As the University of Miami marks its centennial on April 8, ’Canes Communities are throwing parties of their own, as only Canes know how to do. With 23 unique events taking place across the globe, including mixers, reunions, and performances, Canes are showing that their school spirit knows no bounds.
In anticipation of the big day, the Southwest Florida ’Canes Community kicked off the celebrations early. On March 24, alumni met in Naples to hear from special guest Dave Wannstedt, former head coach of the Chicago Bears and Miami Dolphins. Wannstedt fondly remembered his time at the University, where he served as the assistant coach to the football team and helped guide the Hurricanes to their 1987 national championship victory.
On April 1, Canes came together in Los Angeles to commemorate the centennial with a comedy show featuring several alumni onstage and even more in the audience. The Los Angeles ’Canes Community had the audience “laughing harder than a freshman trying to find parking on the first day of class.”
That same day, at the Chicago Bears headquarters and training camp, the Chicago ’Canes hosted the grand finale of an eight-city Sprint to Our Centennial national tour, commemorating a century of achievements, and combined it with a birthday celebration, including a showstopping three-tier cake in University of Miami colors. The event featured Hurricane football legend and sportscaster Greg Olsen along with University leaders Patricia A. Whitely, senior vice president for student affairs and alumni engagement; Dan Radakovich, vice president and director of athletics; and Paul Pavlou, dean of Miami Herbert Business School.
From left, Dan Radakovich, Patricia A. Whitely, Greg Olsen, and Paul Pavlou.
Across the pond, hours before festivities got underway on the Coral Gables Campus on April 8, the UK ’Canes Community enjoyed their own celebration in London. In Nashville, Canes hosted a songwriters roundtable featuring live music and storytelling. The Philadelphia ’Canes Community recognized the centennial in a distinctly Philly way with a “city crawl” starting at the Philadelphia Museum of Illusions, then onward to cheesesteaks at Sonny’s Famous Cheesesteaks, and ending the night around the Franklin Fountain.
Louisville, Orlando, and St. Louis, among other communities, streamed the centennial concert live so alumni could tune in from afar. New York ’Canes combined their celebration with their annual Global Networking event, bringing together several notable alumni. Washington, D.C. hosted its centennial festivities at the Florida House, Florida’s embassy in the nation’s capital.
The last of the community celebrations takes place on Friday, April 11, in Tampa, with a panel discussion featuring four former student-athletes: Chris Perez (baseball), Colin McCarthy (baseball and football), Kenny Kelly (football), and Lee Butler (basketball).
To add to the festivities, the University created novelty birthday boxes with party supplies, including balloons in orange and green, cake toppers, and sunglasses in a nod to the institution’s bright future.