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Miami Herald
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Darius Rice among UM Sports Hall of Fame inductees. Here's who else will be honored
Longtime University of Miami basketball fans surely remember Jan. 20, 2003, the night Darius Rice scored a career-high 43 points, including the winning three-pointer at the buzzer, and almost single-handedly beat then-No. 11 UConn 77-76. Rice, now a high school coach in Texas, remembers every detail of that game. All the memories flooded back to him when the Hurricanes faced the Huskies in the Final Four two years ago, and again this week, as he prepares his speech for his induction into the UM Sports Hall of Fame. Rice won that game after stealing an inbounds pass and launching the three. 'When [Shamon Tooles] let the ball go, it was in my reach, so I stuck my hand out, and when it touched my hand, I said, 'This is mine,'' Rice said. 'I saw the rim and I knew it was going in. The basket looked as big as the ocean all night. 'They went bigger on me, smaller, I think their whole team, including coach [Jim] Calhoun tried to cover me, but it was one of those nights.' Thursday will be another special night for Rice and the other inductees. He said he has written and torn up his speech five times. 'It is exciting to be back on campus, 25 years after I got here, knowing that all the things I did and set out to do were appreciated,' said Rice, whose mother and sister flew in for the ceremony. 'Everyone always talks about the UConn game, but I have so many other great memories, too. The week before that game against UNC I hit a shot from the corner to force OT. I also remember scoring 33 against the Gators in the Orange Bowl Classic. This will be a happy moment for me.' He played for Perry Clark but also singled out Leonard Hamilton (who recruited him), Stan Jones, Dwight Freeman and Brock Kantrow as coaches who had a big influence on him. The induction banquet will take place at the Watsco Center, where Rice played. The eight-member Class of 2025 is comprised of Rice, Vikki Alonzo (soccer), Mark Cooper (football), Kevin Howard (baseball), Cindy Kessler Miller (golf), Jerome McDougle (football), Brian Ramos (diving), and Krista Simkins (track & field). UM Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Biographies ▪ Vikki Alonzo, Soccer (2008-2011): Holds nearly every school record for goalkeepers including wins (36), shutouts (25), saves (358) and minutes in goal (7,256). Also holds three single-season records for saves, shutouts and minutes in goal. ▪ Mark Cooper, Football (1978-1982): Recruited to the Hurricanes as a tight end out of Miami's Killian High, but Coach Howard Schnellenberger moved him to left tackle to protect quarterback Jim Kelly due to many injuries on the offensive line… Named second-team Independent South All-American and selected to the East-West Shrine Bowl and the Senior Bowl following his final season…Drafted in the second round of the 1983 NFL Draft by Denver…'Coop' spent seven seasons in the league and played in Super Bowl XXI for the Broncos. ▪ Kevin Howard, Baseball (2000-2002): One of the program's best all-around hitters… Named the 2000 Freshman of the Year and a Freshman All-American by Baseball America and Louisville Slugger, a Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American and Collegiate Baseball Third Team All-American… Hit .413 with 90 hits and 52 in his first season… As a junior put together another outstanding season with a .363 batting average, 86 hits, 23 doubles, 12 home runs, 52 RBI and a .602 slugging percentage… Ranks fourth all-time in career hits with 260 and his career .368 batting average is eighth all-time for batters with 300-plus at bats. ▪ Cindy Kessler Miller, Golf (1975-1978): Began her career as a walk-on in 1975 and earned her way to a scholarship spot in 1976…Helped the Canes to back-to-back national championships in 1977 and 1978 and was named an All-American in her senior campaign in 1978, serving as team captain… After a brief career on the LPGA Tour, established herself as one of the game's finest golf teachers and will be inducted into the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame as a member of their Class of 2024. ▪ Jerome McDougle, Football (2000-2002): Named a 2002 first-team All-American by the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) and a two-time first-team All-Big East selection by the league's coaches in 2001 and 2002… Key member on the defensive line of the 2001 national championship team… First-round draft pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and spent six seasons in the league. ▪ Brian Ramos, Diving (1990-1995): One of legendary head coach Randy Ableman's first top recruits and helped turned the UM diving team into a dynasty… Seven-time All-American who finished second at the 1992 NCAA Championships in the 1-meter springboard…Named 1995 Big East Diver of the Year. ▪ Darius Rice, Basketball (2000-04): Electrifying scorer from all areas of the court… Three-time All-Big East selection (twice second team, once third team)… Left Miami as the school's fourth-leading scorer all-time with 1,865 points for a career average of 16.1 points per game… Ranks in UM's career top 10 for field goals made and attempted, 3-point field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted and games started. ▪ Krista Simkins, Track & Field (2006-2008): 2008 NCAA indoor 400-meter champion with a time of 52.16 seconds… Also named 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference Indoor Track Performer of the Year, claiming ACC titles in the 400 and 200 meters…won the 2007 ACC title in the 100 meters…four-time All American, receiving honors twice each in indoor and outdoor events in her career.
Miami Herald
30-01-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Florida A&M returning to Orange Blossom Classic in 2025. What to know about the game
After a one-year hiatus, the Florida A&M Rattlers are set to return to the Orange Blossom Classic this season. FAMU will face Howard in the 2025 edition of the Orange Bowl Classic in what will be a matchup that honors the game's long history. FAMU and Howard played in the first Orange Bowl Classic in 1933 in Jacksonville before the game eventually moved to Miami in 1947 (with stops in Orlando, back in Jacksonville and Tampa along the way). The game is scheduled for Aug. 30 at Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff time has not yet been announced. The teams have faced each other twice in the Orange Blossom Classic (1933 and 1974). They last met on the field in the 2023 Celebration Bowl, which FAMU won 30-26. 'This year's matchup is not only a rematch of their 2023 Celebration Bowl showdown, but it also takes us back to the very beginning,' Kendra Bulluck-Major, the Orange Blossom Classic's executive director, said in a press release announcing the matchup. 'The inaugural Orange Blossom Classic in 1933 featured these two historic programs — Florida A&M and Howard — facing off at the Black Only's Ballpark in Jacksonville, Florida, in front of 2,000 fans. To see this rivalry come full circle, while celebrating the rich history and legacy of HBCUs, is truly special. We are excited to bring this experience to fans during Labor Day Weekend 2025.' Prior to last season, Florida A&M had played in every Orange Blossom Classic, a game featuring Historically Black Colleges and Universities which first ran from 1933-1978 and then resumed as an annual game starting in 2021. The Rattlers are 27-21-1 all-time in the Orange Blossom Classic. The 2024 game saw North Carolina Central beat Alabama State 31-24. 'The Orange Blossom Classic represents much more than football—it's a celebration of community, culture, and the incredible legacy of HBCUs,' said Oliver Gilbert III, Commissioner of Miami-Dade County's District 1. 'Bringing FAMU and Howard together again continues the tradition of excellence that this game has always embodied. Labor Day Weekend 2025 will be one to remember, and Miami Gardens is ready to welcome fans and alumni to this historic event.'
