Five Questions With Canespace: Chris Freet

Tonight Canespace welcomes the busiest man in Coral Gables at this time of the year, apart from UM head coach Al Golden, our good friend Chris Freet. In case you don't know Freet is the dedicated and dynamic leader of the UM Athletic Department''s Sports Information Department. 

Chris' actual job title recently changed when he was promoted and he is now the Associate Athletic Director of Communications and Marketing.  To many this may sound like a job where you wear a nice suit, shake some hands, smile a lot and most importantly style your hair properly. 

But to those of us who know how hard he works nothing could be further from the truth. Well except for the hair. Chris looks like a South Beach surfer and has really nice hair. But we digress.

Let's get right to our Five Questions with UM AD for Communications and Marketing Chris Freet:

Canespace:UM head coach Al Golden is going into his second year at Miami. Can you talk about how the culture in and around the program and the Hecht Athletic Center has changed under Golden's leadership?  After a 6-6 season in 2011 and at a time when there is a major youth movement going on with the team in general what are the realistic expectations for this season?

Freet: What you see, hear and read about Coach Golden through media outlets or Raising Canes videos is the same man we work with every day. He never misses an opportunity to make a lasting impression, whether that means recruiting, teaching or developing a relationship.

The biggest change I have seen in the culture is through the players. When I watch and listen to players talk about the team and their goals/expectations, I hear the philosophy of this coaching staff. That is the best sign of ‘buy-in’ to me and cultural change.  Listen to Nick Saban (sorry Dolphins fans) during his weekly press conference and then listen to his players, they are reiterating the goals of the week, season and program. Obviously it has paid dividends at Alabama and I am excited to see that process at UM.    

As for the expectations, mine are pretty simple. I expect to see this team grow every week. If they are growing as a team and as individuals heading into games 9-12, it will be a very good sign. 

Canespace: Can you tell us about or update us on any of the changes planned for Sun Life Stadium over the next few years?  How will the stadium be modified or different and how will that make for a more fan friendly experience to watch UM home games?  If we can't have a Clevelander Hotel party section like the new Marlins Park can we at least get some shade at Sun Life? 

Freet: I believe fans can expect to see changes at Sun Life Stadium and I believe the Dolphins leadership has shared some of those plans.  Everyone in Miami wants to keep this town in the rotation for Super Bowls and National Championship games and that will likely require some enhancements to SLS.  As for specifics, I’m not the man with those details.

As for the fan experience, we talk about it daily with our new leaders in the ticket office, marketing  and game operations. We want to make gamedays more fan friendly and more family oriented. We want to make the process of buying, sharing and reselling tickets easier. We want to refine the gameday parking experience, the tailgate experience and the hospitality once you are in the venue.  There is a lot of work to do be done and plenty of items that are not listed. I can tell you we are working on all of the above.

One area I believe we are already making significant changes is in the student experience.  We spent 5 months researching our students and ways to make their experience better.  I think I am realistic in that, I truly believe it will take the full college life cycle (4-5 years) of the 2012 freshmen class before we can see a major change in student support of all our teams.  I think we started at the right time. We hit the freshmen with an exclusive video from Ray Lewis their third day on campus and we resent it to them right before their first ever college class. It gave me goosebumps, so I can only hope it had the same impact on the Class of 2016.

We have a lot of work to do, but we have a team inside the department that is focused on the fan first and foremost.  It’s the strongest team I have been around and I am excited for all the new additions to roll up their sleeves and make an impact.

Canespace: The most recent "Raising Canes" video featuring QB Stephen Morris was one of the best yet from Three Penny Films.  How many Raising Canes videos are planned for this season and are there any hints at the subject matter for any of the future videos soon to be released?  Have you considered doing one on the fans Game Day experience?

Freet: Fans will see at least one full length (around 12 minutes) Raising Canes for every game week.  The 3 Penny Films crew will also hit us with extra content like Jimmy Johnson talking to the team, Tracy Howard’s first team meeting and other great behind the scenes footage from time to time. 

The planner in me wishes that I could tell you the upcoming story lines, but that is what makes 3 Penny Films unique and fantastic story tellers.  They follow the team and let the story lines come to life. 

There are three features that we have been working on and that are separate from the 2012 team.  By Monday of Bethune-Cookman week we will launch a Traditions webpage and corresponding videos on HurricaneSports.com that will tell the stories of our gameday traditions through the eyes of long time season ticket holders.  Graphically, the page will look like our 2012 poster, which features traditions that are unique to UM football: The Ibis, the smoke, Band of the Hour, Al Golden’s Tie, The U hand sign, pregame music and more.

During FSU week, I have asked 3 Penny Films to do a time-lapse video like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCm5iAZ0og4&feature=share&list=PL5E991DDADF7C5320  

BUT OF COURSE EVEN BETTER.  They are excited about the challenge.

Last but not least, 3 Penny is already working on a video for the 25th Anniversary celebration of the 1987 National Championship Team at the FSU game.  There will be gameday video board elements and online elements…and Jimmy Johnson.  I’m already fired up!

Canespace: We do something called Legends of the Fall each year. Bloggers at Canespace select one player on offense and one on defense that they feel will have a "legendary" or "break out" season each year. Apart from the obvious choices of Stephen Morris and Denzel Perryman which two players do you think are going to really burst onto the scene in 2012? In addition, also select one Freshman and one assistant coach that U feel will make an impact this year? 

Freet:On offense, I really like Rashawn Scott to make an impact.  I can see him emerging early in the year like Allen Hurns did last season.  Defensively, I have a feeling that Olsen Pierre is going to become a consistent player for the defense.  On the freshmen, a lot will contribute.  An off the radar guy that I am excited to see play is Rashawn Jenkins.  Our coaches absolutely loved Rashawn during the recruiting process and I’ve been sold since.  As for the coach, I think George McDonald has an incredible mind for the game and is a fantastic teacher.  If any receiver makes the gains that Tommy Streeter did under McDonald last year, we will be a lucky fan base. If two players from the group of Dorsett, Scott, Hurns and Thompkins make a gain like that, WATCH OUT! 

Canespace: What new changes or features can Miami Hurricane fans expect from the UM web site and the SID in general this season? Will there be any in-depth player profiles, weekly player personal diaries or changes in the game day experience for fans attending games in 2012?

Freet:Lots of new things coming down the pipe.  For the first time ever this Saturday night, Canes All-Access premium ($) subscribers will be able to a watch a condensed version of our BC game and a full version of the entire game on HurricaneSports.com.  We will do a behind enemy linesfeature each week that will stir a ton of engagement. Apps for the  iPhone and iPad are  already in the approval process with Apple and will feature all the on-demand video our fans crave.  And a new rewards system for the students will be launched through an online platform that works seamlessly with mobile.  

But the biggest change is the people. Our new leaders in marketing (Andrew Goodrich), communications (Chris Yandle), digital media (Brian Bowsher), ticket office (Brent Crank) and alumni relation (Rick Remmert) were all dying to work at The U.  They believe in this place, they are humbled to work with our passionate fan base and they are all problem solvers.  

Comments

[calGary Cane]

new player on our team...

Team Report: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=teamreports-2012-ncaaf-mmi

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 29, 2012 at 10:21 AM

"Freshman RB Storm Johnson, only 5-9, 188"

[3G Cane]

Yahoo with a factually deficient article??? Say it aint so...

[Hassan]

Coach Golden: "Safety Rayshawn Jenkins runs a 4.55 and Deon Bush runs a 4.48....CB Antonio Crawford's had a great camp too".

That is a lot faster then our previous Safeties. 4.48 as a true freshman playing Safety

[Ohio_Cane]

"Freshman RB Storm Johnson, only 5-9, 188"

Posted by: calGary Cane | August 29, 2012 at 11:00 AM
3G Cane

Yahoo with a factually deficient article??? Say it aint so...

Posted by: 3G Cane | August 29, 2012 at 11:46 AM
------------------------------------------

Ya, it's not the first time Duke was called Storm.

[LB]

"Yahoo with a factually deficient article??? Say it aint so..."

They put Storm Johnson in the same sentence with Duke Johnson. What a bunch of pathetic fools.

If I were Duke's family, I'd be insulted and call for a retraction.

[WWIN]

LB,

You totally contradicted yourself. First you said you didn't say we would lose, which way you going???

I shot a bazooka size hole in yo "realistic theory". I'll respect you as a realist is you come out and say you don't know how the season would go. But to say 12-0 is crazy is being realistic is not realistic cuz nobody knows. People thought David was ridiculous when he brought a sling shot to slay goliath, how did that work out???

Fans don't have a impact on a team?? I guarantee that if the canes had a packed house every home game with fans that BELIEVED in em you would see a completely different team. Name a top notch program that doesn't play in front of a packed house at home?

[Ohio_Cane]

...it has no effect on your team whatsoever.

Fans have little effect on the team unless the architecture which encompasses it starts to get uncomfortable.

Posted by: LB | August 29, 2012 at 08:52 AM
---------------------------------------

Are U actually saying the fans don't have any impact on how the team plays AT ALL? U sure?

Ray Lew would like to disagree (See: 40 seconds in): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QvVgcWdt71w

[RCCF]

I Like WillieWill's thinkn as a 12%er Ive said for years piss poor fand expecting loses equals piss poor play and loses.. Only ppl who have never playd anything would think otherwise..LB appreciate U but U are Wrong..12% 4ever..

RCCF 4days till Undefeated...
fyi the David anf Goliath slayed him good analogy..

[CEO]

CEO, check DM on twitter from Papa Cane

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 29, 2012 at 09:16 AM

Checked, replied, sent him FIVE questions!

Tonight: Five Questions with Ernesto Suarez, Sports Editor of the Miami Hurricane Newspaper

Tomorrow night: OGV's Countdown to South Beach National Champs chase weekly series.

Saturday: Game Day Blog with FIVE questions with SaveUMFootball.

[CEO]

Leaving the 954..headed back to the CCC in the 863. Lead, follow or get the F%#@ outta my way!

[LB/Moriarty]

"Are U actually saying the fans don't have any impact on how the team plays AT ALL? U sure?"

:)

Absolutely not. Fans have the biggest impact via financial gains & losses, though. Predictions, don't though. Though filling up the stadium is absolutely a quantifiable asset and can change the outcome in games. UM prepares for such, too (jacking up the speakers).

-----
"I Like WillieWill's thinkn as a 12%er Ive said for years piss poor fand expecting loses equals piss poor play and loses.. Only ppl who have never playd anything would think otherwise..LB appreciate U but U are Wrong..12% 4ever.."

But that doesn't constitute me being a "bad fan." I've defended Golden on all accounts. I live in WV, and I defend him daily from people who HATE Miami with a vengeance (though they have no reason to). His philosophies are sound and his coaching is excellent. I've detailed this in great length during my short tenure on the Space. My issues have been addressed privately and I am confident that they are getting fixed in a MAJOR way.

It is intellectually dishonest to call an undefeated season for a team who hasn't won a bowl game since 2006. It can't be justified, and I would be lying to everyone. If someone has to play the villain by being truthful and giving unbiased opinion, that's okay. I totally accept it.

Yet I've done my time as a fan. I've lived through the happiness of the 80's, the depression of the 90's, and orgasmic joy of '01-'03, and the sickness of the Randy Shannon era. It's even tougher living elsewhere (by reading Ohio's previous blog, I think he suffers too).

Since LSU spanked us on New Year's, it's been a dark road of maybes, Joe Rose Randy Shannon crack-sniffing, continual 12-0 predictions, the godlike aura of the 2008 class, and a rotating door of coaches. It has sucked. Then comes Golden, and listening to his opening remarks was a breath of fresh air.

I love Golden. LOVE HIM.

I absolutely hope I'm wrong. I hope I'm dead wrong and eat crow. Big time.

Praying for Dawn,
Bowl Wisher

[WWIN]

RCCF,

Thanks. We have different categories for canes fans now, a lot of em don't understand that they are not die hard fans anymore. If you hear a lot of ouches its bcuz I just stepped on a lot of toes

12-0 till da world blow, its the only way to go!!! Lol

[HawaiiCane]

No question for Freet about new uniforms... oh well!

Excited for Gameday. Period. Done arguing records, lets just watch them kick some a** and "shock" the college football world!

We got some 'Canes over here...

[Ohio_Cane]

No question for Freet about new uniforms... oh well!

Posted by: HawaiiCane | August 29, 2012 at 01:43 PM
----------------------------------------

Golden actually answered that question yesterday:

Q - "can we get orange and green uniform combo?"

Golden - "Keeping Miami's traditional uniform color scheme"

[WWIN]

LB,

I'm not mad atcha lol. I'm just saying you can't say you are being truthful about something that won't take place till a few weeks from now. It's not "truthful" it's assuming your team will lose, and you know the saying about assuming. Like I stated earlier, I'm sure you thought we would lose to osu last year before you found out they would be without their head coach, and starting qb, so you don't know who we'll be going up against till playing time.

Just wondering, when we play fsu what will be your mind set? Since you already know we'll lose do you watch the game and just hope its a close game?

[Ohio_Cane]

Greg Cote article on Golden: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/08/28/2971249/al-golden-committed-to-restoring.html

[tjl3909]

anyone been watching Hard Knocks? I haven't seen Lamar Miller at all. Alot of footage of Jeff Ireland-when he told Vontae Davis he was being traded the first thing out of VD mouth was he needed to call his Grandma..he then asked who was he traded for and appeared disappointed Ireland didn't say Andrew Luck!

[Ohio_Cane]

TJL, I've watched every episode and didn't see LM6 once.

Agreed tho, it was funny during the whole Vontae trade and being told about it. He looked stunned.

[Ohio_Cane]

Manny - Pretty alarmed to find out that DT Luther Robinson started 2 games for UM in 2010 without passing a conditioning test.

[CGNC]

Fans don't have a impact on a team?? I guarantee that if the canes had a packed house every home game with fans that BELIEVED in em you would see a completely different team. Name a top notch program that doesn't play in front of a packed house at home?

Posted by: Willie Will in Nashville | August 29, 2012 at 12:36 PM

Like the packed house at the last game in the OB? Just sayin'......

[UMike]

SOUP/CEO/86..I have wanted so bad to do a blog breaking down the season and my predictions, but have had so much stuff going on I havent been able to do the proper research..maybe I can get to it once the season starts..just will be a game or two late lol

[UMike]

CGNC..great point lol

[UMike]

Back in blue?

[WWIN]

CGNC,

I said packed wit fans that BELIEVED in em, you missed that part. Also, that game was packed only bcuz it was the last game to ever be played at the OB not bcuz they believed the canes would win.

[CoCane]

Lmao! Not believing your favorite team will go undefeated doesn't mean you're not a true fan...

Da "U" has went undefeated 4 or 5 times in about a century of football. That's bout a 5% chance of going undefeated.

Expecting perfection every year is logically nutz.

But... Everyone has their God given right to expect what they want from their team.

A true fan sticks with their team through good & bad. Wins & losses. If this is how U feel bout your favorite team, U are a true fan...

CHURCH

[Ohio_Cane]

More bad news for former-FSwho CB Greg Reid. Torn ACL: http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ncaaf-dr-saturday/former-fsu-db-greg-reid-reportedly-tears-acl-163022549--ncaaf.html

[3G Cane]

anyone been watching Hard Knocks? I haven't seen Lamar Miller at all. Alot of footage of Jeff Ireland-when he told Vontae Davis he was being traded the first thing out of VD mouth was he needed to call his Grandma..he then asked who was he traded for and appeared disappointed Ireland didn't say Andrew Luck!

Posted by: tjl3909
---------
Each episode is just another exhibit of evidence in the case of the dis-organization known as the Miami Dolphins. Papacane stole my thunder the other day when he said Philbin was a younger Coker.

[solarcane]

Name a top notch program that doesn't play in front of a packed house at home?

USC, stadium holds 93,607 they average 74,000
There's a lot to do in California just like here, One of the most elite teams in the country with 20,000 empty seats a game at home

next question

[Ohio_Cane]

USC, stadium holds 93,607 they average 74,000

Posted by: solarcane | August 29, 2012 at 04:29 PM
-------------------------------------

Which is about twice as much as Miami games?

[solarcane]

CG how is the real estate scene going, are you CGJF pretty soon?

[solarcane]

I hear ya Mike, add UCLA's 56,000 fans per home game in the 93,000 seat Rose Bowl and you can start to figure out why maybe the 47th ranked Canes aren't selling out at home

[solarcane]

A true fan sticks with their team through good & bad. Wins & losses. If this is how U feel bout your favorite team, U are a true fan...

amen

[RCCF]

CGNC brings tht same point every time we discuss this bottomline is winning is infectous and with fans who expect loses but expect the team to outperform fans doubts is stupid Negativity breeds negative reults. A BETTER U STARTS WITH U..

RCCF12%
RCCF12(

[WWIN]

Solar,

Exactly next question cuz u proved my point thanks lol. 70,000 is great i'll take that all day. And people kill me with this, "its a lot of things to do in so fla thats why we don't go to games", like u can't do that same bs on another day or better yet why u didn't do that stuff before the season????

[PDXCane]

Need a little help...

I'm out in Portland Oregon and can't find the ESPN2 coverage map for Saturday to see if we're getting the Canes/BC or the Southern Miss/Nebraska game. Anyone have a link to ESPN's coverage map?

[86Cane]

Back in blue?

Posted by: UMike | August 29, 2012 at 03:35 PM

Yes sir! UMike...get 'er done when U can.

We will all still be here talking about something, maybe CGNC in that green dress?

"Angel with a green dress on?"

[86Cane]

PDX U ARE SOL:

http://www.hurricanesports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=28700&ATCLID=205671095

[solarcane]

Exactly next question cuz u proved my point thanks lol. 70,000 is great i'll take that all day.
===========
HMM funny you didn't say gezus 20,000 EMPTY seats what the fck couldn't those 20,000 people do what ever it was on a different day than gameday???

Your arguments get so distorted on here its amusing. No matter who on here points out you are way off or wandering into the Twilight Zone you come back with some other slanted statement.
It's not a bad thing to say "Gee I see your point. Let me think about that I may be wrong.

You wanted to know a top notch team that doesn't play in front of a sold out home stadium and I gave you an example in like twenty seconds.

The fact they have 20,000 empty seats didn't have you acknowledge Yes thats a good example, that's just not willie is it?

[86Cane]

A true fan sticks with their team through good & bad. Wins & losses. If this is how U feel bout your favorite team, U are a true fan.

CHURCH

Posted by: CoCane | August 29, 2012 at 04:07 PM

PREACH ON BROTHER!

[86Cane]

Solar...For some strange reason I still love the whole 12%ers vs The Realists arguement even after ALL of these years. It is a really interesting philisophical difference and makes for a good arguement even if it has been done over a few times.

[solarcane]

PDX you are not SOL just yet... maybe

Sport Restaurant & Bar
140 4th Avenue North, Suite #130
Seattle, WA 98109
All games

two hour drive party on

http://www6.miami.edu/alumni/events/gamewatches.htm

[PDXCane]

Thanks for the help!

[CoCane]

Solar,

Some people have to be right, even when they're proven to be wrong. (Shruggs)

[solarcane]

soup,
its what fuels the machine, no debate no blob i guess.

[solarcane]

welcome

click this

http://www.miamialumni.net/seattle

[86Cane]

Back in the CCC in the 863.

CoCane...I'll be back in the 954 on 10/30-31. Let's plan to hook up and I'll bring some Canespace shirts for U and da boyz in da hood!

[solarcane]

Co

I know you know I know

[2002nemo]

QUESTION FOR 'SPACERS WHO BET ON GAMES: Does anyone know how the U did against the spread last year?
I'm curious.
THANKS!

[orange 'n green in the vein]

If gambling where legal, 7-5 nemo.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

4-1 as a road dog and off a straight up loss is where the value trend was . . . if gambling were (or where, as the case may be) legal.