It was another great day to be a Miami Hurricane. We got word around this afternoon that a former football player had given a “major gift” to ‘The U’.
My brain started rolling. Who was the mystery player? There were rumors earlier in the day that it was indeed Jon Vilma, but I was unable to confirm until I walked by his car has he pulled up into the Hecht Center parking lot. I saw a very well dressed former No. 51 emerge from his car, family by his side and you couldn’t tell who had the bigger smile, Jon, or his parents.
I made my way up through Hecht, back to the Edgerrin James Team Meeting Room and as soon as I walked through the door, Vilma’s booming voice bellowed as NFL Network piece on him ran on the big screen. By this point there was no mystery who was in the house and who the gift was from.
Vilma’s gift – a $450,000 donation – will be put towards the construction of the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence. The project will get underway just after Thanksgiving and in order to thank the former linebacker great for his donation, the football players’ lounge will now be called the ‘Jonathan Vilma Football Players Lounge’.
Where did the idea for Vilma to donate back to his alma mater come from? I bet you’ll fall off your chair. “It actually started with Randy Shannon,” Vilma told the undersized crowd. “He was the inspiration for me to do it.”
Vilma went on to say, “this is about the future, it’s about bringing the Hurricanes back to dominance.”
Coach Shannon had his drawbacks, but he really worked to help secure donations for the school. Ed Reed has his name on some of the football offices. and the Schwartz family’s donation of $5M was directly related to their relationship with Randy. Maybe on some levels Shannon’s legacy at UM won’t be as bad as it is perceived.
I’m not sure there is a better reflection of the totality of the University of Miami than the legendary national champion and Super Bowl winner.
We know all about Vilma’s accomplishments on the field, both in college and in the NFL. We’ve also heard about his academic success at ‘The U’ and now we’re just starting to learn about his charitable efforts — not only with today’s gift to his alma mater, but with his Jonathan Vilma Foundation, which in conjunction with The Giving Back Fund, is helping to build a charter school in Haiti. Vilma has already raised $200,000 for the cause.
While all of the above is amazing, I’m not sure there was a better indicator of Vilma’s character than when he spent considerable time thanking his parents, who were in attendance. Also watching the proceedings were current Canes Jacory Harris and Sean Spence. Vilma is like an older brother to Spence. They’ve watched film together all summer, so let’s hope the expert tutelage pays off come fall.
I’m not sure any former player will top the $2M donation Dwayne Johnson and his then-wife gave back in 2006, but anytime one of these guys gives back, it’s a great day for UM. It all started back in 2000 when Edgerrin James donated $250,000. Combine that with what The Rock and Vilma have now given and that’s almost $3M from three Canes.
Let’s hope these generous gifts inspire other high profile Canes to give back and let’s also hope the character, dedication, loyalty and benevolence of Vilma rubs off on our current players. This is a guy who is a prove winner in every aspect of life and these current Canes should strive for the same.
Fantastic example for these young Canes. Tough as nails on the field, but a kind and generous person off. Hope to see some of the younger guys give back some day.
just think if Canes did start to give back to the U, along with other donors there might be a slim chance of our own stadium. Granted I know playing in a pro stadium has its perks for recruiting, but nothing beats a true Home. Imagine an " Alumni Stadium".
My daughter and I had the wonderful experience of meeting Jon after a Syracuse game at the OB. He was leaving the stadium to go eat dinner with his parents, but he took the time to pose for a picture and try to chat with my starstruck daughter. He remains our favorite 'Cane LB. After he would make a big play we would yell "VILMAAAAAA", just like good old Fred Flintstone used to…..such a class act, Mr. Vilma !
Hated by many, loved by few, we are the [|_|]
Kudos to Vilma!!! In the arms race that is facilities, these types of gifts are of great importance. Of course teams don't win or lose by their facilities, but it's still a positive.
Vilma was the epitome of a true student-athlete. I believe he had a double major, and that speaks volumes, while playing major ball at the same time.
Just to touch on Randy briefly, I think a major issue for him was going from no head coaching experience to a big-time program like Miami which was almost impossible to succeed. He needed a few years at a smaller place, maybe a non-BCS school where he could grow as a coach. At Miami he seemed overwhelmed. I know he was around the program for years, but being in the seat of the CEO is totally different than even being the DC. Maybe he'll get another chance someday at a smaller school or he can be a DC.
I am excited about what Golden has done so far in creating a buzz for the program again, with ESPN, recruits and fans. I can't wait to watch!
Columbus Cane
Is it just me or is the President MIA?
hey beast or Allcanes,
you HAVE TO squash the rumors of a possible on campus stadium. Don't people realize it has less than zero chance of happening? Do people even know how compact/small this campus is? Do fans know how neighbors in Coral Gables are so opposed to it?
To Joven's point, never in a million years will there be an on-campus football stadium in Coral Gables. Anyone who has ever lived, or attempted to build, in the Gables will tell you horror stories about rules and regulations that would make your head swim.
No way in hell Ponce De Leon Blvd. or other Gables' side streets could handle the traffic that a football stadium would bring in.
There will never be an on campus stadium.
All of these former Canes need to be doing so much more.
There's no reason why Miami's facilities aren't one of the best in the country.
Look at what ARod gave and he never even went here.
Miami is a tiny school in comparison to must schools and will never have an "on campus" stadium but is there an alternative to the ever name changing stadium once known as Joe Robbie Stadium?