Vol. 95, Issue 2 | Sept. 4 - Sept. 17
DRAINED THE SWAMP
Cam Ward propels Miami to national spotlight, leading new-look Hurricanes to 41-17 win over rival Florida Gators
Sports // Page 12
‘As times evolve, so must our policies’
Dean’s office updates campus protest policy
BY MEL TENKOFF STAFF WRITER
The University of Miami has implemented new restrictions on demonstrations, aiming to control protests permitted on campus following the widespread demonstrations on U.S. campuses last spring.
The updated policies enforced by UM in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook state that demonstrators “may not set up or utilize encampmentlike material, …must not have signs or flags exceeding the size restriction of 24’’ by 36’’, … [and] may not carry, possess, or use face shields or masks or other masks or disguises.”
Although demonstrations are permitted at UM, they are regulated by the Dean of Students Office and can only be scheduled by “recognized University organizations and full-or parttime students.”
“On campus demonstrations can only take place after the approval of the Dean of Students Office on the respective campus, on a first‐come, first‐served basis and based on availability of the proposed on campus location.”
According to University of Miami’s Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, the university “reserves the right to use its sole discretion to refuse any request for the use of University space or facilities deemed inconsistent with the values and mission of the University including those events that may cause a disruption or cause danger to the health and safety of others or cause violence.”
Because of these restrictions, during an active demonstration, any UM official who suspects a
violation of these policies has the right to request to see Cane Cards for proof of enrollment.
“Campus safety and the safety of our community members and visitors are paramount,” the Dean of Students Office said.
“When we address those aspects, others are addressed as well.”
UM administrators began preparing for the upcoming semester this summer by reviewing policies in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.
“We have a history of policy review, as it is done annually,” the Dean of Students Office told The Hurricane in a statement.
“A task force was also conducted in 2018-2019 to ensure policies were up to date. A similar task force was constituted in 2024 to review our policies and ensure that various community partners contributed to the updates to ensure thoroughness. As times evolve, so must our policies.”
The Dean of Students Office ended their statement with, “As our campus community is unique, we will continue to review ways to implement approaches that are unique to our campus.”
UM, a private university located on private property, has had policies in place regarding demonstrations before this semester. Private institutions’ are not obliged to follow the same First Amendment responsibilities of public schools, which allows them to monitor who is allowed to demonstrate on campus and to what extent.
David Weinert, a senior lecturer in the School of Communication, has recently moved from Michigan to Florida, bringing
with him a plethora of experiences and a wealthy background in teaching.
Weinert has taught at both private and public universities for over 24 years, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Syracuse University, UNLV, the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Penn State University Park, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and the University of Detroit Mercy. He is also the acting Chair of the Law & Policy Division of the Broadcast Education Association.
Through his experience, Weinert is able to compare the political activism at UM against that at public institutions.
“It’s a well known fact that private universities don’t have the same obligations, under the First Amendment, as the public institutions of higher learning,”
Weinert said. “That said, I’d like to think that university administrators, even at the private schools, support a marketplace of ideas approach to learning for all faculty and students.”
The American Association for University Professors released a statement on Aug. 14, condemning “overly restrictive policies” enacted by university officials in response to student protests last year.
“Policies, which go beyond reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, impose severe limits on speech and assembly that discourage or shut down freedom of expression,” the statement by the AAUP said. Weinert, a member of the AAUP, commented that it is common for both public and private schools to impose guidelines for demonstra-
tions on campus.
“We have to remember that free speech, while pivotal in a democracy, isn’t absolute,” Weinert said. “At the same time, … all universities (i.e., even private) are bound, by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to enforce campus policies in a manner that doesn’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin.”
UM hosts Overdose Awareness Day Vigil to honor lost lives
BY LAUREN WHITESELL STAFF WRITER
Flowers and pictures lined the walls of the Lakeside Pavilion on Aug. 31 as people shed tears, hugged each other and shared stories to honor the lives lost to drug overdose.
International Overdose Awareness Day takes place annually on Aug. 31 and is “the world’s largest campaign to end overdose.” In 2023, over 100,000 Americans died of a drug overdose.
Members of the UM community joined the Sandler Center, UM Student Health, URecovery and F Fentanyl Inc. for one of the many IOAD events that took place around the world.
“ I spent a lot of time being very angry at him, not understanding his disease and thinking it was something that he chose to do.”
Sarah Couper Mother of overdose victim
The event began with Director Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development Brenda Lampon presenting the Proclamation for Overdose Awareness Day from the Miami-Dade Mayor’s Office and Board of County Commission. The proclamation recognizes the importance of IOAD and raising awareness for drug-related dis-
eases and deaths.
UM alumna Sarah Couper spoke about her son Maxwell QuevedoCooper. Quevedo-Cooper died of an overdose in November 2016 when he was 19 years old.
“He was an artist. He played the bass in the school orchestra.
He played on a travel and school baseball teams. He loved fishing.
He loved he animals, and he was probably somebody of the future, but now he’s part of the generation that’s now gone, and we’ll never know what all those people could have done,” said Couper.
Couper explained that she used to be like many Americans who think that drug addiction is a conscious decision.
“I spent a lot of time being very angry at him, not understanding his disease and thinking it was something that he chose to do,” Couper said.
Couper went on to discuss the advancements in treatment of drug overdose in recent years and her support for programs UM has put in place such as narcan trainings and needle exchanges.
“If you had asked me 10 years ago, I would’ve said ‘Are you crazy? You’re putting something in place where people can go and use drugs, aren’t you encouraging it?’ No, they’re going to use their drugs regardless, so why don’t we try and keep them alive until they have decided to seek recovery?” said Couper.
Couper then read a speech given by a behavioral pharmacologist at a group meeting for parents who have lost their children to drug overdose. The speech gave an in-depth glimpse into the life of someone struggling with drug addiction.
“We do these things not because we want to do them, but because we have to do them to survive. We become desperate, and in our desperation, we do
things that we know are wrong. We do things that we know are not us,” Couper read.
Yamila Rollan Escalona also spoke at the event. She is the founder of Yaya Por Vida, a harm reduction organization. Rollan Escalona lost her sister Yaritza “Yaya” Rollan to a fentanyl overdose in December 2019.
Rollan was a tattoo artist and had planned to open her own tattoo studio before she died.
“She was dedicated to the arts. She was unapologetic. She was powerful. She was rebellious,” Rollan Escalona said.
Rollan Escalona emphasized how she feels current rules on drug usage are part of the problem and are in part responsible for the number of drug overdoses.
“The drug is inherently not a
problem, The problem is the policies that we’re putting our folks through. Policies have failed our people, and that’s one of the reasons why they’re not here,” Rollan Escalona said.
The last speaker was Camille Lewis, the founder of the nonprofit ColorNRaw, which helps support the Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Lewis currently has a parent who is fighting drug addiction.
“I was reared to ignore that loved one, but I could not. I refused to ignore that someone because you have to speak to the person. You can’t speak to the drug, You have to love the person without hating the drug because the drug didn’t do it,” Lewis said.
Lewis, a transgender woman herself, is passionate about ad-
vocating for trans people facing drug addiction and feels they are underrepresented when discussing societal issues.
“As I did my research for this, there was no research for trans individuals. The trans community is just getting justice for the murders of trans individuals. We’re just now getting publicity,” Lewis said.
The event ended with a candlelight vigil and the audience having the opportunity to share any names of people in their life lost to drug overdose.
Visit @umsandlercenter and @urecoveryandallies on Instagram for more information on ways to get involved in the drug overdose recovery movement on campus.
UCatholic expands presence on campus with new space
BY ROBERT DIBBLE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
UCatholic Campus Ministry, one of UM’s largest religious organizations on campus, has moved into a new building which had previously housed United Wesley, a Christian group on campus.
On Aug. 20, UCatholic held a Mass and event celebrating the inauguration of its new Catholic student center on campus. During the event students celebrated Mass and enjoyed Cuban cuisine, marking the culmination of a years-long effort to find a more suitable on-campus home for the student organization.
Located on 1210 Stanford Drive, across the road from the Mohney Pearson residential colleges, the new building is a significant upgrade from where they previously resided.
Leo Morales, the president of UCatholic, described the old loca-
tion as roughly a third the size of the recently purchased building.
“It’s a big difference from what we used to have, which was just a room behind the bookstore,” Morales said.
Morales went on to explain that the old building was formerly the campus post office, but had been given to UCatholic temporarily while they awaited a new home.
“It’s a world of a difference having this new center…we can host a lot more people and we can invite a lot more people,” Morales said.
The new building is two stories with the first floor containing four main areas: a chapel, a room for dining and large Mass celebrations, a game room complete with ping pong and foosball tables, and a series of offices.
The second floor will be used as housing for graduate students. ‘
The center had previously belonged to United Wesley, the
Methodist student organization on campus.
“Dr. Pat Whitely was working with Father Vigoa…to get the building, but they wanted to be respectful of United Wesley… when the opportunity arose,
UCatholic bought the property with the approval of the University,” Morales explained.
In addition to being a more spacious area, the new building also ushers in a new era of visibility for Catholic students on campus.
“It’s also very visible because the old room you can’t even see it... you could walk around for at least a year here and have no idea where the old center was.”
He noticed that this increase in visibility has already been paying dividends.
“We’ve been seeing the results too, the first Mass and meal there were 60 or 70 students! Last year we only had maybe 20 or 30”. Even with the increase in attendance, Morales has larger ambitions for the new student center and wants it to have an impact on all the students on campus, not just the Catholic ones.
“Having this place where you can relax and study or spend time with friends is a great thing, not just for Catholics, but for everyone because that’s who it’s for: everyone,” said Morales
“This home is not just ours, it’s everyone’s, and that’s what I want them to know.”
New Florida legislation affects campus voter registration
BY LAZARO CHAVEZ CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Get Out the Vote, a voter mobilization group, registered over 1,000 UM students last year according to former president Antonella Criscola, bringing a new wave of young voters to the polls. But, a new piece of Florida legislation is preventing them from providing paper registration forms to students.
Now, GOTV, and similar organizations across Florida college campuses, are getting creative to keep young voter turnout high ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
The new bill that went into effect last July, SB 7050, introduced strict rules and regulations on third-party voter registration
organizations. The law requires these organizations to re-register every election cycle as 3PVROs and shortens the timeframe to submit registration applications from 14 days to 10. It also imposes hefty fnes—up to $250,000 annually—for late submissions or other infractions.
At the University of Miami, GOTV has an impressive history of mobilizing many student voters in past election cycles, and has received several accolades for its work. In 2021, UM was designated a “Voter Friendly Campus” by the Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project (CVP) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and in 2022, it was named one of ALL
IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting.
“To comply with Florida legislation pertaining to voter registration, Get Out the Vote (GOTV) is encouraging students to use miami.turbovote.org to register. Voter education programs will continue throughout the semester. Students can reach out to GOTV at vote@ miami.edu for more information,” Get Out the Vote’s UM charter said in a statement to TMH.
TurboVote, a non-proft, allows students to register to vote regardless of their state or check their current registration status. It also provides helpful information on how to vote early, by mail or in person.
Professor Arthur Simon, who teaches political science at UM, ofered his two cents on the issue
to TMH, “Popular sovereignty, which is an essential cornerstone of a truly representative democracy, is strengthened when government enables more citizens to vote – and is undermined when government imposes unnecessary barriers to voter registration and turnout.”
The law also changes who isn’t allowed to handle forms and register voters such as convicted felons and noncitizens. Although it was ruled unconstitutional in March that noncitizens couldn’t register voters. This has led to groups like Poder Latinx and the League of Women Voters of Florida to claim this has caused a decline in their eforts to get students and other groups registered, according to an article by Stateline.
Barbara Casanova, president of Citizen’s First, a Miami-based non-proft that helps people run for elected ofce, believes the new legislation is good. She was asked about the law and the extra steps these organizations have to take when registering voters like printing receipts to give to them. Casanova said, “It’s one of the prices we pay to be able to carry out our civic duty.”
However, Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani, who started the third party registration group People Power For Florida, called the state “aggressive” in their approach.“It’s hard to fght back because we’re up against the state of Florida,” Eskamani said. For more information, visit Get Out the Vote’s page on Engage .
UM launches new success center to address academic advising chaos
BY DIANA MOSCHETTI CONTRIBUTING WRITER
For years, the University’s academic advising system has faced criticism from the student body. Whether the issue was unanswered emails or simply unhelpful advice, many students have not been fond of the system.
“I feel like a lot of the time you talk to an advisor, they give you a one-sizefts-all all plan,” said Dylan Hasler, a third-year architecture student.
This prompted the Ofce of the Executive Vice President for Academic Afairs and Provost to establish the Center for Academic Navigation and Success. The new success center is set to ofer a more unifed approach to academic support and aims to address limitations of the previous undergraduate advising program.
“We designed the center to provide every student, irrespective of their course of study, with a consistent experience from onboarding through graduation,” the Ofce of the Provost said in an University announcement on Aug. 1.
In addition to restructuring the system, the University increased its professional staf to ensure the center’s success.
The conversation about making
substantive changes to academic advising was started by Student Government’s Academic Liaison Council last year, who brought the issue forward to Dean of Undergraduate Affairs Maria Stampino. Concerns were raised again in a senate meeting featuring Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Afairs Guillermo Prado, who was shocked to hear it was such a widespread problem. He decided to spearhead the solution as one of his frst initiatives as provost.
A survey conducted among students, staf and faculty confrmed Student Government’s criticism.
The results showed a need for more “consistent and comprehensive undergraduate academic support across the institution,” as stated in the community announcement.
This lack of consistent support was a complaint of junior studying biochemistry and nutrition major Shalini Brady. She explained that her former academic advisor was not considerate of her graduation plans.
“I found out that I was on track to graduate early, and I was like, I’m here on a scholarship, I don’t need to graduate early,” Brady said. “Now I’m using that time to go abroad.”
The new center is set to prevent issues like this from occurring through a higher standard of academic advising. Previously, each school within UM had its own approach to academic advising; now all students are guaranteed the same experience, in addition to specifc support within their degree programs.
Valerie Robideux, the senior associate dean for student success, leads the center and provides its services through three key domains: Transitional Guides, Cane Navigators and Success Advocates.
Transitional Guides
Similar to what used to be known as transitional advisors, these guides will assist incoming freshmen and transfer students, as well as continuing students switching into a diferent school or college before they get to campus. These guides help students prepare for foundational coursework or the expectations of their new school or college. Upon arrival, the students are handed of to their Cane Navigator.
Cane Navigator
A restructured role, navigators have replaced what students knew as academic advisors. With the name
A sign directs students to the School of Education & Human Development’s Advising Suite in the Merrick Building on Sep. 2, 2024.
change, also comes new responsibilities — including supporting students from orientation through graduation. They assist undergraduates with their academic needs in addition to their personal and professional development throughout their time at the U.
Success Advocates
Formerly known as success advisors within the ’Cane Success Center, Success Advocates manage educational programs to promote timely
degree completion, such as the FirstYear Directions course, GPAid and ’Canes Complete.
Faculty Mentors
These mentors provide students with support specifc to their chosen feld of study, course selection, research opportunities and career goals.
For more information about the Center for Academic Navigation and Success, visit success.miami.edu.
OPINION
CORRECTION: Tearing down Stanford right now was a costly mistake
BY KATIE KARLSON CO-OPINION EDITOR
An op-ed titled “Tearing down Stanford right now was a costly mistake” appeared in The Miami Hurricane on August 20. It discussed the difficulties in the on-campus housing application process, but it misrepresented some information.
TMH always strives to be fully accurate and acknowledges its ethical responsibility to fully correct any errors. However, the newspaper often relies on col-
laboration and information from University of Miami authorities. In this case, despite a full week’s notice and attempts to contact three members of the staff of the Housing and Residential Life department and a media request to University Communications, TMH received no response. Only after the opinion piece was published did TMH receive additional information and clarifications.
The following are clarifications and corrections to the op-ed piece:
Comments on the piece received from the Student Affairs
department argue that, despite COVID-related disruptions in the construction timeline, the demolition of the Hecht building in 2022 did not lead to a real decline in on-campus beds because Lakeside Village had previously added more beds than were lost.
The op-ed asserted that housing prices increased the year after Hecht was torn down. Student Affairs says “the housing rate increases were one of the lowest in decades with an overall blended increase of 1.9%.”
The op-ed highlighted the large difference between the cost of
a double in the Stanford and Hecht dorms and a similar room in Centennial Village. While a significant difference does exist, the op-ed understated the cost of doubles in the old dorms. TMH regrets the error.
The op-ed claimed that the demolition of the dorms led to freshmen living in THesis. Student Affairs says that is not the case and that “NO freshmen” lived in the hotel. To clarify, on-campus housing has been provided to all incoming firstyear students who were admitted in the fall of each year. The
University only requires “fall” freshmen to live on campus and only guarantees housing to them. Freshmen admitted for the spring semester are not guaranteed oncampus housing, nor are they required to live on campus. Some of those “spring” freshmen did live in THesis in the 2024 spring semester.
The published op-ed suggested that UM host events or mixers at THesis. According to admin, there is a THesis RA that is part of Lakeside Village staff, and THesis residents are encouraged to attend events in Lakeside.
Local elections matter, even though few seem to care
BY ETHAN MANNELLO CO-OPINION EDITOR
Fewer than 75% of registered voters in Miami-Dade County turned out for the county’s mayoral elections on Aug. 20, a disappointing but historically unsurprising number.
Residents either ignored the election taking place or didn’t care enough to vote. This could be because many residents don’t understand how signifcant local elections are to their pocketbooks or their lives.
If we strive to have a fully engaged community that participates in our democracy, county residents need to prioritize voting in local elections.
The importance of local government can best be demonstrated through Miami-Dade County’s mayoral election. This race featured seven candidates, all with different visions for the future of Miami-Dade County.
Of the 1.5 million registered voters, only 300,000 bothered to cast a ballot. Another 500,000 eligible voters did not even register to vote.
While incumbent Mayor Danielle Levine Cava was reelected, with 58% of the vote, a considerable margin of victory, she only received 163,668 votes. Do the math. That means only
about 11% of Miami-Dade’s registered voters cast a ballot for her. If you look at all eligible voters, it’s even worse: Miami-Dade will have a mayor that barely 8% of them chose. This is not a new trend. Previous primary elections have rarely turned out a quarter of eligible voters, a stark contrast to presidential elections over that same period where more than 70% often turned out. That’s despite the fact that over the last four years, Levine Cava’s policies arguably had more of an impact on her constituents than federal policies.
In her time as mayor, Levine Cava spent more than $900 million completing sewage projects to reduce pollution, following through on her campaign promise to be the “water warrior” and fx the county’s sewage system.
Cava also increased both the county employee workforce and county employees’ salaries in her four years, with the workforce growing by 9.2% and salaries growing by 33%, according to the Miami Herald.
This came with tax increases, which, as the Miami Herald reported, meant “slightly higher bills for the typical homeowner.”
Levine Cava’s main rival and run-
ner-up in the election, Manny Cid, would have taken the county down a much different road.
The two-term mayor of Miami Lakes, who received 23% of the vote, focused his campaign on a 10% reduction in countywide property tax rate. He also hoped to reduce unnecessary government and bureaucratic positions, often criticizing Levine Cava for her government spending.
The Miami Herald reported that his plan could reduce yearly tax revenue by $200 million, leaving the county with less money to spend on improvements like the sewage projects Levine Cava invested in.
This is not endorsing nor opposing either of the candidates policies, but merely showing that they have a direct impact on Miami-Dade County residents.
Cid’s tax cut and reduction in government jobs could lead to a slowermoving and less effcient government, but it would also drop residents’ taxes signifcantly.
Levine Cava’s desire to fx many issues in the county through government spending can infate residents’ tax bills, but are also intended to provide needed government assistance for chronic problems in the county
like high housing costs and climate change issues.
It was the voters’ job to determine whether Levine Cava or Cid’s proposals would be best for the county, but with only 15% of eligible voters making their opinions heard, the result is less important than the message of the turnout.
A majority of voters who showed up may have shown their support for Levine Cava, but the vast majority either ignored the election or didn’t care enough to vote. A reason for this could be voters’ failure to realize how
much the election affects their daily lives.
Miami-Dade County will probably again turn out almost three-fourths of registered voters in November’s presidential election, but, for the next four years, Levine Cava’s policies will possibly have as much of an impact on county residents as any presidential policy.
Until residents understand the impact of local government on their lives and show up to polls, the democratic system isn’t working in the way it should and in the way we need it to.
Summer of sports chaos: 2024’s major tournaments fell short
BY PAULINA BARNJAK CONTRIBUTING WRITER
With 19 major tournaments taking place and streaming on TV across the globe, the summer of 2024 was supposed to be every sports fan’s dream. As summer comes to a close, though, not all of the events turned out as planned. Many problems interfered with the fun of watching the games.
Disruptions across France, chaotic crowds at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium and terrorist threats on Long Island left attendees and viewers disappointed while watching their beloved sports. The tournaments didn’t turn out as planned, detracting from the enthusiasm and fan experience.
The dream for this summer was iconic sporting events across the globe, but the reality was far from that.
The Summer Olympics
The biggest event of the summer, the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, seemed to have hosted as many problems as it did athletic events.
A coordinated arson attack on France’s rail network took a toll on thousands of local and international travelers leading up to the opening ceremony. This attack not only stranded fans but also brought into question the effectiveness of France’s security measures and its ability to keep athletes and specta-
HURRICANE
tors safe during the Games.
Bad turned to worse when the Olympic opening ceremony was riddled with issues. Aside from pouring rain that seriously dampened enthusiasm, the celebrations were widely criticized. One scene depicted drag queens and dancers seated along a table, which many thought referenced Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” painting.
The Christian community responded with anger, claiming the scene was insulting to their religion. Despite Creative Director Thomas Jolly denying the connection, the Vatican raised concerns surrounding the drag depiction of a religious artwork.
As the Games went on, athletes competed against an additional opponent that haunted the last Summer Olympics: COVID-19. About 40 Olympic athletes tested positive, including Team USA’s track star Noah Lyles. After winning the 100-meter race, he was expected to take the 200 meters, his strongest event. Instead he ended up with the bronze medal and needing immediate medical attention after the race. Other athletes, such as Australian swimmer Lani Pallister, were forced to withdraw from their events due to the illness.
As a result, fans who traveled from all over the globe or carved out time in their schedule to be in front of the TV couldn’t watch their favorite athletes compete to their
MANAGING
NEWS
OPINION
ARTS
highest ability or compete at all due to this unforeseen outbreak.
The French government’s ambitious and extremely expensive attempt to to clean up the River Seine also fell fat. Despite spending about $1.8 billion in the effort, multiple athletes fell ill after their open water swims in the iconic river. Irish swimmer Daniel Wiffen suddenly became very ill and was rushed to the hospital after swimming in the men’s 10-kilometer event. Portuguese triathlon athletes Vasco Vilaça and Melanie Santos also became sick following July 31 and Aug. 5 events in the Seine.
Copa
America
Back home, the U.S. hosted the biggest soccer tournament of the Americas, the Copa America. After player’s complained about feld conditions throughout the opening games, the fans brought more problems in the fnal two games.
In the semifnal match between Uruguay and Colombia in Charlotte, North Carolina, a brawl broke out between players on Uruguay’s team and Colombian fans in the stands. Uruguay players claimed their families were in danger and security was ignoring it. Multiple Uruguay players were suspended and the team will also pay fnes up to $20,000.
Besides the infamous 2004 “Malice at the Palace,” players almost never brawl with fans in American
sports. Even more uncommon is a stampede into the stadium.
In the tournament’s fnal, at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, thousands of fans breached the stadium and attempted to trespass without tickets. Fans were scaling stadium walls and climbing through stadium vents in an attempt to get in. This led to extensive property damage, with 27 arrests and 55 ejections being made before kickoff.
The Cricket World Cup
The U.S. and West Indies hosted one of the frst major international sporting events of the summer — the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup — in early June.
Before the tournament even started, the Nassau County Police
Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder said the event received an ISISlinked threat. More specifc threats
towards the June 9 match of India vs. Pakistan at the Nassau County stadium in Westbury, NY followed. While New York State Governor Kathy Hochel said the threats had no credibility, New York offcials increased security and took safety precautions. The increased security, prospect of threats and exorbitant ticket prices created a far-fromideal fan experience. Nonetheless, a record breaking 34,038 fans attended the game, with the lowest of the ticket prices costing around $500 and the highest about $10,000. It was disappointing to see the games turn out as they did. Viewers had a hard time enjoying these tournaments as issues took attention or their favorite athletes away from a match or event. Fans and players also encountered numerous problems at these events creating a disappointing summer of sports.
ASST. PHOTO EDITOR
Jason Hill
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SENIOR FINANCIAL
ASSISTANT
Michelle Starbeck
The Miami Hurricane is published biweekly during the regular academic year and is edited and produced by undergraduate students at the University of Miami. The publication does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of advertisers or the university’s trustees, faculty or administration. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of The Miami Hurricane’s Editorial Board. Commentaries, letters and cartoons represent only the views of their respective authors. The newsroom and business offce of The Miami Hurricane are located in the Student Activities Center, Student Media Suite 200.
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Hump day? No, market Wednesday
BY MORGAN FRY CO-A&E EDITOR
Hump day is the opposite of boring at the University of Miami — all thanks to the farmer’s market.
Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., dozens of vendors set up at Miller Circle, outside the Richter Library and law school.
What’s been a tradition for over a decade has continued to be a campus favorite. From fresh fruit to hibachi and acai bowls, there is something for everyone’s taste buds at the market.
Here are some of the most popular food items you can fnd at the market:
Avocado Toast
The avocado toast stand spreads creamy avocado on top of crisp sourdough bread. You can choose from a variety of favor combinations. Top your toast with burrata cheese, egg, bacon, balsamic glaze, honey or numerous other options.
Poke Bowls
Who knew you could get raw fsh at the UM market? If you love raw tuna, salmon and shrimp, this is the place for you. If you’re not feeling the uncooked options, go for the cooked salmon, chicken or tofu. Choose from a rice or mixed green base, and add all your favorite toppings, from cucumber to seaweed salad to furikake. Finish it of with a drizzle of spicy mayo and eel sauce.
Hibachi
You don’t have to go to a Hibachi restaurant to enjoy the popular meal. Head over to the hibachi stand for delicious fried rice served alongside grilled vegetables and your choice of protein.
Consider opting for the teriyaki option or noodles if you’re looking to change things up. Don’t forget to grab their homemade yum yum sauce on your way out.
Fresh Fruit
Sure, you can grab produce at any grocery store. However, nothing beats fresh fruit from the farmers market. Stock up on some juicy mango, crunchy pomegranate and sweet Florida oranges.
You can also get a fruit smoothie from the stand. Just ask for your favorite combination of fruit, and the staf will blend it for you!
Acai Bowls
The acai bowls are arguably one of the most aesthetic items you can get at the market. Choose from a variety of different favors, including a regular acai base, mango base and greens base.
Toppings include freshly chopped bananas, granola, hemp seeds, blueberries, kiwi and oranges. You can also ask for peanut butter or Nutella on top for an extra sweet treat.
This is the perfect option for a super hot day when you’re looking for a lighter option.
Pizza
You can get an entire wood-fred pizza at the market. Whether you like plain cheese or margherita style, the thin crust is sure to make for a pleasant bite.
If you’re feeling really hungry, you might be able to fnish the whole thing in one sitting. Otherwise, bring a friend to share or save room for leftovers!
Bagels
You may have met a classmate from New York and New Jersey who will
tell you there’s nothing like the bagels back home. However, bagels at the market are as close as you can get it in sunny south Florida.
The bagels at the market are fresh and fufy to satisfy your bagel craving. Top it with cream cheese, or make it a breakfast sandwich with egg and bacon.
Student Opinions
The market brings people together. While you can quickly grab something and go, you can also use the market to check in with a friend.
“I love going to market Wednesday with my friends because it’s a perfect time to catch up on each others’ weeks and plan for the week while enjoying a nice meal that we didn’t have to cook,” Olivia Haynes, a junior fnance and marketing major, said.
The UM market has also become popular on social media platforms such as TikTok — so much so that even prospective students have discovered the school through them.
Freshman nursing major Mia Barton credits the Wednesday market social media content to her researching more about the school.
“I hadn’t originally thought about UM when I was applying to schools last fall, but in late October, I kept seeing more videos about the market that UM has,” Barton said. “My whole ‘For You Page’ was fooded with these videos, so I decided to apply to UM last minute. It turns out that Miami has an amazing nursing program that I defnitely wanted to be a part of.”
Today, Barton is a part of the thousands of students that food the market stands every week. Be sure to support the local vendors the next time you are looking to treat yourself to a special lunch on campus.
Catch ‘The Laramie Project’ at the Ring Theatre, a story that unveils humanity
BY CHARLOTTE BALCELLS CONTRIBUTING WRITER
The Jerry Herman Ring Theatre is kicking of its upcoming season with Moisés Kaufman’s “The Laramie Project,” a play following the true story of a town’s reaction to the 1998 murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard.
Showing from Sept. 26-29, the unique documentary-style play showcases the aftermath of his murder and how it made the people of Laramie, Wyoming face their internalized homophobia.
Highly praised by critics, The New York Times’ Ben Brantley calls this show a “very earnest and often deeply moving work of theatrical journalism.” The flm adapta-
tion has an astonishing 92% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Most of the script’s dialogue is extracted from interviews the writers had with Laramie citizens, adding to the compelling nature of the unique storytelling style.
In order to create such an authentic experience for the stage, members of the Tectonic Theater Project — a group founded by Kaufamn that is dedicated to developing works that explore social, political, and human issues that afect society — traveled to Laramie, Wyoming. There, they conducted and recorded hours worth of interviews for over two years.
From conversations with common civilians to religious leaders, difcult questions were asked, such as “What is the diference between tol-
erance and acceptance?” or “What is the role of outsiders in a community?” and “What is the societal response to a hate crime?” among many others. Putting on display the many emotions and mixed feelings of a small town reeling from the loss of Shepard.
The plot follows the factors that led to Shepard’s death, and the citizens of Laramie are challenged to face their own underlying homophobia. The dialogue not only forces the people of the town to look inward but the audience as well.
This show deals with heavy themes that are relevant today. It tackles how people are willing to look the other way when someone from a marginalized group is targeted. It sheds light on how rampant
homophobia is within communities and how it’s not always explicit.
While it can be upsetting, it also sends a message of hope. It reminds its audience that there are people out there who care enough to make a diference.
Art is a powerful medium that continues to infuence and inspire those who consume it. “The Laramie Project” is sure to do nothing short of that.
Tickets are available for purchase on the ring theater webpage, as well as the box ofce. It is open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 12-4 p.m. during showweeks, as well as two hours before curtain.
Be sure to follow @jerryhermanringtheatre on Instagram for show highlights and future performances.
Pop on the Patio: HP Patio Jams presents Frost student, Athena
BY BRENDAN CAFFERTY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Already missing the summer music festival aesthetic? Have no fear — you can catch live performances all semester long. Coming up this week, head to Lakeside Patio on Sept. 5 to catch performer Athena Pacanins’ debut Patio Jams performance.
Comparing her to Sabrina Carpenter and Taylor Swift, according to Patio Jams organizer Julia Margalit, Athena has a “fun, indie style.” Margalit’s excitement for Athena’s upcoming show was clear.
“We love high energy,” Margalit said. “We love people who interact with the crowd.”
The Miami native has been pursuing a career in music since she was 16. Now, she’s thrilled to be performing at one of UM’s iconic stages. After seeing many of her peers from the Frost School perform at Patio Jams, she decided to debut in her junior year.
“[Patio Jams] is actually on my 2024 bucket list,” Athena said. “It’s defnitely been a goal of mine since freshman year.”
Performing outdoors in the Miami heat is something Athena’s never done. She’s found unique ways to prepare herself for the venue.
“I have literally been prepping like I’m running a marathon,” Athena said when asked about her rehearsal process. “Like, I’ll tell my sister, ‘don’t bother me, I’m going to do my jumping jacks while singing.’”
This never deterred her from choosing a demanding setlist. Fans can expect Athena to perform a range of 14 songs. Four will be original works, including her new single, “Secret Lovergirl.”
She’s been planning the performance tirelessly with her band. Athena prioritizes collaboration over working solo.
“Collaboration will get you everywhere because it helps you build connections,” Athena said. “It makes you better. It inspires you.”
Although she’s an artist who thrives in a group setting, Athena has taken much of the show into her own hands, carefully crafting each aspect of her performance.
“I feel like a movie director,” Athena said. “I have this vision, and this
is what I’m going to do, and when it’s executed, sometimes it’s even better than I had expected it to be.”
As a self described perfectionist, Athena has thrown herself into the planning of her show. Audiences can expect a show that has been rehearsed down to each individual lyric and tune.
Fans of the weekly Thursday shows can get ready for an unforgettable performance that will have them singing along to their favorite pop hits as well as new tunes.
Whether you’re a diehard Patio Jams attendee, or are just looking for some entertainment in between classes, Athena is sure to make for a pleasant afternoon treat.
Head over to the Lakeside Patio at 12:15 p.m. Sept. 5 to reignite that summer music feel and support UM’s local pop star, Athena. Also, be sure to follow Athena on Instagram @athenamariamusic for future performance dates and music.
REVIEW: Sabrina Carpenter’s latest album, ‘Short n’ Sweet’
BY JENNA SIMONE CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Sabrina Carpenter has been releasing music for over a decade. Yet, her new album may give her a shot at winning Best New Artist at his year’s Grammy Awards.
Carpenter was previously recognized for her role on Disney Channel’s “Girl Meets World” and the release of her debut single, “Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying,” in 2014. However, 2024 has proven to be a breakthrough year for the pop queen.
Sabrina Carpenter’s newest album, “Short n’ Sweet,” dropped on Aug. 23 and is already making the billboard charts. Just how sweet are her new singles?
Carpenter began promoting the album earlier this year by releasing two singles: “Espresso” on April 13 and “Please, Please, Please” on June 6. Both tracks gained traction following Carpenter’s high-profle relationship with “Saltburn” star Barry Keoghan.
The couple’s public appearances drew attention from the press, granting Carpenter more listens to her two new singles. “Espresso” peaked at No. 3, and “Please, Please, Please” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Following the success of its frst two singles, Carpenter’s new album, “Short n’ Sweet,” has captured widespread interest. The album is composed of 12 songs in many genres, including pop, R&B, country and rock. It touches upon themes of love, self-empowerment,
relationships, joy and heartbreak.
The opening track, “Taste,” is bold, firtatious and suggestive, creating speculations about who the song may be about. The teasing lyrics have led fans to believe Carpenter is referencing her short fing with Shawn Mendes in February 2023.
With this, Carpenter explores a love triangle and the efects of rebounds following a relationship. Carpenter defnitely made the right decision by using this song to open her album as it sets a high-energy tone and leaves you wanting more.
The second track, Please,” released single from the album. Here, she pleads for her part ner to avoid embarrassing her throughout their rela tionship, implying a direct message to her current boyfriend, Barry Ke oghan, who starred in the music video for this song. While very up beat, the song demonstrates vulnerability as it is both a personal plea and a universal message about the importance of respect in ro mantic relationships.
Next,
penter’s album, making it more versatile and able to reach a larger audience. By broadening the album’s appeal, listeners can connect on a more emotional level.
“Coincidence” explores themes of honesty as Carpenter speaks about a past partner telling her lies to cover up infdelity within the relationship.
Carpenter stands as a voice for those who have found themselves stuck in cycles of betrayal and deceit. With this, Carpenter offers a relatable song that can
comparing herself to espresso: small and energetic. The conf dence and enthusiasm in this song is infectious, making it clear why it’s such a big hit.
“Dumb & Poetic” is another of the more melancholic tracks, addressing heartbreak and how a previous partner of hers has acted immaturely with little communication and persistent avoidance. It is an accurate portrayal of how one may feel during a toxic relationship, furthering her ability to relate with those in her audience who have sufered similar dilemmas.
Carpenter navigating through a re lationship with a confdent nature. She claims that if a man were to disrespect her, she would “switch up” and leave immediately. This song empowers young women, as it reminds us that we deserve to be treated with care and should always prioritize self-respect.
Unlike the frst four tracks, “Sharpest Tool” has a slower melody, touching upon deeper emotions about learning from past mistakes in love regarding miscommunication and lies. The slower ballad adds variety to Car-
explores feelings of physical attraction in a relationship and how Carpenter wishes to approach that attraction. The suggestiveness in this song sets it apart from some of Carpenter’s past music, capitalizing on her ability to approach themes of intimacy confdently, which can further help her create a new image and persona for herself.
The hit “Espresso” epitomizes modern pop music with its catchy chorus and upbeat notes. The song reveals Carpenter’s confdent nature by metaphorically
Unlike her usual pop style, “Slim shocked fans with its country twist and Carpenter’s southern accent. The beautiful lyrics discuss today’s generation’s lack of authentic, caring
While the shift to country could be seen as a risky choice, the execution made up for it. Fans are gushing over this style of music from Carpenter and are requesting more. Furthermore, her versatility and professionalism are asserted.
“Juno” references a 2007 flm of the same name in which the main character unexpectedly becomes pregnant. In reference to the flm, Carpenter suggests in her song that if she fnds the right partner, she will be open to starting a family. This wholesome theme opens up an aspirational message about future possibilities for many.
“Lie to Girls” is a powerful song about the self-deception that can accompany love. Carpenter sings about the tendency to overlook red fags in partners because one may love them.
This message is crucial for many young women to understand, as
ourselves by the idea of come willing to accept less than we deserve. Therefore, we must learn how to recognize when one is telling us what we want to hear, rather than showing us how they really feel through their actions.
Lastly, “Don’t Smile” is about the raw emotions that follow a breakup. Carpenter sings about her desire for her ex-partner to feel unhappy after ending a relationship with her. She explains that rather than smiling because the relationship happened, she wishes for her ex to cry because it is over due to the immense pain they caused her.
While it might come across as toxic, I’m sure plenty of us can relate to this specifc feeling, which is why this track stands out for its candid portrayal of the less talkedabout, more vindictive emotions that can arise after a breakup.
Overall, “Short n’ Sweet” has widened the range of Sabrina Carpenter’s music. By experimenting with new genres and melodies, Carpenter is on track to continue gaining more fans from across the globe.
The album has also helped her make a larger name for herself as a pop star, not a Disney Channel actress, regardless of competition with similar artists like Taylor Swift, Gracie Abrams and Chappel Roan.
Fans have been gushing about her album, wardrobe, relationships, concerts and overall persona and cannot wait to see more. Quite frankly, I’m already ready for her to announce her next album drop!
Let’s take a trip: Top 10 Miami attractions to visit this school year
BY MORGAN FRY CO-A&E EDITOR
UM students are lucky enough to attend school in what is considered a top U.S. vacation destination. With plenty of culture, nature and sights just a short trip from campus, students can explore a multitude of unique locations. Here is a list of the top 10 attractions to visit in Miami.
Wynwood Art Walls
Think about putting the most vibrant colors and images you can imagine on a building. When you visit the Wynwood Art Walls, you become fully immersed in the abstract, symbolic minds of the artists who designed them. The art district is an experience unique to Miami and is sure to spark your imagination. Not only will you leave feeling more connected to Miami culture, but your camera roll will have something to show for your time in the city. Student admission is $5 with a valid student ID.
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens
This former estate is now an incredible museum and garden. The museum exhibits extravagant European architecture and overlooks the breathtaking waters surrounding the city. With pristine landscaping and beautiful fowers and greenery, this property is nothing short of outstanding. Be sure to grab a few friends on the weekend to take pictures at this terrifc landmark. Tickets are $22 for individuals 13 years and older. Student discounts are available for onsite purchases only.
Venetian Pool
In the heart of Coral Gables, Fla. lie the turquoise waters of the Venetian Pool. The 1923 limestone creation is reflled daily by spring water. With waterfalls and grottos, this fun experience is one of the best ways to get relief from the hot Miami sun. Escape the UM pool and enjoy one of Miami locals’ favorite attractions. Tickets are $16 for nonresidents and $5.50 for residents.
The Everglades
Turtles, alligators and birds, oh my!
Consider taking a trip to the Everglades National Park to see wildlife and some of Florida’s most majestic nature. The landscape in Florida is incomparable to other U.S. national parks as the largest wetland in North America. With beautiful mangrove trees and lilypads along the water, UM students are close to a national treasure.
Take full advantage of hiking trails and consider paying for an airboat tour to learn from the extremely knowledgeable park rangers.
Key Biscayne
You can’t go to school in Miami without taking a trip to the beach! Key Biscayne is home to beautiful white sands with calm, blue water away from the swarms of tourists on South Beach.
Crandon Park Beach is a lovely, family-friendly park, perfect for barbecues and relaxation.
At the very end of Key Biscayne lies Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, which is home to a nearly 200 year-old lighthouse. Entry into the park is $8 per vehicle, and visitors can tour the lighthouse at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. with no additional fee. The lighthouse is open every day except for Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Brickell City Centre
If you’re looking for an Instagramworthy location, Brickell City Centre is the place to be. With shopping, dining and entertainment spots, the Centre quickly became a top attraction in Miami. The city views from the upper levels of the complex can’t be beat and bonus points are allotted to the nighttime Miami lights.
Miami Beach Art Deco Historic District
Those iconic pops of color and animated designs of the 1920s and 1930s can be found in Miami Beach. The Historic District is located between 5th Street and 23rd Street along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and Washington Avenue. A walk or drive through
this area will provide eye-catching views of the unique style with pastels, geometric shapes and neon signs.
Be sure to bring your camera and an appetite because you might want to stop for a bite outside of one of the restaurants in the area. If you’re into people-watching, this is a great place to do so. You might even see someone in an old-timey car, which only adds to the visuals of the scene.
Miami Design District
If you’re looking to spend some money, look no further than the Miami Design District. Brands like Dior, Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Gucci line the modern streets that make up the Design District.
Even if shopping at one of these high-end stores is out of the question, it’s still nice to walk around and take in the pleasant atmosphere. Plus, if you don’t like spending money on materialistic items, splurge on an experience at one of the many restaurants like Baccarat Boutique Bar and Lounge, Cote Miami and the Dior Café. There’s no limit to opulence in the Miami Design District.
Little Havana
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Cuban culture, Little Havana is the place to do so. Start your day with some Cuban cofee from La Colada Gourmet or Versailles Cuban Bakery or get a Cuban sandwich crafted to perfection from Sanguich de Miami. Finally, be sure to stop in the art galleries scattered around the Little Havana Art District to top of your trip to this historic neighborhood.
Bayside Marketplace
Bayside Marketplace is an outdoor shopping mall right along the waterfront. While there are many chain stores, Bayside has many unique tourist shops which are great places to get some Miami souvenirs.
A newer attraction has gained a lot of popularity for Bayside Marketplace: The Skyviews Miami Observation Wheel. This 15-minute Ferris
wheel ride ofers breathtaking views of Miami and Biscayne Bay. If you’re not too scared of heights, this is a per-
fect way to see Miami and enjoy a day or night out with your friends.
Cam Ward shines in Miami debut
BY JAYDEN GONZALEZ STAFF WRITER
The hype is real.
The Miami Hurricanes opened its season on Saturday in one of the most hostile environments in college football. At Ben Hill Griffn Stadium, Cam Ward and the ’Canes were unfazed, dominating its in-state rival Florida Gators 41-17.
Saturday was the long-awaited Miami debut of Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward, who looked as advertised in his season debut.
“[Cam] is a special, special guy,” Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said. “He’s just scratching the surface.” Offensively, UM’s talent was too much for the Florida defense. The Hurricane attack totalled 524 yards while generating 25 frst downs and 13 plays over 20+ yards. The 41 points from the Hurricanes is the most allowed by a
Florida Gators team in a home opener.
Ward fnished his Miami debut completing 74% of his passes, throwing for 385 yards, tallying three touchdowns and one interception.
Halfway through the third quarter, deep into Florida territory, Ward evaded pressure, rolled to his left and fred a 23-yard laser to senior receiver Jacolby George into the back of the endzone. Ward’s dazzling play sucked whatever life was left at “The Swamp” as Miami extended the lead to 38-10.
canes this afternoon despite the win.
2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Reuben Bain Jr. and sophomore corner Damari Brown both entered the locker room early in the game and never returned.
Cristobal said after the game that both Bain and Brown had suffered soft tissue injuries. Although he does not have an offcial timeline for their return, Cristobal said both sophomores could be out for a week or two.
41-17
“It was a really good play by the oline and Jacolby,” Ward said. “Jacolby George, he’s one of the best receivers in the country.”
On the ground, sophomore Mark Fletcher Jr. and Oregon State transfer Damien Martinez led the way for the ’Canes. The rushing attack ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns, both from Fletcher.
It was not all positive for the Hurri-
Apart from UF running back Montrell Johnson’s 71-yard touchdown in the second quarter, The Hurricane defense held its own against quarterback Graham Mertz and the Florida offense. Without Bain, UM sacked Mertz thrice, holding the Gators to just 17 points.
Mertz fnished the game throwing for just 91 yards and tallying one interception. The former Wisconsin quarterback left the game early following a hit from
Late in the third quarter, the Gators presented a threat for the frst time since Johnson’s touchdown. On second down, Mertz took a shot to the end zone but was picked off by Washington transfer safety Mishael Powell, who returned the interception 67 yards into Florida territory.
In his frst drive with the ’Canes, Ward proved to be the quarterback Miami had been missing for quite some time. The ffth-year senior was methodical, making smart reads on the ground and through the air. Ward ended his opening drive with a nineyard touchdown pass to ninth-year senior tight end Cam McCormick to give UM a quick 7-0 lead.
Late in the second quarter, the momentum looked to sway in favor of the Gators following Johnson’s 71-yard run. However, Ward and the Hurricanes remained poised and
quickly responded.
In just over two and half minutes, Ward completed three passes for 61 yards, capping off the drive with a 24-yard touchdown grab from senior wideout Xavier Restrepo. At the half, the Hurricanes lead stood at 24-10. Ward quickly built a connection with Restrepo this afternoon, something that Hurricane fans can expect to continue for the rest of the season. Restrepo fnished the afternoon with seven catches for 112 yards and one touchdown.
Coming out of halftime, Miami continued their relentless attack on the Gators. On the third play of the drive, Ward hit Restrepo for a quick gain, but the wideout created space for himself and turned a frst down into a 40-yard gain.
Takeaways from the Hurricanes’ demolition of in-state rival Florida
BY ELLIOT FARR SENIOR STAFF WRITER
It had been just north of 10 years since Miami claimed victory over the Florida Gators, a team that has historically shared a rich and storied rivalry with the Hurricanes.
After a disappointing 2023-2024 season, the Hurricanes fnished with a record of 7-6 and ranked No. 19. Now, Miami and third-year head coach Mario Cristobal set out to prove that the team on the feld is its best in recent memory. There wasn’t much of a better opportunity to do so than by a statement 41-17 win at Ben Hill Griffn Stadium in Gainesville, Florida.
Miami’s performance showed a litany of promise and progress on the offensive side of the ball especially, along with a young but capable defense helmed by defensive coordinator Lance Guidry.
The ’Canes open the season in the win column and now look ahead to Florida A&M at Hard Rock Stadium for their home opener next week. Here are three key takeaways from Saturday afternoon’s big win.
Cam Ward – arriving as advertised It is no secret why Cam Ward was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the transfer portal following the 2023 season. After his exit from Washington State, Ward found his way to Coral Gables, where his presence promised to elevate Miami to levels not seen in years. So far, he’s done just that.
The 2024 ACC Preseason Player of the Year made his mark right away, cruising past Florida with 26 of 35 passes completed, 385 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. Ward also rushed for 33 yards on three carries.
As the new captain of Miami’s offense, Ward is everything he was promised to be for the Hurricanes, which only means good things for Cristobal and the UM faithful.
Xavier Restrepo remains the man
Since his frst full season in 2021 for the ’Canes, Restrepo has been a mainstay and a front-andcenter name in Miami’s offense. And it’s without question that he reinforced that notion with his outing in the Swamp on Saturday. Restrepo burned Florida’s defense with 112 receiving yards and a touchdown catch from Ward, recording seven total catches. His performance included a 40-yard play after a pass from Ward, where Restrepo showed his shiftiness by
breaking a few Gator defenders to extend the play.
It’s fair to say that Restrepo will continue to be a linchpin in the Miami offense, and based on his showing on Saturday, he looks set to have a season for the books.
Though young, the defense is more than capable
Miami’s largest question mark going into this new season was the defense. After losing key pieces like Kamren Kinchens and James Williams to the NFL Draft, Guidry was left to keep the momentum going on Miami’s elevated defense since his arrival.
The ’Canes held Florida to less than half (261) of their total yards (529) on offense, while also gaining a signifcant advantage on the line of scrimmage, registering three sacks on Florida quarterback Graham Mertz and eight tackles for loss on the offense.
The passing game for the Gators did not see much light under Miami’s hard-nosed defense either, forcing two turnovers via interceptions from Mishael Powell and Jaden Harris.
Starting the frst game of the year off with a performance like this one spells good fortune for the Hurricanes in the coming weeks, so long as their defensive momentum can continue.
Miami now looks to next Saturday, Sept. 7, for its home opener at Hard Rock Stadium against the Florida A&M Rattlers. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on ACC Network.
Women’s soccer earns first victory of Ken Masuhr era
BY SHEA MCDONALD STAFF WRITER
In the face of rain delays, a power outage, and a hungry opponent equally struggling, Miami Women’s soccer earned their frst victory of the Ken Masuhr era with a 2-1 victory over the Missouri Tigers Thursday night at Cobb Stadium. As the announcer and crowd counted down the clock it signifed the frst win for women’s soccer since September of last year, their frst win in 10 games going back to last year.
“I am so thrilled for this group,” said Masuhr. “We have consistently put in work every day and we knew at some point that the ball would bounce our way. Credit to our seniors and ffth-years who have continued to push and hold our standard. I could not be happier that this happened at home in front of a great crowd.”
The game did not come easy for the Hurricanes. They came out a little slow, struggling to move the ball consistently into scoring position. This resulted in some early offense for the Tigers who took four of the frst fve shots of the
match. A combination of good defense and solid goalkeeping from redshirt freshman Claireese Foley kept Miami around so they could build some momentum to go on the offensive.
The ’Canes’ now out of their own half of the feld were able to apply some pressure on the Tigers defense. Though it didn’t result in anything immediately they kept on knocking at the door, and then eventually someone answered.
After the University of Florida transfer Tori Grambo received the ball just inside the midfeld line she fred a pass down to freshman Giovana Canali. Surrounded by three defenders, Canali proceeded to weave her way in and out of the defense generating just enough space to strike the ball across her body and into the bottom right corner of the goal. The freshman then proceeded to pay homage to Marcus Rashford with a simple yet powerful point to her head as she celebrated the second goal of her collegiate career, a roaring crowd erupting in front of her.
Though a high point of the season, the game did not end there for Miami. Persistence and fght
kept Miami in position to capitalize on whenever Missouri slipped up. Then eventually a penalty kick landed perfectly in front of the goal and because of the contest by Jordan Womack it forced Missouri into scoring on themselves putting the ’Canes’ up by two goals.
From there to Miami it was just about keeping away. Trying to hold onto the lead they moved the ball around not really too hard to make an offensive push, but just trying to drain out the clock. Then while things were going smooth the lights of Cobb Stadium completely shut off forcing a long stoppage and halting Miami’s momentum. The forced break seemed to give the Tigers the boost they needed and they began to go on the offensive.
Miami stuck in second gear didn’t match that energy letting Missouri gain momentum. Then just like that a corner kick set up a header for the Tigers and Foley couldn’t corral it in time, as Tigers midfelder Landis Canada snuck right in front of the goal to tap it in, making the score 2-1 in favor of the ’Canes.
The goal really put Miami back into the right mindset as from there they shut everything down. Only one more shot allowed through the last 22 minutes. It was a win that the players not only took for themselves but for their new coach. Canali immediately ran to her coach following the game to give him a hug and the players could be heard from
across the feld cheering louder than the crowd as they celebrated Coach Mahsuhr frst victory as head coach.
There is still a long season ahead and this team still has a long way to go but, at least for the moment, a high point for a struggling team and potentially the beginning of something positive for the future.
’Canes hoops lands first 2025 recruit in shooting guard Matthew Able
BY WRIGLEY KORDT STAFF WRITER
All eyes are on University of Miami football as the Hurricanes prepare to take on their in-state rival, the Florida Gators, to start the season on Saturday. But ’Canes basketball stole the spotlight on Friday afternoon, landing four-star recruit Matthew Able.
The 6-foot-5 guard’s stock rose rapidly in recent months, as he went from being ranked outside of the top 150 players in his class to no. 64 overall.
Able will stay close to home for
his collegiate career — he currently plays for Sagemont Prep in Fort Lauderdale and spent last season with Berkeley Prep in Tampa. The commitment comes after an official visit just last week.
Able chose the Hurricanes over several offers, including Baylor and Michigan, as well as ACC rivals Virginia Tech and Virginia Tech. He also received an offer from Boston College, where his father, Doug Able, played for four seasons from 1987 to 1991.
Most recently, Able played for the Austin Rivers SE Elite as part of the Adidas 3Stripes Select Basketball program, averag-
ing 22 points per game during the championship week. That included a 29 point performance in the opener and a 35 point performance to close out the week. During the showcase as a whole, he averaged 19 points per game while shooting 53 percent from the field and 42 percent from behind the arc.
Able is head coach Jim Larrañaga’s first recruit of the 2025 class. Miami will look to keep building on the momentum of its 2024 class, which was headlined by five-star guard Jalil Bethea, the highest-rated recruit in program history.
V vs. Gainesville
Much to everyone’s surprise, the Hurricanes were able to pull a win out of their ass this weekend in the Swamp. I was one of the lucky Hurricanes in attendance who got to watch that miracle happen live. I’m thankful for that win too, because if I had to haul myself to Gainesville to watch us get creamed I would’ve been submitting my transfer application.
I’m not usually the most informative in this newspaper, but I’ll paint the picture of Gainesville to those who didn’t make the trip. Which will be easy to do because there isn’t THAT much to talk about.
UF’s campus is stationed right next to a large strip on University Ave flled with stores and bars. Think if Dooly was right across the street from Oasis. Which is great… in theory.
Due to the lack of needing an Uber to get anywhere of note, practically the entire campus was out and about. Gave a whole new meaning to “campus club fair.”
Some clubs in Miami turn a blind eye to your fake ID if you slip a $20 with it. Though UF doesn’t play. Not with ages, but with their prices. Multiple bars had covers from $30-$50??? Miami students are used to high covers, but for actual night clubs. There was no way I was going to pay $50 to be sandwiched next to freshmen in a dive bar as big as a Richter study room.
To give the Gators some credit, their stadium was very nice. Not physically — it looked and smelt like a high school locker room — but the vibes were very college.
They’re so committed to their school in their orange and blue they couldn’t even follow their own whiteout instructions. But to be fair, there were maybe 3 people of color in their student section so I guess they did it?
The fans make up for their name as Gators with their very dangerous mouths. I was able to get my hands on student section tickets and had to show it like a badge to each Gator around me who accused me of stealing someone’s seat.
One man even threatened to rip my shirt off if I stayed in their section. Odd threat — I wanted to ask what he would do next but I wasn’t about to engage in stadium hanky panky.
The heat was bad, but nothing us ’Canes can’t handle. Being hot, wet and sandwiched next to big men is just the norm at any frat tailgate. It was a nice trip, but nothing to write home about. Seeing all of the Gators fle out of the stadium by halftime brought a smile to my face knowing it is something us ’Canes have been doing for the past two years.
Hopefully our team can make a winning streak from this victory and I won’t hate every second of the 45 minute shuttle ride to and from Hard Rock.