“Home, Sweet Home”… Decision Time

Miami is approaching a critical decision point.

In our series, “Home, Sweet Home”, we have examined the journey already taken by the university administration as they drive toward a preeminent athletic program.

Much ground work has already been done but more is in store for our great university to reach the top of the mountain. The ride has been very fulfilling, giving our university family hope for the future.

Miami has made huge strides with our flagship athletic program, football. We’ve watch our team on the doorstep of a national championship. This fall we will see the opening of the Soffer Indoor Practice Facility expansion.

We are about to witness the strategic hiring of our next athletic director. It will be a critical next step. If successful, it will move us to the biggest decisions the history of athletics at Miami.

With the rumors of Hard Rock Stadium's future availability, Miami may be forced to find new homes for its football program, both conference and a stadium to play in.

World Class Facility… our new home.

Miami has never had a true “Home Stadium.” For decades, it has used a leased facility miles away from the university. Despite the challenges, the Hurricanes reached the pinnacle of college football. However, it’s been twenty-five years since we hoisted a national championship trophy.

During that dark time, the college landscape has changed dramatically. Name-Image-Likeness,Transfer Portal and Conference Realignment have created havoc, making it much harder for a small private university to compete for championships.

There’s an old saying…

“If you continue to do the same things, you should expert to get the same results.”

Today, we will examine the next steps in Miami’s journey to preeminence in college athletics… new world class facilities.

Miami is in the process of hiring a new athletic director. University president Joe Echevarria is reportedly looking for a non-traditional college athletic director. An aggressive and creative fund raiser. A “deal maker.”

We have no doubt President Joe will be successful. Assuming that success, we asked ourselves, WHY?

It takes money, big money to drive a major project like a new world-class stadium. That money will come the traditional way through alumni and prominent community leaders giving. But that will now be enough. We’ve seen how conferences and universities are seriously considering non-traditional sources, such as equity funding. That will take someone who’s experienced in that realm. Would Miami seriously consider that route. It’s more likely if a "deal maker” is hired as athletic director.

If successful, Miami must then address another critical success factor… a new world-class facility to attract he best of the best and the its place as one of the best in college athletics.

A stadium we can call, “HOME.”

For years, we have talked and debated the virtues of a true home stadium. It’s made for some interesting discussions and debate.

But no action.

Recent circumstances are indicating that may be changing. If Miami is successful in hiring the right person to drive athletic funding, it then would drive the next strategic decision to build a world-class stadium?

Ok, say we are successful and the funding is there for the construction of our first “home stadium.”

Where?

It’s been reported Miami wants at least a 50,000 seat stadium, expandable to 55,000 seats. Those rare games that draw more can be played at Hard Rock Stadium (65,000 seats).

SO WHERE?

In the past, such sites as Tropical Park and Virginia Key have been reported. Both are still plausible, but a couple new ones might also be considered.

Tropical Park…

Tropical Park is located about 3.5 miles for campus. It’s owned by DADE COUNTY. It sits on the apex of two freeways that serves both Dade and Broward Counties. It has about 275 acres of relatively undeveloped land.

There have been rumors the university is so frustrated with the highly restrictive zoning of the City of Coral Gables that it is looking for a site for a nearby second campus. Tropical Park might be such a site. That site is large enough to host a stadium AND second academic campus.

Virginia Key…

Virginia Key is located just south of downtown Miami on a small island in Biscayne Bay, connected by the Rickenbacker Causeway. This site would provide the most majestic view of the Miami skyline. The university houses their oceanographic school there plus some adjacent undeveloped land. The biggest challenge for this site will be public access. The causeway must be widened for heavier traffic and/or a Metro Rail link must constructed from the mainland. Virginia Key would be a massive but world class site.

Alternative Sites:

On-Campus:

Miami could make one last attempt to build a stadium on campus but a been thwarted continuously by the City of Coral Gables. The optimum site would be the current site of the 960 dorms, currently scheduled for demolition and the intramural fields. The intramural fields would need to be relocated to another part of the campus.

Unfortunately, the City of Coral Gables really doesn’t want a world-class university in its city, only the prestige it brings. An on-campus site is the least likely.

City of South Miami:

However, with a little creativity and innovation, a new near-campus opportunity may be possible. The City of South Miami and the university could join forces in the development of a Public-Private project across the street from the main campus on Red Road. Build the stadium in South Miami with a connecting pedestrian bridge to parking on campus, currently housing retail and fraternity row. This site is already served by the Miami Rail system and the U.S. 1 corridor.

Such a project would hinge on the City of South Miami.

BOTTOM LINE:

The above strategic moves would make funding and a world-class stadium possible. What seemed not long ago to be impossible, may now be possible with bold and innovative leadership by the university and communities.

GO CANES!