It’s that time of year again. Done with practice. Done with games. Done with press conferences and photo opps. In the truest sense of the word, the off-season is officially here.
One good thing about this time of year; the fact that the off-season tends to bring all sorts of former Hurricanes back to South Florida to workout, hang out or to just drop by campus embracing the old U Family. Even more so this year due to the NFL lockout and teams not holding mini camps and quarterback schools.
Tons of former players are working out on campus now and have been around Greentree. Take a drive or stroll around UM and you’re bound to spot your share of NFL talent and championship era Canes. Andre Johnson was at a recent Golden camp, Miamian-yet-not-a-Cane Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson was working with receivers and I even saw Reggie Wayne down the street at Toys R Us buying some stuff for the kids.
Besides all the workouts, there are a bunch of charitable events taking place locally, headed up by some old school Canes. Because of that, you get to give back to a great cause but also get to spend some quality time with guys you cheered for when the wore the “U” on their helmet. (Not to mentioned some free and solid advice regarding your fantasy draft, too.)
Next weekend former center K.C. Jones and legendary mascot John Routh are throwing the 2011 University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame Celebrity Dolphin Tournament in the Keys. K.C. vowed to have all his former offensive linemen there to entertain you and who knows – that might even lead to a spirited Art Kehoe appearance. Fishing, libations and a bunch of former players. I’m sure that will be a life-less event. Not. Seriously, click here for more info on next weekend’s event.
For those Canes taking in the finishing tourney in the Keys, yet still longing for more, take a day to rest and head over to Doral on Monday June 27th for some golf with running back Willis McGahee. We had No. 2 on last week’s edition of allCanes Radio and talked a little about his foundation, which has done a great job helping kids in the community for years now.
Aside from the charity aspect, Ed Reed will be there, among others greats – which in itself makes it alluring for fans of ‘The U’ and for golf enthusiasts, Willis has locked down the Blue Monster for the day – the same course that Tiger, Phil and other PGA Tour superstars tear up every March. As you know, playing the White, Red or Gold courses is easy to swing, but you don’t get a chance to play the Blue Monster all that often, making this a must for any golfing Canes out there.
After some golfing and fishing, complete the everyman trifecta with some bowling and to support MOCA, Moms Of College Athetes. Robin Gooden, stepmother of former UM linebacker Tavares Gooden, heads up an organization which helps the parents of high school athletes make the transition to college and from there to the NFL. MOCA has paired up with the Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation to put on the Celebrity Bowling Extravaganza, hosted by Tavares and DeMarcus Van Dyke. Former Florida State star and NFL wideout Anquan Boldin will be there, as well as several other former Canes.
The event is Saturday July 2nd at Spaerz in Davie. The JJCF helps families who can’t make ends meet due to the costs of treating their cancer-stricken children, so again, another great cause for you to help support.
So yes, it’s the off-season, but there’s plenty to do and several ways to help, all while getting to rub elbow with some of your all time favorite Canes. Support these causes and remember that it’s all about The U Family.
IN OTHER NEWS : When I was on the broadcast team, Joe Zagacki and I would wrap up the baseball season by getting into some rental car somewhere and I’d plug in the iPod so we could blast our official theme song; “School’s Out” by Alice Cooper. We’d hit ‘repeat’ and let is go over and over and we trekked south and headed home.
There’s no rental car this year, but I’ve recreated the ritual here with my home computer speakers as it’s that time again. allCanes Radio is going on summer break and The Beast is headed north with the family to spend some time with the ‘rents. From the land of stone crabs and mojitos to chowdah and lobstah. However, not all is lost and I’m not abandoning you.
If fact, from this point forward the floor is yours, Hurricane Nation. We at allCanesBlog want to entertain all of your UM-related questions over the next month or so. Depth chart. Coaching staff. Suspensions and departures. The upcoming schedule. Uniform combinations. Even questions about new gear or shirt ideas, bring ’em all on.
We’ll respond as quickly as we can and the Q&As will be posted here on the blog for all to see. Email us your questions, or send them to us via Facebook or Twitter.
Choose the method and both Canes305 and I will respond all summer. Lastly, as a great philosopher once said; No more pencils. No more books. No more teachers’ dirty looks.
Have a great summer. Go Canes.