On Saturday, September 20, students, faculty and community members lined up to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. ESPN "College GameDay" reported live from the Lakeside Patio at the University of Miami’s main Coral Gables Campus.
“We’ve been here since about one in the morning,” said Jordan Perez, one of the lucky people who made it to the front row of ‘The Pit,’ the area directly behind the hosts of the show.
“We started at the tables [by Starbucks] and then at 2:30 a.m., we switched into a line,” added Konrad Ehmke, who arrived with Perez early that morning.
The line began at the Shalala Student Center and stretched down through the Frost School of Music . By 6 a.m., more than 3,500 people were in line, hoping to catch a glimpse of the live show in person.
Jordan Perez, Konrad Ehmke, and Jacob Goldberg in the front row of the pit. Photo: Gaby Torna/ University of Miami
ESPN’s "College GameDay" is led by veteran sports journalist and anchor, Rece Davis. He is joined by fellow sports analysts Desmond Howard, a former NFL wide receiver and proud Miami local; Pat McAfee, former NFL punter turned energetic ESPN personality; Nick Saban, the legendary former Alabama head coach; and Kirk Herbstreit, a former college quarterback and longtime SportsCenter host.
Every Saturday, they spend three hours delving into college football and connecting with fans. Each week, the show hits the road, broadcasting live from campuses across the nation—and for Week 4, the crew touched down at the University of Miami.
Also on campus Saturday, ACC Huddle broadcast- live on ACC Network from the Foote Green, just a short walk from the Lakeside Patio. Students and community members had a chance to participate in a variety of activities, including face painting and football throwing practice. They also got to see an exclusive interview with Miami Hurricanes football Head Coach Mario Cristobal, and learn more about the other ACC football matchups for week 4.
The ESPN GameDay broadcast ended with guest picker, Matthew Tkachuk, two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Florida Panthers, selecting his choices for the winners of Saturday's football matchups live from Lakeside Patio. For the last pick of the day, Tkachuk had to pick between Miami and Florida. Following Howard and Saban’s choice on Miami winning, Tkachuk enthusiastically chose Miami.
“It is all Canes, all day baby,” he shouted to the crowd holding a Miami Hurricanes hockey jersey.
Fans from 'The Pit' recieved GameDay hard hats sponsored by The Home Depot. Photo: Gaby Torna/ University of Miami
It wouldn’t be GameDay without McAfee making his pick for the game in his own dramatic fashion. “This day in Coral Gables will be one that I remember for the rest of my life,” he shouted as he ran from the main stage, through the crowd, and over to the University Center pool.
Still broadcasting live on national television, he climbed up the ladders to the high dive with Sebastian the Ibis following behind him. He took a minute to catch his breath, had Canes fans join him in a C-A-N-E-S spell-out with Sebastian, then officially chose Miami to win over Florida before jumping off the high dive straight into the water.
“He is unhinged! I absolutely love it,” said Nate Perrone, a senior at the University who watched McAfee’s stunt from his spot in the pit.
Note from the author:
As a child who comes from a college football fanatic family, I spent every Saturday morning during football season watching GameDay. I am so lucky to have experienced the show live as a student, it was truly a full circle moment.
Students across campus who grew up watching sports know how electric a morning with College GameDay can be and Hurricanes embraced every moment we had with them this Saturday. Even though it took eight years for the crew to return to Miami, I have a feeling it won’t be that long until next time. “The U is BACK!”
