To Our Loyal Customers & Friends,
This has been a tough year for the University of Miami as well as all Cane Nation fans. It is true that we bleed orange and green and our hearts were broken this year way beyond football. We lost Bryan Pata and Brad Timpf. We had a barrage of negative publicity for the FIU brawl. Larry Coker, a good and decent man, was let go. That’s a lot for any program to stomach in a decade, let alone a season.
This year we did two original design t-shirts which captured Canes fans feelings; U Family which was done as a tribute to the football team earlier in the season and struck a cord in our hearts when Bryan’s life was so needlessly taken. Those of us, who love the U, are connected to the U and all of those who are a part of it they are like family. We share the victories, we suffer through the defeats and beyond wins and losses we share a part of our hearts with the University of Miami. Because of your overwhelming support, we’ve sold over 1,100 U Family shirts and are honored to contribute over $10,000 to the Pata family foundation, details to be announced shortly.
The other original design that encapsulates a clear perspective is We’re Still Miami. The back of the shirt tells of our 5 National Championships, of our 22 first round draft picks since 2000, our NCAA record 58-game home winning streak, and the fact out of 119 Division-I colleges and universities only one is known as The U. That’s who we are and that’s what makes Canes fans so special.
Because we have been so blessed for so long, when we have a 6-6 year we do not know how to respond, some fans cling to a sense of entitlement and are appalled at those in power at the U, how could they let this happen? The majority of fans support the U even though frustrated with some of the decisions that were made. As Canes fans, we deeply care, we care so much that it hurts and that is precisely what makes Canes fans so special.
As one era ends and a new one is about to begin let us not forget that the U has brought us much more joy and happiness than any of us ever had the right to expect. The truth is we are spoiled.
Hope is on the horizon; brighter days lie ahead, let us pause and give thanks for all of our blessings. God rest the souls of Bryan and Brad, Godspeed and thanks coach Larry Coker and may God bless all of the U Family. Regarding new coach Randy Shannon, we’re behind him 100%. He was a national champion as a player, as an assistant under some stellar Miami legends and has overcome tremendous adversity in his life. If anyone can mold and teach our future Canes, it’s Randy. Best of luck, Coach. You got your dream job and we have faith you’ll turn things around.
Thank you for your loyalty and support through this difficult year, we look forward to great things in 2007. Win, lose or draw we love the U and feel privileged to be a part of it. You are part of the U family and we pledge to you that we will strive to serve you better and to always appreciate your patronage and friendship.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah & Happy New Year,
The allCanes Family
P.S. Thank you for your support for the Boys and Girls Club Kids Shopping Spree; check out the faces of the kids on our blog, it will warm your heart.