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100 years of the University of Miami

Mel Tenkoff
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100 years of the University of Miami

From its founding in the 1920s through hurricanes, protests and decades of growth, the University of Miami has transformed into a leading research institution. From classes held in a hotel to a thriving campus of nearly 20,000 students, follow the story of 100 years of history that highlights the people, challenges and milestones that shaped what the U is today.

1920s: A vision takes root

The decade began with a dream: to establish a university that would enrich South Florida’s burgeoning community. The University of Miami’s founding was a testament to South Florida’s ambition and the vision of individuals like real estate developer and founder, George Merrick. 

In December 1921, Merrick announced that Coral Gables would become “Miami’s University Suburb.” Despite his many projects, the dream of UM was at the center of his plans.

On April 8, 1925, the University of Miami was granted its charter, but the roaring twenties had their fair share of challenges. The collapse of the land boom in 1926 left the University cashless and unable to materialize Merrick’s many plans for it at the time.

On Sept. 17 and 18, 1926, a devastating hurricane known as the “Killer” and “The Great Miami Hurricane” struck South Florida. No other rivaled its consequences until Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

Merrick later wrote a memoir of the aftermath, detailing the state of Miami after the “Killer” and the determination UM’s founders had in the creation of this institution. 

“A group of Miami citizens sat in an unroofed building and decided upon the opening of the University of Miami,” he said. “The history of the University of Miami since that day, having passed through such [circumstances] as no other University in the nation has passed through, has still come to great stature in community, state and nation.”

On Oct. 15, 1926, the University of Miami welcomed 646 students under President Bowman F. Ashe. However, it did not resemble the ambitious higher education institution that its founders spoke of just months earlier.

The campus was centered in the Anastasia Hotel in Coral Gables, whose first and second floors were the only completed ones. Besides classrooms and laboratories, the space also included administrative offices, a library, a student lounge, a large auditorium and a gymnasium with locker rooms.

Students paid $225 a year to attend the new university. Half was due at registration, the rest at the start of the second semester. 

Girls could live in the rented third floor of the San Sebastian Hotel a block away, but the boys had to fend for themselves until they finished building the men’s dormitory, “La Posada del Estudiante,” (now the University Health Center), on the main campus. 

The College of the Liberal Arts, which included music, art and drama, and the law school hardly resembled the many offerings proposed just a year earlier. To accumulate more revenue for the University, faculty and staff came up with solutions, including aviation classes through Curtiss Flying Service and one of the nation’s first undergraduate marine zoology programs led by future UM President Jay F.W. Pearson. 

In 1926, President Ashe suggested that UM launch an honor society for men, and in 1926, the Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor given at UM, was established. Iron Arrow had nine founding members: Leonard Tunk, Gavin Miller, Clarke Wilson, Francis Houghtaling, Dale Clark, Harry Gray, Norman Kennedy and Bob Fink.

1930s: Overcoming adversity

In the 1930s, the University of Miami faced a period of challenges, but also experienced remarkable moments of growth and resilience. The decade began with financial struggles. A drastic 60% reduction in faculty salaries prompted seven faculty members to file a complaint. 

In response to the escalating crisis, UM filed a voluntary petition for bankruptcy. In an effort to save the institution, Ashe, along with a group of University supporters, purchased the University’s assets for $15,758. 

The students of the University were also deeply invested in the success of their school and rallied together to help. They went door-to-door to raise funds and organized a campaign urging recipients of a Florida Supreme Court-mandated refund from Florida Power and Light to donate their refund to the university. 

“When you went to Yale or Harvard or Florida, you knew you were just a student like thousands of others before you and after you,” one alumnus recalled in a 1949 Miami News article. “But at Miami you felt like one of the pillars under the building. If you pulled out the whole thing might collapse.”

Perhaps the most iconic display of students banding together occurred in 1936. The university was struggling with its aging Anastasia Building, and the students decided to take matters into their own hands. 

They raised $1,000, equivalent to over $19,000 today,  to purchase paint for the building, and spent their own time painting it. Newsreel photographers captured this event, and it was broadcast to theaters across the country. Under the headline “For the First Time in History,” the editors of the 1936 Ibis Yearbook summed up the experience. 

“When the painting was completed, the University of Miami took on new importance.” the Ibis said. “Not only did the exterior appear bright and shiny, but also the very spirit within was strengthened and brightened.”

By the end of the decade, the University had made significant strides. Enrollment was increasing, and finances were improving. The University purchased several key properties in the area, including the San Sebastian Hotel, surrounding apartment buildings and the former Granada Shops furniture factory. 

1940s: Expansion and new frontiers

The early 1940s were a time of monumental change for the University of Miami, sparked by the attack on Pearl Harbor, the opening of the Graduate School in 1941 and the establishment of the Marine Laboratory, now the Rosenstiel School for Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, in 1942.

In the spring of 1942, Miami Beach turned into a military training ground, and over 50 U.S. Army and British Air Force cadets arrived on campus. They enrolled in regular college courses and participated in all facets of campus life, from fraternities to politics and even some joined the football team. 

By 1944, a record number of 2,400 students had enrolled. By this time, the university’s demographic was largely white, with a growing Hispanic population. 

With the increase in funding from military programs and revenue, the University Board of Trustees purchased the original 245-acre campus that Merrick had envisioned as the foundation for the university 20 years earlier. 

On Sept. 16, 1946, the University held its first classes at the new main campus, which was still under construction. 

When the fall 1946 term opened, more than 5,000 students showed up to register at the new campus. By 1949, 7,000 students were enrolled.

New buildings, such as the Memorial Classroom Building and apartments for veterans who got married, were completed, marking an architectural shift from the campus of the past. The new Merrick Building became the heart of the school. 

“In a few years, the Main Campus will be one of which you can be truly proud,” 1946 Student Body President Charlie Franklin said to The Hurricane. “For the present however, a bit of patience and fortitude. The noise of construction work may be distracting, but it means the dream campus is fast becoming reality.”

1950s: A decade of unprecedented growth

By its 25th anniversary, the University of Miami had much to celebrate. 

The campus now featured modern apartment and classroom buildings, along with the Lowe Art Museum and Ring Theatre. 

Academic programs flourished with the growth of enrollment. The long-awaited College of Engineering was established in the Anastasia Building in 1947, and the Marine Institute received further expansion, with the University securing a property on Virginia Key in 1948. UM’s Medical School was established in 1952 from a research unit at the Veterans’ Hospital and became Florida’s first school of medicine. 

In December 1952, the University experienced a profound loss when Ashe, the “heart and soul of the University,” passed away unexpectedly. 

At a memorial in 1953, Ibis Yearbook reflected on his immense contribution,“his indomitable courage spurred it over several seemingly insurmountable hurdles.” 

Jay W. Pearson, a member of the original faculty and Vice President at the time, was named president on February 6, 1953. 

“We were small at the start, yet both were sturdy and stood the periodic lashing of the wind and cold,” Pearson said in his inaugural address in May 1953, likening the University’s growth to a young tree, “suddenly, both began to shoot up, at last to burst through the surrounding foliage.” 

Enrollment surged, and the University’s building program expanded dramatically. Pearson introduced new graduate programs, oversaw the dedication of the Antonio Ferre Graduate School Building and secured a multi-million dollar gift from Otto G. Richter for the building of the Otto G. Richter Library in 1962. He also initiated the first Honors Program and oversaw the newly accredited School of Medicine’s move to Jackson Memorial Hospital. 

1960s: Reexamination, activism and consolidation

In January of 1961, seven years after Brown vs. The Board of Education was passed, the Board of Trustees at UM voted to admit qualified students regardless of race, making UM one of the first universities in Florida to desegregate. 

That summer, UM’s first African American students began attending classes on the main campus. 

“The people here are ready for change and can accept change,” Pearson said to The Hurricane. “I have no reason to expect a single incident from our student body.”

Pearson’s retirement in 1962 marked the end of an era. His successor, Dr. Henry King Stanford, became the first president who was not part of the University’s founding. 

Stanford, a scholar and administrator from Birmingham-Southern College, took the presidency during a time of national optimism and increasing social unrest. The country was in a struggle for civil rights, which led to widespread protests and activism. 

On campus, students began questioning everything from dress codes to class requirements. The Women’s Movement and African American students pushed for representation in faculty, administration and on the Board of Trustees. 

United Black Students was founded in 1967 by Harold Long to push for equal rights on campus with a series of demands. On May 17, 1968 the organization led a sit-in at Stanford’s office, peacefully sitting to call for action on their demands.

“There comes a time to stand up for what you believe in,” Long said. “If I don’t do it now, when would I? What type of man would I be?” 

Stanford, believing in open communication and the right to dissent, held extensive meetings with students, faculty and minority leaders. He introduced new courses and hired new staff to address the issues.

Martin Luther King Jr. visited the University of Miami in May 1966 and was met by a standing ovation by the 1,200 students and faculty in attendance. When the mayor of Miami requested that Stanford cancel King’s speech, Stanford refused.

“Civil rights is a moral issue – it is not just a matter of economics and politics,” King said. “It is a torturous logic, to use the tragic results of segregation as an argument for the continuation of it.”

In the late 60s, social revolution and activism flooded college campuses. Students were active in anti-war and civil rights activities, especially once the U.S. military began drafting for the Vietnam War in December 1969. 

Students protested in spaces across the Coral Gables campus, holding signs. One read, “warning: the draft may be hazardous to your health.” 

1970s: Strengthening Research and Academics

By the mid-1970s, the University faced mounting financial challenges due to inflation and a national recession. To address this, Stanford and the Board of Trustees launched The Mid-Century Capital Campaign in 1976, aiming to raise $129 million over five years. 

By the beginning of the 80s, the campaign exceeded its goal, raising $132 million. 

Stanford had also long championed what he called “Towers of Excellence,” key areas of the University that would earn national recognition. 

The then Marine Laboratory, now RSMAS, led by the renowned oceanographer F.G. Walton Smith, became one of the first to gain such recognition. It received a $12 million donation from the Rosenstiel Foundation in 1968, the largest gift in UM history at the time. 

The STEM schools also saw major contributions from the Rosenstiels and other donors, resulting in a new campus at Jackson Memorial Hospital, and the James M. Cox Science and J.N. McArthur Engineering Buildings on the Main Campus.

A major milestone during Stanford’s presidency was the University’s inclusion in the 1973 Carnegie Commission’s list of America’s 52 leading research universities. This recognition, based on research funding and the number of Ph.D. degrees granted, elevated the University to new levels of prestige. 

1980s: Strategic growth and national recognition

Edward T. Foote became the University’s fourth President in 1981. Following years of consultation with faculty, administrators, alumni, trustees and community leaders, Foote  introduced the “Strategy for Excellence” in 1984. 

The overarching goal of his plan was to elevate UM into the ranks of other national private research institutions. 

The first goal was to raise the quality of students admitted to the university. Foote introduced a bold approach: UM would need to become smaller and more selective. Through the decade, the average SAT scores of incoming freshmen increased by nearly 100 points.

Another major goal was the $400 million Capital Campaign, which aimed to transform UM’s landscaping, facilities and scholarships. At the time, it was the second-largest campaign in higher education history and surpassed expectations with a total of $517.5 million.

The Schools of Architecture and International Studies opened in 1983 and the School of Communication opened in 1985.

In the 80s, UM made history in athletics. The Hurricanes football team went on to win nine national championships after 1984, and later set the record for the longest home winning streak in NCAA history. UM went on to capture additional titles in baseball, women’s golf and men’s crew. 

Meanwhile, Iron Arrow faced legal challenges in 1976 when it was sued for violating Title IX by prohibiting the admission of women.

In response, the Iron Arrow Honor Society filed a countersuit to maintain its male-only status. Foote ultimately intervened, stating that the society would not be allowed on campus if it continued to exclude women. The first female members were tapped in 1985.

1990s: Enhancing academics and campus life

During the first night of new student orientation in 1992, Hurricane Andrew hit. The storm stranded 5,000 students and their families on campus. Four hundred and twelve homes of students, faculty, staff and administrators were heavily damaged, in addition to the campus destruction. 

“Working sometimes 48 or more hours straight in conditions of great deprivation without electricity, water, air conditioning or telephones,” Foote said in a note thanking his front-line colleagues. “They cared for those students and friends and remained calm and admirably professional as they helped our University family together.”

Foote, aware of the lessons from the 1926 hurricane that nearly destroyed the University’s founders’ dreams, used this crisis as an opportunity to rebuild and improve. He used insurance and Federal Emergency Management Administration funds to reimagine the campus, ultimately surpassing its pre-Andrew condition.

While many highlight the transformation of the physical buildings during Foote’s presidency, his legacy extends far beyond the buildings themselves. His wife Roberta “Bosey” Foote recognized that the University lacked visual cohesion, so the couple set out to beautify the campus. 

Bosey was instrumental in the establishment of the Jane Gifford Arboretum and worked closely with landscapers and the architecture school to add more interesting design elements and greenery to campus. Bosey also planted several palmetums throughout the school.

Initially, some critics viewed this as a superficial concern, but the campus’s lush new look quickly became one of its defining features. 

In 1992, the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center was dedicated at the School of Medicine and in 1994 the George A. Smathers Student Wellness Center opened.

Later on, the U.S. News & World Report ranked the University as one of the top 10 universities for diversity. 

2000s: A rise to national prominence

The 2000s marked a transformative decade for UM, driven by the leadership of Donna E. Shalala, former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who became the university’s fifth president in 2001. 

Shalala led the University to new heights in academics, research funding and student success, leading to an extraordinary rise in national prominence. 

In 2004, the University found itself in the national spotlight when it hosted the first presidential debate between President George W. Bush and Senator John Kerry at the University of Miami’s BankUnited Center. 

Just a year earlier, UM launched “Momentum: The Campaign for the University of Miami”, a fundraising initiative that raised $1.4 billion. This success made UM the first university in Florida to mount a billion-dollar campaign. These funds not only boosted academic programs and research but also supported significant campus developments, such as the creation of University Village. 

Originally proposed in 1992, the University Village faced multiple delays, including the devastation of Hurricane Andrew. But by the mid-2000s, UV began to take shape, offering new housing for 800 upperclassmen, graduate, law and medical students, as well as amenities like parking, shuttle services and faculty townhomes. 

However, the unexpected impact of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 caused further setbacks to the construction and completion of UV, pushing the opening date back to fall of 2006. 

As a result of Katrina, UM opened its doors to offer temporary housing and education opportunities to thousands of students displaced from universities along the Gulf Coast, including Tulane and Loyola New Orleans. 

“We’re not stealing them from their home campuses. We don’t have any room,” Shalala said in a statement to The Hurricane. “But we have to do our share [to help].”

2010s: Momentum continues

In the early 2000s, UM was ranked No. 67 in the U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best Colleges rankings. By 2014, the University had broken into the top 50 and remained there for the next six years. 

Under Shalala’s guidance, the University experienced significant growth and solidified its standing as a key institution in the south and in the nation. 

In 2015, President Junio Frenk was inaugurated as the sixth president of the University. As former dean of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a leader in global public health, Frenk brought a fresh perspective to the era of innovation, academic distinction and global recognition.

During his tenure, applications to UM soared by 16%, reaching nearly 40,000. The percentage of admitted students who chose to enroll also increased by 31%, showing the growing appeal and selectivity of the institution. 

The decade also saw a revitalization of the University’s infrastructure and medical enterprises. Frenk oversaw the expansion of UHealth, which experienced its best financial performance in history, positioning itself as South Florida’s premier academic health system. 

UM’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute remained at No. 1 in the nation for the 16th time in 2018 and has kept its ranking since. The Ear, Nose and Throat program ranked No. 9 in the nation. In 2019, Sylvester became one of 71 U.S. institutions – and the only institution in South Florida – to become a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. This designation drastically increased local funding, from $9.9 million in 2014 to $30 million in 2019. 

New healthcare facilities, like the Lennar Center, and record-breaking funding of nearly $322 million in the year of 2019, solidified the University’s standing as a leader in both education and healthcare. 

Established in the spring of 2017, the Frost Institute for Chemistry, Molecular Science and Data Science was made possible through the $100 million gift by Dr. Phillip and Patricia Frost that was announced during Frenk’s inauguration.

The Ever Brighter fundraising campaign, which launched quietly in 2015, raised more than $2 billion throughout the decade and is on its way to reaching $2.5 billion by 2025. 

2020s: Celebrating 100 years

A significant test for UM came with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Frenk’s fourth pandemic experience as a public health leader. As the world grappled with the unprecedented health crisis in 2020, the University of Miami adapted to the rapidly changing circumstances. 

Classes were suspended on March 17, 2020, and continued remotely until the end of the spring semester. By the fall of 2020, the University was one of only 30% of higher education institutions offering a hybrid model of both in-person and remote instruction. In-person classes resumed in the spring of 2022, and the University welcomed students back with resilient ’Canes spirit.

In 2023, UM was invited to join the prestigious Association of American Universities, an invitation-only membership reserved for the nation’s leading research universities. The University’s place in the AAU was a symbol of its rise to national prominence, with only 3%of the nation’s four-year institutions being granted membership. 

Building on this momentum, the University also began investing in its infrastructure to support the next generation of ’Canes. With the Centennial Village to be fully complete by the fall of 2026, this multi-step plan is currently two-thirds complete. The next step is the potential replacement or reconstruction of Mahoney-Pearson and Eaton Residential Colleges. 

Currently, 1,115 students live in Lakeside Village, 875 students are in Centennial Village Phase One and 1,150 students will live in Centennial Village Phase Two. 

On Oct. 18, 2024, Joe Echevarria, former Herbert Business School alumnus and CEO of UHealth, was named the seventh president of the University of Miami. 

“Excellence, continuous improvement, and impact are more than shorthand for rising to our immense potential,” Echevarria said. “Those words, which have likely by now become familiar to you, remind us that unless we are giving our very best – in academics, in research, in patient care, in athletics – we are not worthy of the U.”

As the University celebrates its centennial, it has become an even more selective school, with a 19% acceptance rate. Today it is home to 19,852 undergraduate and graduate students spanning 12 colleges and more than 180 majors. The student body is 21% Hispanic students, 15% international students and 10% African American students. On the field, the Hurricanes Athletics have won 21 National Collegiate Athletic Association championships and 85 individual national titles.


“The U means something,” Echevarria said. “Here in our community and in cities around the world, it symbolizes the grit that achieves greatness, and the swagger that follows it. For nearly 100 years, we and our community have been at our best when we achieve greatness together.”

Long-time School of Communication professor reflects on 40 years

Emil Salgado Vazquez
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Long-time School of Communication professor reflects on 40 years

At the front of the classroom, Dr. Mitchell Shapiro takes his stand, ready to deliver yet another lecture at the University of Miami Communication School. Today, he may be teaching about the ethics of journalism; tomorrow, it could be a presentation on the history of mass media mixed in with fun facts about The Beatles.

Thousands of students have heard these lessons during Shapiro’s 43-year career at UM. As one of the longest-serving professors at the university, Shapiro has served under four UM presidents and played an instrumental role in establishing the School of Communication and developing it into what it is today. 

“The school has grown leaps and bounds,” Shapiro said. “Our programs are recognized by other professors and deans around the country as some of the best, and that really works for the students who come here, which is what it’s about at the end of the day.”

From student to associate dean

Shapiro’s history with UM goes back further than his time as a professor. He was a ’Cane himself, studying at UM over 50 years ago when the communications department was a collection of programs within the College of Arts and Sciences. 

He earned a Bachelor of Arts from UM, a Master of Science, and a Ph.D. from Florida State University. Shapiro started teaching at FSU and Illinois State University before returning to the University as a professor in 1982.

“The people running the College of Arts and Sciences brought me back here to run the broadcast and broadcast journalism programs,” Shapiro said. “One of the reasons they brought me back here was they wanted to become a school of communication within the CAS.”

However, the School of Communication would not be housed within CAS for much longer. Under the recommendation of Board of Trustees member David Kraslow, the SOC became a separate entity. 

Shapiro remembers facing opposition from the CAS, who would lose revenue from around 400 Communication majors pursuing degrees at the time.

“The CAS required that all our students had to take a second major in Arts and Sciences,” Shapiro said. “They didn’t really think that what we did was legitimate academics.”

Shapiro quickly became fond of the school’s first dean, Dr. Edward Pfister. 

“He was the type of person I would describe as the ideal human to be a dean,” Shapiro said. 

They would go on to establish a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication program together.

“When we finally presented it to the Faculty Senate, we were praised for having the best proposal they had ever seen,” Shapiro said. “They had immense faith in us that this would be a top program.”

Pfister’s arrival ushered in the creation of graduate programs, changes to departments and the focus on students getting a liberal arts education.

“All along this time, we were growing,” Shapiro said. “Not just in size, but in reputation. The SoC had gained a lot of respect among the faculty of UM, too.”

Over the course of his career, Shapiro has served many roles. He became the director of graduate studies in 1991, then transitioned to being the SoC’s academic associate dean until 2006 and currently is the director of honors. 

Even when fulfilling his administrative duties, Shapiro prioritized his classes, reflecting his deep commitment to his students first and foremost. 

“The other faculty kept telling me, ‘You know, you don’t have to teach,’” he said. “I would say, ‘That’s what’s keeping me sane.’ When I went into the classroom, all my problems disappeared.”

Shapiro decided to step down as associate dean to focus on teaching full-time.

“Teaching keeps me young and inspired,” he said about teaching. “I was seriously considering retiring two years ago because of the pandemic and online learning. The last two years made it fun for me again.”

The SOC has given Shapiro an environment to educate unlike any other, occupied by exceptional faculty and students.

“It’s allowed me to live out my passion.” He said. “To learn and teach about the media. Just talking with students in my office keeps me young and helps me be a better professor.”

Many of Shapiro’s former students have kept in touch with him over the years, creating a Shapiro-network made up of the students who connect through him, reflecting the impact that Shapiro has had on so many people.

“Dr. Shapiro holds a special place in my heart because he cares about every single one of his students,” Chiara Ambrosini, one of Shapiro’s Honors students, said. “He goes out of his way to ensure our success and is a great professor along the way.”

Shapiro has even had the opportunity to teach the children of his former students, making the network come full circle.

“My students are like family to me,” Shapiro said. “A student last semester mentioned to me that her mother was also my student. I keep a list of who I’ve taught and try to encourage them all to keep in touch.”

Those bonds created speak more than just Shapiro’s impact; it reflects his passion for teaching and hopes for the SOC’s future.

“I’d love to see the SoC continue to thrive, and to grow in stature,” he said. “I don’t want to see us ever rest on laurels. I like teaching; I don’t look forward to classes ending. The day I stop loving to teach I will probably retire.”

The rise of women at UM

Casey Servatius
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The rise of women at UM

Women at the University of Miami have not always been at the forefront of leadership. Their progress is the result of decades of advocacy, dedication and efforts, which has set a foundation for generations of women to come. 

UM was founded as a coeducational university in 1925, and 646 men and women made up the first fully registered class. Regardless, it took years for women in faculty to feel recognized at the university.

Dr. June Dreyer, PhD, a professor of political science, began working at UM in 1979. 

“I was only the second female full-time professor,” Dreyer said. “The other, named Margaret Mustard, was I believe in the Biology Department and had been at UM since the days of ‘Cardboard College.’”

According to Dreyer, it was difficult for women to be taken seriously in a strong academic environment, despite their impressive backgrounds and accomplishments. Before coming to UM, Dreyer was a Far East specialist for the Library of Congress and an Asia policy advisor to the chief of naval operations.

“I had a difficult time even being addressed as Doctor or Professor Dreyer,” she said. “Since my husband also taught here, I had to remind people that I had a doctorate, too.” 

Many aspects of student life, like residential colleges and honor societies, were separated by gender at UM until the 1970s and 1980s. Mahoney Residential College was exclusively for men until it was connected to Pearson Residential College in the early 1970s when the two residence halls transitioned to coed living. 

The Iron Arrow Honor Society, the highest honor attained at UM, only admitted men until 1985. Prior to this change, Nu Kappa Tau was the highest honor society for women.

Over the course of the University’s century of history, women have made their presence known in other male-dominated academic and athletic pursuits.

Maria Teresa Giammattei, Margarita C. Giammattei and Sherman Hoffman Kilkelly were the first women to graduate from the College of Engineering only five years after it was established in 1947. Today, the College of Engineering is made up of 37% female students, according to UM News, whereas nationally, only 22% of undergraduate engineering degrees are earned by women.

In 1973, UM became the first major university nationwide to offer athletic scholarships to female athletes. 

Golfer Terry Williams received a $2,400 athletic tuition waiver just nine months after former President Nixon signed the Education Amendments Act. This included Title IX, which enforces gender equality in high school and college educational programs, as well as athletics. Before Williams, women only participated in recreational sports. 

As of fall 2024, UM has 230 male athletes and 250 female athletes. 

“The coaches don’t take any incidents lightly when it comes to sexual assault,” Eloise Stuart, a freshman cross country and track and field athlete, said. “Female athletes here feel really supported if they need to come forward about something.” 

Kelsey Greer, a first-year student on the cheer team, conveyed the importance of leaning on her fellow female teammates for support.

“We all cheer each other on,” Greer said. “A win for one of us is a win for all of us.”

In 2020, UM announced a Flagship Initiative for women and gender equity. The project examines the current leadership positions held by women and develops ways for UM to further support female students and faculty. 

Shortly after, UM established the Public Voices Fellowship in 2021. This fellowship year allowed 20 women and minority members to focus on conducting research and gaining recognition in their respective fields. 

Most recently, the Steven B. Schonfeld Foundation established a scholarship for female students studying STEM at the University of Miami. In 2024, the scholarship was offered to four sophomores, and the foundation will continue to sponsor female computer science students for the next eight years.

Still, instances of inequality have been reported, particularly when it comes to faculty pay. According to the Miami New Times, within the school of medicine’s clinical division, male faculty are being paid 25% more than their female counterparts. Additionally, as stated by Forbes, other cases of gender-based pay discrimination are ongoing at UM, such as female professors making $8,500 less per year than male professors with a lower rank.

Alumni association makes choosing UM an easy decision

Keira Faddis
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Alumni association makes choosing UM an easy decision

Only 560 students were enrolled when UM first opened its doors in 1925. With such a small student body and even smaller graduating class, there was essentially no alumni community. Connections between students and graduates were limited for years following the university’s  inception. 

As the university grew, so did the alumni association. Today, there are over 210,000 living UM alumni and 36 regional alumni clubs representing all 50 states and 174 countries, according to UM’s associate vice president of engagement, Erica Arroyo, and the 2024-2025 fact finder.

The University of Miami Alumni Association has expanded and improved greatly over the past century, making it yet another reason why students choose UM. Through networking opportunities and career development, the association provides support to both current students and graduates. 

“As a medical student, being in an area with a lot of hospitals is very important,” said Addie Murphy, a sophomore majoring in health science. “Not only do we have UM, but we have Baptist Health, Jackson and so many others. Many of the doctors working at these institutions are UM alumni. They come to speak at UM and are very willing to share their knowledge and provide us current UM students with opportunities.”

The university offers a medical alumni association that maintains close relationships with current students looking to pursue a career in medicine . Murphy’s experience highlights the importance of the connections that UM fosters. This vast network provides students with mentorship opportunities and a lifelong connection to their Alma Mater. 

On UM’s alumni website, graduates can browse through the ’Cane Biz tab to support alumni-owned businesses. This not only helps alumni-owned businesses grow but strengthens the “’Canes care for ’Canes” attitude that has been instilled in students for years. 

Alumni can also connect to niche groups including the Band of the Hour Association, Black Alumni Society, Golden Ibis Society, LGBTQ ’Canes, Public Health Sciences, Veteran ’Canes, Women of the U and the Young Alumni Leaders Council. By joining these groups, every alum can have a place of belonging where they can stay engaged with current students. 

Another way the university helps foster alumni engagement is by offering different events for graduates on campus throughout the year. These gatherings help alumni maintain their bond with the school, reconnect with old friends and mentor current students. 

“The University of Miami has a great sense of network, and we’re known for having that ‘swagger,’ but I like to see it as tenacity,” said Arroyo. “We are a young institution, so our alumni are reflective of that vibrant diversity. We are across all different industries and we have a nice, rich fabric of people, and that network is different from any other institution.”

If you’ve ever been stuck in Miami’s rush hour traffic, chances are you’ve seen a UM alumni license plate. These plates are just one of the many different ways alumni show their Hurricane pride. Many alumni also continue to support UM athletics long after graduation by attending football games at Hard Rock Stadium and showing up for the annual homecoming festivities. This attitude is a true testament to the ’Canes for life mentality that the Alumni Association encourages. 

“Being a ’Cane for life means that you are connected for life. At the Alumni Association, we try to provide something for everyone no matter what stage they are in life,” Arroyo said. “If you’re a young alum, we might provide job opportunities, and if you’re a little bit older and you’re working professionally, we might provide some more industry expert sessions.”

Alumni can use their alumni ’Cane card to benefit from many of the same amenities they enjoyed during their time as students. For a fee, alumni can get things like a wellness center membership, use of the Richter Library and use of the pool. 

Many alumni choose to give back to the UM community through donations. These donations can go to things like funding scholarships and improving specific departments including athletics, theater and band. For example, Alix Earle, a graduate of the class of 2023, established a scholarship fund to help support students in the Miami Herbert Business School. This scholarship aims to help juniors and seniors who demonstrate financial need and has so far been awarded to two students. Both students were featured on Earle’s podcast to share their experiences with winning the scholarship. 

Alumni play a crucial role in shaping UM’s reputation, whether it be through donations or mentorship. No matter how they contribute to the UM community post graduation, they serve as a testament to current students, showcasing the opportunities a UM degree can unlock in the future.

From ‘Suntan U’ to a research powerhouse: How UM rebuilt its reputation

Michelle Machado
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From ‘Suntan U’ to a research powerhouse: How UM rebuilt its reputation

The University of Miami was once known for its nearby beaches, nightlife, and carefree social scene. In the 1980s, it frequently topped rankings as one of the nation’s biggest party schools, earning the nickname “Suntan U”.

However, over the past few decades, UM has undergone a remarkable transformation, shedding its “party school” image and reinventing itself as a world-class research institution. This shift was not accidental but the result of strategic efforts that changed the trajectory of the university.

UM has worked tirelessly to rebuild its reputation, focusing on academic excellence, research advancements, and attracting top-tier faculty and students. This transformation began under President Edward T. Foote II (1981–2001), who recognized the need to move beyond the “Suntan U” image. Foote raised admission standards, recruited distinguished faculty, and strengthened the university’s research focus. His successor, Donna E. Shalala (2001–2015), expanded on these efforts, securing major research funding, investing in state-of-the-art facilities, and forming strategic partnerships. Together, their leadership laid the foundation for UM’s rise as a top-tier research institution.

One of the most significant milestones in this transformation was the university’s induction into the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU) in 2023. AAU membership is reserved for only the top research institutions in North America, so this recognition marked a major turning point in UM’s evolution. As an AAU member, UM now has access to increased federal funding, valuable research collaborations and a global academic network, which provide students and faculty with unparalleled opportunities.  Being part of this elite group of institutions places UM alongside Ivy League schools and other top universities, enhancing its ability to compete on the world stage.

Alongside this achievement, UM invested heavily in enhancing its research capabilities. One of the most notable areas of growth has been in the Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric and Earth Science, which has become a leading research hub. The school’s innovative work in marine biology, climate science and atmospheric research has elevated UM’s global standing and contributed significantly to its newfound reputation as a research powerhouse. For example, RSMAS has played a critical role in climate change research and the preservation of marine ecosystems, with groundbreaking studies that have garnered international attention. Since 2022, its researchers have led a $7.5 million DARPA-funded project to develop hybrid biological and engineered reef structures aimed at protecting vulnerable coastal regions in Florida and the Caribbean.

UM has also expanded research opportunities across other disciplines, investing in state-of-the-art facilities, distinguished faculty, and global research partnerships.  For instance, its Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science has become a hub for marine biology and climate change research, while the Miller School of Medicine leads groundbreaking work in biomedical innovation. These efforts have strengthened UM’s academic standing and provided students with cutting-edge advancements in science and technology. UM has emerged as a leader in fields such as marine science, biomedical research, engineering and environmental studies with key programs focusing on coral reef studies, biomedical innovation, and sustainability challenges.

Moreover, UM’s commitment to academic excellence has extended to its student body. Over the years, admissions have become more selective, with higher GPA and test score requirements that attract stronger and more competitive students. The university’s soaring application rate, coupled with a plunging acceptance rate, reflects this shift toward attracting academically talented individuals. This trend has contributed to UM’s changing reputation and steadily improved its rankings in national and global surveys over the years. For instance, UM jumped from #67 in the U.S. News & World Report in 2000 to #49 in 2021.

UM’s transformation has also strengthened job placement and recognition from graduate schools and employers. As noted in UM Magazine, 2023, the university’s prestigious AAU membership enhances faculty recruitment, student opportunities, and global collaborations, giving students a competitive edge. Its expanding alumni network and corporate partnerships further enrich students’ experiences, offering mentorship and networking opportunities.

The university has established new partnerships with top-tier institutions and corporations in industries like healthcare, technology and environmental sustainability. These collaborations provide students with internships, research opportunities and direct pathways to employment at leading companies.

UM’s enhanced reputation has resulted in more financial support from donors, enabling the university to increase scholarships and financial aid. As UM continues to attract high-achieving students, it gains access to expanded career counseling, study-abroad programs, and cutting-edge academic resources.

Today, the University of Miami stands as a testament to the power of reinvention. Its journey from “Suntan U” to a respected research powerhouse demonstrates that with the right focus and investment, even the most ingrained reputations can be rebuilt. While UM’s transformation into a top-tier research institution has brought numerous benefits, students still enjoy the vibrant lifestyle that Miami offers. The balance between academic rigor and a thriving social scene now defines UM’s “work hard, play hard” culture, offering the best of both worlds to those who choose to study there. Students can still take advantage of Miami’s beautiful weather and bustling nightlife while benefiting from an academically rigorous environment that pushes them to excel in their fields.

UM promotes green initiatives for an even greener future

Katie Karlson
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UM promotes green initiatives for an even greener future

Human-induced climate change is here, and it’s here to stay. Rising temperatures and sea levels coupled with ozone degradation form our reality. While all of us play a role, larger corporations and entities have the capacity to truly make a difference in saving our environment. 

Over the last century, the University of Miami has made significant progress toward achieving its environmental goals and mitigating its carbon footprint, and these changes have laid the foundation for UM to continue improving for the next 100 years.

UM is currently tackling its “Sustainable Operations Plan 2035” to achieve net zero emissions over the next decade. The plan has five main focus areas to achieve its objectives: carbon neutrality, energy efficiency, green buildings, alternative mobility and waste diversion. 

While net zero emissions may seem to be an unattainable goal, the U’s years of hard work and commitment to keeping our campus green have brought it within reach. 

Green U, an initiative to integrate environmental consciousness throughout the university, was launched in 2000. Initiatives focus on nature, green buildings, water, and food and well-being. The webpage also outlines specific programs UM has put in place and ways for students to get involved. 

In fact, many students are already actively working towards environmental improvements without knowing it. Anyone living in Lakeside Village does so under green roofs and rain gardens. 

“Since 2007, the University embraced a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) initiative for its building and construction projects,” said UM Sustainability Director Teddy Lhoutellier, in a statement to TMH. 

“Today, 22 buildings have been certified, most notably the LEED Gold certification of the Lakeside Village Housing units, featuring the first green roofs on residential student housing in our region, rain gardens to manage stormwater, HVAC heat recovery systems and stilt structures to address climate resilience.”

Additionally, UM partnered with Adidas and Parley for the Oceans in 2018 and the ’Canes became the first college football team to wear jerseys made from recycled ocean materials. So, all of our football players are automatically contributing to eco-friendly initiatives. 

In addition to those improvements, the University became an active member of The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in 2007 and subsequently designed a climate action plan in 2009. 

Per this plan, UM also abides by an energy-efficient appliance policy and only purchases ENERGY STAR-certified appliances. These appliances, found primarily in Lakeside and University Village, have to adhere to energy efficiency standards established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, making this policy yet another way that on-campus residents are unknowingly contributing to climate-friendly goals. Even the auto-shut-off lights prevent energy from being wasted and reduce our campus’s environmental footprint and the cost of utilities. 

While these minor adjustments may not seem like they make that much of a difference, when they are multiplied across the 1,115 students living in Lakeside and everyone in University Village, the impact is huge. 

For example, ENERGY STAR refrigerators are about 15% more energy efficient than the federal standard. Dishwashers are 10% more energy efficient and 20% more water efficient; laundry machines save users about half on energy bills and one-third on water bills. Each individual’s environmental savings makes a huge difference, and this positive change is even greater when applied across all of the people living in the two villages. 

UM reached another important milestone in 2017 when it began following the Sustainability, Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS). STARS is a self-reported system that colleges and universities use to measure sustainability progress by creating a baseline for progress. Since then, UM has reduced its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 89% and Scope 3 emissions by 43%. These emissions are all greenhouse gases that come from any part of an organization. Scope 1 emissions come directly from that organization. Scope 2 emissions come from the energy it purchases, and Scope 3 covers any emissions not otherwise accounted for. 

More recently in 2021, UM joined the Florida Power and Light Solar Together program, allowing the university to get 100% of its 2020 electricity consumption through off-site solar energy. This program also plays a crucial role in helping UM achieve its goal of carbon neutrality. 

By publicly sharing these benchmarks and taking the time to perform carbon accounting, UM earned the honor of a STARS Gold Rating in 2022. This rating is just one of many that UM has the honor of holding.

“In 2023, the University ranked No. 8 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Top 30 list of higher education green power users,” Lhoutellier added. “The EPA selected the University of Miami as a member of its ‘Green Power Partnership’ in recognition of the University’s continued commitment to utilizing clean energy.” 

“In addition, in January 2025, the University’s ranking in the Princeton Review Top 50 Green Colleges went up from No. 26 to No. 13. And in 2024, the Coral Gables Campus was awarded the Tree Campus USA recognition for the tenth consecutive time since 2014 by the Arbor Day Foundation.”

Although UM is still a few years away from achieving its primary goal of net zero emissions, the university has undoubtedly made a huge impact in improving the environment. They have taken necessary steps in raising awareness about how each individual can make a positive impact on the world around us. 

UM sets a high standard for other universities and is a role model for sustainability. Nature is an integral part of our campus and UM has done a great job preserving and valuing our environment. It is the thriving environment that makes our campus special. So, with the improvements UM continues to make, this beauty will remain for years to come.

We need to change, but so do you

Editorial Board
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We need to change, but so do you

The Miami Hurricane has survived at UM for almost 100 years, but with print media dying, the traditional newspaper is struggling. 

In 2022, only 8% of college students nationwide read the print edition of their campus newspaper, and 18% read the online edition. And why should they, if their own college newspaper isn’t even engaging with them?

As much as we expect you to meet us in the middle by reading and sharing our stories, the responsibility to be informed does not rest totally on your shoulders. 

TMH works each year to reevaluate what types of stories draw the most interest from students and where they prefer to interact with that information. In the past few years, TMH has added a podcast, redesigned its social media posts and made its website more accessible.

We have focused on developing our breaking news reporting to get information out faster and conducted several investigations. 

“I think that there’s no problem with TMH continuing to exist well into the future,” Steven Priepke, the Deputy Dean of Students, said. “They will always have to continue to adopt and adapt to whatever the electronic way is to reach the generation of the day.” 

We hope that with UM’s help and by continuing to modernize, TMH will live to see another century, but we need engaged readers. Because, after all, what good is a newspaper without our readers?

Online sites have proven that students are open to reading about campus news. What makes platforms such as RedCup so popular among UM students? The gossip? The humor? Maybe a little of both, but the key to their popularity is the opportunity for student interaction. 

TMH plans to continue finding ways to connect directly with the student body. Our staff is exploring the ideas of dedicated student sections in the print edition, news-tip focused tabling  and engaging social media prompts to garner quick opinions of the study body. 

Changes are happening in the School of Communication as well. Sallie Hughes, department chair of journalism and media management at the School of Communication, is working on a new program that would expand the Community Wire, an independent community news outlet in the School of Communication staffed primarily by graduate students, taking it to “the next level.”

The University is looking to hire a new faculty member in digital journalism and local news collaborations to lead an initiative that will leverage the combined strength of UM’s student media platforms, upper-level undergraduate classes and graduate student work through local and statewide partnerships. 

“We are looking for ways to help the Hurricane have an even broader reach…to use their talents to produce journalism about communities in South-Dade county and in Miami that aren’t being covered, ” said Hughes. “From a social impact standpoint, the students get to see how journalism can make a difference in the community. From a professional development standpoint, they see their good work reaching more people, having a bigger impact…I think it’s a win-win.”

But for our efforts to work, we need you to participate. 

If our community immediately clams up when they hear the words “Do you consent to being recorded for this interview,” how are we supposed to do our jobs as reporters? 

We already have Instagram posts asking people to submit tips and a button on our website where you can submit an anonymous form with information. These forms are rarely used. 

And it’s not just students. In the past, TMH has had difficulty connecting with higher-ups for interviews and information about campus events.

So, while we work on modernizing and catering to your needs, you should think about what matters to you. Help us, help you, and in 100 years we’re confident that TMH will continue to deliver the news to UM.

Miami pummels Pitt 14-4, taking series in 7-inning slugfest

Jayden Gonzalez
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Miami pummels Pitt 14-4, taking series in 7-inning slugfest

On a frigid Sunday afternoon in Pittsburgh, the Miami Hurricane bats were on fire, run-ruling the Panthers 14-4 in seven innings.

Following a 9-4 victory for the ’Canes in game one of a day-night doubleheader on Friday, Pitt won 7-2 in the evening, forcing a rubber match game for the series.

This afternoon, every UM starter registered a hit, giving Hurricanes pitcher Tate DeRias run support in the first start of his collegiate career.

The freshman from New Jersey played well in the win. DeRias struck out five batters and surrendered four hits and one unearned run in five innings of work. Following his outing, DeRias posts a 1.37 ERA, the best among all UM pitchers.

Pitt started the game off on a fast start. In the opening frame, Ryan Zuckerman laced an RBI single past a diving Dorian Gonzalez Jr., giving the Panthers an early 1-0 lead.

That lead wouldn’t last long, as the Miami bats came alive, scoring 14 unanswered. In the third inning, with the score even at one, freshman Derek Williams lined a slow base hit up the middle, scoring Daniel Cuvet from second.

The next batter, Gonzalez, crushed Drew Lafferty’s inside fastball over the wall in right field. His 422-foot home run gave Miami a 4-1 lead.

Lafferty was hit hard by the Hurricane batters, struggling after a strong first inning. The sophomore allowed four runs on five hits, striking out two batters in three frames of work.

The bats were hot all game for the Hurricanes, scoring a run in five consecutive innings.

UM blew the game open in the fifth inning, with the score at 6-1. After a Max Galvin RBI single and RBI hit-by-pitch by Fabio Peralta, Cuvet stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. 

Cuvet lofted Daniel McAuliff’s off-speed pitch to center field, where Derrick Tarpley Jr. made a diving attempt at the ball but missed it as the ball raced to the wall. Cuvet cleared the bases but was thrown out at home plate looking for his first inside-the-park home run.

Miami’s series victory against Pitt (17-14, 4-8 ACC) was the program’s first in ACC play this season. The Hurricanes had lost the first three weekend series since ACC play began.

UM (17-16, 4-8 ACC) outscored the Panthers 25-15 this weekend, something that has been a struggle for the Hurricanes. Miami has posted the lowest on-base percentage (.356) in conference play, ranking at the bottom of the ACC in most offensive metrics.

The Hurricanes hope that the series victory against Pitt will give the team a spark as they continue the back half of the 2025 season. They will host Bethune-Cookman (16-15, 9-2 SWAC) on Wednesday, followed by a weekend series with Duke (21-12, 8-7 ACC). First pitch at Mark Light Field on Wednesday is set for 6 p.m.

Hurricanes can’t come away with a doubleheader sweep, lose 7-2 to Pitt

Zach Cohen
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Hurricanes can’t come away with a doubleheader sweep, lose 7-2 to Pitt

45 minutes after a thrilling game one victory, Miami looked to win two in a row in cold, rainy Pittsburgh on Friday evening. 

The Hurricanes’ effort was not enough, losing 7-2. This evened up the series at one apiece.

Due to two out of the three games of the series being played on Friday and rain expected in the Pittsburgh area all weekend, Miami head coach J.D. Arteaga thrust AJ Ciscar into the starter role. This was the freshman’s second career start.

In five innings pitched, Ciscar gave up two hits and four runs – three of them which were earned – and he struck out seven batters. He threw two three-up, three-down innings in the first and third. 

After an offensive explosion that was propelled by Tanner Smith’s grand slam in game one, Miami was only able to plate two runs in the game despite having eight hits.

The Hurricanes scored both of their runs in the eighth inning. After freshman catcher Nolan Johnson hit a base knock as a pinch-hitter for fellow freshman Ethan Puig, senior Gaby Gutierrez stepped into the batter’s box. Gutierrez, in limited playing time this season, cranked a two-run home run over the center field wall. 

In many cases two runs is not enough to win a ball game, and it was evident on Friday night. The Panthers scored five of their seven runs in the sixth inning. 

After Ciscar allowed two consecutive base runners on with no outs, he was pulled for Michael Fernandez. The freshman allowed two straight sacrifices – a bunt and a flyout – resulting in one run to score. Arteaga used more youth in this game, as he took the ball from Fernandez and gave it to freshman Lazaro Collera. 

The pitching change backfired. Collera gave up two runs on two hits and walked two batters and was not able to record the final out of the inning. Pittsburgh outfielder AJ Nessler had one of the two hits and an RBI, remaining hot after a two-hit performance in game one. Jackson Cleveland came into the game for the Hurricanes to record the last out via a strikeout.

Pitt (17-13, 4-7 ACC) starting pitcher Ryan Reed shut down Miami’s offense. The junior southpaw threw seven innings, only allowing three hits and striking out five.

After weather delays and postponements, the rubber match of the three-game set is scheduled for Sunday at 1 p.m. Miami (16-16, 3-8 ACC) looks to win its first series in over a month.

Miami rowing competes in local Miami International Regatta

Max Diaz
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Miami rowing competes in local Miami International Regatta

The UM rowing team competed this past Saturday in the Miami International Regatta, located at the Miami Marine Stadium. The Hurricanes competed in two races during the event: women’s collegiate four and women’s collegiate eight. In both races, they competed against the Nova Southeastern Sharks. The ’Canes collegiate four boat came in first for their race, and the collegiate eight boat came in second for theirs. 

For their collegiate eight boat, the Hurricanes had the following lineup: Captain: Jennifer DeSantis (freshman) 8: McKenzie Eason (freshman) 7: Krista Jackson (freshman) 6: Anna Cristina Tirado (freshman) 5: Reese Leahy (freshman) 4: Fleming Burkert (freshman) 3: Kaitlyn Jorgensen (freshman) 2: Julia Newman (freshman) 1: Yara Bhaloo (freshman). The all-freshmen boat finished with a time of 5:13.637, less than a second behind Nova Southeastern’s winning time of 5:12.787.

As for the collegiate four boat, UM had the lineup: C: Pietra Amor (freshman) 4: Lauren Bricca (senior) 3: Layna Hopper (freshman) 2: Madelyn Moline (freshman) 1: Camila Banciella (freshman). The ’Canes finished first with a time of 6:03.569, destroying the Sharks’ time of 6:12.772.

The Hurricanes will next be competing at the Big Ten Invitational in Sarasota, Fla. from April 18–19.

Lavassas leads ‘Canes Track and Field at the Pepsi Florida Relay

Shea Mcdonald
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Lavassas leads ‘Canes Track and Field at the Pepsi Florida Relay

On the road for the first time in the outdoor season Hurricane Track and Field made their way to Gainesville for the Pepsi Florida Relays. Though it wasn’t their most impressive performance of the season there were still some impressive individual performances. 

Starting it off Friday, Daphnee Lavassas took home Miami’s one and only first place finish in the 5000m with a time of 16:36.82. This wasn’t the senior’s only big performance as she also took home the second fastest time in school history in the 1500m. At 4:21.45 she slightly outpaced her teammate sophomore Maddie Scheier who took the fourth best spot in the women’s record books at 4:22.55. For the men, senior Josh Jones did the same, taking fourth place in the event and the second spot in Miami’s record books for the 1500m with a time of 3:47.58. Jones would also enter the record books again with a time of 1:49.68 in the 800m putting him in 5th.

It was a strong weekend for the Women’s relay teams as both the 4×100 and 4×400 qualified for the finals. The latter led by junior Gabriella Grissom and freshmen Janay Moorer, Serena Tate and Morgan Roundtree set a season best in the prelim at 3:38.48. In the invite section Grissom would switch over and run with freshmen Iyonna Codd and junior Sanaa Hebron to bring that time down to 3:33.89. 

In the 400m hurdles Hebron also took home third place while taking the 4th fastest time in Hurricanes history at 55.87 seconds. Junior George Franks in the regular 400m moved into fourth as well with a 46.15 time.

Rounding out the weekend’s performances junior Desmond Coleman got third place with a mark of 57.77 in the discus. And senior Helga Sigurjonsdottir in the high jump set a new PR in the high jump moving her into third all time at 1.82m. 

Miami will be off this next week but will soon return to action when they head out on the road. Their first stop is in California for the Mt.Sac Relays April 16 and 17. The team will then likely split up and either head to Gainesville again for the Tom Jones Memorial or to the Wake Forest Invitational April 18-19.

Heroic at home: Miami Men’s Tennis completes undefeated home season

Sebastian Font
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Heroic at home: Miami Men’s Tennis completes undefeated home season

The Miami men’s tennis team headed into their final home match of the season with a chance at an impressive feat: an undefeated home season. The ’Canes had won their last 12 at the Neil Schiff Tennis Center and only needed one more to complete the feat, but Notre Dame was standing in their way.

With all the pressure of securing a historic feat, the No. 33 Miami Hurricanes defeated the No. 55 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 4-2 to secure their undefeated home season.

But it didn’t start off well for Miami (13-8, 6-6 ACC) as they lost the doubles point to Notre Dame (13-13, 1-11 ACC).

The ’Cane pair of Medhi Sadaoui and Jules Garot fell 6-2 to Luis Llorens Saracho and Peter Nad, but  No. 72 Martin Katz and Antonio Prat ensured the point would go to the third set with a dominant 6-1 win over No. 68 Sebastian Dominko and Chase Thompson. But in that third set the Irish would prevail to take the doubles point as  Nacho Serra Sanchez and Leonardo Dal Boni then fell 6-4 to Jameson Corsillo and Yu Zhang.

The Hurricanes immediately fought back in singles play and took a 2-1 lead after No. 24 Katz defeated No. 18 Dominko 6-4, 6-0, and Sanchez took a 6-2, 6-2 win on court three over Thompson.

Notre Dame then tied the match as Garot fell 6-4, 7-5 to Kyran Magimay, but Antonio Prat returned the ’Cane lead with a  6-2, 4-6, 6-3 win over Zhang.

Therefore it all came down to Dal Boni to defeat Notre Dame’s Nad to secure the win. And in poetic fashion it went down to the wire with all three sets as Dal Boni came out victorious  6-2, 6-7 (8-10), 7-6 (7-5), securing both the Hurricane win and undefeated home season. 

It’s a tale of two sides for the Hurricanes. Despite the home heroics en route to an undefeated home record, Miami remains winless on the road this year.

The Hurricanes will travel to Tallahassee to take on their rival Florida State Seminoles for their final match of the season. An opportunity to end the year on a high note for the ’Canes.

Singles competition 

1. #24 Martin Katz (UM) def. #18 Sebastian Dominko (ND) 6-4, 6-0 

2. Antonio Prat (UM) def. Yu Zhang (ND) 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 

3. Nacho Serra Sanchez (UM) def. Chase Thompson (ND) 6-2, 6-2 

4. Mehdi Sadaoui (UM) vs. Luis Llorens Saracho (ND) 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 5-5, unfinished 

5. Leonardo Dal Boni (UM) def. Peter Nad (ND) 6-2, 6-7 (8-10), 7-6 (7-5) 6. Kyran Magimay (ND) def. Jules Garot (UM) 6-4, 7-5

Doubles competition 

1. #72 Martin Katz/Antonio Prat (UM) def. #68 Sebastian Dominko/Chase Thompson (ND) 6-1 2. Jameson Corsillo/Yu Zhang (ND) def. Leonardo Dal Boni/Nacho Serra Sanchez (UM) 6-4 

3. Luis Llorens Saracho/Peter Nad (ND) def. Mehdi Sadaoui/Jules Garot (UM) 6-1

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