Ask Not What Your U Can Do for U, Ask What U Can Do For Your U

Lindsey Radeer, Associate Athletic Director for Development

This is a new era for Hurricane Athletics, not only because of our new head football coach Randy Shannon, but also because of the critical goals laid out in The Sprint for Hurricane Athletics Campaign.  This campaign will provide our athletic department with critical funding to give our student-athletes an environment that develops champions, both on and off the field.  We kicked off The Sprint for Hurricane Athletics Campaign in January 2007.  The initiatives include building new and renovating on campus facilities, expanding our athletic department endowment, establishing a football fund and growing our Hurricane Club membership.  The Hurricane Club is the athletic department annual fund supporting the Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund.  Donations to the Hurricane Club provide our donors benefits like ticket location priority, invitations to member only events, and eligibility to purchase Bowl, away game and ACC tournament tickets.  Everyone who makes a donation to any of the priorities listed above, including their annual contribution to the Hurricane Club, will support The Sprint for Hurricane Athletics Campaign.  Every gift, no matter the size or athletic priority designation, is an investment into the future success of Hurricane Athletics.  To make a donation to UM Athletics for the Hurricane Club or for any one of the priorities of The Sprint for Hurricane Athletics Campaign, please call 1-800-GOCANES or 305-284-6699 or go to Hurricanesports.com and click on the “donate now” tab.

1.       Has a priority list for where the $ from the sprint will be spent been created? What is on the top of the list?

The Sprint for Hurricane Athletics Campaign has a total goal of over $70 million to be raised over the next three years.  Priorities include a goal of $34.8 million for building and enhancing facilities like a new Academic Building, a renovated and expanded Training Room, and a new Basketball Field House & Practice Facility.  Additionally, we will renovate the Neil Schiff Tennis Center and Cobb Soccer and Track Stadium, build a football equipment facility and complete renovations to Alex Rodriquez Park at Mark Light Field.  We also plan to raise $21 million in support of the Hurricane Club Student-Athlete Scholarship Fund, $10 million for endowed scholarships and $5 million for a designated Football Fund.

2.       How far along are we in the sprint? How much has been collected? Any info on the alum who said he would match? How have the U's recent academic fundraising efforts gone so far?

The university reached and exceeded its $1 Billion Momentum Campaign goal, which included an athletics goal of $63 million.  We achieved that goal in August 2006 with a majority of the funding supporting the BankUnited Center along with program and scholarship needs. The Sprint for Hurricane Athletics Campaign began in January 2007 and has already raised $14 million.  The match you were speaking about started with a loyal ‘Cane supporter who pledged $500,000 to the campaign.  He wanted to challenge our former football student-athletes to match his donation to the Football Facilities Renovation Fund created by Coach Shannon.  To date, the fund has raised over $1 million to improve the on campus football facilities including meeting rooms, student-athlete lounge, coaches’ offices, weight room and locker room.  The Football Fund campaign goal is $5 million over the next three years.  As you can see, we are off to a great start.  We are very fortunate that many of our former student-athletes value the education and the athletic opportunities they were given as students and have chosen to support the Athletic Department during this campaign. 

3.       Some schools have scholarships for specific positions or numbers (usually funded by former players) has the U thought of this effort? 

Yes, we have a $10 million campaign goal to add 20 additional full and endowed scholarships to our current endowment.  A major gift of $500,000 endows a scholarship in perpetuity; this is where a donor, called a Lifetime Living Scholar, for the rest of their life receives the highest level of benefits and ticket priority for their generous donation.  They are allowed to choose the sport, position and name of the endowed Scholarship.  However, due to compliance regulations, they are not allowed to pick the student-athlete. 

4.       Does the U offer any programs for its student-athletes (especially those that may go un-drafted) to prepare them for life outside of sports? We often hear how the NFL guys come back to help out and guide the youngsters. Do the U’s successful business alumni give any career guidance; help with finding jobs, etc.?

Yes, we do offer many programs through our excellent Academic Services staff lead by Associate Athletic Director Roger Bell.  Athletic Academic services have wonderful support programs that work hand in hand with the University of Miami Toppel Career Center to provide resources in resume writing, interviewing, networking, and career guidance. The athletic department also invites guest speakers, some of whom are alumni and former athletes, to speak to the current student-athletes about career opportunities.  Additionally, we have support programs that offer advice on business etiquette, stress management and money management.  One of our largest and most ambitious goals for the campaign is the construction of a new Academic Building.  It is a $15 million building that will house our Academic Center, study/tutor space, computer, math and writing laboratories, as well as coach’s and academic staff offices and the Tom Kearns Sports Hall of Fame.  This building will give our student-athletes the resources to succeed academically and promote their development as well-rounded individuals.

5.       As someone who saw games at the Horseshoe and the OB, where does Lindsey and the Hurricane Club come out on if the U should move and preserving the legacy of the OB?

From a UM Athletics perspective we have two choices, and we are lucky to have an alternative choice with Dolphin Stadium.  The reality of college athletics today is that we have a financial responsibility to provide our student-athletes with scholarships, world class facilities, support programs and a fiscally responsible infrastructure to preserve their legacy and to maintain a competitive athletics department that attracts the star student-athletes of tomorrow.  Personally, I support my team regardless of where the game is played.  I would follow the Canes and support our coaches and student-athletes even if they decided to play the game in an abandoned lot.

6.       Hey 86, ask Lindsey from the Hurricane Club when I can expect the stuff they're supposed to send me for joining the club this year.  Aren't I supposed to get some decal or a certificate or something?

The car decals and membership cards are annually mailed in August just prior to Football season.  There are many benefits to becoming a Hurricane Club member and I encourage you to check out our web page at www.hurricanesports.com and click on the “Hurricane Club” tab.

7.       How does one go from OSU to UM? Was Lindsey at OSU during the Fiesta Bowl fiasco? If so, what is her opinion on the "flag"?

Interesting question and one I receive often.  I started working for UM in February 2004.  During the 2002 season/2003 Fiesta Bowl, I was in New Jersey, working for Seton Hall University and not yet affiliated with the University of Miami.  I was cheering for my Alma Mater to win the Fiesta Bowl, as any alumnus would do.  Many would agree with me that it was an instant classic and was one of the best college football games of all time, with both teams worthy of winning the National Title.  In my years at the University of Miami, I have come to admire the competitive edge of our student-athletes and respect our athletic program in both its legacy and its current staff and coaches.  I now feel part of the family that collectively provides an environment that supports our student-athletes to be able to compete at the highest levels.  Now, I have the unique opportunity of seeing the game from another perspective.  I can empathize with Miami fans and see how upsetting it would be to see the way the game ended and the penalty call.  However, I also know from being around our football program and coaches, that they realize a game is not won or lost on one flag or one play.  Rest assured that when UM plays Ohio State in 2010 and 2011, I will be along side all ‘Canes fans - cheering our UM football student-athletes and coaches onto victory.

8.       Where in NJ is she from? Exit 7A off the Turnpike.   

Comments

[86Cane]

Lindsey, thank you for writing this exclusive article for Canespace!

[miamimike01]

just another step, 86. Good information.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Anyone know when season tickets are being sent out?

[86Cane]

Yes, Lindsey was great to work with. We hope that Patricia Brodeur from the Alumni Association is next on Canespace!

[rebirth]

Lindsey, that was informative but admit it, the penalty flag was BS.

[miamimike01]

I wonder why the Tatum deal is a closely guarded secret? He's gonna have to redshirt anyway.

Does her response change anyone's mind about staying in the OB?

[Esteban]

she seemed okay to the OSU part. Didn't larry coker work there before he ended up with us?

[86Cane]

Thirsty...just click on the link she provided in the article and click on ticket office and they will let you know. Season Tickets are usually recieved two weeks before the first game.

[86Cane]

She is fair and balanced when it come to OSU vs UM. I tried to get her to commit to taking sides but she said the coaches ALWAYS say that games do not come down to one play.

Lesson #1: Never leave it in the hands of a referee!

[phigoose724]

86Cane, Its Rory Ellis, we exchanged emails earlier today in regards to The Orange Revolution. Am I in the right place?

[Fear The Graveyard]

Shes 100% right on...thats game should never had to come down to that..we were by far the better team and i wont say a thing about coaching.Thats behind us now,time to focus on the ONION and what hes going to do to change the lanscape of college football..WERE BACK!!!!

[Terry Porter]

86 - I agree :-)

[aqua]

Lindsey,

You are great! Thank you for all the info, can't wait till football season starts.

One idea I had: The U should do a fantasy camp, for the fans, instant money.

[86Cane]

Rory...what's up buddy!

[86Cane]

Rory Ellis from the Orange Revolution is joining us now...

[86Cane]

Rory is leading the Orange Revolution in an effort to get everyone to wear ORANGE to home games at the Orange Bowl this year. It will be the OR at the OB!

[phigoose724]

Check out the website...

www.theorangerevolution-canes.com

it will give more info than what I can type right now.

What this is basically is a campain to block out the Orange Bowl in a sea of Orange for the fist game against Marshall. Right now we are focusing on that game and will move on from there with the other colors.

[86Cane]

Where did you get the idea from Rory?

[phigoose724]

This thing is really starting to take on a life of its own. Just in the last few days, Susan Degnan of the Miami Herald wrote a piece in her CaneFest report for Sunday’s paper on the The Orange Revolution. Mark Pray, the Assistant AD of Communications has told me to expect word from the UM Marketing department sometime today as he is personally forwarding info regarding the idea to them.

Alex Kushel, the sports director of WVUM campus radio has pledged the stations support and will be discussing the campaign on all sports shows and broadcasts between now and game time. He has also pledged to create fliers to pass and post around the campus. Other campus organizations, members, and officials aware of this and will be meeting this week in order to come up with a game plan as to how they want to move forward in promoting the idea on campus and the community.

There is now a Facebook Group, entitled of course, The Orange Revolution, going around now, and there will be a myspace page created later this evening that will begin to circulate.

We handed out nearly 800 fliers this past Saturday at CanesFest and received great appreciation and support. We will continue the flier distribution at the Canes first practice, this Saturday morning at 7:00 am (see you there!). with the intent to continue to try and get this idea to more fans.

The website is continually being updated with new info, pics, stories, video, etc., and word of it is constantly spreading. Later this week we are going to do a sports radio blitz where we have dozens of callers call in, one after the other, to discuss and spread the Orange Revolution to even more of the masses.

We are working on getting Randy Shannon news of this directly as he has noted that he prefers the Orange jerseys for home games. Joe Z and Don Bailey discussed the Orange Revolution on their show from CanesFest on Saturday, and have pledged to help anyway they can from here on out.

A few fan websites are starting to help spread the word and will begin to pledge more of their help in the near future! Hell, even the UM cheerleading squads have agreed to wear their Orange outfits for the game!

The biggest hurdle we have yet to over come is getting official backing by the UMiami, and getting the word out officially to season ticket holders, Miami Hurricane Club members, and the various fan clubs around the nation, although each of those are currently in the works.

[86Cane]

Rory...Canespace wants to partnership with you on this project. How can we help?

[86Cane]

Can you put a link on your site to ours and vice versa?

[86Cane]

Email me your flyer and i will email you ours and we can both distribute at the first practice this Saturday.

[phigoose724]

Hell yeah I can, I will be updating it here in a couple hours and I will link it up then.

As for the help, like I said the biggest hurdle is getting the UMiami to get a hold of this and somehow get word out to the ticket holers, alumni clubs, Hurricane Club members, etc. So if there is anyway you could get help to get a hold of people in those positions and pitch this thing, it would be great.

Their word in the form of a press release out go a long way and hold a ton more weight in the minds of many. A press release by them would be in the papers and on the radio daily, just think of the people they can reach! They did it last year for the Basketball team, but with the attention and buzz around the Orange Revolution by fans, students, and the media this could be an opportunity for them to hit a home run, marketing wise.

Also, help can be in the form of phone calls to radio stations and emails to newspapers.

A blog on here like you mentioned before, perhaps I can write a little more than I did above, link the flier I made, etc.

[miamimike01]

Bill Walsh died of cancer this morning...

[miamimike01]

I think it's a good idea, get the University behind the move. I already signed the guessbook, Rory

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Any game that is six points or less on the scoreboard is a one play game. Seven points makes it a two play game, but to me, PAT's are a continuation of the scoring play, since they are un-timed, and thus, Fiesta '03 is a one play game. Not to mention the flag was total BS as we all know. Has Porter even worked another game since then? Does anybody know? He's from Oklahoma, so I suspected he was looking out for old Bud's record when I heard his story of why he threw the flag so late.

[phigoose724]

I am waiting on word from the UM Marketing department. Mark Pray said he was going to get with them and I should here something from them soon.

Guys, pass the info I wrote above (long post) and the website along to all cane fans you know, and have them do the same. We all know of fans that do not frequent these sites so an email could help tremendously.

[miamimike01]

http://theorangerevolution-canes.com/index.html

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Josh Tatum? Forget him, he signed up with $neaky Pete, couldn't get on the field and now wants to make the right choice? Too late buddy. I'd rather The Randy work his magic on an 18 year old kid from South Florida than accept the reject from the Bay Area who couldn't hack it on defense in the pac 10. How much of a non-factor do you have to be not to be able to make an impression in the pac 10 on that side of the ball? It's not like they've got talent bursting at the seams into the NFL on a yearly basis out there. Save the scholarship and recruit another O-lineman IMO.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Louisville, quickly becoming "Reject Thug U?" Maybe they can take Tatum, after he gets a longer rap sheet, or starts a bench clearing brawl by getting a Miami rule flag being thrown on him first. I don't think they'll even consider taking him unless he gets at least a misdemeanor criminal charge pending on him first, will they?

[miamimike01]

talking to Deameanor, on the othr blog right now, claiming to be a former player. Anyone know who he is?

[aqua]

phigoose724,

Count me in! I remember it from last season, let's do this thing to the max!

[phigoose724]

86Cane, I just linked your sie to mine on the Cane Info/Links Page. And I emailed you the flier I handed out @ CanesFest.

Thanks for the encouragement guys.

If I could ask each and everyone of you, just help spread the word, email everyone you know, call the local radio stations down here, etc.

[86Cane]

Yeah...and do it for the OR and do the same for Canespace!

[miamimike01]

can't confirm the Josh Tatum thing, rumors rampant that he was on campus today

[CanesgirlNC]

Question for Lindsay: Which websites and outlets that sell Canes wear contribute to the U? I like to order from the OnLine Store but they really don't carry as much variety as say Allcanes.com. I would prefer to purchase from sites that contribute to U athletics and was just wondering which ones they would be

[Cavaleer]

MM01, sad news about Bill Walsh. He was one of the Masters. R.I.P.

Great blog and great info from Lindsay. I didn't even know teh campaign existed. I, for one, will put my money where my mouth is in a few weeks. And it will be made from The Legion.

86, keep rockin'.

[Cavaleer]

OGV, I have to agree with you about Tatum. I don't remember being impressed with USC's defense, well maybe once or twice. If you can't break in and dominate there and by extension in the PAC, what the hell will you do at the U????

Maybe there's more to the story, however. Maybe he didn't like the system they ran there, like WW. Or maybe he realized $neaky Pete wasn't all he was cracked up to be.

I would also rather have another OL or DL. That's the priority. The LBs are lining up at the door for '08.

It will be interesting to see how WW and JB fare at LV. WW transferred for non-football reasons, if I recall correctly, BS. i.e.

JB, I never really understood the reasons. He couldn't master the D and he didn't want to play on offense??? Or was it an academic issue???

Anyone??

[Jake]

Who is the walk on from Ken Dorsey's HS?

[86Cane]

The word out on the street on WW and JB has always been that they were their own worst enemies. They didn't want to play the "game" by the rules so they didn't get to play. There is a lot more to PT than what you do in practice a few times...

[86Cane]

How many people on this blog are current Hurricane Club members?

How many may want to join this year or next?

We may need a Canespace membership just to get a parking spot at the OB for our tailgate parties!

[phigoose724]

Better get used to seeing Josh Tatum in Orange and Green, I just got word that it is a good possiblity he pulled the trigger today.

will update you soon......

[KLCaneFan]

The walk on is Patrick Smith: http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/smith_patrick00.html

[4thQtr]

Didn't Josh Tatum miss most of last season, due to an injury?

Let's wait and see what's behind the decision to come to the U.

I'm confident that Randy will do the correct thing.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

WW has NO loyalty. I hope he and UL sink this year. There's a good chance they will anyway, but I'm rooting against them collectively. JB couldn't get on the field at LB and refused to embrace another role, he's dead weight at that point, so BUH-BYE. Tatum seems injury prone at the tender age of 20, why take the $neaky one's damaged goods? Get another of the great HS senior LB's from Florida if you really need another in next year's class. If Tatum wants to play at the NFL factory of Linebackers, I've got two words for him (no Rock, not those two words, I know you can't stand HBK anyway) WALK-ON. He had his chance to make the most of himself two years ago and he choose the $neaky way, give somebody else a chance that will appreciate the honor it is to play for The Randy. IF Tatum can show he's Hurricane material (and he ain't no Rohan from what little I've been able to gather on him) while footing the bill himself, then maybe he can earn a scholarship by the time he'll be cleared to play by the NCAA at The Randy's discretion.

[86Cane]

phi...thanks for the update on Tatum! Maybe Manny can confirm it also?

[4thQtr]

It appears that Randy is bearing down on players. Hopefully no one here at home (South Fl) gets shut out.

[phigoose724]

fwiw, WW left for reasons far beyond football. Yes, his time here was marred by a knucklehead attitude, but believe when I said that was not why left. He left for personal reasons, and he did the right thing.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Reading the blog at TOS made me laugh, under the post about Luke getting embraced by The Randy, half the blog is filled with a debate of "I can't stand that self-congratulating 86Cane"/"All Hurricane blogs are good for Hurricane fans." 86, do you get to include posts on other sites that directly reference you and your site only in your "annoying" stat updates? Should the SS get to take credit for traffic that only relates to you or Canespace on their site? Ah, throw 'em a bone I say. There's more posts over there about you and this site than there are about Tatum transferring in. Now THAT'S amusing.

[norm]

I just visit the orange revolution site. It's really nice, and gets you all pump up. Just wanted to let you know what I think.

About the O. State game, Lindsey, I see your point. Miami had the better players, and it should have never been base to just a flag. Miami had too many turnovers that night. Go Canes!!!!!