Newman Alumni Center Is More Than Impressive

I have spent more time than most people on the beautiful campus of the University of Miami. 

 
Between 1981 and 1986 I attended "The U" and after graduating I spent three years working as a manager in the facilities maintenance department for academic facilities and later in the residence halls area of campus. 

As a result of these many unique and rewarding experiences I have been in, around and through practically every building on the UM campus. 

 
As a fan of Hurricane athletics I have regularly returned to the lovely Coral Gables campus to attend the many UM sports events held on campus. 

While attending UM baseball and basketball games I have often admired the many new and/or upgraded facilities and the incredible lush, tropical landscaping that makes the University of Miami campus so special.

 
Recently I once again had the opportunity to be on campus to attend the UM vs FSU baseball game. 

I took advantage of the opportunity to attend the UMAA "Burgers and Baseball" event at the the new Newman Alumni Center which is located directly across the street from the recently and completely renovated Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

 
The new Robert and Judi Prokop Newman Alumni Center is top shelf in every aspect and is truly nothing short of spectacular. The 72,000 square foot facility that opened in October of 2010 is an attractive, well designed and highly functional building that is packed full of comfortable spaces. 

Built at a cost of $25.2 million the Newman Alumni Center was constructed completely from the generous donations of UM alumni and supporters. 

With more than 9,500 square feet of indoor event space and over 4,000 square feet of outdoor event space the Center is the ideal location for all kinds of events both large and small. 

 
There is a spacious living room that is comfortably furnished and has a large wall mural (seen above) reflecting the history of the University, a lushly landscaped courtyard area, a large multi-purpose room, a cozy library complete with fireplace, a smaller formal executive conference room and a business center with six computers for alumni to use when they visit (seen below). 

 
The appropriately named Sebastian's Cafe is a small, casual eatery at the front of the facility for those looking to grab a quick bite before, during or after events at the Center.

I had the chance to speak briefly with the always friendly and energetic Tricia Brodeur, the Executive Director of Alumni Programs at UM, and also managed to catch up with Andy Vittor, a friend and fan of Canespace who also works for the UMAA at the sparkling new Newman Center.

 
"We love our new home!" Brodeur was eager to say about the new UMAA facility.

"It is a wonderful place for UM alumni to visit, work, celebrate and remember.  We have already hosted numerous special events at the Newman Alumni Center which has so many great spaces to utilize.  This outstanding facility gives us the opportunity to host several different events at the same time."

 
Brodeur was also confident that the UMAA mission would be enhanced by the new facility. 

"We see the Newman Alumni Center as a great place for UM alumni to reconnect to the University in a very positive way.  Our goal is to create a comfortable, welcoming environment that will encourage all of our 156,000 alumni to visit our constantly growing and incredibly beautiful campus." 

Brodeur continued by stating, "This new facility and really the entire campus is one that all UM students, alumni, employees and fans can be very proud of." 

 
And I couldn't agree more. 

In fact, if you have a chance, I recommend that you visit the Newman Alumni Center as soon as possible.  Having been in and around every building on campus I can tell you from experience that it is a very special place on a very unique and beautiful campus.

 
And really, what more could a University of Miami Alumni and Hurricane fan ask for?

Comments

[Sebastian]

Great article and great pictures

That is unreal

[orange 'n green in the vein]

The SOUP'ster with possibly the only earth bound entity with a larger and orange-r cranium than himself side by side? How did the orange chip in the camera not wear itself out when the shutter snapped?

New building looks great, they've done some good work starting back in '02 with the new film school building my senior year.

[doc in pv]

last night at the baseball game we were taking about that building, thanks for the timely information...
Doc

[mi@mic@ne]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ4Xp5lCWkg

Ryan Williams

[mi@mic@ne]

Post on that vid... Ryan Williams

@Junior82591 your right he dosent play well in big games, like the state championship game when he was 18-21 250 yards and 5 tds.

5 TD's in state game. 6A Record!!!!

A very good QB who is will give u his heart every play and knows wht he is doing hes 23-3 as a starter right now and on pace to be the most winningest QB in heritage history which has a rich history of putting out good winning QBs keep a eye on this kid will compete for top passer next year just dont sleep on him cuz before u know it hes scoreing a TD and adding aother win to his record

[roachcane77]

Nice article Soup, I have to get down to CG to see that building! (After all, I helped pay for it... )

[SOUP]

1. The SOUP'ster with possibly the only earth bound entity with a larger and orange-r cranium than himself side by side?

2. New building looks great, they've done some good work starting back in '02 with the new film school building my senior year.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | May 07, 2011 at 03:57 PM

1. It a close call but I think The Maniac takes the prize for cranium size. LOL

2. If any alumni out there has not been on campus in the last 5-10 years U really owe it to yourself to go back and check the place out. It is BEAUTIFUL!

[SOUP]

Nice article Soup, I have to get down to CG to see that building! (After all, I helped pay for it... )

Posted by: roachcane77 | May 07, 2011 at 04:21 PM

Roger that!

Check out the screen on the computer in the photo above. Tell me what U see?

[CaneRock]

Speaking of Centers, Big Reg is coming back...

[SOUP]

Speaking of Centers, Big Reg is coming back...

Posted by: CaneRock | May 07, 2011 at 05:04 PM

GREAT news!

[Sebastian]

That sure is great news for both Miami basketball and Big Reg

The shape Coach L will have him in for this upcoming season will really show what Big Reg is made of

The better shape hes in the easier it will be to stay away from those silly fouls

[SOUP]

The better shape hes in the easier it will be to stay away from those silly fouls

Posted by: Sebastian57 | May 07, 2011 at 06:00 PM

To avoid silly fouls late in games you have to use your head move your feet and not use your heart and your hands.

[Sebastian]

Soup,
Youre so right about that

Im ready to see what this basketball has in store for next season

There is no doubt the `Canes have some serious jaw droppers on this team

I dont know if it will add up to more butts in the seats but it will have people jumping up and saying, oh my lawd did you that guy just dunk on that dude

[NativeCane]

Great facility and article SOUP!

Go Canes!!!

[NativeCane]

SOUP, who you got in this Derby?

[SOUP]

My Kentucky Derby Picks:

1. Nehro
2. Mucho Macho Man
3. Dialed In
4. ArchArchArch
5. Pants on Fire

Long Shots: Master of Hounds, Midnight Interlude, Animal Kingdom.

Mrs. 86 Trifecta picks: Animal Kingdom, Mucho Macho Man and Pants on Fire.

[NativeCane]

Win- Mucho Macho Man

Place- Pants on Fire

Show- Shackleford

[Sebastian]

Heres the transfer Trey Mckinney-Jones and just a taste of his crazy vert

He will be playing this upcoming season and its tough to figure out between him, Bishop and `Quan which one gets up the highest

http://www.hoopsmanifesto.com/articles/basketball/the-daily-dunk-trey-mckinney-jones-vs-centenary.html

[Sebastian]

2nd no hitter of the season goes to Justin Verlander

[SOUP]

Mrs. 86 and I both got two of the top three horses correct. She picked the winner!

[Sebastian]

A 5 run 1st for the `Canes

5-1

[CaneRock]

"There is no doubt the 'Canes have some serious jaw droppers on this team."
Posted by: Sebastian

So Sebastian, what's the deal with D.Jones, why couldn't this kid get off the pine?

[Sebastian]

Coach Haith!!!!

Since he had no real offense or defense sets to run he really had no clue how to use a player with the athletic ability of `Quan

`Quan sure the heck isnt going to light it up from the 3 but that kat can slash to the hoop and can defend a few positions

The couple games I did attend that was one of the things you could hear everyone complaining about

[Sebastian]

Hofstra climbs their way back into the game

5-3 end of 3

[CaneRock]

"`Quan sure the heck isn't going to light it up from the 3 but that kat can slash to the hoop and can defend a few positions."
Posted by: Sebastian57

THANK YOU! I was going to type that same observation in my last post. But yeah, like you, I'm looking forward to see what Coach L can do with this team...

[Sebastian]

1st career HR for Carey a 2 run HR puts the `Canes up 7-3 after 5 innings. 3 RBIs on the night for Carey so far

The `Cane den has a few TVs going so this is just an observation here but it sure seems that D Wade falls down on just about every offensive play

Im not a fan of any certain team but c`mon D Wade dont keep doing the Euro flop its getting old

[NativeCane]

MH

Al Golden blameless in Miami Hurricanes players’ woes

By Barry Jackson

bjackson@MiamiHerald.com


• After watching coach Al Golden during a recent visit to campus, Jimmy Johnson told UM president Donna Shalala “she did good” by hiring him. “Really impressed with his attention to detail,” J.J. said, expressing a widely-held view.

But Golden’s first few months also have included dealing with several off-field issues: Jeffrey Brown’s arrest last week on a sexual battery charge; Ramon Buchanan’s March 18 arrest for resisting arrest and allegedly spitting on and trying to head-butt a police officer; and media reports that eight players will be suspended for a game or more because of three separate incidents, one involving UM police and at least one alleging marijuana use by multiple players.

After Brown’s arrest Wednesday, a local radio host noted that in two months, twice as many players have been arrested under Golden as were arrested in four years under Randy Shannon. Robert Marve broke a car window in the only known arrest under Shannon.

Blaming Golden for any of this, so early in his tenure, would be illogical, and Paul DiMare – the athletic advisory board chairman of UM’s Board of Trustees – said he doesn’t believe players were more afraid of Shannon than Golden.

“As a player, I would be scared of Al Golden more than Randy, just watching his practices,” said DiMare, who wields considerable influence and was involved in the football and basketball coaching searches. “Al is a strict and tough disciplinarian. He is not going to put up with this. I can’t blame him for any of this. I wouldn’t blame him unless he brought hoodlums into the program, and we try to bring in high character kids.

“If Randy was in this seat instead of Al, this still would have happened. Because Randy is not there, do kids think they can start committing crimes? I don’t think so. A guy doesn’t allegedly rape just because Randy is gone. As a trustee, I’m concerned about our reputation. We have a record of not having problems. Just because we’ve had two arrests in a short period doesn’t mean the program is out of hand. Randy did a great job demanding respect. The players will respect Al as much as they did Randy.”

DiMare noted the players reportedly in trouble “aren’t Al’s kids. All those kids are Randy’s kids. You get bad apples in a box.” DiMare also cautioned that Brown hasn’t been convicted.

“There are minor things that are going to happen in a school with 300 athletes,” DiMare said. “You shouldn’t be thrown off the team for minor things. Obviously, rape is a different story.”

Buchanan, reinstated during spring practice, reached a plea agreement and charges will be dropped if he completes a program for first-time offenders.

Golden isn’t alone in dealing with off-field problems. Since UF coach Will Muschamp succeeded Urban Meyer in December, the Gators have had four arrests, all for marijuana possession – two involving Janoris Jenkins, who was thrown off the team. Thirty Gators were arrested in Meyer’s six years, including a dozen for initial charges of felonies or violent misdemeanors.

“Marijuana was a problem when we got here,” Meyer recently told The Gainesville Sun. “I thought we put a little bit of a dent in it, but it’s still a problem. It’s an issue at a lot of schools.”

Despite two reports that Storm Johnson will be suspended for the opener against Maryland, his father Wesley Johnson said Golden “told me Thursday night that Storm is not suspended and that he is in good standing. There’s no truth to any transfer rumors. He’s not leaving.” Golden isn’t commenting publicly on the suspension reports.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/07/2206247_p2/golden-blameless-in-hurricanes.html#ixzz1LiTWPKho

[NativeCane]

PBP

Reggie UM Press Release

University of Miami center Reggie Johnson has elected to return to the Hurricanes for his junior season in 2011-12.

The 6-10, 300-pound center from Winston-Salem, N.C., tested the waters of the NBA Draft without hiring an agent, and participated in today’s combine at the Nets’ practice facility in East Rutherford, N.J., in front of scouts, coaches and personnel from approximately 27 NBA teams.

“It was great to go through this process and have the chance to talk to some teams,” said Johnson. “I got positive feedback about my hands and footwork, but I decided that it would be best for me to come back to school and continue to work on some things to get to that next level.

“I feel like we have a great team returning next year, and I want to work with my teammates at Miami to make the NCAA Tournament. The opportunity to do that is a big part of my decision to come back.”

“We’re very happy that Reggie has decided to return to our program at Miami,” said head coach Jim Larranaga, who is entering his first season at the helm for the Hurricanes. “I’m looking forward to working with him and his teammates to win an ACC Championship and compete in the NCAA Tournament.

“Reggie is a big, strong man who we expect to anchor both our offense and defense next season.”

Johnson returns to a veteran Miami squad in 2011-12 that loses just one player (Adrian Thomas) from a team that went 21-15 and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. The Hurricanes return 86 percent of their scoring, 93 percent of their assists and 88 percent of their rebounding, while adding 6-11 redshirt sophomore Kenny Kadji (Florida), 6-5 redshirt junior Trey McKinney Jones (UMKC) and 6-2 freshman guard Bishop Daniels.

As a sophomore in 2011, Johnson was Miami’s leading rebounder and third-leading scorer, nearly averaging a double-double with 11.9 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. He converted 59.1 percent of his field goals – the third-highest single-season percentage in UM history, while adding a team-high 1.3 blocks per game. He finished the season ranked second in the ACC in offensive rebounds (3.5), fourth in both defensive rebounds (6.1) and overall rebounds and 20th in scoring.

Johnson – who earned All-ACC honorable mention honors – started 34 games last season, posting 13 double-doubles – including a 14-point, 20-rebound performance in the NIT first-round win over FAU. His 347 rebounds last season are the most for a Hurricane since Rick Barry posted a school-record 475 in 1964-65, while he scored in double figures 23 times, including four 20-point outings.

[Sebastian]

Another run on the board to stretch the lead to 8-3 after 6

[solarcane]

soup,
that was a sweet article, and great pictures! Thanks from us guys far away from the campus these days

[Sebastian]

Another run added on

9-3 after 7

[solarcane]

Al Golden blameless in Miami Hurricanes players’ woes
.

Buy Photo
Miami Hurricanes' coach Al Golden reacts after a play during the first quarter of the UM football team's annual spring game at the Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Saturday, April 16, 2011.
DAVID SANTIAGO / EL NUEVO HERALD STAFF
Photo
By Barry Jackson
bjackson@MiamiHerald.com
With the Heat playing late Saturday, mostly UM talk today:

• After watching coach Al Golden during a recent visit to campus, Jimmy Johnson told UM president Donna Shalala “she did good” by hiring him. “Really impressed with his attention to detail,” J.J. said, expressing a widely-held view.

But Golden’s first few months also have included dealing with several off-field issues: Jeffrey Brown’s arrest last week on a sexual battery charge; Ramon Buchanan’s March 18 arrest for resisting arrest and allegedly spitting on and trying to head-butt a police officer; and media reports that eight players will be suspended for a game or more because of three separate incidents, one involving UM police and at least one alleging marijuana use by multiple players.

After Brown’s arrest Wednesday, a local radio host noted that in two months, twice as many players have been arrested under Golden as were arrested in four years under Randy Shannon. Robert Marve broke a car window in the only known arrest under Shannon.

Blaming Golden for any of this, so early in his tenure, would be illogical, and Paul DiMare – the athletic advisory board chairman of UM’s Board of Trustees – said he doesn’t believe players were more afraid of Shannon than Golden.

“As a player, I would be scared of Al Golden more than Randy, just watching his practices,” said DiMare, who wields considerable influence and was involved in the football and basketball coaching searches. “Al is a strict and tough disciplinarian. He is not going to put up with this. I can’t blame him for any of this. I wouldn’t blame him unless he brought hoodlums into the program, and we try to bring in high character kids.

“If Randy was in this seat instead of Al, this still would have happened. Because Randy is not there, do kids think they can start committing crimes? I don’t think so. A guy doesn’t allegedly rape just because Randy is gone. As a trustee, I’m concerned about our reputation. We have a record of not having problems. Just because we’ve had two arrests in a short period doesn’t mean the program is out of hand. Randy did a great job demanding respect. The players will respect Al as much as they did Randy.”

DiMare noted the players reportedly in trouble “aren’t Al’s kids. All those kids are Randy’s kids. You get bad apples in a box.” DiMare also cautioned that Brown hasn’t been convicted.

“There are minor things that are going to happen in a school with 300 athletes,” DiMare said. “You shouldn’t be thrown off the team for minor things. Obviously, rape is a different story.”

Buchanan, reinstated during spring practice, reached a plea agreement and charges will be dropped if he completes a program for first-time offenders.

Golden isn’t alone in dealing with off-field problems. Since UF coach Will Muschamp succeeded Urban Meyer in December, the Gators have had four arrests, all for marijuana possession – two involving Janoris Jenkins, who was thrown off the team. Thirty Gators were arrested in Meyer’s six years, including a dozen for initial charges of felonies or violent misdemeanors.

“Marijuana was a problem when we got here,” Meyer recently told The Gainesville Sun. “I thought we put a little bit of a dent in it, but it’s still a problem. It’s an issue at a lot of schools.”

CHATTER

• UM – which in the last week added defensive tackle Darius Smith (who is eligible to play this season) and former Memphis quarterback Ryan Williams (who is not) – also has reached out to two defensive players who would be eligible this fall: West Boca High defensive tackle Corey King and Hialeah defensive end/outside linebacker Gary Wooten.

But both need to be cleared academically. Hialeah coach Marc Berman said Wooten has offers from Purdue, Oklahoma State and others but wants to go to Miami, “which told him they will make him an offer” if he raises his test score.

• Williams received offers from only Memphis and Eastern Michigan coming out of Miramar High in 2009, “but he’s a late bloomer,” recruiting analyst Larry Blustein said. “He’s got a very good arm and is a good decision-maker. He and Stephen Morris are pretty comparable. Morris runs a little better.” Of UM’s 2012 quarterback contenders, Tate Forcier was considered by far the best and most heavily recruited coming out of high school before signing with Michigan.

• Despite two reports that Storm Johnson will be suspended for the opener against Maryland, his father Wesley Johnson said Golden “told me Thursday night that Storm is not suspended and that he is in good standing. There’s no truth to any transfer rumors. He’s not leaving.” Golden isn’t commenting publicly on the suspension reports.

• Among the four or five players leaving UM, only Travis Williams likely would have received much playing time, and as a backup. It appears at least two of the four freshmen linebackers will need to play in 2011. That group includes Gionni Paul, Denzel Perryman, Eddie Johnson and Antonio Kinard.

• Yes, it’s absurdly early, but ESPN’s Todd McShay projects UM’s Marcus Fortson and Ray-Ray Armstrong – if they turn pro early – would go 13th and 20th overall in the 2012 draft. He forecasts the Dolphins taking Oklahoma quarterback Landry Jones as a mid-round pick.

• Though no players can be signed until the lockout ends, the Dolphins have been eyeing several undrafted ones. Among those they called during the draft to express interest: Ohio State running back Brandon Saine, one of the fastest sprinters in state history, North Carolina tight end Zack Pianalto and North Carolina State receiver Owen Spencer (60 catches, 912 yards in 2010).

• Here’s the root of Hanley Ramirez’s struggles: He’s hitting far more ground balls (61.6 percent, compared with 38.6 when he won the battling title in 2009) and as a result, far fewer line-drives (career-low 11.6 percent of his balls in play). Plus, he entered the weekend hitting .148 against right-handers (12 for 81), though his strikeouts are about even with past years. … The Marlins don’t see any available third baseman who would be an upgrade over the Greg Dobbs/ Wes Helms platoon and weren’t pursuing the Giants’ Mark DeRosa even before his recent injury.

[solarcane]

Storm's dad

Despite two reports that Storm Johnson will be suspended for the opener against Maryland, his father Wesley Johnson said Golden “told me Thursday night that Storm is not suspended and that he is in good standing. There’s no truth to any transfer rumors. He’s not leaving.” Golden isn’t commenting publicly on the suspension reports.

[Canechic]

Kid is trouble if he leaves or stays and you can vault it!

[Sebastian]

Final score: 9-3 `Canes win and improve to 31-15 on the season

`Canes go for the sweep tommorrow with 1st pitch at 12pm

[j.w.]

Great artifle, soup! And ask Mrs. 86 to let me know who wins the Preakness! Awesome picks by both of you! :)

[Old Skool]

Happy Mother's Day to all you momsters

While a lot of people may be celebrating Rondo's guts for playing with a dislocated elbow. Guts and courage aren't confined to one sex.

A tornado victim in Alabama was home when the tornado hit and wrecker her house. Her eight week old son was down the street at his grandmother's house.

Before the storm had ended, the mother was running down the hill to see if the grandmother's home was still there.

"They pulled nails out of my feet where I had to run through my house. We had to climb over a huge tree that landed on our house that was blocking the door, and I had to climb over that tree. I was determined to get to my son."

[Canechic]

Old sloop when it comes to your babies you will walk on water and move mountains to make them safe!

[Ohio_Cane]

Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers or mothers-to-be out there in the 'Space!!

[SOUP]

Heat played like JUNK in losing to the Celtics last night by 16 points.

Canes baseball winning games they are supposedtowin against Hofstra. Next weekend they go to UVA for the final BIG ACC series of the season.

Rays won BIG over the Orioles.

Marlins?

[SOUP]

Gaby doubles and scores for the Fish. Marlins lead 1-0.

Canes trail 3-0 to Hofstra after seven.

[SOUP]

Former Cane Gaby Sanchez with a 3 run BOMB for the Fish! He is 3 for3 with 2 doubles and 5 RBI.

Marlins 6, Nats 0

[RCCF]

Sup Guys Good Work as Always....Jus wanna say that I hope Storm really stays....with a name like Storm where else will he play????Tulsa????yea right...lol...and as for the rape charges dont agree with his actions at all but Im not going to judge him because I wasn't there I dont know wht happened all I know is wht is said....tht being said Greg Olsen's Little Brother getting a look from the U....
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/recruiting/football/news/story?id=6492132
12% Ready to Go for 2011-12 Season
RCCF keep up the good work guys

[SOUP]

Gaby Sanchez with five hits and four RBIs for the Fish. Marlins lead 7-0.

Former Cane Alex Cora playing SS for the NATS.

Canes lost to Hofstra today 5-0. Next weekend they face #1 ranked UVA in VA.

[SOUP]

Marlins and Rays both win.

[Sebastian]

Now we need to start getting those 3 teams winning on the same day

Gaby is carrying the Marlins right now

Hes leading them in hits, doubles, hrs, rbis, runs, total bases and walks

Its all about hosting or going on the road when the `Canes take on the Cavs this weekend. They will need to play their very best against those guys

[fmcane]

Great race and some amazing speed. Phillip Dorsett runs the second leg.

http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/238719-2011-Florida-FHSAA-4A-Track-and-Field-Championships/video/489162-B-4x400-F02-313-battle-St-Thomas-Aquinas-vs-Northwestern-FHSAA-4A

A nice article from the SS about the race and some of South Floridas top track performers

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/highschool/trackandfield/broward/fl-state-track-4a-brow-boys-0508-20110507,0,6383372.story

[Ohio_Cane]

Great article, SOUP. Much appreciated on behalf of the people who live too far away to just stop over and see it!

[]_[]

[Ohio_Cane]

Article about QB competition if U haven't see it.

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc/post/_/id/24700/miami-qb-competition-just-beginning

[j.w.]

Thanks, Ohio, always nice to see these articles posted here!

[CGNC]

great article and photos.

[CGNC]

Canechic I am pulling for your Sharks! I have then picked to win in my hockey bracket (which isn't looking too pretty at the moment) ;)

[SOUP]

great article and photos.

Posted by: CGNC | May 09, 2011 at 12:30 PM

Thank U!

[Montreal-Cane]

Canechic the team that will win game 6 will win the series. I hope it will be the sharks. The sharks played a very bad 3rd period in game 5. The defense and Niemi will have to be much better tomorrow night.

http://sharks.nhl.com/club/roster.htm

[Zaro]

Since all the backups and under performers are leaving..cj holton and gavin hardin are gone to right?

[j.w.]

Holton is still on the roster. Did Gavin Hardin has been gone for a long time.
http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/mifl-m-footbl-mtt.html

[j.w.]

The "Did" should have been omitted ^^^

[SOUP]

Remember THIS name: Rashawn Scott.

That is all.

[solarcane]

USA TODAY

Texas, Florida State early leaders in football recruiting

By Jim Halley, USA TODAY



Texas and Florida State are the early college football recruiting leaders, according to the Top 100 rankings for the 2012 recruiting class by Rivals.com.

The Longhorns, who traditionally get an early jump on recruiting, lead all schools with eight public commitments, followed by FSU with five. Southern California, with three, was the only other school with more than two commits.

"Texas is not a surprise — they do that every year," said Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Mike Farrell. "They hold those junior days early in the spring, they offer the top players in Texas and usually most of them jump on board. What's different is Florida State. This is a complete change from what happened under Bobby Bowden, where there would be 11 months of recruiting and the last month of a hurried race to the finish line, where they would get a ton of commits in January and early February and finish with a top five class. Jimbo Fisher is much more aggressive. They have so many early commits that are highly thought of."

Though football players can't sign until February, getting early commitments is still important to building a solid class, Farrell said.

"Somebody pretty smart said, 'Once a kid commits, then you know who his leader is,'" Farrell said. "It is a long way to signing day. There are going to be some flip-flops. It's important to get them on board because it helps you sell the rest of your class. Florida State can say to kids, 'Look at the defense we're putting together.'  Texas can sell, 'Look at how many in-state kids we have on board.' It sort of keeps the train rolling."

The top playe

Dorial Green-Beckham, Hillcrest High in Springfield, Mo., is Rivals.com top-ranked player.CAPTIONBy Nathan Papes, Springfield News-Leaderr, wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, from Hillcrest High in Springfield, Mo., was one of two juniors on USA TODAY's most recent All-USA first-team offense.

Rivals isn't the only recruiting service high on Green-Beckham, a 6-6, 220-pounder with supposed 4.3 speed in the 40-yard dash who averaged more than 20 yards a catch this past season with 78 receptions for 1,706 yards and 15 touchdowns. In April, CBS College Sports' Tom Lemming listed Green-Beckham as his No. 1 player for 2012. Scout.com lists Columbus East (Indianapolis) quarterback Gunner Kiel as No. 1 with Green-Beckham No. 3.

Green-Beckham is being courted by most of the top programs with no indication of where he is leaning.

[Keoki]

Great article Soup and received the Canespace T - thanks to U and Solar!

[solarcane]

hi keoki,
glad you like it!

[solarcane]

CBS Sports Post Spring Top 25

#8 FSU
#9 OSU
#17 VT

[2002nemo]

Damn, FSU . . .
Rashawn WHO ? ? ?

[2002nemo]

So, what else is NEW ? ? ?

[Canechic]

Thanks guys sharks played miserable in the 3rd. I hope tues. Is a better night!

[SOUP]

Great article Soup and received the Canespace T - thanks to U and Solar!

Posted by: Keoki | May 09, 2011 at 06:33 PM

Roger that!

[SOUP]

Nemo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K43G2MnSpKk

[OhioCane]

HEAT BABY!!

[Montreal-Cane]

Rashawn Scott thanks for the link Soup...Wow the kid is baller!

I hope he doesn't have a problem with his grades because the kid is too good to redshirt. he will play this fall.

[Montreal-Cane]

Nice win for the Heat. Lebron!

[NativeCane]

PBP

When it comes to players from Lackawanna (Pa.) College, the Hurricanes are 2-for-2.

In 1999, UM signed its first alum from the two-year college located in Scranton, Pa. Bryant McKinnie turned into a dominating offensive tackle at Miami, played on the 2001 national championship team and was drafted No. 7 overall by the Minnesota Vikings in 2002.

Darius smith

Tyler McMeans, a former Marine who went to Lackawanna following a four-year stint in the military, started 18 games in 2004 and 2005 at guard for UM and was an All-ACC honorable mention selection as a senior.

Now comes Darius Smith, a mammoth 345-pound defensive tackle who is expected to be on hand when fall practice begins in August. Smith hasn’t completed all his paperwork but is expected to qualify and will be eligible to play in 2011.

“I like to look at myself as a big, strong guy and a run-stopper,” said Smith, who comes across the phone as an affable young man. “I had 14 tackles for loss this past season. I did have five sacks, but I’m more of a run-stuffer than a pass rusher.”

Smith was recruited out of high school in New Britain, Conn., by Al Golden and Temple but wasn’t able to qualify academically. He went to Lackawanna and started every game the past two seasons.

But Smith admits he was virtually ignored by every Division I-A school. According to Lackawanna coach Mark Duda, the problem was Smith’s weight. It ballooned from 340 pounds during the season to 375 pounds shortly after.

“People laid off him, frankly, because they thought he would be a weight risk,” said Duda, who also coached McKinnie and McMeans.

Smith said he had a pocketful of offers from Division I-AA schools but said his faith gave “me the strength to hold onto the dream of me playing for a big school.”

In late January, Smith was contacted by UM defensive line coach Jethro Franklin. Franklin made a pact with Smith.

“They basically said if I was interested in playing for Miami, if I wanted any type of chance of going there, I had to drop at least 30 pounds by the time coach Franklin met me in person,” Smith said.

That meeting took place last Monday. Franklin liked what he saw and Smith was offered a scholarship, the only one he received from a Division I-A school.

“This is definitely the place I was hoping to go to,” Smith said.

Duda said that Smith is physically ready to play for UM. When Smith first arrived at Lackawanna as an 18-year-old, Duda watched him bench-press 225 pounds 30 times.

“Super strong dude,” said Duda, who played defensive tackle from 1983 to 1987 with the NFL’s St. Louis Cardinals. “He’s impossible to drive off the football.”

UM could use some run stuffers at defensive tackle. Marcus Forston is being projected as a first-round pick in 2012, but he hasn’t managed to put a full season together. Micanor Regis has been solid, but not dominant. Curtis Porter is injury prone. The other defensive tackles on the roster are unproven.

“I don’t expect to have a position handed to me, but I know I’ll probably get a chance to [compete] for a starting position,” Smith said. “I have to earn it.”

UM can only hope that Smith is as productive as the two Lackawanna grads that preceded him to Miami.

Smith said he’s most familiar with McKinnie, whose photos and jerseys are plastered around the Lackawanna athletic department. While at Lackawanna, Smith lived in McKinnie Hall, which was named after the offensive lineman.

“I guess I have a lot to live up to,” Smith said.

Jorge Milian- Palm Beach Post

[NativeCane]

CBS Sports

Considering we first began hearing about questionable behavior at Ohio State under Tressel with Maurice Clarett in 2003, you'd be naive to think that these cars and those free tattoos were the only times that Buckeye football players possibly broke NCAA rules over the last eight years.

Posted by Tom Fornelli

Over the last decade he's gone 106-22 with seven Big Ten titles and a national championship. Against Michigan, he's led his team to a 9-1 record, and has sent countless players from his school on to the NFL. All are wonderful accomplishments that make sure his name belongs beside the great Woody Hayes as one of the best football coaches in Ohio State history.

Unfortunately that name, Jim Tressel, will likely evoke some other images besides on field success years from now. Much like so many people remember Woody Hayes' name for the time he punched a player to put an end to his career, Jim Tressel's legacy could face the same kind of fate.

Now a lot of people will remember Tressel for his seeming lack of control or his flaunting the rules over the last year. First there were the revelations that Tressel's players had been selling and trading merchandise for discounts at a tattoo parlor, which was only made worse when we found out that Tressel knew about it months before Ohio State reported it to the NCAA.

That story, deservingly, put a huge target on Jim Tressel. It was a blatant and unacceptable skirting of the rules by the head coach. One, that if done by any other college football coach in the country without the accomplishments of Tressel, would have resulted in that coach being fired. But not at Ohio State where the school's president, E. Gordon Gee, was too busy making jokes about whether or not Tressel would fire him.

I don't think Gee or many others at Ohio State are still laughing.

Not with the story that broke on Saturday morning involving a couple of Columbus-area car dealerships, one salesman and a lot of Ohio State players and family members buying cars. Now, this isn't a situation that can be placed solely on the shoulders of Jim Tressel, but the entire compliance department of the Ohio State University. I mean, it's possible that the Committee on Infractions could find out that Ohio State players received discounts on numerous cars, and that Ohio State's compliance department approved of the purchases. That is the kind of thing that happens before the NCAA says those words that no school in this country ever wants to hear.

Lack of institutional control.

While it may not be fair to pin the blame for this latest Buckeye mishap squarely on Tressel's sweatervest, the fact is that right now, the best thing for Ohio State to do would be part ways with their head coach. He needs to go, and as I've already said, he already deserves to be fired for the way he handled "Tatgate."

There always has to be a fall guy. In sports, in business, in politics, in just about every walk of life. As the public face of Ohio State football, Tressel is that fall guy. This latest compliance disaster may not be his fault, but by firing Tressel, Ohio State could save itself some larger sanctions from the NCAA.

For OSU, legitimacy of athletic dept. at stake
Michigan fans mock Tressel on billboard
Dodd: Was OSU cut a break?
Tressel could lose $3.7 million if fired

Make no mistake, there will be sanctions coming from the NCAA and the COI. If USC could be held responsible for Reggie Bush's car, then you have to think Ohio State will be as well. When the NCAA does get ready to come down on Ohio State, if it sees that Jim Tressel is still the head coach and has survived, it will look like Ohio State is sticking a certain finger in the air at the NCAA, the COI and college football in general.

From outside the NCAA perspective, the longer Tressel sticks in Columbus, the longer the media will continue digging into any other possible transgressions that may have taken place under Tressel's watch. As long as he is there, there will be media scrutiny, and as we've seen in recent months, the media has a tendency to be a better watchdog than the NCAA itself. And who knows what is left to be uncovered? Considering we first began hearing about questionable behavior at Ohio State under Tressel with Maurice Clarett in 2003, you'd be naive to think that these cars and those free tattoos were the only times that Buckeye football players possibly broke NCAA rules over the last eight years.

There are a lot of dark clouds over Columbus right now, and they won't be going anywhere for a while. Still, the sun is going to break through at some point, and the sooner Ohio State says goodbye to Jim Tressel, the sooner the sun will reappear.

http://eye-on-collegefootball.blogs.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/24156338/29130233

[NativeCane]

FOX

DOJ asks why there's no football playoff.

The Justice Department wants to know why the NCAA doesn't have a college football playoff system and says there are ''serious questions" about whether the current format to determine a national champion complies with antitrust laws.

Critics who have urged the department to investigate the Bowl Championship Series contend it unfairly gives some schools preferential access to the title championship game and top-tier end-of-the-season bowl contents.

In a letter this week, the department's antitrust chief, Christine Varney, asked NCAA President Mark Emmert why a playoff system isn't used in football, unlike in other sports; what steps the NCAA has taken to create one; and whether Emmert thinks there are aspects of the BCS system that don't serve the interest of fans, schools and players.

"Your views would be relevant in helping us to determine the best course of action with regard to the BCS," she wrote.

''Serious questions continue to arise suggesting the current Bowl Championship Series system may not be conducted consistent with the competition principles expressed in the federal antitrust laws," Varney said.

Varney noted that the attorney general of Utah, Mark Shurtleff, has said he plans an antitrust lawsuit against the BCS, and that 21 professors recently wrote the department requesting an investigation.

Shurtleff, who met with department officials last fall to discuss a possible federal probe, said at the time that such an investigation was critical to the effort to get a playoff system.

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegefootball/story/Justice-Department-asks-NCAA-why-there-is-no-football-playoff-050411

[NativeCane]

SI

Golden- Video

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/

[orange 'n green in the vein]

The DOJ is wasting taxpayer money. There's no playoff in FBS because the members of that subdivision DON'T WANT ONE! Duh. How can that be a crime or worthy of the government investigative efforts at all? At least the baseball fiasco in congress had illegal use of steroids without a doctor's prescription involved, which actually is breaking a law.

[SOUP]

Just arrived in Gainesville.

God help me!

[Herbieibis]

It will take the NCAA 5 years to bust OSU And then they will appeal and by 2016, they will finally start paying in scholly reductions.

[j.w.]

I'm praying for you Soup! :)
Thanks as always, Native.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

SOUP'ster, green paint, orange paint, statue of a FB stuck in the shotgun behind the center, you know what to do. That's all I'm going to type on that.

[Ohio_Cane]

Excellent Read: Profile on UM Commit DL Darius Smith per @caneswatch - http://tiny.cc/x990j

[Ohio_Cane]

Sports Illustrated just graded all new college football HC hires - gave UM a B for Golden: http://tiny.cc/4hz5k

[Ohio_Cane]

Ken Dorsey Officially Retires http://bit.ly/jCqlPR

[MiamiAlumni]

Loved watching that skinny kid, and smart too, Ken Dorsey do his magic, in person or on the field.
86---The pictures and articles on the Alumni Center were superb. I now have that genetic disease thalassemia and may go down to the U Medical School Dept of human genetics to see if they can save me.
Miss all of you terribly. Going to Univ. of Michigan June 9th to see if they can help me, but I don't like the wolverines and only feel comfortable at the U.
Although, Prys. Medical Cemter at Cornell has their own dept on Thalassemia. Lots of Canes, I hear in New York City.
I'll keep in touch and want to get better so bad, so I can meet 86 and the divine Mrs. 86 at a game once again, with Canechic.
Tell the boys that I cannot drink anymore. But if the Canes win, it's worth it. I even forgot my sign in name.

[solarcane]

Matt Bosher drafted to take over as punter?
May/09/11
Name: Matt Bosher (6th round, 192nd)
Size: 6-0, 207
College: Miami

His production: He handled kickoffs and punts for the Hurricanes. He converted 84.7 percent of his field goal attempts. He had six career punts blocked. He played in 50 games for the Hurricanes. As a punter, he put 70-of-234 attempts inside the 20-yard line. He finished with a41.7-yard average per punt. He averaged at least 40 yards a punt in each of his four seasons. He had 49 punts of 50 yards or more and forced the opposition to make 82 fair catches.

The skinny: “Right-footed jack-of-all trades, master of none type who warrants a camp invite,” according to Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly. He was the sixth punter drafted by the Falcons, but the first since Harold Alexander who was selected in the third round of the 1993 draft from Appalachian State.

INTERVIEW WITH MATT BOSHER TODAY ON HIS CONTACT WITH THE FALCONS: “I had been in touch with them before the draft. I worked out for Coach (Keith) Armstrong. It’s always a crapshoot being a punter and a kicker with the draft. I was so excited to finally get that phone call and hear from all of the coaches.”

ON HIS CAREER AT MIAMI: “I’m happy with everything that went down at Miami. I just can’t wait to have an opportunity to play at the next level with the Falcons.”

ON HIS RECRUITMENT: “When I was coming out of high school, it was mainly just Miami and the University of Florida.”

ON BEING THE SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: “I was happy to get that award from my team because we have a lot of great athletes at Miami. I was really proud of that award.”

ON WHAT THE FALCON SAID ABOUT THEIR PUNTER JOB: “They didn’t really say much. They said they are happy to have me. I looking forward to getting up there and I’m happy to have this opportunity to show what type of player I can be.”

ON HIS 19 CAREER SPECIAL-TEAMS TACKLES: “It’s football. It’s not just me as a punter. If you’re going to play football, you have to be able to hit somebody if the play calls for it. You’re not just out there playing patty cakes.”

ON HIS 26-YARD RUN IN 2009: “I can run a little bit. Not all the time, but if need be. If they call a fake or something, I’m confident that I might be able to run the ball a little bit.”

[mi@mic@ne]

u

[SOUP]

Canes 3, Gators 0 is the score here in Gainesville. I'm jus sayin...

[scribe747SP]

Al Golden is doing and has done lots of things right. The talented returning players left behind by RS have gotten the attention of the Pre Season Pollsters and Football Aficionados with AG. They are # 19. Go Canes!

[CaneRock]

MiamiAlumni, I pray that you get better. And speaking of medical issues, if you know anybody that's afflicted with autism, here's an articled that may be of interest:

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-he-fragile-x-20110501,0,2122165.story?track=rss

[NativeCane]

SS

Local Army All-American Bowl Invites

Eleven combined rising seniors from Broward and Palm Beach counties are among 47 Class of 2012 prospects from the Sunshine State who have been nominated to play in the 2012 U.S. Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 7, 2012.

Nominated from Broward County are (alphabetically): Hallandale cornerback Willie Bailey; St. Thomas Aquinas defensive lineman Jelani Hamilton; Miramar cornerback Tracy Howard; Pompano Beach Blanche Ely wide receiver Avery Johnson; Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna DE-LB Eric Kinsey; and Miramar receiver Devonte Mathis.

From Palm Beach County it was: Jupiter quarterback Tyler Cameron; Boynton Beach offensive tackle Jessamen Dunker; Wellington Palm Beach Central athlete Angelo Jean-Louis; Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer offensive lineman Patrick Miller; and Palm Beach Gardens offensive tackle Avery Young.

Miramar's Howard, who already has double-digit offers including from Florida, Florida State, Miami, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia and Notre Dame, has already committed to play in the Army game.

Three of the others have committed to playing in the Under Armour All-Star Game. They are Ely's Johnson, who is a soft verbal to LSU; Boynton's Dunker, who has committed to Florida; and Jean-Louis, who verballed to Miami.

Bailey is the only other player already committed. He is headed to Gainesville alongside Dunker.

Verbal commitments are nonbinding. National Signing Day is Feb. 1.

Of the more than 440 U.S. Army nominees, 90 prospects will ultimately be selected to the game. A full list of nominees can be accessed at: www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com/nominations/intro_welcome.php.

[NativeCane]

SS

Miami lost its final three games last season to finish with a 7-6 record, but Hurricanes fans aren’t the only ones who believe in a quick turnaround under new coach Al Golden.

Athlon Sports’ preseason top 25 college football poll for the 2011 season, which will be released June 1, has UM ranked No. 19 – ahead of USC, South Carolina, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Texas and Missouri.

The magazine also picks the ‘Canes to finish second in the ACC’s Coastal Division. Here is its preview of the ‘Canes for 2011.

“Miami fans should be excited with the hire of Al Golden,” Athlon Sports managing editor Mitch Light told the Hurricanes’ official web site. “He will do a quality job with the Hurricanes’ talented roster, although a brutal schedule may keep that elusive Coastal title out of Coral Gables for another year.”

Athlon lists two ‘Canes – right guard Brandon Washington and strong safety Ray Ray Armstrong – on its preseason All-American team.

I’m somewhat surprised that those two were chosen over linebacker Sean Spence and safety Vaughn Telemaque, although Washington is the only UM offensive lineman to have a starting job locked up.

Washington, Armstrong and Spence were named preseason All-ACC First Team by Athlon. Offensive linemen Tyler Horn and Seantrel Henderson, defensive end Olivier Vernon and Telemaque were named second-team. Running back Lamar Miller and defensive tackle Marcus Forston were third-team selections.

Spence will be on the cover of Athlon’s Miami Atlantic Coast regional edition.

— In other UM football news, ESPN is expected to announce Wednesday the kickoff time for UM’s game against Ohio State Sept. 17 at Sun Life Stadium.

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_college_hurricanes/2011/05/athlon-ranks-canes-no-19-in-preseason-poll.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sports%2Fumweblog+%28UM+Hurricanes+%7C+Sun-Sentinel+Blogs%29

[NativeCane]

Canes 3, Gators 0 is the score here in Gainesville. I'm jus sayin...

Posted by: SOUP | May 10, 2011 at 10:09 PM

Huh?

Go Canes!!!

[SOUP]

Leaving Gainesville, headed to Ocala for some Great American Coffee Roasters coffee and breakfast. C ya...

[Ohio_Cane]

Happy Hump-Day 'Spacers!

Man-Cave is brightening up some more! Been busy with yard work. Blah. More pics to come soon tho!

[Ohio_Cane]

Canes and Buckeyes to play in primetime in Miami on Sept. 17... Either 7:30 or 8 kickoff.

[Ohio_Cane]

^^ http://buzztap.com/-SZ2WIu ^^

[CGNC]

Canechic - your Sharks are letting me down! LOL. Here is hoping they pull out Game 7

[CGNC]

Ohio - LOL for those Bucknuts it will still be plenty hot - the difference in September evening in Ohio and South Florida is huge. It will still be in the upper 80's and muggy

[Six]

Preseason #19? Really?

Just more proof of why I think the preseason polls in all the magazines are dumb

[Ohio_Cane]

Ohio - LOL for those Bucknuts it will still be plenty hot - the difference in September evening in Ohio and South Florida is huge. It will still be in the upper 80's and muggy

Posted by: CGNC | May 11, 2011 at 01:04 PM
-------------------------------------------

U know, I would've preferred they play at 12 or 3:30 so it's REALLY hot for the F#ckeyes. I just hope we win more than I care about the start time of the game tho lol.

Ya, I haven't been to SFla since I was like 4 years old, so have no idea what September is like there. I know it's hot and annoying here tho lol

[Six]

I want it to be a night game ... that way I don't have to get up at freakin 6am and drive down there

Ya, it's selfish, but I don't care