Welcome to the UM Sports Hall of Fame & Museum
Nestled on the Coral Gables Campus of the University of Miami is the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum. The Hall of Fame Committee is a 501c3 corporation whose sole purpose is to recognize those student athletes, coaches and administrators who have contributed the most to Hurricane Athletics over the years.
It places on record forever the names and achievements of the men and women who have brought National and International acclaim to their university through athletics and who, after graduation, have gone on to bring further credit to their school, their communities and themselves by the manner in which they have assumed their responsibilities as citizens.
The showcase for the Hall of Fame and repository of the great sports traditions of the University of Miami is the Tom Kearns Sports Hall of Fame Building, next door to the Hecht Athletic Center, 5821 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146.
Photos of each of the inductees, displays for each of the five football National Championships, along with basketball and memorabilia from the Rick Barry years are on display, along with memorabilia from all sports. The Hall is the repository for all of the great traditions of the University of Miami. On display is the Seminole War Canoe which was for many years the prize for the winner of the University of Miami vs. Florida Football games. The Trophies for all of the University's Bowl Appearances are on display from the Palm Bowl (The first and original Orange Bowl) through this years bowl game. The unusual is also on display, including a picture of the University's first collegiate national championship team, the 1948 National Collegiate Polo Championship Team.
The Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, although affiliated with the University of Miami, is an independent Non-Profit Organization surviving on contributions and fund-raising events such as its Annual Golf Classic, along with our Celebrity Fishing and Bowling tournaments. Tax deductible donations help us keep the Hall of Fame doors open free to the public.
It places on record forever the names and achievements of the men and women who have brought National and International acclaim to their university through athletics and who, after graduation, have gone on to bring further credit to their school, their communities and themselves by the manner in which they have assumed their responsibilities as citizens.
The showcase for the Hall of Fame and repository of the great sports traditions of the University of Miami is the Tom Kearns Sports Hall of Fame Building, next door to the Hecht Athletic Center, 5821 San Amaro Drive, Coral Gables, Florida 33146.
Photos of each of the inductees, displays for each of the five football National Championships, along with basketball and memorabilia from the Rick Barry years are on display, along with memorabilia from all sports. The Hall is the repository for all of the great traditions of the University of Miami. On display is the Seminole War Canoe which was for many years the prize for the winner of the University of Miami vs. Florida Football games. The Trophies for all of the University's Bowl Appearances are on display from the Palm Bowl (The first and original Orange Bowl) through this years bowl game. The unusual is also on display, including a picture of the University's first collegiate national championship team, the 1948 National Collegiate Polo Championship Team.
The Sports Hall of Fame & Museum, although affiliated with the University of Miami, is an independent Non-Profit Organization surviving on contributions and fund-raising events such as its Annual Golf Classic, along with our Celebrity Fishing and Bowling tournaments. Tax deductible donations help us keep the Hall of Fame doors open free to the public.
officers 2023-2024President Coach Mike Ward
President-Elect Mark Drobiarz Vice-President Judy Pantoja-McCabe Treasurer Mead McCabe Secretary Maureen Piero Immediate Past President Mead McCabe Executive Director John Routh |
PRESIDENT COACH MIKE WARD:
Few coaches in University of Miami history have tutored as many All-American and Hall of Fame athletes as Men's Track & Field coach Mike Ward. Ward coached 16 years as both an assistant and head track & field coach -- and left a mark of greatness on the Hurricanes’ athletic program.
After six years as an assistant coach, Ward took over the men's head coaching job in 1997. The results were immediate. Ward coached UM Sports Hall of Fame member Davian Clarke to the NCAA National Championship in the 400 meters -- and in 1998 he was named BIG EAST coach of the year. Ward also coached Hall of Fame member Ron Thorne, who was named BIG EAST track athlete of the year. In his 11 years as head coach, Ward coached 30 BIG EAST and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) conference champions, and seven All-Americans, including Clarke, Thorne, and 2022 UM Sports Hall of Fame inductee Tim Harris Jr. In addition, Ward coached up to 20 former Hurricanes football players who also competed in track at The U before going on to play professional football, including UM Sports Hall of Fame members Ed Reed, Santana Moss, Clinton Portis, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, and 2022 inductee, Phillip Buchanon.
Ward retired as Hurricanes coach in 2008, but has gone on to coach more athletes to greatness, including at the high school level in both Maryland and locally at Miami's Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. Over 50 athletes he’s coached have gone on to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Few coaches in University of Miami history have tutored as many All-American and Hall of Fame athletes as Men's Track & Field coach Mike Ward. Ward coached 16 years as both an assistant and head track & field coach -- and left a mark of greatness on the Hurricanes’ athletic program.
After six years as an assistant coach, Ward took over the men's head coaching job in 1997. The results were immediate. Ward coached UM Sports Hall of Fame member Davian Clarke to the NCAA National Championship in the 400 meters -- and in 1998 he was named BIG EAST coach of the year. Ward also coached Hall of Fame member Ron Thorne, who was named BIG EAST track athlete of the year. In his 11 years as head coach, Ward coached 30 BIG EAST and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) conference champions, and seven All-Americans, including Clarke, Thorne, and 2022 UM Sports Hall of Fame inductee Tim Harris Jr. In addition, Ward coached up to 20 former Hurricanes football players who also competed in track at The U before going on to play professional football, including UM Sports Hall of Fame members Ed Reed, Santana Moss, Clinton Portis, Andre Johnson, Reggie Wayne, and 2022 inductee, Phillip Buchanon.
Ward retired as Hurricanes coach in 2008, but has gone on to coach more athletes to greatness, including at the high school level in both Maryland and locally at Miami's Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart. Over 50 athletes he’s coached have gone on to qualify for the Boston Marathon.
Executive Director John Routh
John became the UMSHoF&M's first ever Executive Director in October, 2009. His duties include day-to-day operations of the Tom Kearns Sports Hall of Fame Building on the Coral Gables campus, fundraising, curating the items donated to the Hall, as well as working with the various committees to organize the Hall's four major events...the induction banquet, golf, bowling and fishing tournaments.
Prior to his duties with the Hall, John performed as a professional mascot for nearly 25 years. A 1982 graduate of the University of South Carolina where he performed as Cocky, he was brought to Miami by legendary baseball Coach Ron Fraser to perform as The Miami Maniac mascot for baseball (1983-1993) and later Sebastian the Ibis (1984-1992), then went on to work as Billy the Marlin (1993-2002) for the Florida Marlins. Named an Honorary Alumnus of the University of Miami in 1988, he was tapped into Iron Arrow, the highest honor one can attain at the university, in 1990.
John became the UMSHoF&M's first ever Executive Director in October, 2009. His duties include day-to-day operations of the Tom Kearns Sports Hall of Fame Building on the Coral Gables campus, fundraising, curating the items donated to the Hall, as well as working with the various committees to organize the Hall's four major events...the induction banquet, golf, bowling and fishing tournaments.
Prior to his duties with the Hall, John performed as a professional mascot for nearly 25 years. A 1982 graduate of the University of South Carolina where he performed as Cocky, he was brought to Miami by legendary baseball Coach Ron Fraser to perform as The Miami Maniac mascot for baseball (1983-1993) and later Sebastian the Ibis (1984-1992), then went on to work as Billy the Marlin (1993-2002) for the Florida Marlins. Named an Honorary Alumnus of the University of Miami in 1988, he was tapped into Iron Arrow, the highest honor one can attain at the university, in 1990.
UMSHoF&M Hours of Operation:
Monday 12-5
Tuesday 12-5
Wednesday 12-5
Thursday 12-5
Friday 12-5
Or call for a group appointment....305-284-2775
Brief History of the UM Sports Hall of Fame & Museum:
The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum (“The Hall”) was formed in 1966 by a group of Dade County Judges to honor the finest student-athletes, coaches, and administrators that have represented the University. The Hall is an independent, Florida Not-for-Profit 501(C)(3) entity (Hall of Fame Committee of U.M., Inc.) and is located in the Tom Kearns Sports Hall of Fame building, on the UM campus, immediately next door to the Hecht Athletic Center. The funding for the building came from funds independently raised by The Hall from its members and supporters. The physical structure is owned and maintained by the University of Miami for the mutual benefit of the University and The Hall, while the interior is controlled by The Hall and showcases the accomplishments of its members, which, in turn, reflects the proud historical traditions of University of Miami athletics. It opened in September 1989.
The first induction banquet was held in 1967 and to date, with the Class of 2023, The Hall will have inducted 354 of the finest student-athletes, coaches, and administrators to have ever represented the University of Miami. Student-athlete candidates are eligible ten (10) years after their final year of competition, while coaches and administrators are eligible after serving at the university for ten (10) years.
The Hall is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, overseen by a Board of Voting Members, who are responsible for the financial stability of The Hall. The current officers of The Hall are Mike Ward, President, Mark Drobiarz, President-Elect, Judy Pantoja-McCabe, Vice President, Mead McCabe, Treasurer, and Maureen Piero, Secretary. Among the twenty-nine (29) Presidents to have served The Hall are current Board members Chris Ball, Wally DiMarko, Ed Golden, Richard Horton, Tracy Kerdyk, Ken Lancaster, Gerard Loisel, and Jodi Appelbaum Steinbauer. The Hall's day-to-day operations are supervised by Executive Director John Routh.
The Hall is strictly a donor and event funded organization. With the support of UM Athletics, the Hall puts on four (4) major events each year, with its premier event being the UM Sports Hall of Fame & Museum Induction Banquet.
The 2023 Induction Banquet was held on Mya 4, 2023 at the Watsco Center on the Coral Gables campus, marking the FIRST TIME EVER the event was held on campus. Video highlights of each inductee’s career are produced and shown at the event, with each inductee receiving a Hall of Fame jacket, a plaque, and a Hall of Fame ring, and an opportunity to say “thank you” to their friends, families, and supporters.
The 31st Annual Hall of Fame Golf Tournament, is scheduled to be held at the Biltmore Golf Course on October 19, 2023. More details to come soon at CanesGolf.com.
The Hall of Fame Fishing Tournament, which has been held eleven (11) times in either the Florida Keys or in Miami-Dade County, has been postponed and will be held in The Keys in June of 2024. Go to CanesFish.com for more details.
The 12th Annual Hall of Fame Bowling Tournament was held on Monday, February 27th, 2023 at Kings Dining & Entertainment Center in Doral. This year’s event, hosted by Hurricanes Legend Alonzo Highsmith, also included bowlers and celebrity bowlers at various nationwide geographical locations. Go to CanesBowl.com for more information or click the EVENTS button above.
The University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame & Museum (“The Hall”) was formed in 1966 by a group of Dade County Judges to honor the finest student-athletes, coaches, and administrators that have represented the University. The Hall is an independent, Florida Not-for-Profit 501(C)(3) entity (Hall of Fame Committee of U.M., Inc.) and is located in the Tom Kearns Sports Hall of Fame building, on the UM campus, immediately next door to the Hecht Athletic Center. The funding for the building came from funds independently raised by The Hall from its members and supporters. The physical structure is owned and maintained by the University of Miami for the mutual benefit of the University and The Hall, while the interior is controlled by The Hall and showcases the accomplishments of its members, which, in turn, reflects the proud historical traditions of University of Miami athletics. It opened in September 1989.
The first induction banquet was held in 1967 and to date, with the Class of 2023, The Hall will have inducted 354 of the finest student-athletes, coaches, and administrators to have ever represented the University of Miami. Student-athlete candidates are eligible ten (10) years after their final year of competition, while coaches and administrators are eligible after serving at the university for ten (10) years.
The Hall is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, overseen by a Board of Voting Members, who are responsible for the financial stability of The Hall. The current officers of The Hall are Mike Ward, President, Mark Drobiarz, President-Elect, Judy Pantoja-McCabe, Vice President, Mead McCabe, Treasurer, and Maureen Piero, Secretary. Among the twenty-nine (29) Presidents to have served The Hall are current Board members Chris Ball, Wally DiMarko, Ed Golden, Richard Horton, Tracy Kerdyk, Ken Lancaster, Gerard Loisel, and Jodi Appelbaum Steinbauer. The Hall's day-to-day operations are supervised by Executive Director John Routh.
The Hall is strictly a donor and event funded organization. With the support of UM Athletics, the Hall puts on four (4) major events each year, with its premier event being the UM Sports Hall of Fame & Museum Induction Banquet.
The 2023 Induction Banquet was held on Mya 4, 2023 at the Watsco Center on the Coral Gables campus, marking the FIRST TIME EVER the event was held on campus. Video highlights of each inductee’s career are produced and shown at the event, with each inductee receiving a Hall of Fame jacket, a plaque, and a Hall of Fame ring, and an opportunity to say “thank you” to their friends, families, and supporters.
The 31st Annual Hall of Fame Golf Tournament, is scheduled to be held at the Biltmore Golf Course on October 19, 2023. More details to come soon at CanesGolf.com.
The Hall of Fame Fishing Tournament, which has been held eleven (11) times in either the Florida Keys or in Miami-Dade County, has been postponed and will be held in The Keys in June of 2024. Go to CanesFish.com for more details.
The 12th Annual Hall of Fame Bowling Tournament was held on Monday, February 27th, 2023 at Kings Dining & Entertainment Center in Doral. This year’s event, hosted by Hurricanes Legend Alonzo Highsmith, also included bowlers and celebrity bowlers at various nationwide geographical locations. Go to CanesBowl.com for more information or click the EVENTS button above.