By now, everyone is familiar with the gold-linked “305” turnover chain that has gained national recognition, bringing a contagious energy to every University of Miami football game. Every ’Cane will tell you, though, that the turnover chain takes on a whole new vitality in person. Picture this: A mass of green and orange erupts, making the ground vibrate and sending echoes into the air, as yet another Hurricane steps onto the bleachers and poses with his new necklace.
Of course, there is more to attending Miami football games than the glitz and glam of the turnover chain, even though the chain does embody the swagger and excitement of being a ’Cane. Sports director and play-by-play broadcaster for WVUM (the U’s radio station), Danny Larose, says, “The best part of gameday has to be the game itself. Watching my team play and hearing the roar of 60,000+ fans who all love my relatively small little school as much as I do is pretty cool.”
As buses pull into the Hard Rock parking lot, the anticipation builds. Weekly tailgates from the Miami faithful pack the area surrounding the stadium with high hopes for yet another successful year. As the players warm up on the field, students crowd the Fan Zone, gaining access to food and water in order to charge up for three hours of intensity. Inside the Fan Zone is also a DJ playing music as well as charging stations for your phone, a spirit table, and even tailgating games. It’s almost game time.
At last, rowdy students fill the student section, put on by Category 5 (Student Government's Spirit Programming Agency), chanting and hollering as the ’Canes line up for the kickoff. It’s finally time. No matter your background, age, or interest in football, the University of Miami creates a community, unlike any other school. It’s always a good day to be a ’Cane, but especially on Saturdays.
Joe DelloStritto is a second-year student at the University of Miami.
