Well it's been quite some time since I have ventured onto the forum to interact with the Skybox gang. I have lurked for sometime now enjoying the topics and interaction but have stayed away knowing that the faintest hint of someone being a fan of the Miami Hurricanes would bring visions of "Another Cane Fan" that has shared your forum membership list. A little fan profile of myself; I am the son of a former city of Miami policeman who would take his son to the Miami Hurricane games when he would work them for the city. I remember leaning over the railing at the Orange bowl to peek at Jim Kelly and Otis Anderson when the local high school teams were a bigger draw than the local college team (hmm that hasn't changed much has it ). I was then able to grow up in an era as a college football fan that had my team winning an incredible number of games and championships but also creating a "thug" image that took away from the glory of the winning for older fans like myself. I like the Hurricanes win or lose as long as the effort is genuine and classy. I strongly disliked the gangsta rap sheet running years and see no excuse for it. I see change and reform in the eyes of its current coach and hope the school is patient enough for him to continue his classy recruiting and coaching. On top of that I enjoy watching all the kids at all schools compete and play their hearts out. I am old enough to have thrown away my orange and green glasses and just enjoy the pure sport and competition among the schools and conferences. I hope to contribute and have some fun with the fine folks here at Skybox. Regards, Ralph Chamberlain
Hey, welcome aboard (again.) It will be great to have some input on what's happening with the Canes (and the ACC for that matter.) The hell with the Noles!!!
Welcome back Ralph!! It looks to me like Randy Shannon has your team pointed in the right direction. I liked the fact that when he signed on he layed down the law. He has a great start recruiting and there was a lot of young talent out there on the field last night. Terry
Welcome back Ralph. I think you will find that you gt a good reception here and we look forward to your insights. Hey I too grew up in Miami and as a Cane fan, only in the 50's when they did come on the national scene for the first time. I remember when Purdue beat Notre Dame to end a long winning streak then Miami played Purdue at Purdue the next weekend and beat them 20-14. There was a massive reception at the airport when they returned from that game. Andy Gusthpson (spelled wrong I am sure) was the coach and two names that were stars at the time were Jackie Hackett at QB and Frank Smith at running back. I believe that was 1950. Then when I graduated from High School I went to the University of Florida and became a Gator for life. For years I followed both teams and even had season tickets to the Canes during some of those glory years in the middle and late 80's.
Thank you Gents I had the good fortune to take my 16 year old son to the Gator/Hurricane game last night, wow what an experience. We had the time of our lives with the 90,000 Gator fans and have nothing but great comments to say about UF fans at the game. I didn't expect to win but really wanted to be competative and gain experience with our young team. I believe we did that and more and even had a few moments of being the only two Cane fans in section 12 whooping and hollering to a quiet swamp as Tebow was stopped time after time...Of course I cannot talk today but it was well worth it... The play that was reversed in the fourth quarter was iffy in my opinion but never the less that took "all" the steam out of the Canes and we stopped being competive at that point. Tebow and the Gators punter killed us all night with great effort and the UF defense was stout. The Swamp was deafening and impressive and as entertaining as any event I have attended. The music playing and band encouraging the fans was great and the old school spirit was truly in play... Even as they cheered "GO Gators" and I yelled "Gay Goaturds" it was all in fun.. RC
Welcome back REC....I remember some decent converstaions with you back in the Prodigy days I believe. Miami does seem to be on the right track now with Shannon and I think it's possible for them to win an otherwise weak appearing ACC. Bill.....check this out... http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1002852/7/index.htm Joe Plevel was a branch manager and my direct boss for Fruehauf Corporation in Charlotte, NC which was my first job location after graduating from UF in Dec. '76. I was working with him from March '77 until May of '78. Great guy with lots of cool UM football stories.
Glad to see you found your way back REC. I wanted to be the first after your e-mail but obviously I was a little slow on the draw. If Gonzo comes back, he will be on a short leash. HEAR THAT GONZ? I'd rather see you stay and have intelligent conversations than have members bomb Miami because of him. Many members speculated that the grey cloud that hung over Miami because of the attitude toward Gonzo was the reason that you walked away. Completely understandable. Again, welcome back.
RC, but for a knee replacement operation my wife had I would have been at that game also. We have season tickets with two of our daughters and their families, six in all. I am sorry I missed that game. As far as that call reversal, I saw right away when they showed the replay on tv that it looked like his elbow had hit the ground. I didn't expect that they would reverse the call but they did. I think it was the right call and the announcers seemed to feel the same way. But I understand why a Miami fan would not! If I remember right you live in Central Florida somewhere and are in the orange grove business? Regardless, again welcome back. MCG, dang that article brings back memories. I was at UF by then but I sure remember Fran Curci. He ended up as the head coach at Miami and left to take the Head Coaching job at Kentucky. That didn't work out for him and he was out of the business.
Oh sure... you gotta come back just in time to be around when your boys will probably kick my already down team!
I was suprised that the call was reversed, it was very big in the flow of the game. Until then I did not know that an elbow down was good enough. Terry
My post came up after Tom's, but we must have made them at about the same time as I did 't see it. So let me say this loud and clear myself, I agree with Tom about Gonzo. I was going to e-mail my two partners with a similar thought but since it's out in public just let me say I agree.
REC, welcome back amigo. My girlfriend's cousin played for Miami in their hay day... If it helps you any, he said only half the stuff people say is true ps I think you guys, if you continue this momentum, stand a very good chance in the ACC.
It I truly nice to have you back. I thought his elbow was in but doubt the possesion...sure was a great effort by the receiver.