Welcome to the February edition of the Ibis Newsletter!
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It’s a busy time of the year for our athletic department with our winter and spring sports intersecting. We appreciate everyone’s hard work as we continue to help our student-athletes compete at the highest level.
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Thank you again for your dedication to Miami Athletics. Go Canes!
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Welcome to the January edition of the Ibis Newsletter!
It has been an exciting start to the New Year.
I hope you had the opportunity to spend time with friends and family during the holidays and feel refreshed and recharged for 2024. Thank you for your continued dedication to Miami Athletics. Go Canes!
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Thank you to our staff members who participated in our annual Habitat for Humanity build in January!
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Noah Thomas
Assistant Director, Digital Strategy
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Your biggest mentor?
I’d say Ted Spiker, the department head for journalism at the University of Florida. He isn’t specifically involved in the world of creative video, but his class that I took my first year as a student really opened my eyes into the world of sports media and the whole different side that you wouldn’t see.
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Who have you considered among your biggest influences?
Someone I consider a peer of mine is Jeremiah Wilson. He’s with the Boston Celtics now. We worked together very closely at UNF, and he was one of the first people I could bounce my ideas off of. He was big in me having my first real cohesive creative experience, rather than doing it myself.
Favorite memory so far working in sports?
Anytime I got to work with the Jaguars stands out. They hired me for a few freelance projects here and there. When they played the Kansas City Chiefs on the road in the playoffs, they had a watch party back home in Jacksonville and I was trusted to handle a lot of that. Growing up watching that team and making something that they post with their branding, that was really special.
What's your favorite hobby outside of work?
It’s tough because my biggest hobby is creating, so definitely a lot of the time if I’m not on the court, I’m on the computer editing what I was doing on the court. I love golfing, I love being outside – I grew up right next to the beach. Surfing, being in the water…I like being outside, playing sports, having fun.
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In your first year or so at The U, what stands out as your favorite memory?
Oh goodness – certainly a tie between the MBB/WBB basketball run and the orange-out vs. Texas A&M at Hard Rock. I knew I made the right decision moving to Miami for this job when I watched the staff from so many different areas and departments come together selflessly for our basketball programs…and then to see all of the work that lead up to game days at Hard Rock come to life in a crowded stadium, it was special.
Who would you consider your biggest mentor?
Steve Ziff – he’s been the CEO and CMO of multiple professional sports teams and gave me my largest opportunities to grow and learn. He taught me grace and patience with staff, the importance of getting to know them as people and not just employees. He also taught me that every day brings another opportunity to become better – a better coworker, leader, friend - and I’ve tried to approach everything I do with that mentality.
How did you get here? What were some of your other professional stops along the way?
I graduated from the University of Florida with two bachelor’s degrees at 19 years old and immediately moved to Boston to work for the Red Sox in a game presentation capacity. The Jacksonville Jaguars hired me (saving me from the freezing cold) two years later, and I spent six seasons growing in their digital and marketing department and working on the NFL International side of the business. I moved from Florida to California to work for a global sports and entertainment firm – overseeing a team that activated in five different continents with 100+ partners with the goal of growing the business to be sold to a new private equity partner. The opportunity to move to Miami and join The U came along shortly after the sale was final, and it was the best decision I could have made.
Did you have a “Welcome to Miami” moment? If so, what was it?
Hurricane Honors really hit home for me. The team worked really hard to put on an event to celebrate the student athletes and their success over the year and it was the first time I got to see them all together celebrating each other.
What are you looking forward to most heading into Year 2 at Miami?
It’s probably not one singular item…it’s the opportunity to support our head coaches, student athletes and their programs achieve success at the highest of levels and the opportunity to work with the senior leadership staff to continue striving to make the U an incredible place to work.
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Nate Diaz, Olympic Sports Nutrition Coordinator
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The 4 Rs of Recovery: A Blueprint for Optimal Recovery and Performance
In the world of fitness and wellness, post-workout recovery is just as important as the workout itself. To help you make the most out of your recovery routine, we present the 4 Rs – a simple and effective guide to nourishing your body for optimal performance.
1. Refuel with Carbs. Carbohydrates are your body's primary source of energy, and refueling with them after a workout is crucial to replenish glycogen stores. A well-balanced carb intake sets the stage for a successful recovery.
2. Repair with Protein. Protein is the building block for muscle repair and growth. Including a source of high-quality protein in your post-workout nutrition supports the recovery process. Whether it's lean meats, dairy, eggs, or plant-based alternatives, prioritize protein to help your muscles repair and become stronger.
3. Rehydrate with Fluids & Electrolytes. Proper hydration is key to maintaining performance and aiding recovery. Electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, play a crucial role in fluid balance. Rehydrate with water and consider including electrolyte-rich beverages or foods to replenish what's lost during exercise. This ensures your body stays hydrated and ready for the next workout.
4. Reduce Inflammation with Fruits & Vegetables Fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Including a variety of colorful produce in your post-workout meals/shakes helps reduce inflammation, supporting overall recovery. Berries, leafy greens, tart cherry juice and citrus fruits are excellent choices to aid in the healing process and keep your body in top condition.
The 4 Rs provide a flexible framework for building a personalized recovery routine that promotes sustained energy, muscle repair, hydration, and overall well-being.
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IBIS Ally Upcoming Events
Join the IBIS Ally network for a certification in supporting the LGBTQ+ community! Follow the three-part process in a mixture of virtual and in-person modules. Click here to sign up to start learning. Don't forget to keep an eye on the available Part 2 and 3 time slots!
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Heat Celebrating Black Excellence
Wednesday, February 7 | Kaseya Center
At halftime of its February 7 game the Miami HEAT is asking Black Men to participate in a special Miami 162 Orchestration.
In the 1890s Miami needed an additional 162 men to help incorporate as a city. So 162 Black Men were given the right to vote and immediately denied that right after the city was incorporated.
The HEAT would like to offer Black men the opportunity to participate in a special presentation on February 7. The team is going to have 162 black men walk on to the court and stand united on the court to represent the original 162; we will then be removed from the court.
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ACC UNITE Award Winners
Thursday, February 15, 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. | Schwartz Center Lobby
We will honor our 2024 ACC UNITE Award winners -- Dr. Laura Kohn-Wood and Dr. Donald Spivey – on February 15. The reception will take place in the lobby of the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence from 4-5:30 p.m. We will also honor our award winners during the women’s basketball game vs. Syracuse, which tips off at 6 p.m. We are excited to honor them for their extraordinary work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion.
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Leadership Insights: Authenticity, Courage, and Belonging - our very own Brian Baptiste will be on this panel!
In celebration of Black History Month join leaders from the University of Miami in a candid and inspiring panel discussion where you’ll hear about pivotal experiences and decisions that shaped their careers and personal growth. Attendees will be inspired by leadership stories and practical advice on creating and sustaining a culture of belonging, and how authenticity and courage shape the experience of belonging for ourselves and others.
Moderated by: Tamra Lopez, Director of Satellite Operations at University of Miami Hospitals and Clinics, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Panelists: Brenda Owusu, Assistant Professor of Clinical, Director of Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Program, School of Nursing & Health Studies
Brian Baptiste, Senior Deputy Director of Athletics
Christopher Clarke, Assistant Dean for Belonging and Inclusion at the University of Miami School of Law
If you have trouble accessing the registration page, log into ULearn and search for Leadership Insights Authenticity, Courage, and Belonging.
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This Month in Hurricanes History
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Women's Track & Field: February 23, 2019
The Canes captured the ACC Indoor Track & Field Championship in Blacksburg, Va. Miami’s 4x400m relay team clinched the crown as Symone Mason, Brittny Ellis, Kayla Johnson and Samantha Gonzalez won the event in 3:32.75, which was a meet record. Those 10 points gave the Canes 91 points, six more than second-place Florida State. It was Miami’s third ACC indoor title in four seasons.
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South Beach Food and Wine Festival
February 22-25 | Miami Beach
Celebrity chefs (hundreds of them) and hungry people from around the U.S. descend on South Beach and across the city for Miami’s largest and most famous annual food festival. There will be burger battles, punch bowl socials, taco showdowns and more.
Coconut Grove Arts Festival
February 17-19 | Coconut Grove
Dive into a world of creativity! The Coconut Grove Arts & Historical Association continues to honor the tradition of providing the South Florida community access to visual, performing and culinary arts experiences with its 60th annual arts festival, which attracts tens of thousands of people to the winding streets of Coconut Grove each Presidents’ Day weekend.
The Art of Brick Miami
Through March 2024 | Olympia Theater
After touring over 100 cities in 24 countries and entering CNN's list of “Must-See” exhibitions, Art of the Brick is coming to Miami. The exhibit immerses the visitor in a cheerful and colorful world. The artist used more than a million bricks, creating over 150+ works of art that can make adults and children smile and reflect.
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Athletic Staff Celebrations
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See who is celebrating a birthday, work anniversary, or both!
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