Category Archives: U.Miami

Disturbing UM Sports news:

UM coach Mark Richt surprised his team with an unexpected gift in a meeting this week.

Richt gave every player a Bible, and the coach personalized it by putting the player’s name on the cover of the copy that player received.

Receiver Braxton Berrios said Richt told the players that reading it is “optional.”

“This speaks volumes to the type of coach we have,” Berrios said.

Faith is a big part of Richt’s life.

Asked in July how much he has used faith to create unity in the team, Richt said: “Yeah, well, everybody has a belief system. Everybody looks at life through a certain filter. I happen to be a Christian. That’s just what I am. I’m not using it. I think we need to be true to who we are, what we believe.

“I’m not trying to make anybody believe anything I believe. I just want to do things in a way that I think God would be pleased with me. That’s my goal on a daily basis.

“In doing that, I know if I do that, I’m blessing the players I’m in charge of. We’ll be doing things right in recruiting. We’ll be working our tails off.

“So I don’t think much about it. I’m not trying to use anything. I’m just trying to be who I am.”

(via the Miami Hearld)

The University of Miami is a secular institution.  But the coercive aspect of this is obvious, and improper, whatever disclaimers accompany it.

Some students were vocal in their appreciation; where does that leave the others?

If I gave out religious tracts  (that had nothing to do with the course) as optional reading in my class, I would be justly criticized. How is this different? I think UM President Julio Frenk ought to say something about this, but I am not holding my breath.  Especially given we beat Georgia State Tech …

Due to an aside I delivered in class, my Administrative Law students have expressed an interest in celebrating Groundhog Day, which is Feb. 2. My initial reaction was a bit negative: How, living in Florida, can this be anything but an ironic, even potentially offensive, celebration? Indeed, can we in Miami plan to celebrate whether winter will continue without giving the impression of rampant schadenfreude? Not to mention that our interests are probably the reverse of most the country’s: winter is good for us! It’s usually nice out (although this December was unseasonably hot).

But despite all this, I’m warming to the idea. Why not?

But this just leads me to another problem: How, in the absence of an actual groundhog (please no one bring one to class!) do we celebrate Groundhog Day. We are not going to watch the movie starring Bill Murray much as I do like it; it’s long and we have work to do. Other than that, or projects aimed at first graders, the web has been surprisingly little help…..

Suggestions anyone?