSports.com Wally Layland is a warrior. As an accomplished diver at the University of Miami, she has had the opportunity to compete at the ACC and national level numerous times. However, her toughest battles have come from outside of the pool. It was mid-season when her brother suddenly passed away and her world was flipped upside down. After a while of not knowing if she had the ability to return to the platform ever again, she ended up finishing this past season with All-America honors. “Coach told me after I became an All-American that I’m a warrior, and that’s my best memory,” Layland said with tears in her eyes. “I didn’t feel like a warrior at all, but that’s the power of a great coach.” Randy Ableman is the coach, who has impacted Layland’s life and many others throughout his 28 seasons as the University of Miami head diving coach. Layland attributes her great relationship with Ableman to his willingness to be a mentor, not just a coach. “Not only does he want us to be good at diving, he wants us to be good people in general,” Layland said. “He really cares about his athletes in every aspect.”
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His self-imposed responsibility to guide his student-athletes to not only achieve great things in diving, but to leave his program as good people, is what drives him to work as hard as he does. Ableman joined the Canes’ family in 1989 and has since been honored as the NCAA Diving Coach of the Year nine times while leading the Hurricanes to a record of 23 individual national titles. He has also served on the U.S. Olympic diving coaching staff for five of the six most recent Olympic games, so it is no surprise that he has been inducted to the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. Prior to his University of Miami career, Ableman was a four-time AllAmerican at Iowa and a National Champion in the 1-meter springboard in 1981. Ableman also was a member of Team USA for the 1980 Olympics, the year the United States boycotted. Although his dreams of winning an Olympic medal were taken away from him, his expertise has allowed him to help numerous Miami student-athletes achieve that same goal. Sam Dorman, Ableman’s most recent Olympian finished, with a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in the synchronized 3-meter. Dorman graduated from Miami in 2015 and yet, has continued his diving career in Miami with Ableman by his side.
The mental toughness of Ableman’s divers needs to be second to none. Losses are inevitable in the world of athletics and being able to turn those losses into lessons, is a skill that is needed to thrive. “I recruit kids who are already great divers on the national or international level, or show extreme ability and potential to dive well,” Ableman said. “This is a high-level program and the athletes have to have the desire to do something great.” His student-athletes are dedicated, well-rounded and extremely hardworking. This program wouldn’t be where it is without the brilliance of this small, talented group. For his divers, the time spent outside of practice is equally as important as the time spent during practice. Every second not preparing to improve is a second wasted. Briadam Herrera, 2017 NCAA runner-up in the 3-meter, spends every day focusing on what he needs to do in order to become a champion. “I try really hard to focus on what I eat,” Herrera said. “It’s important for me to feel energized and go into practice prepared.”
“I’ve thought about leaving Miami but I just couldn’t do it,” Dorman said, “I couldn’t leave Coach Ableman, he’s too good of a coach and there will never be anyone like him.”
There are numerous NCAA diving programs that rely solely on their training to win. This is where the University of Miami diving team separates themselves from their competitors.
It is unique to come across a program where each athlete speaks so highly of their coach, and that is what happened with this group of divers.
Aside from being coached by the best, they are a family.
Ableman has created such a positive, endearing practice environment that his athletes have no choice but to enjoy every day as they strive to be great. “Coach always wants practice to be fun because otherwise there’s no point to diving,” Dorman said, “But on the other hand, you can’t go through practice without giving 100 percent, that’s not acceptable.” David Dinsmore, the 2017 NCAA Champion in the 10-meter platform, said his success has come from Ableman instilling confidence in his abilities and the way he is held accountable every day. “Coach is definitely a role model just because of how much my diving has changed since he’s started coaching me,” Dinsmore said. “Before every event he tries to calm me down, while at the same time he tries to get me excited. He tries to make you feel like you’re at practice so you will be calm.” Dinsmore competed in the 2016 U.S Olympic trials in the 10-meter platform and left without a spot on the team. One year later, he was back at the same pool, competing against the same athletes, who all had hopes of becoming the national champion.
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ready and I loved him. That day he just had great dive after great dive, he was in the right place.”
Practice becomes their sanctuary, teammates become their siblings and they celebrate the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat, together. “It’s a family, we’re a family,” Dorman said. “I’m not a student any more but I don’t feel any less a part of it than when I was.” The University of Miami diving team stands for so much more than having success on the platform or springboard. This team brings together athletes from all over the world who come together for a common purpose; to represent a great university while opening their eyes to the world of possibility. The power of a great program does not come from the ability to push your physical limits, but the willingness to compete with your heart regardless of the outcome. For Layland, diving gave her the opportunity to honor her brother, which she did through her fearlessness and immense desire to persevere. For Dinsmore, it has allowed him to exceed his own expectations and gain confidence in his ability to compete.
Dinsmore knew what was at stake but went in calm and confident, knowing he had prepared to the best of his ability.
This program is full of special and unique individuals trying to make a difference in their world, and their community.
“He has a natural ability to compete regardless of the circumstance,” Ableman said. “I tried taking the pressure off of him. I told him that he’s
There is no greater feeling than accomplishing what you set out to do, and Ableman has set up a program to help generations of young divers fulfill their dreams in the water, and out.
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PREPPING FOR THE FUTURE By Amanda Alvarez HurricaneSports.com From tennis shoes and a racquet to scrubs and a stethoscope, University of Miami men’s tennis player Kevin Bondar has huge aspirations as he prepares to enter Medical School. The native of Calabasas, Calif., has always had a passion for medicine, after following in the footsteps of his older brother Craig who pursued tennis and pre-medical studies during his undergraduate career. “My passion for medicine arose from his influence and inspiration,” said Bondar. “My uncle [who is a dermatologist] and various other physicians that I have shadowed have been instrumental in re-affirming my desire to study medicine.” Now in his sixth semester, the junior is enrolled in the Miami Honors Program in Medicine – a seven/eight-year BS/MD program associated with the Miller School of Medicine
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“I am interested in cardiology because of my personal experience with a cardiac condition. I am also interested in sports medicine,” Bondar said. “I have enjoyed shadowing and research experiences in this field, and I would like to work with athletes. These specialties are particularly competitive, and I have only touched the surface of what I will learn in medical school, so I want to keep an open mind as I move forward.” Bondar believes that studying medicine will give him the opportunity to combine his interest in science as well as the chance to serve the community similar to the way the community served him. “The compassion exhibited by my cardiologist in our interactions motivated me to want to assist others in a similar manner,” Bondar said.
The combination of being a student-athlete on the premedical track is extremely rare, but Bondar continues to defy all odds.
Organic chemistry and backhands are not intimidating enough for the tennis star, who adds president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) to his list of extra-curricular activities. This, including a plethora of weekly meetings and community service events to go along with his already grueling agenda.
Growing up he struggled with a cardiac condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). After doctors forced him to take a year off from tennis during high school, he trained and worked his way back into the competition, while identifying his dream job in the process.
His role on SAAC involves acting as a liaison for the student athletes and administration, emphasizing professional development, leadership skills and campus engagement with the help of Shirelle Jackson, the SAAC advisor, and the rest of the executive board.
HURRICANE MAGAZINE | APRIL 2017
“I have sought to promote a stronger unity among teams, to include student-athletes in the NCAA legislation process, and to find new professional opportunities for student-athletes,” Bondar said. Bondar ultimately chose the University of Miami for his undergraduate education over the large list of other schools because of the tennis program and BS/MD program UM had to offer, despite the oppositions he knew he would be facing on and off the courts in Coral Gables, Fla. Even though he admits that playing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) is one of the biggest challenges he has faced in college - “The competition is unmatched” - that has not stopped him from being an asset to his team. Midway through his junior campaign, Bondar has tallied 46 career victories (26 doubles, 20 singles), while winning the Bedford Cup as a sophomore. In addition, he has made the Provost’s Honor Roll (minimum 3.75 GPA) in all five of his collegiate semesters, as well as earning President’s Honor Roll (4.0) accolades four times. Bondar was also named an ITA Scholar-Athlete following the 2016 season. His full plate has helped him develop a strong understanding of his goals, priorities and expectations for himself. “This has been the biggest struggle for me but has helped guide how I manage my time,” said Bondar. “My faith and long-term goals keep me motivated.” Bondar has called Miami home for the past three years. He plans on extending his stay and attending the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in the hopes that he will receive his MD from the prestigious program. “I have enjoyed the melting pot of individuals from diverse backgrounds that Miami is,” Bondar said. “I would really love to stay here for Medical School.”
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FOOTBALL SPRING BALL 2017: MANNY DIAZ MIC’D UP
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Joe Zagacki, The Voice of the Miami Hurricanes, chimes in on the men’s basketball team’s trip to the NCAA Tournament and gives his thoughts on how the football team has looked on the gridiron during spring camp.
WITH JOE ZAGACKI
When this past basketball season ended in Tulsa, Okla., I walked into the coaches locker room to see Coach L. He looked at me and said we had a healthy season. Indeed the Canes did as they reached the NCAA tournament in a rebuilding year for the third time in five years. The Canes had wins over North Carolina, Duke and Virginia and the Watsco Center enjoyed very good crowds. For me, I enjoy every second of the basketball season. No two games are alike, the competition is tremendous and the storylines are plentiful. The regular season is much like the tournament. There are upsets, cliff hangers and buzzer beaters. Fans in South Florida are loving college basketball more every year. This season the ratings for the NCAA Tournament were up 35 percent. This year the season turned in Raleigh, N.C. The night before the game with North Carolina State, Coach L told the team we have nine games left and need to go 5-4 in order to reach the NCAA tournament. He said is it doable - if we believe. Then he told the team we need to reduce our turnovers and stick together. The Canes went 6-3 in the second half, beat Syracuse at the ACC tournament and drew the No. 8 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Next year brings in top recruit Lonnie Walker a 6’5” shooting guard that Coach L has described as Usain Bolt because he gets up and down the floor so fast. Walker will join Bruce Brown in the backcourt with Ja’Quan Newton and freshman Chris Lykes, a dazzling ball handler. Duwan Huell and Ebuka Izundu return down low along with four star freshman Deng Gak, which could translate into another great run next year.
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SPRING FOOTBALL HAS SPRUNG With spring football underway one of the many things Coach Richt has done well in his career is to develop consistent teams. All eyes appear to be on the quarterback position. I plead patience. The competition probably won’t be decided until late August. The quarterback that will emerge will be the one that can consistently move the offense against a very good Miami defense. If you can move it versus this defense you probably can move it against almost any team. I’m very excited by the Miami defensive line. I enjoy watching Kendrick Norton and RJ McIntosh work. They have so much more confidence. My feeling is they know they can be the king of the castle. They’re strong and quick and I think they enjoy wreaking havoc. I was saddened by the news that running back Mark Walton lost his mom. I know with Coach
Richt he’ll have a great support system to help him through a tough time. On the field, he is going to be the centerpiece of the offense carrying the ball, catching the ball and he is a fierce pass protector. If you have a team full of Mark Walton’s you probably are going to win a whole bunch of games. Coach Richt knows what a championship team looks like and you can see in his recruiting how is starting to mold and shape the Canes. As we sit here in April he has the No. 1 class with seven commitments of 4 or 5 star players. A lot of things can change, but he is the kind of person young men want to play for. I think Coach Richt treats the kids the same on the field as he does when he recruits them. Consistency: it’s the name of the game.
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JESSE FLORES MEN’S TENNIS
FAVORITES Meal: Mom’s homemade chocolate french toast Pro Sports team: Toronto Raptors Midnight snack: Banana with almond butter Book: Anthem by Ayn Rand Cereal: Super Kid
TV Show: Scrubs Athlete (Not Tennis): Dylan Flores (My brother) Athlete (Tennis): Gael Monfils Musical Artist: Petit Buscuit Place on campus is: The steps by the lake
KC MCDERMOTT FOOTBALL
FAVORITES Athlete: LeBron James Professional Sports Team: Miami Dolphins Meal: Veal Piccata Candy: Kit Kat Movie: Troy
TV Show: The West Wing Music Artist: Zac Brown Band Place on campus is: The Rat University of Miami alumni is: Art Kehoe
SILVIA FUENTES WOMEN’S TENNIS
FAVORITES Tennis player: David Ferrer Food: Spanish omelet (from my mom!) Movie: “In Time” Professional sports team: FC Barcelona Place to eat on campus: Fusion
Song to listen to before a match: “Levels” by Avicii Part about living in Miami: The diversity Sport other than tennis: Track TV show: “Castle” Vacation spot: Rome Color: Green (Go Canes)
EBONY MORRISON
WOMEN’S TRACK AND FIELD FAVORITES Athlete: Gail Devers Professional sports team: Miami Heat Meal: Everything Candy: Life Savers Gummies Movie: “The Jacksons: An American Dream” 26
HURRICANE MAGAZINE | APRIL 2017
TV show: “A Different World” Music artist: Michael Jackson Place on campus is: My Bed University of Miami alumni is: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
University of Miami Athletics, in partnership with Miami native and the star of CNBC show “The Profit,” Marcus Lemonis, announced the ‘Match Marcus’ fundraising campaign for Student-Athlete Excellence at a Hurricane Club pregame celebration before Miami’s appearance in the Russell Athletic Bowl on Dec. 28. The ‘Match Marcus’ campaign challenges the University of Miami community and Canes fans to raise a total of $2 million to support UM student-athletes in their pursuit of excellence. For every donation to the campaign, Lemonis will match half of the total - resulting in up to a $1 million gift from Lemonis. “I’m a big believer that as you experience success in life, you really have to remember where you came from and how you got there, and the people that got you there,” Lemonis said. “That’s very important to me. I’ve always been grateful to the University of Miami for years for really giving me something to look forward to.” All funds will be directly used by the athletics department to enhance the student-athlete experience and resources in the classroom, in competition and in life skills and career development. Lemonis jumpstarted the ‘Match Marcus’ campaign with a $250,000 check presented to Director of Athletics Blake James at the celebration outside Camping World Stadium. “On behalf of our 400+ talented student-athletes, we truly appreciate Marcus’s commitment and leadership to give and inspire others to get involved with our program and supporting student-athlete excellence,” James said. “Marcus has motivated and inspired countless people through his business career, and we are honored to have his partnership in Building Champions at the University of Miami. For information on how to make a gift in support of the MatchMarcus Campaign or to track our progress, visit MatchMarcus.com or call the Hurricane Club at (305) 284-6699.
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@MIAMIHURRICANES | #BUILDINGCHAMPIONS
Compliance Item: Student-Athlete Employment As we approach the summer season, many of our student-athletes will be seeking employment. While it is permissible for boosters to employ our student-athletes, there are a few NCAA regulations that we must abide by to protect the eligibility of our student-athletes. Student-athletes must only be paid the going-rate in the locale for their employment. This means, for example, that if the going rate for employment in a certain field is $20 an hour, it would be impermissible to pay a student-athlete $50 an hour for the same job. Additionally, student-athletes may only be paid for work actually performed. There have been many NCAA violations concerning student-athletes receiving money without actually performing the work they are being paid to do. This means that student-athletes should also not be paid in advance of performing work, to ensure the work is actually completed before receiving payment. Student-athletes who receive payment without performing work have jeopardized their eligibility and UM would need to seek reinstatement among other potential penalties. However, student-athletes may receive the same benefits of employment that are available to other employees performing the same type of function at the job. For example, if all employees receive a company t-shirt and business cards, it would be permissible for a student-athlete to receive the same. We ask that all University of Miami staff, alumni, boosters and supporters who may be employing any student-athlete this summer to complete an employer verification form (available on the compliance website) and to contact the compliance office with any questions concerning student-athlete employment. As always, your efforts to help the University of Miami maintain a culture of compliance are greatly appreciated. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Sincerely,
Craig Anderson Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance
Athletics Compliance | University of Miami Athletics Schwartz Athletic Center | 5821 San Amaro Drive | Coral Gables, FL 33146 Direct: (305) 284-2692 | Fax: (305) 284-2276 | hurricanesports.com/compliance
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@MIAMIHURRICANES #BUILDINGCHAMPIONS HURRICANE MAGAZINE | |APRIL 2017
@CANESFOOTBALL BY THE NUMBERS As the University of Miami football team prepares for its 2017 season under the direction of second-year head coach Mark Richt, here are some important numbers to remember as the Hurricanes work through spring football practice. 1 - Wide receiver Ahmmon Richards led all freshman nationally in yards per catch (19.06), receptions (49) and yards (934). 3 - Miami is one of three schools that shared the 2016 AFCA Academic Achievement Award. 4 - Joe Jackson, Michael Pinckney, Shaquille Quarterman and Ahmmon Richards each earned freshman All-America honors. 5 - Miami blocked five kicks last season, which ranked fifth in the country. 10 - Mark Walton became just the 10th Miami running back to surpass 1,000 yards rushing in a single season. He finished the year with 1,117 yards. 15 - Head coach Mark Richt has won 8-or-more games in 15 seasons throughout his career. 20 - Miami collected its 20th bowl victory last season in the 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl. 80 - Mark Walton’s 80-yard touchdown on the first offensive play of the Hurricanes’ game against Appalachian State was tied for the second-longest rush last season in the ACC. 100 - Miami features one of the most experienced offensive lines in the ACC. Returning Miami offensive linemen have combined for 100 career starts. 108 - Miami totaled 108 tackles for loss last season. In 2015, the Hurricanes recorded 66 tackles for loss. 111 - Miami’s coaching staff has combined to coach in 111 bowl games. 154 - Head coach Mark Richt has totaled 154 career victories, which ranks 10th among active head coaches at the FBS level. 58,572 - The Hurricanes averaged 58,572 fans per game last season - good for 27th in the nation. 30
HURRICANE MAGAZINE | APRIL 2017
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@CANESHOOPS: 2016-17 SEASON IN REVIEW - Miami played in back-to-back NCAA Tournaments for the first time since going to three straight from 1997-98 to 1999-2000. - Miami defeated three ranked teams this season, downing No. 9/6 North Carolina, No. 10/11 Duke in Coral Gables, and No. 18/19 Virginia on the road. This is the thirdstraight year and the fifth time in Coach L’s six seasons that the Canes have defeated two top 15 teams. - After receiving votes in at least one poll each of the first 16 weeks, Miami entered the national rankings for the first time in the 2016-17 season at No. 25 in both the AP and USA TODAY Coaches Poll on Feb. 27. - Miami won its third-straight ACC-Big Ten Challenge matchup, defeating Rutgers in Coral Gables, Fla. - Coach Jim Larrañaga has posted five 20-win seasons in his first six years at The U and the Canes have won seven or more ACC games each season under Coach L. - Senior Davon Reed was the recipient of the ACC’s 2017 Skip Prosser Award, presented annually to the top scholar-athlete in ACC men’s basketball. Reed will graduate in May with a degree in sports administration and double minors in communications and marketing. - Freshman Bruce Brown, who is majoring in sports administration, was named to the All-ACC Academic Team. - Freshman guard Bruce Brown recorded a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists against South Carolina State on Dec. 6. It was the second triple-double in program history at Miami. - Coach Larrañaga recorded his 600th career win on Jan. 14 at Pitt. With 600 wins, he is one of five ACC coaches with 600 victories, and the other four men are in the Basketball Hall of Fame. In Miami’s 21st game of the season vs. Florida State on Feb. 1, Larrañaga coached his 1,000th career game. - Miami’s game against Georgia Tech was Coach L’s 200th career game at UM. - With a 78-67 win over Columbia on Dec. 28, 2016, the University of Miami men’s basketball program earned its 1,000th program victory. - In his 109th game at The U, senior guard Davon Reed scored 17 points against George Washington, solidifying his name in Miami’s 1,000-point club. - For two straight seasons, Miami has sold out its season ticket allotment for all home games at the Watsco Center. - The Miami coaching staff reeled in Miami’s top recruiting class in program history, signing McDonald’s All-American Dewan Huell, Jordan Brand Classic All-American Bruce Brown, Australian standout Dejan “DJ” Vasiljevic and Rodney Miller from national powerhouse Oak Hill Academy (Va.). The group was ranked No. 9 from 247Sports, No. 10 from Scout, No. 13 from ESPN and No. 13 from Rivals. - Jim Larrañaga has signed three ESPN Top 100 players for the 2017 class in McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic All-American guard Lonnie Walker (No. 18), guard Chris Lykes (46) and forward Deng Gak (92). New Zealander Sam Waardenburg also joins the class, and is practicing with the team this spring. - The Hurricanes were one of two (Georgia Tech) unranked teams to defeat eventual national champion North Carolina this season. UM’s 15-point victory over then-No. 9/6 UNC was the Tarheels’ worst defeat of the season. -Miami has given the eventual national champs their worst loss two of the past three seasons (UNC 2017, Duke 2015).
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HURRICANE MAGAZINE | APRIL 2017
@CANESWBB SEASON RECAP: A LOOK BACK AT MIAMI’S STELLAR 2016-17 SEASON For the second season in a row, the University of Miami women’s basketball team won 24 games, made the NCAA Tournament and reached the semifinals of the ACC Tournament.
Junior forward Khaila Prather was recognized for her efforts in the community, as she was one of 64 Division I players—seven from the ACC—selected as an Allstate Good Works Team nominee.
The Hurricanes’ 2016-17 campaign was an excellent one, as 12th-year head coach Katie Meier has made the norm in Coral Gables. In fact, it will go down as one of the finest seasons in program history, with the team tying for its fifth-most wins ever.
Among Motley’s lengthy list of accolades was being tabbed as a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award and being tabbed as a Senior CLASS Award Second Team All-American. The Newport News, Va., native also was a College Sports Madness Preseason Fourth Team All-American and a member of both the Blue Ribbon Panel and ACC Coaches’ Preseason All-ACC Team.
Miami was ranked in the top 22 of both major polls for the entire season, including in the top 18 of each for the final 16 weeks prior to the NCAA Tournament, peaking at No. 11 nationally. The Hurricanes, who finished 24-9 (10-6 ACC), registered four top-25 victories for the first time since 201011. It was also the first time in the ACC era (since 2004-05) Miami won multiple top-25 road games or beat three ranked teams away from home. Miami earned a pair of wins over top-10 opponents during the season, both away from home. It first defeated No. 9/10 Ohio State, 94-89, in overtime in Columbus, Ohio for a third straight ACC/Big Ten victory. The Hurricanes then topped No. 8/12 Florida State, 56-54, in Conway, S.C., marking the second straight year Miami knocked off a top-10-ranked Seminoles team in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals.
Cornelius connected on six 3-pointers in a game twice, giving her three of the 18 such occurrences in program history. She shot 6-of-6 from 3-point range in the victory at Pittsburgh, her second time making six 3-pointers without a miss, something no other Miami player has ever done even once. Thomas shot 13-of-15 from the free throw line in a triumph at St. John’s, tying for the seventh-most attempts and eighth-most attempts from the stripe in a game in program history.
Through conference tournament play, Meier’s team was one of just seven teams with multiple top-10 victories away from home and one of just 13 with an AP top-10 road win.
Miami set a program record for conference play by scoring 100 points in a win over North Carolina. Florida State was the only other team to reach the century mark in ACC play during the 2016-17 campaign.
Miami reached the postseason for the eighth consecutive season, further extending the longest streak in program history. The Hurricanes also won 20-plus games for the seventh time in those eight years after doing so once in the prior 16.
Hayes also finished the season shooting 135-of-250, good for a 54.0 percent clip that ranks fifth on Miami’s single-season leaderboard, giving her two of the top 10 marks.
In addition, Miami reached the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time in the past seven years after making the field three times in the previous 17.
A native of Marietta, Ga., Hayes concluded her career tied for third on Miami’s all-time games played list with 129. She was also fifth in field goal percentage (.511), ninth in rebounds (754) and No. 21 in scoring (1,141).
The Hurricanes earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the fourth-highest mark in program history. Miami hosted the first two rounds on its home court, marking the first time in 24 years the NCAA Tournament was played in Coral Gables.
Thomas, who hails from Gainesville, Fla., finished second in games played at Miami with 130. In addition, she was third in both 3-pointers made (179) and attempted (586), as well as No. 10 in assists (374) and No. 16 in scoring (1,281).
With a 62-60 victory over FGCU in the first round, the Hurricanes notched their fourth NCAA Tournament triumph in the past seven years after having two total wins prior to that.
Motley finished in the top 10 on nine career leaderboards at Miami, including four in the top five. She ranked second in games started (126) and tied for third in games played (129), while placing fourth in 3-pointers made (169) and fifth in 3-point attempts (477). Motley also finished sixth in scoring (1,844), sixth in field goal attempts (1,537), seventh in field goals made (689), eighth in 3-point percentage (.354) and No. 10 in free throw percentage (.750).
For the first time since 2013, two Hurricanes earned All-ACC accolades. Senior guard Adrienne Motley and Jessica Thomas, the team’s co-captains, were named Second Team All-ACC by both the Blue Ribbon Panel and the ACC Coaches. Motley became the third Miami player with at least three all-conference accolades, regardless of league affiliation. In addition, for the first time, three Hurricanes were named to the All-ACC Academic Team, as Thomas, sophomore guard Laura Cornelius and sophomore forward/center Emese Hof all earned the distinction. Thomas and Hof became the third and fourth players in program history to be repeat honorees. Miami players also reeled in numerous accolades from a variety of outlets throughout the season. Redshirt senior forward Keyona Hayes was the Miami Thanksgiving Tournament MVP, while the AllTournament Team included Motley and Cornelius. Motley was tabbed as the Miami Holiday Tournament MVP and junior forward/center Erykah Davenport made the All-Tournament Team. Hayes was named to the NCAA.com Starting Five after recording a double-double in the Hurricanes’ victory at Ohio State. She was also selected as a Second Team ACC All-Tournament member after averaging 15.0 points per game on 20-of-30 (66.7 percent) shooting over three games.
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Additionally, Motley was on the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 30 list, the Naismith Trophy Player of the Year Early Season Watch List, The Dawn Staley Award Mid-Season Watch List and the Nancy Lieberman Award Pre-Season Watch List.
@MIAMIHURRICANES | #BUILDINGCHAMPIONS
Hayes, Thomas and Motley became just the second teammate trio in program history to have 1,000 points at the same time, joining Kym Hope, Jennifer Jordan and Cassaundra Wimes in 1998-99. The Miami senior class of Hayes, Thomas, Motley and guard Nigia Greene was one of the very best to ever don the orange and green at Miami. In the two seasons (2015-16 and 2016-17) during which all four played, the Hurricanes went 48-18, good for the fifth-most wins and seventh-best winning percentage in a twoyear span in program history. Additionally, both the single-game overall attendance and student attendance records were broken in the Hurricanes’ first year playing at the newly-named and recently-renovated Watsco Center. In 2017-18, Miami will return six players who have started multiple games as Hurricanes. Meier, who eclipsed 300 wins in her 16-year coaching career this season, is also set to welcome a top-20 recruiting class that features a quintet of nationally-ranked, four-star prospects.
Five from Athletics Tapped into Iron Arrow Five members of the Hurricanes Athletics family were tapped into Iron Arrow Honor Society. Football players Braxton Berrios and Demetrius Jackson, soccer player Phallon Tullis-Joyce, cross country runner Megan Brown and UM athletics’ medical director Dr. Lee Kaplan were each part of the 2017 Spring Tappings into the Iron Arrow Honor Society. Iron Arrow Honor Society, founded in 1926 in conjunction with the University’s opening, is the Highest Honor Attained at the University of Miami. Based on Seminole Indian tradition, Iron Arrow recognizes those individuals in the University of Miami community who exemplify the five qualities of Iron Arrow: Love of Alma Mater, Character, Leadership, Scholarship, and Humility. The members of Iron Arrow assemble twice a year to select those to be tapped for membership into the Tribe. Berrios has excelled in the classroom, on the football field and in the University community since arriving on campus prior to the 2014 football season. An outstanding student majoring in entrepreneurship and finance, he was named All-ACC Academic, earned a spot on the 2016 CoSIDA AllDistrict team and is a two-time UM Scholar Athlete of the year. On the field, Berrios saw action in 13 games in 2016 and made three starts at wide receiver. He also served as the Hurricanes’ primary punt returner and ranked 11th nationwide in punt return average (11.3 yards per return). A native of North Carolina, Berrios is a member of the football leadership council, the Mortar Board Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa. Jackson is another Hurricane football player making an all-around impact. As a defensive end, the Miami, Fla., native recorded 28 tackles in 2016, including six tackles for loss and two and a half sacks, while helping make Miami’s defense one of the best in the country. The redshirt junior also makes a major impact in his hometown, working as a mentor and public speaker with 5,000 Role Models and serving as a mentor and tutor with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Miami-Dade County. Jackson is also the creator and president of his own service organization, Big Brother to Little Brother. A leader in the community and on campus, he is a student-athlete member of the ACC Autonomy Committee, was named the 2016 UM Football Community Service Man of the Year and was received an ACC Top Six for Service: Community Service and Leadership Award.
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A goalkeeper from Shoreham, N.Y., Tullis-Joyce set program records by allowing just 16 goals and tallying a 0.84 goals against average on the season. An NSCAA College Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Player of the Week honoree, Tullis-Joyce was tabbed to the All-ACC Academic Team. The Vice President of the UM Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, TullisJoyce has maintained a stellar 3.724 GPA during her academic career as a marine science/biology major, earning Provost’s Honor Roll (min. 3.75 GPA) three times. Brown was a four-year member of the Hurricanes’ cross country team, representing Miami at the ACC Championships, but her impact goes beyond the race course. She is currently the treasurer of the UM Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is an ACC/SAAC representative. A native of Churchville, N.Y., Brown is a senator in UM’s student government and has been inducted into the Phi Delta Epsilon medical fraternity. Like Jackson, she also received an ACC Top Six for Service: Community Service and Leadership Award and has been named to the ACC Academic Honor Roll. Dr. Kaplan has been an integral part of the Hurricanes’ athletic program, guiding the daily medical care of Miami’s student-athletes since taking over as the head of sports medicine for the Hurricanes in 2008. As Chief of UHealth Sports Medicine, a division of the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Dr. Kaplan leads the official sports medicine provider for the Miami Hurricanes. Dr. Kaplan is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Having earned an Undergraduate Degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1990 and his Doctor of Medicine degree from George Washington University in 1995, Dr. Kaplan completed his residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital in Orthopaedic Surgery in June 2000. Dr. Kaplan provides coverage for the University of Miami Football and Baseball teams and is the Medical Director & Team Physician for the Miami Marlins. Berrios, Jackson, Tullis-Joyce, Brown and Dr. Kaplan join former Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya and Miami head men’s basketball coach Jim Larrañaga, who were tapped in the fall, as members of the athletics program that have been tapped into Iron Arrow in the 2016-17 academic year.
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The story behind Miami’s ESPN streaming journey By Tom Symonds HurricaneSports.com The old cliché that it takes a village to raise a child could not apply more to producing an ACC Network Extra (formerly ESPN3) broadcast. Just ask University of Miami Director of Production Services Drew Thomas. In just two years, Thomas has orchestrated the production of over 200 ESPN live events. But it wasn’t always this way. In fact, it wasn’t even close. Two years ago, Miami’s streaming efforts featured fewer than 10 live events a year and it was contracted out to local production companies. For some events, Miami featured just one camera for its in-game broadcasts. “We were probably one of the worst in the conference in supporting video,” Thomas said. “Then we went from nothing to a lot and our competitors were looking at us saying, ‘How did you do that?,’. It’s crazy how it has all come together.” Under the watchful eye of Senior Associate Athletics Director for Communications Jason Layton, Miami has quickly changed its approach to video streaming and has become the envy of the Atlantic Coast Conference. It was Layton along with Athletics Director Blake James that laid the groundwork for the department’s video streaming efforts and provided Thomas the roadmap to begin producing live events for ESPN3. Armed with over a million dollars in production equipment, five broadcast cameras, a full-time broadcast staff of five and an Army of student interns. Miami has established itself as one of the leaders in producing live broadcast content for ESPN3.
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“It really was a whirlwind, coming from where we were to where we are now,” Thomas said. “I think if you talked to anyone, who knows anything about broadcasts, they would have been shocked to see what we have done.” However, even with the Hurricanes’ new audio-visual toys, there was still plenty to do before Miami’s production room was fully operational. The first step called for connecting the venues to the department’s control room located in the Hecht Athletic Center. Miami’s video control room is connected through carbon fiber that was run underground. In order to connect the carbon fiber with the venues, the department had to run the fiber under ground. The fiber connection took about a year to connect everything, but once it was completely installed, Miami’s video staff had central location to produce its games. The next step for Thomas and his broadcast staff was to start getting reps at producing games. Those reps came almost immediately as the department’s first ESPN3 broadcast occurred during the Hurricanes’ 2015 baseball matchup with Florida State – a game that lasted six hours and spanned 17 innings. “We needed the reps to get better and it is a night and day difference between now and when we first got started,” Thomas said. Since its marathon first broadcast at Mark Light Field, the Hurricanes’ baseball team would see all of its games aired on the ESPN Family of Networks during the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons. “We’re one of the few baseball programs in the country that can say, ‘Every time you play at home at the University of Miami, your game will be online and your parents, your friends and your family can watch it anywhere in
the world live.’ And if they don’t want to watch it live, they can watch it anywhere in the world for a month afterwards,’ so it’s a great recruiting tool for our coaches,” Thomas said. But baseball is not the only Miami program reaping the benefits of the institutions new found streaming exposure. This year Miami will produce 11 men’s and women’s tennis matches. The department also produced all of the home women’s volleyball and women’s soccer games on ESPN3. In addition, the Hurricanes’ video staff produced the 2016 Spring Football game, which was later aired on ESPNU. “This network has really helped us expand our reach and has allowed Hurricane fans to watch sports that they may not have been able to watch,” Thomas said. During the 2015-16 campaign alone, Miami would air 110 live events while the nearest competitors in the ACC put on 59 events (Florida State and Notre Dame). Miami’s coaches also have seen the benefits of being able to broadcast when out on the recruiting trail. “We get a lot of feedback from our coaches and they all say that it has been a great asset for them,” Layton said. “It’s great when recruits come here and they look at Miami as an option, they know that they’ll be seen when they are playing when their families can’t be here.” For Thomas and his staff, communication and preparation are the keys to putting on a first class broadcast. “I think it is making sure that everyone is on the same page,” Thomas said. “We work with a lot of students for all of our events and it is making sure they are able to get us everything we need to put out a quality product. We’ve been very fortunate. I have a very large roster of students and in that roster, I have a pretty talented group of students, who are able to work quite a bit and want to work and want to learn, so that they can grow their careers. Really without them, these broadcasts would not be possible.” According to Thomas, for every hour of broadcast, three to five hours of preparation are required beforehand. “It definitely takes a village to put on a broadcast,” Layton said. “From all the folks to the freelance to the talent to our full-time staff that work on it every day, it requires everyone working together because one small part can really hurt or make a big improvement to a broadcast. There are lots of details in the broadcasting world that, if you’re not paying attention, can create some challenges.” Under the direction of Layton and Thomas, Miami continues to grow its broadcasting unit as the institution prepares for the launch of the ACC Network’s linear (or television) platform in 2019. “I think from a quantity standpoint we’re there as we are already broadcasting a majority of our events here,” Layton said. “I think as we get closer to 2019 when the linear network comes on and we start producing linear broadcasts, we’ll continue to work on the story telling that comes along with each event and how we bring out the stories that come out in the broadcast of opposed to just putting the event on. I think that will be a lot of our focus over the next couple of years.”
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@MIAMIHURRICANES | #BUILDINGCHAMPIONS
A Trio of Hurricanes Tapped into the ODK Two University of Miami student-athletes and a Hurricanes Athletic staff member have been tapped into the elite Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) National Leadership Society. Men’s tennis player Kevin Bondar, basketball player Chris Stowell and Miami’s graphic designer, Leo Ramos, all earned the prestigious distinction. “We congratulate Chris, Kevin and my colleague, Leo, for all their achievements and contributions as members of the Hurricane Family,” Miami associate athletic director of academic services David Wyman said. “This is a tremendous honor and distinction and we celebrate it with them.” A junior on the men’s tennis team, Bondar has tallied 20 career singles victories and 26 doubles victories. The Calabasas, Calif., native has made the Provost’s Honor Roll (minimum 3.75 GPA) in all five of his collegiate semesters, as well as earned President’s Honor Roll (4.0) accolades four times. Enrolled in Miami’s Honors Program in Medicine – a seven-year BS/MD program associated with the Miller School of Medicine, Basdavanos was also named an ITA Scholar-Athlete following the 2016 season. A junior forward on the men’s basketball team, Stowell, a native of Exeter, N.H., has made the Provost’s Honor Roll (minimum 3.75 GPA) in all five of his collegiate semesters, as well as earned President’s Honor Roll (4.0) accolades four times. Majoring in entrepreneurship and business technology with minors in international business and sports administration, Stowell was one of 560 students (out of 10,000 undergrads) to be named a Foote Fellow at Miami. This is a program that is offered to select incoming freshmen who have a record of curricular and co-curricular distinction in high school and exhibit an interest in and capacity for independent and self-motivated learning Ramos is a graphic designer for the University of Miami Athletics Department and handles many of the graphic design needs and graphic style guide for the Hurricanes programs. Ramos joined the Miami Athletics program in May 2013 after spending the previous seven years at the University of Miami School of Medicine. Ramos graduated from Miami in 2012 with a degree in graphic design and illustration.
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HURRICANE MAGAZINE | APRIL 2017
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STUDENT-ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT BRAXTON BERRIOS - FOOTBALL Hometown: Raleigh, N.C. Previous School: Leesville Road It’s crazy that I’ve been here for three years already. I think I have grown so much as a person in the last three years. As a football player, as well, but so much as a person. Being around this team, this community and this school has been an experience I can’t really put into words. It means a lot to be a part of the Hurricane family. I have seen so many people come and go through here in my three years, whether they graduated or left early or whatever, they’re part of it. And this team has a completely new identity now than it did when I got here three years ago when I was a freshman. Miami is a brotherhood and it is family. No matter where you go after, you will always be a Hurricane. I know I am going to miss this, so I am trying to soak it all in day by day.
Sometimes when you go into something, you’re the foundation of it, sometimes you’re a stepping stone and sometimes you’re the end result. Right now, we are in the process of laying that foundation and setting something up for something much bigger and better in the coming years. I’m not saying we can’t be great this year, but we have to make sure it’s right for the freshmen coming in now. This is the first full year. We finally have done a full year with this coaching staff and the changes that they made. It’s really up to us that everyone who comes here from this point on understands that there is a standard here and they are going to be held accountable to that standard. It means a lot because we have a chance to do something really special this year, but we also have a chance to leave something behind for the future Hurricanes. The goal is to go out with a bang. This is it. I don’t want to have an average year or a year that was good. I want to have a great one.
UM SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Badgley Earns UMSHoF’s Kichefski Scholarship The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame announced that senior kicker Michael Badgley is the 24th recipient of the Walter Kichefski Endowed Football Scholarship for the 2017-2018 school year.
For information on UMSHoF induction banquet tickets, call the Hall of Fame at 305-284-2775 or go to UMSportsHallofFame.com. Past Walter Kichefski Endowed Scholarship Award Winners:
Badgley, a Summit, N.J. native, set a UM school record with 25 field goals in 2015. Last year, he connected on 21 of 26 field goals and 53 of 55 extra points and was named ALL-ACC Third Team for the second consecutive season by the conference coaches. He will be presented a plaque for the award at the 49th Annual UM Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet on Tuesday, April 18th at Jungle Island in downtown Miami.
1994 - Larry Jones 1995 - Alan Symonette 1996 - Twan Russell 1997 - Ryan Clement 1998 - Richard Mercier 1999 - Joaquin Gonzalez 2000 - Dan Morgan 2001 - Jeremy Shockey 2002 - Matt Walters 2003 - Jonathan Vilma 2004 - Chris Myers 2005 - Kelly Jennings 2006 - Anthony Wollschlager 2007 - Khalil Jones 2008 - Derrick Morse 2009 - Brandon Harris 2010 - Josh Holmes 2011 - Mike James 2012 - Allen Hurns 2013 - Shane McDermott 2014 - Denzel Perryman 2015 - Standish Dobard 2016 - Brad Kaaya 2017 – Michael Badgley
Among the Class of 2017 inductees are baseball’s Ryan Braun and Dan Davies, basketball’s Steve Edwards and Coach Katie Meier, football’s James Jackson, Jeremy Shockey and Darryl Williams, tennis’ Audra Cohen and, Valeria Tipiana, the first volleyball player ever inducted. There’s no question that Walter Kichefski embodied the Spirit of Miami. He was associated with this university for 56 years as a player, coach and administrator. Following Walter’s death in 1992, a committee was formed to raise funds for a perpetual football scholarship in Kichefski’s memory. It’s a testament to his spirit that it only took one year to raise the $400,000 that it took at the time, to endow the athletic scholarship. This remains the only undergraduate award presented by the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. The scholarship recipient is chosen by the football coaches with the award going to the player who most embodies the characteristics by which Walter Kichefski lived: · · · · · · 44
Respect of his fellow man Loyalty Dedication Sacrifice Motivation Inspiration.
HURRICANE MAGAZINE | APRIL 2017
You are cordially invited to attend the
University
of
MiaMi
Sports Hall Of Fame
49th annUal indUction BanqUet Ryan BRaun (BaseBall) • audRa Cohen (Tennis) • dan davies (BaseBall) • sTeve edwaRds (BaskeTBall) • James JaCkson (FooTBall) •
Date:
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Time:
Cocktails at 6:00 PM Dinner at 7:00 PM
Place:
Jungle Island 1111 Parrot Jungle Trail
Price:
$125 each individual ticket $1250.00 per table of ten $1,750.00 SUPER Table of Ten, includes preferred seating & 1/2 page ad in the banquet program
kaTie meieR (BaskeTBall CoaCh) • JeRemy shoCkey (FooTBall ) • valeRia Tipiana (volleyBall) • daRRyl williams (FooTBall) •
Please fill out form below and mail it with your check payable to: UM Sports Hall of Fame If you cannot attend, a tax deductible donation to the UMSHoF is greatly appreciated For further information call: John Routh - 305.284.2775 Ken Lancaster - 305.666.6000 or visit our website www.UMSportsHallofFame.com Ed Golden - Banquet Chairman Ken Lancaster - Ticket Chairman
Ticket Chairmen: Ken Lancaster: 305.666.6000 • John Routh 305.284.2775 UM Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet 5821 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33146 www.UMSportsHallofFame.com Please reserve ______ SUPER tables of Ten at $1,750.00 each, includes preferred seating & 1/2 page ad in the banquet program Please reserve __________ tables of Ten at $1,250.00 each Please reserve __________ seats at $125.00 each for the UM Sports Hall of Fame Induction Banquet To pay by credit card, call the UM Sports Hall of Fame at 305-284-2775. Enclosed is my check payable to UM Sports Hall of Fame in the amount of $ _________. I cannot attend, but enclosed is my donation of $ ___________. Please send tickets to: __________________________________ _______________________________________