Latest news with #FIU
CBS News
a day ago
- Business
- CBS News
FIU trustees unanimously approve Jeanette Nuñez as university president
The Florida International University Board of Trustees on Monday unanimously approved appointing former Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nuñez as the university's president. Nuñez has served as interim president since February and emerged last month as the sole finalist to become president. The appointment remains subject to approval by the state university system's Board of Governors. Nuñez is slated to receive a five-year contract with a base salary of $925,000 and annual performance bonuses of up to $400,000. Nuñez, who received bachelor's and master's degrees at FIU, said the Miami-based school has a tremendous opportunity for growth. "We need to make sure that our reputation matches our reality," Nuñez said. "Our reality is one of academic excellence, one of research and one of aligning with many strategic partners in this community, this state and this country." Roger Tovar, chairman of the Board of Trustees, cited a "combination of professional experience and an extensive network in South Florida and Tallahassee that makes Interim President Nuñez an ideal leader to help transition FIU into the future." Nuñez, a Miami Republican who served in the Florida House before becoming Gov. Ron DeSantis' running mate in 2018, left the lieutenant governor's job to become interim president. She replaced Kenneth Jessell, who had served as FIU's president since 2022. Part of broader changes in Florida's higher education Her move to FIU has been part of a series of changes in the presidencies of state universities and colleges — and efforts by DeSantis to reshape the higher-education system. The university system's Board of Governors on Tuesday is expected to consider the appointment of former University of Michigan President Santa Ono to become president of the University of Florida, while the University of West Florida Board of Trustees last week chose state Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., a DeSantis ally, to serve as the Pensacola school's interim president. Meanwhile, the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees last month chose corporate executive Marva Johnson to become the school's president, while University of South Florida President Rhea Law has announced plans to resign. Also, former state House Majority Leader Adam Hasner was selected in February to serve as president of Florida Atlantic University. Carlos Duart, an FIU trustee who led the school's search committee, wrote in a message to the university community last month that the committee selected three finalists, but two said they would only continue to a public phase of the process if they were chosen as the lone candidate. The identities of presidential candidates at state universities and colleges are largely shielded from release. "Given her proven record of leadership and unique qualifications, the committee unanimously agreed to move Interim President Nuñez forward as its sole finalist for consideration by the FIU Board of Trustees," Duart wrote in last month's message. But it also has been widely speculated that DeSantis played a role in Nuñez getting the FIU job, something trustee Dean Colson appeared to acknowledge Monday as he supported her appointment. "I believe she will be a very successful president, and to be honest, if we don't pick her as our president, I suspect that tomorrow we are going to find out who the governor's office's second pick is," Colson said. "I really like our first pick, so why would I take that chance?"
CBS News
a day ago
- General
- CBS News
FIU students, faculty protest school's partnership with ICE
Florida International University students, faculty, alumni and members of the community gathered on campus Monday morning to protest the partnership between the school and U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement. The agreement, under the 287 (g) program, allows FIU police officers to be trained and authorized to act as ICE agents on campus. It's part of a broader initiative across the state. FIU Police Chief Alexander Casas has said it will help keep students safe. However, those protesting said they fear this will lead to racial profiling and increase fear among students. Partnership under fire from students Last month, at a forum to discuss the proposed partnership, students and alumni spoke out against it. "It's not fair that students have to live in an environment of hostility, fear of racial profiling, that they could be detained at any moment, their visas can be revoked. That's not what FIU is about," said Alex Rubio, an FIU graduate. Casas, who participated in the panel alongside immigration experts and student leaders, emphasized the intent to maintain trust within the campus community. he also he sought to reassure students "Don't be concerned, if you're here legally take care of your stuff, if you're here lawfully you have nothing to be concerned about," he said. Demonstrators hoped to get the Board of Trustees attention The demonstration came ahead of the FIU Board of Trustees meeting in which they will discuss and vote on naming interim President Jeanette Nuñez as the school's 7th president. Nuñez, who received her bachelor's degree and master's degree at FIU, was named interim resident in February. She stepped down as Florida's lieutenant governor to accept the position. If approved by the board, she'll replace Kenneth Jessell who had served as FIU's president since 2022.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Ben Johnson went through a humbling time, and it led to his meteoric NFL rise
Ben Johnson didn't have a job. After eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins, which included numerous roles, coaching positions and promotions, he was out of work and in NFL limbo. It was an unwelcome feeling for a 33-year-old coach with big dreams. 'I kind of got the feeling that the cycle had already gone by,' Johnson said of his job status in 2019, 'and I would have to wait till the next cycle.' Advertisement Johnson, though, couldn't stay away from football. He needed it. He had kept in contact with Butch Davis, his former head coach at North Carolina who took over at Florida International in 2019. Davis invited him to a spring practice. That visit soon turned into summer conversations about volunteering in the fall. 'We all have the itch,' Johnson told The Athletic. 'So I was much better scratching that itch, spending some time at FIU, than I was staying at home with my family for 24 hours. And I think my wife understood that. She got a better version of myself when I was home, knowing that I was able to actually be around the game.' Johnson, now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, took Davis up on his volunteer offer. Johnson couldn't actively coach as part of his role, but he worked with the offensive coaching staff, particularly with offensive coordinator Rich Skrosky. Johnson watched film of practice and offered his thoughts. He was still working with FIU when the Panthers opened the 2019 season against Tulane on Aug. 29. 'As we got closer to the season, Rich trusted me enough to do some advance scouting for the opponent at hand,' Johnson said. 'So I certainly remember going into that Tulane week, watching some Tulane film from the year before and giving some third-down thoughts (or) things that he had put in during training camp (that) were … outside of the box that maybe he wanted to incorporate.' Johnson, who once worked with Adam Gase, Clyde Christensen, Bill Lazor and Mike Sherman in Miami, also had ideas for Davis. 'I remember a few times there, I'd give Butch a piece of paper maybe at the end of the week, just a couple thoughts, like 'Hey, think about using a wet ball in practice for a couple periods, just in case we get a rain game during the season,'' he said. Advertisement Johnson was prepared to help FIU for the rest of the season. Then the Detroit Lions called. They were scrambling for help. Johnson's life was about to change. Johnson didn't start at quarterback for Davis at North Carolina. He joined the team as a walk-on in 2004. Davis arrived in 2007, and T.J. Yates soon became the No. 1 QB. Yates went on to get drafted by the Houston Texans in the fifth round in 2011 and spent eight seasons in the NFL. 'We had a couple of quarterbacks,' Davis said. 'Creatively and athletically, they were probably a little bit better than (Johnson), but not necessarily that much better mentally. He knew how the game plans worked and how to study and how to look into it.' Johnson graduated from North Carolina in 2008 with computer science and mathematics degrees. His Tar Heels bio doesn't include any game stats. But it does say Johnson 'pretended to be Joe Montana as a kid' and 'is proficient in solving difficult math equations.' Johnson loved studying film. He wanted to figure out how the opposition played. That's what Davis remembered. Johnson also leaned on offensive coordinator John Shoop as a resource. By then, Shoop had 12 years of NFL experience, including a three-season stint as the Bears' offensive coordinator under head coach Dick Jauron. 'It was great for him to have John around to kind of talk about all kinds of things, how to practice and the games,' Davis said. When Johnson's NFL career was in limbo in 2019, he reconnected with Davis. 'Could I come down there?' Davis remembered Johnson asking. 'I said, 'Are you kidding me? Absolutely.' We would love to have had him.' Davis wanted to help his former quarterback, the one who took his future wife, Jessica, to the team's Bible study during his final year at North Carolina and the one who scoured film looking for answers to everything. Davis had already done the same with Ken Dorsey, his former quarterback at the University of Miami. Dorsey worked for Davis after being fired by the Carolina Panthers. Advertisement 'As soon as (Dorsey) left, the very next guy that came was Ben Johnson,' Davis said. 'I was fortunate to just absolutely have him and create things to talk about with him and things that he'd learned.' In a matter of weeks, Johnson's suggestions became a great resource for Davis, his assistants and the program. Davis considered hiring Johnson as his full-time offensive coordinator. But Davis knew the NFL would beckon Johnson back soon. 'And I just knew that he needed to be in the NFL,' Davis said. The next opportunity just happened to come in the form of an entry-level position with the Lions. Johnson was overqualified. But it put him in a place to learn and grow. Davis knew how important that was to Johnson. 'He grew from Boston College and the Miami Dolphins, and that's what you love about these guys is that they don't just stay only doing one certain thing,' Davis said. 'It's like you've got to grow every three or four weeks during the season. And when the season's over with, it's like go back and take a look at everything that you've done and what needs to go, and how do you continue to grow? I mean, because if you stay the same, you're going to get beat, you're going to lose, especially in the NFL.' When Kevin Rogers arrived at Boston College as the Eagles' offensive coordinator in 2011, Johnson was already there. He had started two years earlier as a graduate assistant on head coach Gary Tranquill's staff. 'He's all over things,' Rogers remembered thinking about Johnson. 'He was proactive in his own development. He's always ahead by a step.' Rogers relied on Johnson early on. 'I'm in a room full of strangers and we're trying to get ready for spring football,' Rogers said. 'Well, Ben does the entire playbook, gets it on the computer, unbelievably detailed. I mean, all over it. And as soon as I got done, I thought to myself, 'Man, this guy's different.' I mean, he is a brilliant, brilliant guy.' Advertisement Rogers and Johnson spent only one year together at Boston College. Johnson was Rogers' tight ends coach. Johnson joined the Dolphins the following year as an offensive assistant, while Rogers went to Temple, where he was the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach. But their relationship became the eventual link to the Lions eight years later. Rogers recommended Johnson to Lions offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who needed to find a quality control coach after a late dismissal on head coach Matt Patricia's staff. Rogers and Bevell worked together previously with the Minnesota Vikings. Bevell called Rogers for recommendations. 'They were looking for a guy they could get involved quite quickly,' said Rogers, who is now a senior offensive assistant/special projects for the Bengals. 'And of course, Ben was on the tip of my tongue.' 'Kev definitely said, 'Hey, it would be worth your time to talk to Ben,'' Bevell said. Johnson would have to start all over after being the Dolphins' receivers coach in 2018. Grunt work would be back on the table. He would be back to breaking down tape for Bevell. And he would be typing up scripts and drawing up play cards for practice. 'You're basically making it easier on the position coaches,' Bevell said. Johnson wanted to be back in the league he believed he belonged in. He also felt he instantly connected with Bevell. It didn't hurt that Johnson shared some mutual acquaintances with Sean Ryan, the Lions' quarterbacks coach at the time. He took the job in September 2019, making him a very late addition. 'Truthfully, it made sense for both Detroit and myself,' Johnson said. 'It was more a matter of making it make sense for my wife and my kids because we didn't want to keep them in Florida and then be separated for, call it, four months of the season. That, for her, didn't make sense. (I'm) still getting paid by Miami, so why would we willingly do this? So we were able to get to the compromise of getting them up there to Detroit, even though it wasn't necessarily guaranteed after that first season. So it was really a great move for our family.' Advertisement It soon became a great move for the Lions. 'Fast forward a little bit as Ben started doing the work, and quickly I was like, 'This guy's way overqualified for this job,'' Bevell said. 'But it was the one, obviously, we had at that time.' Three weeks in, and Bevell told Johnson exactly that, and gave him more to do. 'The stuff that he was doing was easy,' Bevell said. 'He could be a more integral part of presenting some stuff and suggesting plays.' It soon expanded to include game-planning responsibilities, particularly in the passing game. Johnson became the Lions' tight ends coach in 2020. 'He always brought really good ideas, very sound ideas,' Bevell said. 'You know that he knows what he's doing, just from how he presented things, how detailed he was. The attention to detail was important to me. And he's very detailed in what he presents and very detailed in how he coaches.' Bevell became Detroit's interim head coach during the 2020 season, and he later interviewed for the full-time job. He had a job in mind for Johnson. 'Ben Johnson was the coordinator that I put down,' Bevell said. Instead, the Lions hired Dan Campbell. The NFL's coaching carousel was spinning again. Bevell soon became the offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Johnson, though, remained connected to Campbell because of their time together in Miami. Campbell retained Johnson as tight ends coach, trusting him to coach the position Campbell played in the NFL. Johnson was in a vital position. He was in the middle of everything. 'That's what the tight end position will do, it lets you stay connected to both parts of the game,' Bevell said. 'You're heavily involved in the runs, but depending on who your guys are, you can be heavily involved in the pass game. … And you're learning techniques and scheme from the (offensive) line group, and then you're also learning the pass game. And he was bringing ideas from the pass game from a wide receiver perspective, so to speak. But not only could he speak it from the wide receiver, but he could speak it from the quarterback position as well, being an ex-quarterback himself.' Joe Philbin's first coaching staff with the Dolphins in 2012 was full of future head coaches. Campbell coached tight ends. Zac Taylor was the team's assistant quarterbacks coach. And Johnson was an offensive assistant. Charlie Bullen, now the outside linebackers coach for the New York Giants, was Johnson's roommate at the time. Advertisement 'No. 1, I just was really impressed with his intelligence,' Bullen said. 'He is naturally a very smart person. He walked on at North Carolina, so he was able to get in there on his own accord. And just his work ethic. I mean, the guy works harder than anybody I know. 'So you apply intelligence, plus the willingness to work, and that's what has led him to his success. The guy just really, really dedicates himself to becoming a great coach, and he did from day one and still does now.' Bullen also remembers being in the weight room with Johnson as two young coaches. 'He is super competitive,' Bullen said. 'He's fit, very physically fit, and he kind of has a natural metabolism. It's (BS). He can eat whatever he wants, and he stays fit. But he was an animal in the weight room. … A consistent lifting routine and he could still throw some good weight around even as a coach on minimal sleep.' Johnson and Bullen broke into the NFL together. Their interviews with the Dolphins overlapped. Johnson was hired to aid the offensive staff; Bullen, the defense. Adam Gase retained both of them when he became Miami's head coach in 2016. When Gase's era ended, Bullen joined the Arizona Cardinals in 2019; Johnson had to wait. 'His path stalled out for a minute,' Bullen said. 'When we got let go in Miami from '18 to '19, you know, most of us caught on elsewhere and kept our coaching careers moving. Ben was out for a little bit.' Johnson had to start over. The late nights and minimal sleep were back. 'And he did it,' Bullen said. 'He did it willingly on a staff that he didn't know anybody and had to prove himself all over again from step one and and doing a bunch of tasks that he had done years ago and thought he probably graduated from. 'But he just started there, kept working, and was himself throughout the process and worked his way up. He hit a little moment where there was some coaching adversity, and he just fought through it the way that he does, and he rose to the top from there.' Advertisement In a way, this is when Ben Johnson became Ben Johnson. 'Anytime you get fired, you get humbled a little bit,' Johnson said. 'Here's what it did for me: it gave me a fresh perspective. I walked into that building up in Detroit at the end of training camp in 2019, and I was all smiles. I loved every second of it. Was it the job that I had always envisioned? No. But I was forever grateful for those people to give me a chance to be in that building. 'I would have never envisioned it going the direction it did, to where I was able to climb from quality control to position coach to coordinator to now a head coach. I didn't see that coming. I was just taking it one step at a time and trying to be the best quality control I could be in that position. And then when I got the tight ends job, just trying to be the best tight ends coach that I could be. So it kind of escalated quickly from there.' All the way to the Chicago Bears.
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Florida has an alternative to the ‘patriotism' pushed by book banners
Florida patriots Dr. Marvin Dunn sat beneath what he called the Black History Learning Tree next to FIU's Green Library on the 45th anniversary of the McDuffie Riots and swayed to Ray Charles' rendition of 'America the Beautiful.' Dunn wanted the program on the history of the riots to begin with that song 'because of the lie that professors like me are telling students to hate their country. Teaching that our country is the worst place in the world. I was out here [teaching at FIU] 36 years; I never heard a professor say 'hate your country.'' Flanked by Shanreka Perry, who was 10 when she lost her leg in the riot, and Bea Hines, the legendary Pulitzer-nominated reporter for the Miami Herald, and surrounded by scores of American flags, Dunn wanted everyone to know that 'I'm an American that spent six years in the Navy defending our country. This is our country too.' I thought about why Dunn needed to start his presentation defending his patriotism while reading Mary Anna Mancuso's May 23 op-ed, 'Florida ranks low on patriotism? I don't believe it.' She wrote, 'I have found Republicans to be more openly patriotic than Democrats.' I do not know if Dunn or Hines are Democrats, but I do know that 43 years ago this Memorial Day, Hines was chastised as being unpatriotic for opining in the Herald that she preferred 'America the Beautiful' over 'The Star Spangled Banner.' Dunn feels the Black History Learning Tree series (the next is Juneteenth) is needed because 'patriotic' Floridians now in control of the state have been banning books they don't like, deporting students at schools — including FIU — who may say something they don't agree with and forcing courses to be rewritten so they downplay Florida's violent racial history. Is that patriotic? Philip Cardella, Miami Parks leader Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava's decision to replace County Parks Director Maria Nardi with a staffer from the elections department is a ridiculous proposition that will undoubtedly harm our county's award-winning parks. During her tenure, Nardi has done a fantastic job. Miami-Dade County Parks are among the highest rated in the state and nation. It makes no sense to replace a successful leader with someone who has absolutely no experience in the field. This is apparently a short-sighted decision by Levine Cava, who has a desire to help a political ally rather than prioritize the county's parks. Political affiliation should not result in a job. Replacing Nardi with an elections official will not keep Miami-Dade Parks growing. Howard J. Tendrich, Palmetto Bay College heads Gov. Ron DeSantis' apparent goal is to affix ultra-right conservative presidents at the helms of all of Florida's universities and colleges. This education take-over is shameful and goes against everything that America represents. His latest ploy is to install or have the University of West Florida Board of Trustees to 'decide' the appointment of Manny Diaz, Jr., Florida's education commissioner, as the the next leader of UWF. Some of the newly appointed DeSantis trustees are connected to ultra-right think tanks, including one who is a fellow of the Heritage Foundation. The Foundation is the mastermind behind the cruel, inhumane and anti-American Project 2025, which eliminates all diverse, inclusive and equitable programs and classes in our universities. DEI is who we are as Americans. We are all immigrants with diverse and rich nationalities, cultures, languages and religions. A university president must embrace all students, professors and majors. On-campus organizations must include all political, social and educational beliefs. Installing Diaz as the next UWF president is a recipe for disaster on all levels. A university president who will only represent an ultra-right wing agenda is anti-American. Mayade Ersoff, Palmetto Bay Safety hazard A waste transfer station is being proposed near Venezia Lakes, Three Lakes and surrounding West Kendall communities within the Miami Executive Airport's critical approach zone. The proposed site would create serious aircraft safety hazards due to birds attracted by waste; expose 18 schools within a five-mile radius to harmful pollutants; risk contaminating the Three Lakes and endangering local wildlife; cause severe property value declines in well-established neighborhoods and increase the risk of fires (recent fires occurred near the proposed dump location). Most concerning, this proposal was suddenly introduced without proper notification to residents who have lived in the area for more than 20 years. Our communities are urgently mobilizing to oppose this inappropriate development. We would appreciate coverage in the Miami Herald of this important local issue affecting so many Miami-Dade families. Sebastian Espinosa, West Kendall Cat people Even people who cringe at the thought of stray cats agree: fewer are better. County residents created Miami-Dade's stray cat problem by not spaying or neutering their pet cats and letting them roam outside to reproduce. Cats didn't choose to be born outside. I thank the Herald for highlighting Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) as the only accepted strategy to reduce their population. Feeding bans fail because they disrupt managed colonies where caregivers feed, monitor and trap for TNR; vaccinated stray cats prevent rabies transmission to pets, but hungry, thirsty and potentially sick strays will roam, spreading disease; dispersed cats are extremely difficult to trap and sterilize; feeders crucial to Miami-Dade's TNR programs are deterred, yet retailers profit from pet products and ignore stray cat abandonment. However, PetSmart Charities and Petco Love fund TNR. Bans also discourage caregivers, spurring more unaltered cat abandonment and don't stop reproduction. Stray cats are a reality we can't erase. The choice is simple: manage them humanely or let them suffer unmanaged. Danna Stillman, Animal Welfare Committee, Miami Beach Limp responses The response from our elected officials regarding the Trump administration's revocation of Temporary Protected Status for our immigrant neighbors is a disgrace. Rep. Maria Salazar said she was 'deeply disappointed.' Rep. Carlos Gimenez has 'concerns' about the revocation. Sen. Rick Scott said that, 'President Trump has full authority to take action.' That is pathetic. Where is the outrage? Where is the fight? Shame on them for their tepid responses while the lives of their constituents are in peril. Arnie Gellman, Miami Unhealthy It is ironic and hypocritical that Publix is recalling a brand of baby food from all stores because it might be contaminated with elevated levels of lead. Yet, at any grocery store, pharmacy, or convenience store, one can purchase a product that, according to the World Health Organization, causes 480,000 deaths in the United States annually and kills more than 7 million people globally each year: tobacco. If eating cantaloupe killed 480,000 people a year in the United States, the FDA would ban it immediately, yet Big Tobacco in the U.S. seems untouchable. Roger Hammer, Homestead Hold the water Recent research reveals bottled water contains far more plastic particles than previously believed — up to 240,000 per liter, mostly as tiny nanoplastics from the bottles and bottling process. While the long-term health impacts remain uncertain, microplastics are linked to inflammation, immune disruption and exposure to harmful chemicals. Contrary to popular belief, bottled water isn't necessarily safer or purer than tap water. In the U.S., tap water is regulated more strictly and tested more frequently for contaminants. Opting for tap water not only protects your health but also reduces plastic waste and saves money. If you're concerned about taste or local water quality, affordable home filtration systems can provide added peace of mind. By making informed choices and supporting stronger regulations, we can protect our health and the environment. Let's move past the myth of 'pure' bottled water and confidently turn to the tap. Paul Howard, Naples
Miami Herald
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Slugger joins FIU baseball team's 20-homer club in record time
Kishon Frett wasn't just hitting balls over the fence. His shots in batting practice were sailing to the tops of the tall trees that sit at least 50-to-80 feet beyond the left-field wall. 'It was majestic,' FIU Panthers hitting coach and recruiting coordinator Brian Jeroloman said when asked about the first time he saw Frett in action. 'I took out my phone to videotape his BP. On the video, you can hear me say, 'Wow!'' After the game, here's what Jeroloman told Frett, a right-handed hitter who was at Seminole State College of Florida at the time: 'I'm going to make you a Panther. You are going to be wearing navy and gold. 'We will kick your butt (during workouts and practice), but we will get you ready. We will develop you. 'Your future is so bright. You are going to be a monster for us.' Jeroloman was right. Frett has been Godzilla for the Panthers this year, hitting .291 with eight doubles, three triples, 20 homers and a 1.076 OPS. He has also scored 57 runs in 54 games. In addition, Frett leads Conference USA in homers, and his 20 dingers rank fourth in FIU single-season history, trailing Brad Eldred (29 in 2002); Tyler Townsend (24 in 2009); and Luis Fernandez (21 in 1998). 'It's a great achievement,' Frett said of reaching the 20-homer club. 'But I'm not satisfied. I want 25-to-30.' When a Panthers player homers this season, his teammates place an FIU 'Vice' football helmet on his head and then shower him with water. Frett, a corner outfielder, has had a lot of those Vice baths this year, and he has a chance to add to his totals this week at the Conference USA postseason tournament in Lynchburg, Virginia. Sixth-seeded FIU (30-25), which has already secured the most wins by a Panthers team since 2017, will play its first game on Wednesday at 9 a.m. against third-seeded Kennesaw State (29-25). The double-elimination tournament concludes on Sunday, and the Panthers need to win it to secure their first NCAA regional berth since 2015. It helps that the Panthers have Frett. Jeroloman remembers the first time Frett – who at that time was 6-3 and 215 pounds – went to an FIU game. This was in the spring of 2023. Frett had just committed to the Panthers, and he was there to watch his future team. 'Kish was wearing a sleeveless T-shirt,' Jeroloman recalled. 'Mario Fernandez, who pitched for us at that time, looked at Kish and said, 'Is he committed to us?'' Translation: How did FIU get a stud like this? The answer is that Frett – an Ocala native who played his high school ball at Broward County's Calvary Christian – wrecked his knee twice, both times playing basketball. 'I've hung up my hooping shoes since then,' Frett said. Frett's first ACL injury happened during his sophomore year of high school. He had committed to Florida, but – after the injury – the Gators withdrew his scholarship money. A catcher at the time, Frett ended up at the first of his two junior colleges -- Wabash Valley, located in Mount Carmel, Illinois. But Frett's second ACL injury ended his Wabash career before he played a single game, and he transferred to Seminole State, which is located less than an hour away from his hometown of Ocala. Frett slugged eight homers as a Seminole State freshman, but he blew up as a sophomore in 2023, hitting .345 while leading the national junior-college ranks with 20 dingers. That's when Jeroloman – during his normal recruiting checks – talked to Mike Nicholson, Seminole State's coach. '(Nicholson) told me, 'Brian, this kid is going off. He looks the part.'' Jeroloman said 'looking the part' is something scouts look for as it can be a predictor of future success. Given that, Jeroloman was blown away the first time he saw Frett. This was before he took batting practice. 'I said, 'Holy Christmas – that's him!'' said Jeroloman, sounding a bit like someone seeing a great white shark. 'You could see his quads from half a football field away.' Jeroloman said the 'body comparison' for Frett is former Marlins star Giancarlo Stanton, who is a physical specimen at 6-6 and 245 pounds. Frett, who turned 23 in January, said he is now up to 225 pounds with an incredibly low body-fat percentage of 4.6. That's down from 13.6 percent just a couple of years ago. Panthers head coach Rich Witten was impressed when he saw Frett's first batting practice on FIU's field. Asked Witten: 'What's the catch?' There wasn't any. Frett has been good on and off the field, including the fact that he graduated two weeks ago with a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. After he is done playing baseball, Frett would like to be a teacher, a coach or a journalist. 'I did commentating at two FIU basketball games this year,' Frett said, 'and it was exciting.' On the field, though, is where Frett has truly shined, slugging 36 homers in two years at FIU. Only three players have more career homers at FIU: Eldred (44); Townsend (43); and Mike Martinez 37). However, Eldred and Martinez posted those numbers in four years at FIU; Townsend did it in three; and Frett in just two. Jeroloman, a former New York Yankees scout, said he will know about two weeks before the MLB Draft in July what Frett's prospects are in terms of getting selected. 'They'd be signing the bat,' Jeroloman said of Frett's power. 'When you can hit like he can, scouts don't worry too much about defense. 'Having said that, Kish is an amazing runner for a guy his size. 'You can't even call him a below-average defender anymore. He has worked so hard to improve. His routes to the ball are so much better. He has good range, and his arm is better than you'd think.' Indeed, Frett has four outfield assists this season and just one error. 'I wouldn't be shocked if he gets drafted in rounds eight through 15,' Jeroloman said. 'I also wouldn't be shocked if it doesn't go as well as he would like due to his age and injury history. But whatever organization gets him will be very happy.' No matter what happens, though, Frett is not a person Jeroloman will forget. 'He's one of those kids you fall in love with,' Jeroloman said. 'If he were to call me 10 years from now needing something, I would do anything to help him.'
