Miami Hurricanes women’s tennis pulls out a 5-2 win over #14 Duke on Feb. 23, 2024. The Miami Hurricane had photographers covering the day. Here’s a look back at the action:
Gallery: ‘Canes tennis triumphs over Duke
Gallery: Vibra Urbana Music Festival
Through rain and shine, fans attended the Vibra Urbana music festival on Feb 17-18 to see performances from the world’s top reggaeton artists including Young Miko, Farruko, Jay Wheeler, Gale, and others at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Exposition Center. Here’s a look back at the weekend:
Sigma Alpha Epsilon suspended for spring semester but ruled not in violation of UM hazing policy
The University of Miami Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter has been suspended for the remainder of the spring semester following the conclusion of a joint-investigation by the University of Miami Dean of Students Office and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity Service Center on March 12.
The fraternity will resume full operation in the fall 2024 semester under final disciplinary probation status, according to a statement released to The Miami Hurricane from the University of Miami. Potential new violations committed during this time could be escalated to a higher level of punishment.
“The University of Miami Dean of Students Office, in collaboration with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity Service Center, has concluded its investigation related to alleged conduct violations by the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Chapter. While the investigation did not uncover a violation of the University’s hazing policy, it did uncover other conduct violations. As a result of the investigation, the chapter has accepted responsibility for violating the University’s disorderly conduct and alcohol policies. The University has suspended chapter operations for the remainder of the spring 2024 semester and the chapter will be placed on final disciplinary probation starting in fall 2024,” the University of Miami said in its complete statement to The Miami Hurricane.
The investigation followed the leaking of a video that appeared to show SAE members engaged in an act of hazing in the backyard of their fraternity house. A verified source confirmed that SAE self-reported the video to UM administration prior to The Hurricane’s initial publication of the incident. This launched the investigation.
The video, taken from the neighboring Alpha Epsilon Pi house in the fall 2023 semester, shows one member crouched in a trash can while other members drink large quantities of milk, then spit or vomit the milk onto the member in the trash can.
Hazing is prohibited at UM. According to the UM hazing policy, hazing includes “forced/encouraged consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or other forced/encouraged physical activity that could adversely affect the physical or mental health or safety of the student.”
The school did not consider what it deemed to be chugging of milk to meet this standard. However, in an article published by the Miami Herald, attorney David W. Bianchi, a leader in hazing litigation and author of the Chad Meredith Act, Florida’s anti-hazing law, said the video would meet the requirements for hazing, even if the actions were voluntary.
“I think that closing them this semester was the right move, but I think to actively have them come back fully able to function is quite crazy,” a high-ranking member of a UM fraternity who has chosen to remain anonymous said.
The student found it disappointing that the University was not taking this opportunity to uphold its zero-tolerance policy for hazing and “set the precedent” of what UM greek life stands for.
The Hurricane was made aware that the membership status of the people in the video created a roadblock to declaring this a hazing violation. Though not confirmed by the University, based on the time the incident occurred, it may be unlikely many of the members present were pledges, the ones typically subjected to hazing.
In legal terms, it does not matter. Hazing can affect any member of an organization, not exclusively new ones.
“Hazing does not necessarily mean that it has to be new members versus current members,” the anonymous fraternity member said. “Even if you’re just treating your members like that, and degrading them and putting them in uncomfortable situations, that can still be considered hazing.”
Instead, the investigation revealed a general violation of University alcohol policies and disorderly conduct. The policy prohibits any behavior that “impacts the safety, viewing, or enjoyment of other attendees in the context of a University of Miami event,” lewd expression or threatening behavior that disturbs the peace of others. It is unconfirmed which part of the policy was violated.
While serving their suspension, SAE members are allowed to refer to themselves as members of the fraternity and can continue to live in the fraternity house, but the chapter is unable to host or attend any events. When they return next fall, the chapter will be placed on final disciplinary probation, essentially a “last strike” status.
“The University’s conduct system is progressive in sanctioning. This means that once a student has been involved in a case that was adjudicated and given a particular sanction, any subsequent violations of the Code of Conduct by that student that result in adjudication and sanctioning will warrant an elevated sanction,” stated the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
The anonymous fraternity member stated his concern for what the lack of hazing violation could mean for fraternities in the future.
“I think this could lead to more incidents for sure, because people are going to feel comfortable with the fact that all they got was suspended for that semester and the next semester they can come back like no problem.”
During the investigation, several students raised concerns online and to The Hurricane about Sr. Assoc. Dean of Students Steven Priepke’s involvement with the case. They worried there would be a conflict of interest because Priepke was a founding father of UM’s SAE chapter.
The Hurricane reached out to Priepke who was unable to answer any questions because the investigation was led by Dean of Students Cristina Luna.
The Hurricane reached out to the SAE chapter and UM Interfraternity Council for comment but have not yet received a response
Freshman Micheal Nwoko enters transfer portal
The third Hurricane to land in the transfer portal is freshman big man Michaell Nwoko.
The 6-foot-10 big averaged 2.7 points and 2.0 rebounds in 29 games of action this season. He will remain eligible for three more years after his time in Coral Gables.
Nwoko is the third Hurricane to leave, along with forward AJ Casey and guard Christian Watson. As the primary backup center option, Nwoko was often the first big off the bench for head coach Jim Larrañaga in replacing Norchad Omier.
Larrañaga told the media that five players have already met with him and told him they are leaving. Miami will potentially lose all three of their big man options from this past season, with Casey and Nwoko in the portal and Omier potentially leaving for the NBA.
Larrañaga also mentioned that the Hurricanes will be prioritizing size in the portal this offseason.
From Frost to Broadway: how UM alum Q Robinson became the touring drummer for ‘Hamilton’
Down in the orchestra pit of the Adrienne Arsht Center, you’ll find Quinton “Q” Robinson in the drum booth keeping the rhythm of “Hamilton” afloat.
A Miami native and 2003 Frost School of Music alum, Robinson has been looking forward to his current Miami run at the Arsht Center, where the North American tour of the famous Broadway musical is performing now through March 24.
“It’s an honor and a privilege to sit in this chair,” said Robinson, who joined the “Hamilton” tour in November 2022.
His path to the hit Broadway musical
Robinson’s Broadway drumming experience started with the musical “Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations.” It was on this tour that he got a phone call from Sam Merrick, the previous touring drummer for “Hamilton.” Merrick, who was soon to leave the tour, urged Robinson to audition.
“In this business, you say ‘yes’ and figure the rest out,” Robinson said.
Two weeks after he submitted his video audition, he received word that he was selected to take over for Merrick, but nearly declined the position. His contract for “Ain’t Too Proud” wasn’t up until November 2022.
“It means a lot to me that my word is my bond, and that people can trust that,” Robinson said.
The “Hamilton” tour also valued Robinson’s commitment and held the position for seven months until Robinson was available. After finding time to prepare on his own, he audited the show on Nov. 14, 2022 and took over as the drummer just three days later.
Keeping time and staying motivated
Sixteen months and nearly 500 shows in, Robinson has become intricately familiar with the “Hamilton” drum book. He describes the drums like the engine of a cruiseliner, pushing the show forward.
“This show is so drum-heavy and it leads with the drum so much. I have to make sure I’m doing everything that I can so everyone can build on top of me,” Robinson said.
Percussion is particularly prominent in the openings of songs like “Aaron Burr, Sir” and “The Schuyler Sisters,” and is the driving force of other songs like “Right Hand Man” and the Act I finale, “Non-Stop.”
The iconic refrain of the opener “Alexander Hamilton” — another section featuring the drums — repeats several times throughout the show.
“The crowd always erupts,” Robinson said of the moment when Hamilton delivers his first line in the opening number. “More times than not, we always have to hold for applause there.”
Playing eight shows in a week gets demanding, but knowing that it’s someone’s first time seeing the Tony Award-winning musical keeps Robinson motivated.
“Four hundred and seventy-five shows in, I still take notes and I still study because while it may be my 475th show, it’s someone’s first time experiencing ‘Hamilton,’” Robinson said. “I just wanna make sure that I’m doing what I’m supposed to do to make sure that person has the best time.”
A lifelong love of musical theater
“My grandmother, while she was still carrying me in the womb, said I would be a great musician,” Robinson recalled.
Growing up in North Miami, Robinson got his start playing drums at a small church in Liberty City. He’s been “enamored by drums” for as long as he can remember.
“[My teachers] used to tell her [my mother] to send me to school with one pencil. Never two, because if there were two of anything, they became drumsticks,” Robinson said.
A self-proclaimed theater kid, Robinson attended performing arts schools throughout his childhood. He found himself drumming in the jazz and marching bands while juggling his theatrical ambitions.
This balance, however, became too difficult to maintain when he was cast in a school play as Jim Hawkins, the lead role in “Treasure Island.”
“The band director and the music theater director cornered me, and it was like, ‘Hey, you can’t do both,’” Robinson said. “And in my 13-year-old mind, I’m thinking that they’re telling me I can’t be an actor and I can’t play drums. That’s not what they were saying at all.”
Seemingly given an ultimatum, the then-teenage Robinson left acting behind to focus on drumming. Now, being a part of “Hamilton” brings joy to his inner theater kid.
“Music chose me. I chose music theater. So, to be in this place where I can combine my two loves together is a treat,” Robinson said.
How UM impacted his career
After starting at UM, Robinson quickly learned that succeeding at Frost, which he calls “an elite program,” meant continually working on his craft.
“It takes more than talent to make it because everybody’s talented,” Robinson said. “It takes a different type of work ethic. It takes rehearsing that extra hour.”
When recalling instructors who left an impact on him, Robinson praised Harry Hawthorne Jr., a longtime percussion faculty who passed away in 2015 at the age of 84. He remarked how Hawthorne saw his potential and pushed him to become a better instrumentalist.
“Not every program has an instructor who allows the student to find their own sound,” Robinson said. “Harry was very strict on me, but at the same time, he allowed me the room to grow.”
“We would work on my weaknesses, but he would also not let me forget that I was good and I was at the U for a reason.”
He’s grateful to UM for giving him the space and opportunity to become confident in his abilities.
“Thanks to the University of Miami for taking a chance on a kid from Miami,” Robinson said.
Advice to current students
“Be in unrelenting pursuit of the thing that you want,” Robinson said. “‘No’ is not forever. If you get a ‘No,’ that just means that you can’t do it that way.”
Particularly among music students, he calls competition “the thief of joy,” especially when it drives musicians to compare themselves to others or lose their love for music.
“While we have to maintain a competitive edge, that competition should never debilitate you to the point where you don’t do,” Robinson said. “Don’t quit, keep your blinders on and run your own race.”
Bensley Joseph enters transfer portal
Junior guard Bensley Joseph has officially entered his name in the transfer portal as the fourth Miami player in the last week to enter the portal.
Joseph was in the midst of his best season as a member of the Hurricanes, averaging 9.6 points per game. 3.5 rebounds per game and 3.4 assists per game this season. Joseph started 27 of 32 games for the Hurricanes..
Joseph was one of the only Miami players to have a relatively clean bill of health throughout the season. The junior even provided a signature moment with a career-high 21 points against North Carolina last month.
Joseph was one of the members of the Elite Eight and Final Four teams and will move on to his next school with one year of eligibility remaining.
Joseph joins Christan Watson, Micheal Nwoko and AJ Casey as other Hurricanes already in the transfer portal. Miami’s roster will look drastically different as members of its front and backcourt are now on their way out.
Takeaways from Miami’s series win over UNC
The Miami Hurricanes secured a series win against No. 15 North Carolina this past weekend as Miami won the first two games dramatically each time. On Friday night, the ‘Canes sent everyone home early with a 14-1 blowout that ended in seven innings, and then a nail-biter on Saturday night ended in a Dorian Gonzalez Jr. walk-off to give Miami the series win. The ‘Canes could not complete the series sweep as North Carolina throttled the ‘Canes 18-6 on Sunday. Here are some takeaways from Miami’s most recent weekend series.
Big wins mean the ‘Canes are for real
This was the second straight weekend that Miami was able to get a series win against a top-15-ranked team. Miami has shown a lot of heart and energy when hosting these big ACC matchups.
Miami moves to 11-8 overall while picking up two key ACC wins. This early series win could pay huge dividends down the line. Miami has been solid at home, and they are taking advantage of playing at the Light.
If starting pitching is on, this team can beat anybody
On Friday and Saturday nights, Miami’s starters pitched lately. Both Gage Ziehl and Rafe Schlesinger allowed just a single run. Some excellent run support aided Ziehl, but Sclesinger felt the pressure in all seven of his innings. On Sunday, Herrick Hernandez was not at his usual elite self, as he only made it through three and a third innings.
This team showed that with their starting pitching at its peak, they can compete with the best in the ACC.
Consistency concerns
The arms and the bats have to be more consistent overall. While Miami scored 18 runs on Friday night, they were held to seven runs combined over their next two games. The bullpen arms also got shelled on Sunday. It would be nice to see the team be more consistent going forward into more ACC play.
The ‘Canes will have a quick turnaround as they face a local rival in FIU this Tuesday. The first pitch for this matchup is set for 6:00 P.M. at Mark Light Field.
All stats and data via ESPN and the Miami Hurricanes, unless otherwise
Gallery: Swim & Dive First Chance Meet
The Miami Hurricanes Swim & Dive team broke multiple program records during their First Chance Meet against Florida International University on Feb. 16, 2024. Here’s a look back at the action:
Hurricanes grab a win in South Bend and extend win streak to three
Coming off a dominant performance in Louisville, The No. 20 Miami Hurricanes Women’s Tennis team stormed into South Bend to defeat No. 39 Notre Dame, 4-3, sealing two excellent road victories.
The double’s pairings got underway as Notre Dame’s Page Freeman and Julia Andreach controlled court one over Miami’s senior and sophomore pairing of Isabella Pfennig and Xinyi Nong 6-2. The ‘Canes fought back to even it out early as UM’s Leonie Schuknecht and Antonia Balzert battled, with Notre Dame’s Akari Matsuno and Carrie Beckman coming out with a 7-5 victory. The final double match of the afternoon was headlined by Miami’s top pairing of Audrey Boch-Collins and Alexa Noel, who pulled out a 7-5 victory over the Irish’s Yashna Yellayi and Nibi Ghosh, ultimately sealing court three and the opening point.
Singles matches began on court five, and Boch-Collins extended her weekend success by dominating Beckman in a controlling 6-0, 6-1 onslaught. The Irish wouldn’t go away, as ND’s Ghosh played a beautiful match to defeat Schuknecht 6-3, 6-0.
The Canes were finally able to pull away, as Miami’s Nong succeeded over Matsuno in a riveting back-and-forth battle on court six, concluding in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. With a chance to clinch the win, UM’s Pfennig began down early on court two (3-6) but resiliently fought back to secure the next two sets 6-3, 6-4, sealing the team victory for The Hurricanes in South Bend.
Despite clinching the victory, Notre Dame was able to finish the day strong. No. 71 Andreach upset No. 11 Noel on court one in a tight battle 7-6, 7-6. Over on court three, to cap off the afternoon, ND’s Bojana Pozder defeated No. 114 Balzert 5-7, 7-5, 7-5. Notre Dame’s back-to-back courts rounded out Miami’s 4-3 victory.
The Canes have been rolling in conference matches and will return home to the courts in Coral Gables to face the Clemson Tigers on Friday, March 22nd, at 2:00 p.m.
Christian Watson and AJ Casey to enter transfer portal
Miami basketball suffered two more losses today, this time off the court.
Sophomores Christan Watson and AJ Casey announced they are entering the transfer portal. Both will have two years of eligibility remaining after their time in Coral Gables.
Watson, a guard, averaged 2.8 points, and 1.5 rebounds in 12.7 minutes this season for the Hurricanes. Watson appeared in 24 games with one start this past year for Miami. The Lanham, Maryland native struggled to find a consistent role in the Miami backcourt. Watson’s true shooting percentage of 46.9 was the second-lowest on the team, and he could not be relied on to put in a consistent defensive effort.
It is a similar story for Casey. The forward from Chicago averaged 2.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 23 games for the ‘Canes this year. Casey was a unique player for Miami as one of its only big men. The combo forward/center did a solid job backing up Omier at times but saw freshman Michael Nwoko take a lot of his minutes.
UNC blows out Miami in series finale 18-6
The Miami Hurricanes failed to secure a series sweep, but they secured their second consecutive top-15 series win in the past two weekends with a loss Sunday versus North Carolina 18-6.
“That was a good old-fashioned you-know-what,” head coach J.D. Arteaga said. “We came out the same as we always do, ready to play and going for the series sweep. Today, the game got out of hand when the bullpen came in and got really sloppy and didn’t pitch well at all and really didn’t give us a chance to come back.”
While Miami kept it close in the first few innings, the North Carolina bats broke out with 11 runs over the 5th and 6th innings. Left fielder Gavin Gallaher led the Tar Heels’ offensive explosion, finishing with a career-high four hits and six RBI, including a grand slam in the fifth inning. This performance followed a Saturday night performance in which Miami held the Tarheels to a single run.
The usually reliable Herrick Hernandez only pitched three ⅓ innings and was tagged with the loss (2-2). Hernandez allowed five runs before being pulled for Ben Chestnutt.
Even with the disappointing finale ending, this is another marquee win for the ‘Canes. The team moves to 4-2 in ACC play and 11-8 overall. Few would have predicted that Miami’s team would start this well against quality teams like Virginia and UNC.
The Hurricanes have a quick turnaround and will host local rival FIU on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. at Mark Light Field.
All stats and data via ESPN and the Miami Hurricanes unless otherwise noted.
Dorian Gonzalez Jr.’s walk-off home run lifts Miami over North Carolina in a thriller, 2-1
After an eight-and-a-half-inning pitcher’s duel, Dorian Gonzalez Jr. only took three pitches to end the 1-1 stalemate with a walk-off solo blast over the wall in left-center field, clinching another ACC series victory for the Hurricanes.
After the Miami offense stole the show in game one with a 14-1 win, the opposite was true in game two, as both pitching staffs, led by Miami starter Rafe Schlesinger and UNC starter Jason Decaro, gave complete masterclass performances.
Schlessinger threw 7.0 innings of one-run baseball, with the Tar Heels’ only run coming on an error by third baseman Daniel Cuvet. Decaro threw 6.1 innings of one-run ball, with the ‘Canes lone run coming on a solo shot by Jason Torres.
The only way to describe Schlesinger’s pitching is dominant and gritty. Not only did Schlessinger give up just one run, but he also emptied his tank, delivering an insane 109 pitches while still throwing gas with his pitch count in the 100s.
The key to his success was limiting UNC’s potent top-of-the-lineup. The first four Tar Heel batters combined to go 1-15 off of Miami pitching, including 0-4 and three strikeouts from the potential number one overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, Vance Honeycutt.
After Schlesinger’s night, the UM bullpen took over right where he left off. Brian Walters and Nick Robert both hung clutch zeros on the board in high-leverage innings to allow the Miami offense to win.
The bats struggled in this game compared to last night’s eruption and the previous weekend’s hitting parade but came through when it mattered most.
After being shut out for six innings, Torres gave the team and the fans a spark after he took a significant gamble swinging at a 3-0 fastball, lacing it over the center-field fence and just out of the reach of Honeycutt.
As Robert struck out Honeycutt to end the top half of the ninth, you could feel all the momentum shift into the Hurricane dugout, and it felt as if there was no way Miami was going to lose the game. Gonzalez Jr. then had the swing of the night in what could be a win that the Hurricanes look back on in May as one of their best overall wins of the season.
All this being said, the stage is set for the ‘Canes to get a top-15 series sweep before UM heads out on the road next weekend to Notre Dame for its first away series of the season. A big sweep and some momentum would be massive to bring to South Bend to try and stay unbeaten in the ACC series to begin the season.
Herick Hernandez will be on the bump tomorrow as Miami will take on North Carolina back at Mark Light Field at 1 p.m. looking for the sweep on Saint Patrick’s Day.