Many people often wonder what it would be like to be a pro or college athlete. With all the glory and glamour that fans see on the field, they really don’t get a chance to take a look at all the hard work going on behind the scenes to make that star athlete.
Becoming a college athlete takes on extra challenges as well. These include not only succeeding on the field, but off the field as well, inside the classroom.
Taking on the challenge of transforming into a scholar athlete is more than a full time job – it is a way of life.
For the UM baseball team, senior shortstop Javy Rodriguez has spent his first three years at UM becoming such a person.
Growing up near Coral Gables, Rodriguez has had his sights set on UM and baseball since a very young age.
“Ever since I wanted to play baseball, I have been coming out every day and working hard,” Rodriguez said.
Miami isn’t the first place to challenge Rodriguez in the classroom as well as on the field.
In high school, Rodriguez attended Gulliver Prep, just a short distance from the UM campus. The private school has sent loads of baseball and academic talent to colleges around the country.
This year alone, there are currently four players on the UM baseball team that attended Gulliver Prep including senior Brad Safchik and freshman twin duo Danny and Paco Figueroa.
Already in his career at UM, Rodriguez has separated himself from the rest, stealing a nation’s best 66 bases in 2001. In addition, and really the pride of his career, Rodriguez has helped Miami bring home two College World Series championships in the past three years.
The stolen bases record didn’t even cross his mind when asked about his greatest UM accomplishment. It is clear there is only one thing on his mind.
“Without a doubt, my best memory and accomplishment here at UM is helping to win two national championships. That’s what it is all about.
“My goals are to walk away from UM with three national championships and to go high in the draft.”
With all the new faces on this year’s squad, Rodriguez will be looked upon as a veteran and a leader for the newcomers.
“I just try to teach them all the little things,” Rodriguez said. “It’s the little things that really help to win ball games and make better players.”
Rodriguez credited his own leader in Morris.
“Coach has taught us so much in baseball and in life that you can’t just give up,” Rodriguez said. “You go out there like anything else and fight through it. And that is what we will do.”
With leadership and determination, don’t expect the Hurricanes to roll over and die just yet.
Especially if Rodriguez has anything to say about it.
Rodriguez seeks to leave on top
Moser produces despite setbacks
By x
Hurricane Sports Writer
University of Miami track and field standout Aaron Moser has had many ups and downs but he continues to work hard and be successful.
Moser attended UM on a four to five-year football scholarship, even though the senior had accomplished so much in track and field in high school.
As an incoming freshman from North County High School in Bonne Terre, Missouri, Moser had already accomplished a great deal in track and field. He won the Junior National Championship in the decathlon in 1997, placed first in the Midwest Regional Decathlete Championships in Stillwater, Oklahoma, was named Missouri All-State champion in the pole vault, 110-meter high hurdles, 4×100 and 4×400 meter relays, and was ranked nationally as a decathlete by Reebok.
But Moser also excelled in football, being named Missouri All-State wide receiver and also receiving accolades as a defensive back and punt returner.
Moser continued his outstanding play in a Hurricane uniform, receiving Miami’s Special Teams Player of the Year Award in 1999 and 2000.
But while playing football about a year ago, Moser had an unfortunate setback. He tore the medial collateral ligament in his right elbow, and as a result, was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery. That procedure is known for ending the careers of many athletes.
“After the surgery I was disappointed and uncertain about my future as an athlete,” Moser said. “I was worried I would not return to my full potential.”
Moser’s college football career is over, having used up his eligibility, but he still has one year remaining to run track. After about seven months of rehabilitation, training and relearning javelin and shot put throwing techniques, Moser is anticipating a great track season.
He has recovered from his surgery and may very well be exceeding expectations.
“Aaron can now concentrate more on track with football being over,” said men’s track coach Michael Ward. “That’s what will make the difference in his performance.”
At the Florida Intercollegiate meet on Jan. 12 in Gainesville, Moser placed second in the pole vault competition with a personal-best height of 16′ 7″, and fourth in the 55-meter hurdles with a personal best of 7.49. He also received a personal best in the long jump.
But Moser continues to break records, surpassing his personal best in the pole vault again in Norman, Okla., provisionally qualifying to the NCAA Championships with a mark of 17′ 0.75″.
“With this being my last season, I am much more aggressive than ever,” Moser said. “I do not have any football or school obligations, which allows me to focus much more on my track career.”
On Jan. 20, Moser won the Wildcat Heptathlon in Manhattan, Kansas with a final day record 2,456 points. He finished the two-day, seven event competition with 5,513 points and is currently UM’s record-holder in both the pentathlon and decathlon.
“He’s definitely the same person,” said steeplechaser Dan Boniface, Moser’s track teammate. “He’s really outspoken and a total team leader. He has the best training ethics on the team. Other than that, he seems like the same old guy. He was an All-American in the past and I’m sure he’ll get there again this year.”
Sports Briefs
SWIMMING
Freshman Katalin Ferenzci won the 100-yard backstroke in 57.45 seconds, breaking the school record and leading the UM women to victory over Indian River Community College in Ft. Pierce, Florida. The Miami women won 139-100 while the UM men’s team lost 94-54. Ferenzci’s mark was .13 of a second faster than Amey Bosseler’s previous record of 57.58. The freshman from Hungary also won the 200-yard IM with a time of 2:08.10. Freshman Mary Carriere set the team’s fastest time this season in the 1650-yard freestyle at 18:06.05. Other first-place finishes for the Hurricanes included sophomore Courtney Caples in the 100-yard breast (1:05.82) and sophomore Manon van Rooijen in the 100-yard freestyle (51.00) and 200-yard freestyle (1:51.26). For the Miami men, juniors Kevin Kerrick and Ryan Rykaczewski set the team’s fastest times this season at the meet. Kerrick won the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 1:42.58 while Rykaczewski took the 200-yard fly with a time of 1:54.75.
DIVING
The Miami men’s and women’s diving team dominated the open competition of the All-Star Diving Invitational in Orlando on Saturday and Sunday. Sophomore Michelle Davison won the women’s 3-meter event with a score of 500.4 topping a field of 26 competitors. She was followed by fellow teammates Katie Beth Bryant in third place (462.35) and Melanie Rinaldi in fifth (439). In the women’s 1-meter competition, Davison was second with a score of 249.45 while Rinaldi finished third (242.4) and Bryant fourth (240.9). Senior Imre Lengyel captured first place in the men’s 3-meter event with a score of 666.55 over 24 competitors as freshman Miguel Velazquiz finished third (618.70), junior Kyle Prandi fourth (616.65) and senior Stefan Ahrnes fifth (608). Lengyel finished second in the 1-meter with a score of 364.75 with Ahrens third (360.35), Prandi fifth (332.4) and Velazquez sixth (305.9).
WOMEN’S GOLF
University of Miami freshman Tina Miller (Miami, Fla.) shot a 148 and finished tied for sixth place at the UCF Invitational at the Stoneybrook Country Club in Orlando on Tuesday. Miller shot 75 in the opening round and 73 in the final round to finish four over par and tied with Katie Allison of Winthrop. Following Miller, other top Hurricane scores included sophomore Camilla Hilland with 151 in a tie for 11th and sophomore Jazmin Cataldo with 155 in a tie for 23rd.
‘Canes Bounce Back
Talk about bouncing back.
The Hurricane men’s basketball team rebounded from a tough conference loss on Sunday to blowout the St. John’s Red Storm, 79-56, on Wednesday at Miami Arena. After falling to Boston College, the Hurricanes kept themselves in contention for the conference title, remaining just a half game behind first-place Connecticut.
“I’m extremely proud of my basketball team especially after the way we performed Sunday,” UM coach Perry Clark said. “Early I thought we had so much adrenaline, but I just thought we calmed down. It showed the maturity of this basketball team and the ability to respond, not just in this game but to what happened to us Sunday and put us back in pretty good condition for the league.”
The Hurricanes (21-4, 8-4 in the Big East) also ended a four-game losing streak against the Red Storm (16-8, 6-6), dominating early and often. Seven minutes into the game, the Hurricanes trailed 7-6 – the last time Miami would be behind. The Hurricanes outscored the Red Storm 29-8 to close the half, giving UM a seemingly insurmountable 36-14 lead going into the locker room.
The 14 points for St. John’s was by far the lowest halftime total for a UM opponent. The Red Storm connected on just four shots (4-of-27) the entire half, equating to a 15 percent clip.
The game was looking nothing like the one played last month in Jamaica, NY. In that game, the Hurricanes led by one at halftime, only to lose 71-60.
“I was very nervous at halftime,” Clark said. “You know they’re going to come back, you just don’t want to let it get away from you.”
One of the main discrepancies was the play of St. John’s guard Marcus Hatten who scored 25 points in New York.
Hatten entered the game averaging 19.6 points per game, but converted on just 1-of-6 from the field and five points in the first half. Hatten also entered the game as the Big East’s leading scorer against conference opponents (22.4 ppg), but finished with just eight points on 2-of-12 shooting. Clark’s top defender made sure to eliminate a chance of a repeat performance.
“I thought the job John Salmons did on Marcus Hatten was really outstanding because he truly is an outstanding player,” Clark said.
Said Salmons: “I think it was more a team thing. When he penetrated, we were conscious of not letting him get into the middle of our defense. He did that when we went up there. As a team we really focused on stopping him because he’s a great player and really makes his team go.”
With Hatten kept in check, the Red Storm looked for other answers, but were coming up empty. In the second half, however, they began to come back, outscoring the ‘Canes 19-10 in the first seven minutes to cut UM’s lead to 46-33. Center Donald Emanuel scored all 10 of his points in the final half. But Miami continued its resilience, and five minutes later the ‘Canes had extended their lead to 59-39.
“I just thought we played with a lot of energy,” Clark said. “I didn’t think we played with that energy in Boston and we talked about it and this group really responded. They made a run and I thought defensively we really stepped it up and I thought that was a key part of the game when we stretched it back.”
Senior Elton Tyler was especially key in the second half, dominating on both the offensive and defensive ends. Tyler recorded five blocked shots and five rebounds to go along with a season-high 21 points. Before the game, Clark was confident that senior would perform.
“I looked at the tape of the Miami win over St. John’s for the Big East Championship,” Clark said. “One of the things I picked out from that was how well Elton and John played. I asked them to duplicate that tonight and they stepped up big and did that tonight.
“We got (Tyler) the ball. It brought back memories of two years ago because he certainly played like the Elton Tyler everybody told me he was.”
The Hurricanes will try and take the momentum into Sunday’s game at Rutgers. More importantly, with four regular season games remaining, Miami will try to keep pace with UConn.
“Our goal is to win the Big East championship,” Salmons said. “We can’t let any more games slip away like we did on Sunday. We know that if we come out and play our Hurricane basketball, we can beat any team we play.”
Letter to the editor
Dear Editor,
In response to the story run Tuesday titled ‘Students Destroy Bid for the Bachelor Banner’, several corrections are necessary.
First of all, the three students involved did not “barge in” as stated in the article, but politely requested to see the person in charge of banners for Hillel after being shocked and offended by the photos on the banner. They then peeled the pictures off the banner and brought them directly to Hillel. The students were careful not to destroy the pictures because they wanted to show Hillel personnel exactly what they were upset about. The “eye candy” as Melissa Dalinsky of Hillel called it was two pictures, one of a woman with her legs spread in what looked like a bikini, and the second picture included a man and woman drenched in water, the woman wearing only wet gauze.
After speaking privately to the person in charge, one Hillel representative threatened the students with an accusation of anti-Semitism. Let’s make it clear, the students were there due to the inappropriateness of the photos. After Hillel representatives told the students that it was against UM regulations to alter the banner they volunteered to put the pictures back.
Dr. Pat Whitely agreed that the banner never should have been approved. It was removed by 11:00 that morning. At a meeting with Dean Singleton, the students were told that the pictures had been added to the banner after it was approved.
Furthermore, the students are not being investigated as the article states. These students took a stand against something they believed was wrong and accomplished what they set out to do – get the banner removed. They should be commended for what they’ve done. What does it say that a leading organization on campus views women’s bodies as “eye candy”? The students who voiced their opinions were not faceless cowards, and refuse to be categorized as “eye candy.”
It is unfortunate that a female student from Hillel asked why the students cared when the pictures weren’t of them. The question is not why should they care, it is why don’t you?? WE CARE! How else are we going to change perceptions of women if we don’t find our voice and use it? Think about it.
Students of Womens Studies
Changes to SIS will not affect
As every other student in the School of International Studies, I received a very strange and rather unnerving e-mail on Tuesday afternoon from my academic advisor. The message simply said we had a mandatory meeting for the following day, with, among others, the dean of the school, to discuss a “restructuring within the school.” By now, everyone knows what the change is all about: That in the near future, fall of 2002, we’ll probably no longer be part of the SIS, but of the Department of International Studies – or International Affairs, or any other name they might concoct, within the College of Arts and Sciences.
As expected, there’s been some shouting, much complaining.
Interim Dean Andy Gomez and Steven Ullmann, Dean of the Graduate School, tried to sell us a new product, an advantage they said.
Under the umbrella of the College of Arts and Sciences, they said, we will have a whole college open to us – something that wasn’t available before.
I, for one, bought it. I’d probably have asked for the extended warranty in this case, but I’m not sure one is available.
Many of the questions that were asked revolved around one issue: That we won’t be known anymore as a School, but as a department.
I, honestly, don’t give a damn.
But I understand why the undergraduate students are complaining. After all, their degree does (or would) say “School of International Studies,” and now it’ll read “College of Arts and Sciences.” Undergraduates who worked to have the former on their diploma when they graduate in 2003, however, won’t.
But, as a graduate student, I don’t see the difference, other than the fact that my ego – if I actually cared about it – will be hurt. I’ve had a masters diploma from UM since May 2000, and neither my diploma nor my r
War on drugs out of hand
President Bush has let the victory in Afghanistan go to his head. Last week, the administration decided to throw caution to the wind and proposed that the country dive headfirst into the storm of leftist-guerrillas, right-wing paramilitaries and cocaine known as Colombia. In a move that one Defense Department official qualified as a “qualitative change” from previous U.S. policy on the war on drugs, President Bush’s 2003 budget calls for $98 million in new military aid to help the Colombian armed forces safeguard the oil pipelines belonging to Los Angeles-based Occidental Petroleum from attacks by the guerrillas. Washington is spinning the aid as a way to protect the Colombian economy, which should certainly be an important aim of the war on drugs. Yet, the militarization of America’s anti-narcotics efforts is not going to work for one very important reason: it never has.
Earlier this year, the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy released a report detailing the effects of illegal drug use on the American economy. On the day it was unveiled, John P. Walters, the administration’s new drug czar, declared illegal drugs “a direct threat to the economic security of the United States.” The study concludes that illegal drug use bled over $143 billion dollars from the U.S. economy in 1998, a figure projected to climb by nearly $20 billion for the 2000 estimate. The ONDCP’s report also confirms that every two and a half weeks, the United States loses the same number of lives to illegal drugs as those claimed by the events of Sept. 11th.
During the 1990s, the United States spent over a billion dollars militarizing the war on drugs. Up until the events of Sept. 11th, Colombia was the third largest recipient of U.S. foreign aid, with the majority of that assistance delivered in the form of Black Hawk helicopters and the U.S. training of rapid action military battalions. Yet, despite the massive assistance, Colombia remains responsible for approximately 80 percent of the total cocaine sold and consumed on American streets.
Military assistance has also served to heighten the level of violence in Colombia. As detailed in a recent report released by U.S. human rights organizations, the Andean country’s military continues to openly collaborate with the ruthless right-wing paramilitary forces responsible for the majority of Colombia’s human rights abuses. Earlier this year, a tense standoff between the Colombian government and the guerrillas placed the country on the brink of a full-scale war. Sticking to its guns, the White House retreated into the shadows, leaving a void the international community and the United Nations scrambled to fill. While the confrontation ended with the return of both sides to the negotiating table, the patch put in place will not hold. Only hours after the resumption of negotiations, the leftist-guerrillas began the process of transferring the war from the rural countryside to the dense urban centers of Bogot
Beware of falling fronds
A few significant phenomena at Suntan U. merit examination.
Not seldom have I observed large fronds hanging precariously off tall palm trees lining the promenade near the Otto Richter library. Once I watched in awe as one of these massive objects fell to the ground near where I stood, missing my head by a few yards and meeting the ground with a prodigious thud. Brushing aside the near calamity, I began to wonder about the potential quandaries of an actual hit.
Who should be blamed if a tree drops one of its massive components on a hapless passerby? Is the victim at fault for being inattentive to a dead palm leaf dangling ominously in plain view of birds? My hope is that these lifeless fronds are preemptively clipped before they come crashing down like cosmic debris. Failing that, there are few actions more prudent than keeping a watchful eye toward the sky.
Far from the potential perils of payload-dropping palms, invisible travelers stealthily exploit the commonest acts of friendship. Handshakes and the hipper varieties of interpersonal hand-slapping facilitate the transmission of a whole slew of unfriendly pathogens. Experience reliably informs me that an uncomfortably high percentage of people breach the most fundamental social contract by neglecting to wash their hands after coming out of the water closet.
Votaries of health and cleanliness cannot hope to change the puke-inducing habits of others nor can we institute, say, salutes to supplant deeply ingrained hand-touching as a viable act of ordinary social interaction. What is the solution?
Automatic hand dryers!
These machines are conspicuously absent in the Richter library. If someone fails to wash his hands thoroughly, an eclectic germ-rich mix of fingernail lint and residual excreta can be unwittingly deposited on paper towel-dispensing levers and doors. Your hand-washing efforts may be in vain if you subsequently touch a tainted lever or door.
Hand dryers allow you to bypass potentially contaminated levers. There are two keys to safely exiting the bathroom. One is starting the hand dryer with your elbow (unless you employ your elbow for eating); the other is gently kicking open the door on your way out. In both cases you preserve the cleanliness of your hands.
As you venture out into the world, be forever wary of flying fronds. Look people in the eye with a smile, bring your hand close to your temple, and say you love them.
Raj Singh is a junior majoring in philosophy
Yearbook staff decides to publish book next fall
In order to produce a better final product, the Ibis yearbook staff has pushed back the publication and distribution of its 2001-2002 edition.
The Ibis, usually distributed to University of Miami students in late April or early May, is now slated to appear in early September of 2002.
“This is a yearbook,” said Mark Puskarich, editor of the Ibis. “It’s supposed to cover the events of the year. It’s not going to be a six-month-book, as it has been in the past.”
“With a fall deadline we get more spring activities,” said Randy Stano, editorial advisor to the Ibis. “In particular, we can cover Funday, Religion Week, graduation, spring break and alternate spring break, news events that affect the campus in the spring and a complete scoreboard for the sports teams-which will be the first time that’s been done in, I think, 22 years.”
The yearbook will be distributed after Labor Day in the fall, just after Greek Recruitment for fall 2002, Stano said.
“They asked us to wait until after rush,” Stano said, “so that rushees wouldn’t look to find out what fraternities and sororities certain people were in.”
“We’ve included all the Greeks this year,” Stano said. “They hadn’t all been included in the last few years.”
Students around campus do not seem to mind waiting the extra few months for a better yearbook.
“I don’t mind waiting for the fall as long as they mail it to me,” said Joanna Wahl, a Biology student who graduated in December.
“I guess it’s a good idea,” said Karen Sloan, a senior majoring in journalism. “They can cover baseball if they win another National Championship. If the book is more complete, it’s okay.”
In the future, the Ibis staff plans to release the book in the fall again, Stano said.
“A lot of groups around campus are very active in the fall so we focus in on them and it’s not fair to the other groups we miss out on,” Puskarich said.
The 2001-2002 Ibis will have twice as many images as last year’s edition and for the first time will include underclassmen, Stano said.
The original submission deadline would have been Feb. 19, but with the changes, the new deadline will not be until after finals.
“This book will be very good-more images, more complete cutlines, and more text,” Stano said.
Seniors will have an opportunity to pick up a copy of the annual by registering online at www.miami.edu/ibis.
If registered before May 1, the book will be shipped free of charge directly from the printers.
News Briefs and Campus Calendar
UM Commencement exercise redesigned
Students graduating from UM this spring will experience several new traditions introduced by President Donna E. Shalala. In place of the single, large ceremony that included all undergraduates and most graduates (except the School of Law and Medicine), this year the university will hold four individual ceremonies giving each student the opportunity to be recognized. Each student will walk across the stage and receive their diploma. In addition, students will also have the opportunity to invite an unlimited amount of guests to participate in their graduation as well as have their photograph taken receiving their diploma.
“Commencement is one of the most important days in the lives of our graduates,” said President Shalala. “The smaller ceremonies are designed to be more personalized. They will allow us to announce each graduate individually and personally hand them their diploma. These will not be ticketed events-graduates are encouraged to invite as many family and friends as they wish.”
“Other traditional activities-the academic procession, the commencement address and the musical accompaniment-will remain,” explained President Shalala. The undergraduate and graduate Commencement ceremonies (except Medicine and Law) will still be held on the Campus Green.
“Umtv this morning”
“UMTV This Morning” is a 30-minute live interview based purely student run and produced television show focusing entirely on University of Miami life. The show is still in need of a few positions, mainly crew, so if you are interested please reply to xyplex5@aol.com. Please respond ASAP, our first show is this Friday the 15th.
FSU Trip offered by category 5
The University of Miami School of Law is pleased to announce The Multicu-ltural Admissions Fair on Saturday, February 16, 2002 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Law School Campus. For further information or to register for this event visit the University of Miami School of Law’s webpage at www.law.miami.edu/admissions/fair or call the Office of Admissions and Recruiting at 284-6746.
Parking and Transportation
With an important enhancement of the easy system, Parking & Transportation Services announces that as of Friday March 1,2002, Commuter and Residential students may apply for current standard spring term parking permits via EASY. For more information contact David Voorhees at 305-689-5021.
Black Awareness Month
today
Friday Grove on UC Patio from 11:30am-1pm-Rhumboogie.
Ethics Presentation for Honors and Pre-Law students at Pearson Residential College, Prof. Micheal Fischl Master’s apartment. From 12:30-2:30p.m.while a light lunch is served. To RSVP call Honors Office at 305-689-5384.
Happy Hour at the Rathskeller from 4:30-8pm.
UM’s Young Democrats will be holding their General Meeting today at 6p.m. in UC room 237. Guests will include Miami-Dade Young Democrats’ Sandy Wayland and Natalia Villatoro. All students are welcome.
Today is the last day to apply for Summer 2002 graduation and have your name included in the Commencement Book.
Sat 16th Feb
Funday! Check-in on UC center patio.
The UM Equestrian Team is hosting its second annual IHSA Hunter Competition, at Tropical Park, today. The show will begin at 9 a.m. and runs all day. Admission is free and the show is open to the public. If you would like more information, contact Maria Angeles Linares at
305-284-2237 or e-mail mailto:mlinares@miami.edu.
Sun 17th Feb
WWF No way out! The Rathskeller from 7-9pm.
The Institute for Cuban and Cuban American Studies (ICCAS) will celebrate the third annual Cuban Film Festival from 1 – 5 p.m. today at the Bill Cosford Cinema. The festival is open to the public and there is a suggested $15 donation. Seating is limited. For reservations, call 305-284-2822 (CUBA). For more information on the films visit http://www.miami.edu/UMH/CDA/UMH_Main/
Mon 18th Feb
Info Fair and Sex Carnival today from 11am-4pm at the UC Patio. Come out and join the condom taste test or one of the other many games!
Quilts Processional today at 10:45am at the Rock-come and carry a quilt made to recognize someone who has died from the aids virus.
Tues 19th Feb
CAC film, “Monster’s Inc”.
Candlelight Vigil, today at 7pm at the Rock-join us for a quiet moment of reflection upon the lives of those living with aids, those we have lost to aids, and to renew a sense of advocacy and activism.
The Department of Psychology is hosting its second annual Community Lecture Series: Psychology in Film. The next film and discussion will be Tuesday’s with Morrie at the Storer Auditorium in the Business School. For more information call Undergraduate Academic Services for Psychology at 305-284-3303 or visit www.psy.miami.edu.
Wed 20th Feb
Comedian at the Rathskeller at 9pm.
A week for Life will host Jeanne White, the mother of Ryan White who became the face of AIDS in the 1980’s as one of the earliest reported child cases of the disease. Students, faculty and staff are invited to come and hear her speak today at the Wesley Foundation at 8pm.
The 1st Annual MBA & Law Day will be held today from 11a.m.-3p.m at UC 1st floor. All students interested in an MBA program or Law School should make plans to attend.
Thurs 21st Feb
African Students Union (ASU); Come learn about African culture, dances, and songs. Open to all UM students. Meetings are every other Friday in UC classrooms. Next meeting will be today in UC233. For more information contact Alta Louissaint at 305-689-9699.
Coffee House. The Wesley Foundation is the place to be every Thursday night. Come and enjoy live bands, free coffee, and a relaxing atmosphere. Tonight the Coffee House will be welcoming the wonderful jazz combo, “Apple Juice” to the stage. So take a study-break from 9-11p.m. on Thursday nights at the Coffee House.
Amnesty International: Interested in Civil Rights and Human Rights? Join Amnesty International today and make a difference. Our next general meeting will be today in UC room 233. Looking forward to seeing you there! For more information call Alta L at 305-689-9699.
Delta Sigma Pi; One of the Nations Largest Professional Business Fraternity is sponsoring a T-Spot (Thursday night party) at the Rathskeller tonight from 9p.m.-12a.m..
Toppel Career and Internship Expo from 11a.m.-4p.m. at the Wellness Center.
Communication Week
Fri 22nd Feb
Friday Groove from 11:30a.m.-1p.m.; “Tower of Power Ensemble”
Happy Hour at the Rat with a DJ from 4:30-8p.m.
Life Party tonight at 10p.m. at the Rathskeller-come party! They are celebrating Life! There will be music, food, and fun
Problems delay Ryder Center opening
As the jumble of concrete and steel on the east side of campus finally begins to resemble what will soon be UM’s new athletic center, minor problems in construction cause a minor delay in scheduling.
According to Mark Pray, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications, problems with attaining steel for the installation of the roof of the Ryder Center have caused delays in the work schedule of the construction crew.
“There are going to be things that come up,” Pray said, explaining that small problems are routine with large projects.
“[The lack of steel is] slowing the roof being put on in its entirety,” Pray said, “but it will not really have any effect on the total project.”
The target date for the opening of the Ryder Center was scheduled for fall 2002, but the date has been postponed until late this year or early 2003, Pray said.
The Ryder Center may not be finished in time to host the beginning of the Men and Women’s 2002-03 basketball seasons as they begin in November.
Pray said the future home of Hurricane Basketball will definitely be ready before the end of the season though.
Although the construction has come a long way since it first began in April 2001, many more adjustments need to be made.
Workers will finish other projects while waiting on delays in the roofing process, Pray said.
The Ryder Center, slated to be the future centerpiece of the campus and a valuable link between the University of Miami and the South Florida community, will be the first sports arena located on campus.
In addition to hosting home basketball games, the center will be used for academic and community
events.
With a total area of 196, 800 square feet, the Ryder Center will offer 7,000 seats, 1,000 of which will be available for students with hopes of attracting more student interest in both men and women’s basketball in upcoming seasons.
After years of traveling downtown to the Miami Arena for basketball games, the Ryder Center will provide the University with one of the top five facilities in the nation and a place for the Hurricane Basketball program to finally call home.