“Blake James has proven that he has the experience, skills, leadership and especially the love for the University that we need in Athletics,” said University of Miami President Donna E. Shalala.
Comprising 17 different sports, the UM Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is dedicated to developing and supporting the University’s 400-plus student-athletes in their efforts to achieve personal, academic and athletic excellence. UM student athletes have won 21 team National Championships, 71 individual National Championships, and earned 400-plus All-America honors.
James came to UM as Senior Associate AD after spending seven years the University of Maine, where he served as Senior Associate Athletic Director before serving as Director of Athletics from July 2005 to September 2010. In that role, his primary responsibilities focused on marketing, ticketing, retail operations and athletics development, along with men's and women's track and field, cross country, men's soccer, men's basketball and baseball.
“I’m honored to be named the Director of Athletics here at the University of Miami,” James said. “I want to thank President Shalala and the Board of Trustees for the opportunity as we continue to move forward through these difficult times. We have assembled a great athletics staff with tremendous head coaches and I am grateful to be a Miami Hurricane.”
During his tenure at Maine, athletics experienced tremendous success, including three trips to the Frozen Four for the men's ice hockey program and NCAA playoff berths for football, baseball (two), women's basketball and softball. Additionally, James implemented a comprehensive $17 million facility improvement plan, which included an indoor practice facility and numerous other facility upgrades and renovations. Academically, the program flourished, earning the conference academic cup twice and maintaining better than a 3.0 GPA.
No stranger to South Florida, James began his athletic career with UM, working in ticket sales, corporate sales and athletics development while a graduate student at St. Thomas University.
Our Canes bball team ballin baby.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 09, 2013 at 03:48 PM
M-I-A-M-l fight, fight, fight!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | February 09, 2013 at 03:48 PM
I think this may be a sign of things to come. Golden is going to want to match what the Bball team is doing and I think our Football team is going to ball!!!!
Ok so maybe I may have a few adult drinks in and feeling a little high off of the Canes Bball beat down of UNC so what!!!
Posted by: pbcfrcane13 | February 09, 2013 at 03:57 PM
87 61 final Canes win
Posted by: Old Skool | February 09, 2013 at 04:03 PM
no problem it is saturday. posted from my smart tv...fran
Posted by: fran | February 09, 2013 at 04:06 PM
TSully,
I hate to tell you but UNC had the tiebreaker. Better overall record. Love the team spirit though...
WOW! The hoops team may be the best in the country right now. Definitely the best UM hoops team I've ever seen. Great win...
To all of the Legion fighting through the ugly weather up north. Keep ya head up. I'm praying for you...
Posted by: CoCane | February 09, 2013 at 04:17 PM
Win and they will come. That has always been the formula for putting asses in the seats.
Posted by: Canesteeler | February 09, 2013 at 04:28 PM
Gotta love the passion the basketball team is playing with. Coming out with a big early lead, and especially that off the backboard pass on the breakaway by Larkin with just under 8 min. left. The announcers were talking up the U for consideration for being ranked #1, but even though they are arguably playing the best ball in the land right now they don't deserve to be #1 based on how the rankings work. There are 3 teams with only 2 losses still (Duke, Arizona, and Gonzaga). Even though Duke got whipped by the U, Arizona beat the U. Maybe U could make a case for being ranked ahead of a non power conference school like Gonzaga being behind the U, but they have a long hx of being a solid hoops school and haven't yet lost any conference games either. Frankly, if the U moves ahead of all of the schools that lost this week (FU, IU, KU and UMich), this would be a huge sign of respect by the pollsters. Normally this wouldn't be expected, but with a huge win on national tv today vs. a good, but not great, UNC, this 3 loss U team will likely still be rated as the highest 3 loss team in the land, which would be huge and put them at #4. This would be amazing! Even though IU lost on a fluky ending (blown coverage on an in-bound pass with 0.9 sec. left) and UMich lost because of an almost half-court shot 3 pointer at the buzzer by UW to go to OT, the U will likely move ahead of them with equal losses and a lesser basketball pedigree as a sign of major respect. Unless something else happens before Monday's polls come, expect #4 and be thrilled.
It's all about the U, baby!
Posted by: JCane | February 09, 2013 at 04:35 PM
Canes look really athletic. They fly around and play d like the Heat of college b ball... Number 1 team rite there... Something good goin on with D Wade, Labron wanting to watch... championship excitement back in Miami
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | February 09, 2013 at 04:36 PM
1200 games and still the best in the league. Eastern Conference runs through Newark suckers. Expect a full on tear filled baby meltdown Sunday in the return match.
The Pimp is that good dj, Blake better get the lifetime extension ready and he can send the bill to Odai for setting the bar for those so low.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | February 09, 2013 at 05:30 PM
NEW BLOG IS UP!
Posted by: 86Cane | February 09, 2013 at 05:30 PM
Patchan never panned out did he. He may have had ties here, but he was not a very good player at UF. All that hype when he did not come, and he never did jack at UF. He nneds to transfer to BS, he aint no football player sorry.
Posted by: VA Cane | February 09, 2013 at 06:01 PM