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NEWS

The inside scoop on Miami athletics

The Miami Student

(MICHAEL GRIGGS | The Miami Student)

Fall: Football

By JM Rieger
Staff Writer

Coming off of a 1-11 record last season, Head Coach Mike Haywood and the Miami University football team are looking to improve and regroup in the 2010-2011 season.

Last year the Red and White played one of the toughest schedules in the country and they will repeat that trend this year with games against University of Cincinnati, University of Missouri, University of Florida and the defending Mid-American Conference (MAC) Champions, Central Michigan University.

The RedHawks are led by stand-out redshirt sophomore quarterback Zac Dysert and senior tailback Thomas Merriweather, each of whom made major contributions to the Red and White last year.

Merriweather had three rushing touchdowns last year to go with 291 yards rushing. Dysert threw for over 2,600 yards and 12 touchdowns, including a 426 passing yard performance against the Temple University Owls on November 5, placing him fourth all-time in Miami history for most passing yards in a single game, trailing only Ben Roethlisberger for each of the top three spots.

Miami's football stadium, Yager Stadium, seats just over 30,000 people and all of Miami's home games are free to students who have their Miami student identification.

In addition, all Miami concessions at athletic events take Miami meal plans.

Yager Stadium is located on the north part of campus past North Quad and there is usually no line that students have to stand in to get into games.

Miami plays five home games this year, including their annual homecoming game against Ohio University on October 23 and a Tuesday night game against the defending MAC East Division Champions, the Temple Owls, who beat Miami last year 34-32 with a last-second field goal.

Be sure to come out and support the RedHawks this year!
 

Winter: Basketball & Hockey

By Nick Bonaventura
Staff Writer

Miami University's men's basketball team is best characterized by its long-time head coach Charlie Coles. Coles has been the head coach of the RedHawks for 14 seasons and he has shown no signs of slowing down.

One thing that is almost impossible to miss at men's basketball games is the student section, containing many members who don red camouflage shirts and hard hats. This section is known as "Charlie's Army" and is meant to show the appreciation and respect that Miami students have for Coles.

Student athletes from other sports almost always make appearances in the crowd at basketball games as they show support for their fellow athletes.

In addition to many students attending the games, there are always large numbers of Oxford residents showing support for Miami athletics. This mix of people creates an atmosphere that always makes for a great time.

Both men's and women's games also feature the Miami band playing fight songs and helping keep everyone in a great mood for basketball.

Women's basketball games differ in some ways from the men's games. Obviously there is no "Charlie's Army," but instead just your average student section, which tends to be dominated by a mix of Miami students and student athletes.

The face of women's basketball is Head Coach Maria Fantanarosa, another experienced Miami head coach. Fantanarosa has been with the team for 12 seasons.

All game long Fantanarosa can be heard encouraging her team and hounding the referees. Following each home game she always thanks the fans for showing up and thanks the Miami band for their stellar performance.

Basketball games always make for a fun time at Miami. Men's and women's games offer great entertainment for every spectator, and of course are a great study break for those times when professors collaborate and decide to all assign tests the same week. 
 

By Erika Hadley
Senior Staff Writer

Over the course of the past five seasons, the Miami University men's ice hockey team has compiled the winningest record in the country, captured two Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Regular Season Championships, made back-to-back trips to the Frozen Four and exploded in popularity on Miami's campus.

No year of college — or, for that matter, no weekend between the months of October and March — is complete without viewing at least one game at the Goggin Ice Center, Miami's state-of-the-art facility. RedHawk hockey is steeped in tradition and, as Miami's newest crop of hockey fanatics, there are a few things you need to know in order to make your days at the Goggin as memorable as possible.

•    The early bird gets a seat. Steve Cady Arena is a phenomenal venue for watching games, but seating is not unlimited and the student section just never seems to be big enough. The bottom line is that you need to put in time in line if you want to have a chance to watch Blasi's boys dominate. Bring some homework and cards to pass the time and get there around noon on game day if you want to have your pick (Unless the series is against Michigan. Then, prepare to rent
a tent).

•    Consider joining RedAlert for a different kind of in-line experience and tons of benefits. Membership costs 10 bones.

•    You need two things to get into games: a student ID and a wristband. There's no charge to enter, but it all comes back to waiting in line. There are a limited number of bands, so make sure you get yours before they run out.

•    Miami has a multitude of cheers — all of them funny, most of them offensive. Learn them, love them and invent your own.

•    A sieve has holes in it, much like the opposing team's defense. Hopefully that clarifies a lot down the road.

•    Learn the fight song because you'll be singing it a lot.

•    Heads up for any Miami player to score at any given moment. These guys boast the most balanced squad in the country and everyone's a threat.

Look for opening weekend to be right around the first weekend in October. You won't be disappointed. Love and Honor to Miami — see you at the rink!

 

Spring: Baseball

By Alex Butler
Senior Staff Writer

Though this year they are teetering on the cusp of another .500 season and competing in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Miami University baseball experience isn't just about the product on the diamond.

Yes, baseball purists and enthusiasts will love the small ball, high octane, high effort ball clubs that both the baseball and softball teams display week in and week out, but one thing that often goes unappreciated on the Oxford campus is the experience of a warm spring day at Hayden Park at McKie Field or the Miami Softball Stadium. These ballparks are truly some of the wonders of Oxford and a must-stop for those hardcore sports fans disguised as Miami students.

The fields are always pristinely prepared and well maintained, just ask the RedHawk ball players who tidy it up after all of the home games, making the experience all the more enjoyable for thread heads.

Walking through the black gates of Hayden Park on game day you will not usually notice a huge crowd or slow admission process, unlike the other big RedHawk sports, but instead a soothing aroma. The concession stand on the left side of the park offers everything that you need for a solid game day including hot dogs, hamburgers, candy and Cracker Jacks.

The baseball team also takes part in many promotional days to keep the seats filled and area residents and students coming in support of the Red and White. Although most of the time it is not a problem to find a seat at the game, those looking for a great view should check out the first baseline on the visitor's side of the stadium. With this viewpoint you can catch a great duel between hitter and pitcher and maybe even catch a few foul balls.

This season the Red and White had its highest attendance on "Have a Greek Day." Head Coach Dan Simonds always says big days like that energize his ball club and he loves to see and hear the RedHawk faithful.

The next time you are out and about you may hear the crack of the bat and know where to go, but if not, stroll on over and grab a seat to watch the men or women RedHawks rally for a MAC title.
 


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