I have seen many great games in the old Orange Bowl stadium and hate to see it slip into history. However, Dolphin Stadium is a fine facility and certainly a much more comfortable place to watch a game. By the way, it is NOT in Ft. Lauderdale. It is in Miami-Dade County, town of Miami Gardens

I had no idea Miami only draws 42k a game... that's as much as Hawaii draws at home. It is possible for a college team to play in a city owned historical facility. USC manages to draw over 90k people every game. From the blog entry, I wasn't sure if attenance is the issue or simply a case of more revenue from luxury boxes... If Miami has trouble drawing more than 42k people 6 miles from campus, how does it hope to draw as many people 30 minutes away, luxury boxes or not?

As a Florida State fan, I am selfishly delighted by the thought that Miami will no longer play at the Orange Bowl. Has there even been a team -- in any sport -- that has been more terrifying and dominant than the 'Canes used to be at home?

First of all, the reason Miami doesn't always pack the stands is because of the schools enrollment numbers. It's a small Private school, with only around 11,000 students. Not only that, but the campus isn't really all in one spot. Other teams fans can't understand this, and that's why some say the Miami fans are fair weather. It's really a combination of two things, small school, and a million other things to do for the people that live in Miami.


Secondly...my Canes can't leave the Orange Bowl! I know it's old, and there isn't much parking, but it has too much history, and too many historic games.

58 Straight home wins!! NO ONE will ever touch that record, and not only that it's an NFL factory! :-)

Politics, Shalala-tics. In case you haven't noticed, the city of Miami is on a rebuilding mission. Just look at the beautiful skyline and what's happerning to the downtown area. It's call a revival, just like what is happening to the Hurricanes under Randy Shannon. The politicos know and understand the significance of having the Canes as the only major league sport in the city and they will fund the money necessary to keep the Canes in the City. By the way and no pun intended but "Can you smell what the Canes are cooking????? Go Rock, Go Canes!

Willy - Also Miami has only been around for 25 years or so as a football program, compared to schools like Alabama and Ohio State.

It is news to me that Dolphin Stadium is in Fort Lauderdale. It isn't even in Broward County. It is still in Dade County and it is in the city of Miami Gardens.

Unfortunately, the city of Miami, despite their 'last ditch effort' to save the Canes has been on a not-so-secret campaign to oust Miami from the OB so that they can tear it down and build a retractable roof stadium for the Marlins. It's simple math, 82 home games for the Marlins versus 7-8 home games for the Canes. Don't believe the media that says the city did all it could. All of its offers are based on conditional applications for historical status and state funds (which they haven't even secured). It's sadly typical of the incompetent backwater politics of Miami. The funny thing about this is that the voters have continually defeated any measure to fund any stadium, so the city will probably be left holding a vacant piece of property when it is all said and done. They deserve it!
Truth is that if Shannon can bring the Canes back to prominence then the stadium issue will be moot. Can you imagine how awesome it is going to be the first time Miami wins an improbable game in the new digs? It will be like the magic and mystique has followed them up the I-95!
Go Canes!

He's talking about the other giant stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Oh wait, there isn't one.

By TOM D'ANGELO
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 21, 2007

MIAMI GARDENS — The Marlins needed one more well-placed hit and one more run during an 8-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Monday that extended their losing streak to six games.
It would have been nice to have Miguel Cabrera for more than one pinch-hit at-bat.

Never DISRESPECT the GARDENS.

Its funny how the folks so strongly against the Canes move are also the one's who rarely, if ever, attend games. The stadiums are not even close to comparable and it makes no sense to spend tax payer $$$ and still end up with an inferior venue at the OB. No brainer - move ASAP, just like the OB game and the Dolphins did.

Move just like the Dolphins did. Does that mean lose just like the Dolphins do? They haven't sniffed a Super Bowl since they moved. Unless of course they were in the skyboxes watching. Business wise the move was a no-brainer but don't diminish the importance of the OB. Unless you've been there for those "improbable wins" you don't know what that place can do for a team or to a team.

Don't diss The Gardens? Who could have disprespected it more than H. Wayne Huizenga who fought incorporation tooth and nail? Who cares about The Gardens anyway?

Begin a season ticket holder for 15 years, I don't fault UM for leaving the OB. However, I completly blame the city of Miami for allowing it to happen. I have more faith in finding a cure for cancer in the next 5 years then the city of Miami being competent enough to renovate the OB. True Miami will lose some home field advantage, but they will also gain recruiting leverage being in better facilities.

Today is a sad day for UM fans, but in Randy I trust.

All of this falls on the collective (idiotic) heads of the City of Miami officials going back 30 years. First, Joe Robbie asked for money for improvements/renvoations. He tired of waiting and moved. 30 years later, the Univ. of Miami is tired of waiting. The City cannot get out of its own way. Lastly, the City cannot pay even the $86 million for "critical" repairs much less the $200 million for the promised repairs. How in the world are they going to come up with $700 million for a retractable roof stadium for the Marlins. That is a pipe-dream which will never happen. City of Miam officals are a joke.

Randy Shannon was a linebacker at the University of Miami, not a defensive back.

A move north to Dolphins Stadium might rid UM of the trash fans it attracts to the Orange Bowl. You want to see 80,000 dirtbags, criminals, and non-student trash congregate in one area at one time - look no further than the Orange Bowl on gameday

Wow, that picture with Sebastian the Ibis in a cap and gown must be lost on the scumbags in the stands...most never got out of high school, much less attend UM.

No wonder its attendance record so bad. True fans go see the 'Canes play, whether its Duke or FSU

If the announcement goes as expected, today will be a sad, sad day for us fans of the University of Miami.

Having attended the OB for the better part of my 26 years, and having traveled to and attended games at other notable stadiums (including the Big House, the Swamp, Doak, ND, etc.) I can honestly say that there is no other place in the country quite like it.

The place literally shakes when the crowd gets into it, giving the home team an incredible sense of invincibility. Its not a coincidence that the 58-game home streak came at the Old Horseshoe. Look no further than all the hateful venom being spewed by the non-Miami folk in these comments.

Dolphin Stadium is no comparison to the OB - it is an uninspiring, sterile concrete monster with no atmosphere. I dont care about restrooms, concessions, seats, etc., to me its about the magical experience of college football. Unfortunately, the college football world is about to lose one of its most magical places.

I will shed plenty of tears on November 10, the last day we ever play in the OB.

Stewart as a die hard fan and son of two UM alumni I can remember going to UM games since I was 3 years old and attending the '89, '91, and '94 orange bowl games. I know UM's stadium is old and rundown but I'd rather see a game there than attend a game anywhere else in Florida. I remember the down year we had back in 1997 and the job Butch Davis did to bring them back up. I remember watching Rusty Maderis, Warren Sapp, Mike Barrow and Ray Lewis terrorize offenses in the early 90s. It saddens me and my father who has had season tickets since '76 (31 years) that the UM administration wants to move the games to a stadium so far away from campus and it's main fan base. Being a recent college graduate(UCF '07) I know how it was to drive to a stadium off campus and adding an extra 30-45 minute drive is insane. The safety issue alone, with students and fans tailgating and drinking at the games, should be considered. I really hope the administration takes into account the amount of loyal fans they'd loose because I know my father is not going to renew his season tickets if they move up there and that is a shame on them.

I think the best solution would be for the Canes to play at Dolphin stadium while the OB is torn down and rebuilt. However, who is going to want to pay for this?

I think big time college teams should have their own stadium and identity.

There is a problem with sports attendance in Miami in general (see the Marlins, Panthers, etc.). The Hurricanes do a far better job filling the seats than most other sports in the area.

Living down there, I can say that I usually could find a lot better things to do than to pay a bunch of money and sit in the oppresive humidity. However, I wasn't a huge Canes fan either.

As an old Big 8 fan, God I hate to see the old OB go. So many great games. Nebraska crushing Alabama and Notre Dame in the early 70s. Arkansas upsetting and seemingly unbeatable Oklahoma team after Lou Holtz suspended three starters in 1977. The 1984 Orange Bowl, possibly the greatest college game of the last 30 years. Nebraksa beating the Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp Miami defense into submission in 1995. The list goes on and on. The OB is a college football shrine equal to the LA Collisium or the Horshoe in Columbus. Don't let it go!!

I've been going to the OB 30 years. I've seen them rise and fall and rise again so many times that I can't help but feel a part of it. I will always bleed orange and green but come next year I will do so from my home. It breaks my heart that my 2 year old boy will not be old enough to remember when I take to his first game this year. The only Cane home game I will probably ever take him to.

Tear down the stadium. Kill the sports programs. Close the school. Sell off the assets. All of this couldn't clear away the dark stain Miami football has left upon collegiate athletics. Miami has led the way for every disgraceful behavior visited upon the college football field of play. Thug U doesn't come close to describing the ugliness of Miami's sins and their consequences.

As a former Marlins and Dolphins season ticket holder I am saddened to see my alma mater Canes moving to the horrible place called Dolphin Stadium. The powers that be are always wondering why noone attends Marlins games and why the Dolphins can't sell out playoff games (when they used to actually make the playoffs). Well now we'll see a great decline in Miami football attendance because Dolphins Stadium for all it's "upgrades" still sucks.

I’ve been a Canes fan since the mid-80's, when I was a kid. I’m also a Pittsburgh native, and not being wealthy enough to travel much, I’ve never gotten to see the Canes play at the Orange Bowl (though I’ve seen them play here). I’ll regret that.

But let me tell you something about Pittsburgh: Heinz Field is the Steelers’ home. The Pitt Panthers are guests there. There is little “homeness” to where Pitt plays, and even the most ardent Pitt fans must feel this. There are a few Pitt logos here and there, but look around, especially in the offseason, and you can tell which team owns the stadium. On Saturday afternoon in the fall, Pitt hangs its big, temporary banners over the permanent Steelers signs. By late Saturday night, they’re gone. The Panthers get to redecorate for the one day they have the chance to play in the Steelers’ house. Only the size of those decorations separates Pitt from the high school teams who play in the regional championships at Heinz Field in November. Whether it’s for one Saturday or six, they’re all guests in the Steelers’ house.

I’m not sure if the Dolphins dominate Miami in the same way the Steelers dominate Pittsburgh (I hope the Canes get a bigger share than the Panthers). Still, I’m afraid the Canes could become second-class citizens in Dolphins Stadium. They shouldn’t have to be guests anywhere.

I'm a sophmore at miami, and i am very pissed. I already drive to the games and its already far, adding another 15 miles to the trip is garbage. Many of my classmates are already fair weather fans, this will make it infinately worse

UM fanbase is full of fair weathers. The argument that there's so much to do... well when Miami is winning there coincidentally is much less to do in the city? C'mon!!!

Aside from going away to school in G'ville, i've lived in south florida all my life and know how it is. There is NO way the stadium should be less than sold out every single game. I wish upon wish i could get access to my Gators season tickets like UM fans have the opportunity to do.

The sad part is UM fans will never truly know what it's like to be a part of a true "collegiate experience" on game day. it's not just the game, it's the tailgating, the game itself, the after party, etc.

Now fans will actually get to park in parking lots, not some random persons home! In case you have never been to the Orange Bowl, there really is no parking around the stadium. It is in a residential area with no parking spots. Fans have to park in someone's yard and still pay $10 and hope not to get parked in. With the move, there might actually be tailgating and a larger communal atmosphere around the game than just people walking in from all directions. However, I do sympathize with the students. It was a pain getting to the games before, now it will be an even bigger hassle

The Canes were caught in between to bad options. The simple truth is that a major overhaul of the OB wouldn't have happened any time soon. The city simply wants to tear down the whole thing. The whole historic tax cut proposition would never have succeeded. How would a stadium that is facing major overhaul qualify for historic status? Now if it already HAD the status it might work, but this is not the case.

The real problem for the Canes is that while Dolphins Stadium is a decent NFL stadium it lacks anything that makes a college stadium great. Also while it certainly is a major upgrade facility wise over the OB it isn't exactly an awe inspiring new state of the art arena either. So the Canes would have lost no matter what.

The really sad thing is it isn't as though Miami has only been good since 1983. I've heard that the great Miami teams of the past 25 years could have won playing in an empty parking lot against anyone, such was their talent. But as everyone points out, there was a mystique to that place, and it helped Miami finish in the top 10 in 1956 and 1966 and be a fixture in the final rankings throughout the 50s and 60s, even while Florida struggled to be ranked about 15 and Florida State was conistantly unranked. There were great games there long before the 1984 Orange Bowl, and really some great NFL games and other moments. This is not just a local landmark but a national landmark we are about to lose.

And yes, as a Canes fan I am devastated. Dolphins Stadium is soulless. And yes, I think it will be even more disgraceful seeing Dolphins Stadium empty since the Canes do have trouble outdrawing South Beach and 4 pro teams. Having to compete with alums of FSU, UF, FIU, USF, UCF and a student body composed of half northerners who would rather watch baseball doesn't help either.

But opposing fans and teams should not delude themselves into thinking Miami will be washed up because of this. As Shannon said, kids come to play at Miami to become a pro, not because they care about traditions. Playing in a pro stadium will be a constant reminder of their long term goals and what it takes to get there. Hopefully they'll prove all the hyperbole correct and win, regardless of venue. Nonetheless, it is sad to see the Orange Bowl go.

Reading that the canes might move to dolphin stadium made me almost wanna cry. Ever since i first stepped inside the Orange Bowl to see the canes play against Boston College in October of 2002 I could feel the magic and the aura that I never felt in Dolphin Stadium.

Sure I'm a fan of the Marlins and Dolphins but watching a game there is so boring and no excitement. And it seems that you cant get roused up at Dolphin Stadium like you can at the Orange Bowl. Its just not a football stadium and it would be better to watch the game at home.

But the Orange Bowl on the other hand its just so condensed and no back on your seats you just feel so good there and the excitement and chills is uncanny to anything ive ever felt. The way Sebastian spells C-A-N-E-S CANES after every score doesnt compare to anything at Dolphin Stadium. It would be a travesty to see the Canes leave to Dolphin Stadium

what a great day at least now i can go see the canes play without the fear of being stabbed by one of the surrounding residents, or being followed by the police helicopter after the game, or maybe the fear that the stadium itself is going to collapse underneath you, but like the author said what a great place i bet he never spent a game in the stands.

Couldn't have said it better myself, Stewart.

And in regards to Knox's comments, I hope you're not a UT/SEC guy, because when it comes to college football, it doesn't get any more corrupt than UT or the SEC.

The U - loved by few, hated by many, respected by all... even after a subpar season.

Oh Happy Happy Day! FSU fans everywhere will rejoice. The place of so many heartbreaks will not be visited again. I have friends who are UM fans, though I haven't spoken to them yet. I can't wait to get their take. Go Noles!

As a OU fan I remember many January Orange Bowl games. Maybe they will make it back one more time before they close the stadium.

It's interesting to me to hear about this. The EXACT same thing is also happening in Dallas with the Cotton Bowl. That place is so decrepit that even SMU stopped using it for home games. Somehow Cotton Bowl people managed to convince Texas and OU to continue playing the Red River Shootout (yes, Shootout not Rivalry) there but I can't imagine that will last after the current contract is up.

Poll: How many so-called 'Canes fans on this blog actually graduated from and/or attended the University of Miami?

Tear down the stadium. Kill the sports programs. Close the school. Sell off the assets. All of this couldn't clear away the dark stain Miami football has left upon collegiate athletics. Miami has led the way for every disgraceful behavior visited upon the college football field of play. Thug U doesn't come close to describing the ugliness of Miami's sins and their consequences.

Venom comes back around, its called karma. Jealousy is so interesting to see displayed in its primeval form.

As a UM student I hate the move. The Orange Bowl is already so hard to get to for students already being off-campus. Now that it is even further I think there will be a decline in student-fans, which are the lifeblood of any college sports team. The intimidation factor of the OB on visitors is very real and very effective. I just don't think Dolphin Stadium will be much of a home field advantage, plush luxuries or not.

Justin you obviously don't attend many UM games, because unless its a big game, there are very few students in attendance. Just like at the baseball games where if you ever see a student its a freak of nature event.

I still never understood how it was fair for Miami to play all those bowl games in the '80s and '90s in the Orange Bowl. Talk about an advantage. I know the tickets were divvied up for the Orange Bowl game against Nebraska, Oklahoma, etc., but I never could get how that was fair. It'd be like the Gators playing for a national title in Gainesville. Sure there'd be fans for the other team there as well, but how can playing at your home field not be a sizable benefit?

I understand the UM fans' feelings. As a long time Crimson Tide fan, I recall the great excitement of games in Legion Field, and the fun in the city (Birmingham) afterward, compared to sleepy Tuscaloosa. Sure, it was old, creaky, and much like OB you had to park in someone's yard. But that place had true HISTORY, and you could feel it with every game. I always felt the Tide had a much larger home advantage in Legion Field than back at campus - I suppose that why all the big games were held there. It's too bad that in today's world, every sport, even my beloved College FB, revolves around luxury boxes.

Geoff
I did attend and graduate from UM - I even walked on the football team, but I also worked fulltime to pay for school (local middle class kid) and wrestled - and being only 5-9 and 147 lbs with a bad knee I had to give it up. The one thing that pushed me through spring and summer work outs was the thought of running through tunnel and the smoke on to that amazing field in the Grand Old Lady.

I was "lucky" enough to play Pop Warner ball in the Grand Old Lady when it still had astro turf (OUCH)and high school ball there. I also was able to watch some of valleys of UM football mid 70's drubbings by ND, UofM and other northern teams looking for a warm weather stop (ALL of whom will NO longer play us home and home) all the way to that magical night when that 2pt conversion was tipped away and Schnelly wrapped up our (YES OUR)first chamionship season.

I will never forget a Houston game (Klingler years) when he walked out on the field and actually was awe struck! It looked like he had never seen a crowd like that. THe crowd was loud and the physical building was shaking - I have been told by players that on the sideline you could actually feel the ground shake when the crowd went nuts.

My God what a place!

So yes some of the Cane fans posting here did attend the school and still do go to games (I drive nearly 90 miles at least three times a season) and will have valid reasons for missing the Grand Old Lady once she is gone.

I also agree this has been caused by not only this group of fools running the city, but the last 35 years of local goverment. Joe Robbie tried like a dog and finally gave up. It is obvious the city prefers the Marlins over the Canses for financial reasons - I get it - just say so.

Go Canes lets close her down right!

95% of "cane fans" didn't graduate from high school let alone go to UM.

The "too much to do in Miami" excuse always comes out when their record is worse than 10-2.

Hard to watch such a great stadium slip away. Attended some exciting Orange Bowls over the years and was looking forward to attending Sooner/Canes game at OB in '08. Guess it'll be Dolphin Stadium instead. Nice digs but like most pro stadiums, pretty generic facility. Ashame to lose the nostalgia and home-field advantage of such a historic college venue.

Some of you people crack me up. Since when did it become a requirement to attend the college/university that you are a fan of? I guess every Notre Dame fan went to school there huh?
Typical big school with a little trophy case mentality.

Miami being the "pro factory" that is and not a single former player stepping up to help raise funds to renovate the OB speaks loudly. Alex Rodriquez helped fund new baseball facilities there when he never attended a day of school there. Why should the city and county fund this stadium when none of the boosters or alumni seem willing to step up? How many major programs rely on the local government to help with renovations? Miami is a small time school.

So sorry Canes lovers, I see UM spiraling down even further record-wise with this move. The mystique is gone!

Most of the cane fans from the 2000-2003 years don't care.....they have already switched allegiances to USC.

They bought new tshirts and put new bumper stickers on their low-riders.

I was lucky to get into my favorite school, but even if I hadn't I'd still be a fan. This notion that you have to be an alum to cheer for a school is elitest and silly.

Anyways, it's really too bad UM couldn't have made a smallish (50k) on campus site a reality. They could have really had something there. Playing in one of the characterless pro-stadiums is a step back from the OB, which has to be the worst dump I ever visited. (and I saw a game at the old Vet in Philly!)

I have been to every home game since i was 3 and this has been the worst day in my life. They dont realize that my parents dont have a car and i cant walk all the way to Dolphin stadium. My dad spends all his money on the tickets anyway. They're are many other kids like me who's dream is to play for "da u" or have an impact anyway i can. And like most miami kids, i would rather not go to college than go to any place other than miami. UM games get kids off the streets and something to look forward to. Mandel, this is probably your most accurate article piece yet and i appreciate it. If only Shalala understood.

So how does this affect the Orange Bowl itself? If it's primary tenant does become the Marlins, will it cease to be a football stadium entirely? I ask as the Astrodome in Houston is the only baseball/football facility that I've attended games in and it really only worked well for baseball and kind of seemed inept for football.

Ray Lewis (acessory to murder)
Warren Sapp (dirtbag to fans, positive use of marijuana while student)
Sean Taylor (ejected from 2005 NFC Divisional for spitting)
Clinton Portis (I don't see what the big deal about Vick is)

Miami football alum are about as classy as their fans

There is nothing like a Night game in the OB... It is one of the most intense and intimidating venues for any opponent... The rush that is felt by the fans stomping on the seats is simply indescribable... There are so many great memories from the amazing UCLA game to the incredible come back vs. the Gators... The atmosphere at the OB is chaotic and Dolphin Stadium is very luxurious, yet very - very dull. (like comparing a Classic Shelby Cobra to a Lamborghini...) When a true fan see's the Shelby, they just stand there and stare in AWE - Exactly what opponents would do looking up at those crazy OB fans on a Saturday night...

This stinks - To take the 'Canes out of the Orange Bowl will change their identity forever. Dolphin Stadium has no atmosphere - no sense of the City. At the OB you watched the game, felt the crosswinds, saw the City of Miami and worked the houses to find parking - it was a cultural experience that is being sacrificed for the almighty dollar. The 'Canes were formidable in the OB - one of the most powerful presences in college sports. What a tragedy.

Being a Michigan alumni and a huge football fan, I admit that I am a purist. I am emotionally torn about the upcoming changes to the Big House. All that aside, a school like Miami (private school, little state money, tougher endowment marketplace) CANNOT afford to leave $1.5 million a year on the table. The football team is its most recognizable brand and it has to maximize the use of that brand. True fans will travel. Heck, I live in Maryland and I still attend 6-8 Michigan games every year. If Michigan was 30 miles away, I would be there is a heartbeat. I do not know Miami very well, but it cannot have a strong alumni and fan base if it is only selling 42K season tickets a year.

As a Michigan resident born in North Miami Beach and privileged to have Dolphin season tickets in the family since '66, I can say that the OB ceased to exist after the move to JRS. The Miami Dolphins were the reason that the OB was not torn down in the 60's, not the 'canes. Nobody cared for the 'canes until Kelly and Schnellenberger had success and continued with a slew of decent college/mediocre NFL QB's. Yes, Dolphin stadium has no personality(just like the owner) and I do miss the fact that if you sat in row 1 you were about 10 feet from the bench. But with the multitude of problems the city of Miami has, the last concern should be funding stadium improvements for a small, private college.

As a Michigan resident born in North Miami Beach and privileged to have Dolphin season tickets in the family since '66, I can say that the OB ceased to exist after the move to JRS. The Miami Dolphins were the reason that the OB was not torn down in the 60's, not the 'canes. Nobody cared for the 'canes until Kelly and Schnellenberger had success and continued with a slew of decent college/mediocre NFL QB's. Yes, Dolphin stadium has no personality(just like the owner) and I do miss the fact that if you sat in row 1 you were about 10 feet from the bench. But with the multitude of problems the city of Miami has, the last concern should be funding stadium improvements for a small, private college.

As a Michigan resident born in North Miami Beach and privileged to have Dolphin season tickets in the family since '66, I can say that the OB ceased to exist after the move to JRS. The Miami Dolphins were the reason that the OB was not torn down in the 60's, not the 'canes. Nobody cared for the 'canes until Kelly and Schnellenberger had success and continued with a slew of decent college/mediocre NFL QB's. Yes, Dolphin stadium has no personality(just like the owner) and I do miss the fact that if you sat in row 1 you were about 10 feet from the bench. But with the multitude of problems the city of Miami has, the last concern should be funding stadium improvements for a small, private college.