I have been following Miami athletics for close to 60 years.
If there is one thing I have learned over the years is that following and caring about Miami sports is like checking into the Heartbreak Hotel.
Yes, there have been some bright spots over the years.
Wins against Georgia and Florida in bowl games in the 70’s.
Beating Marquette in the NCAA tournament in basketball in 1978.
Beating LSU at Baton Rouge in 1986.
The Big Ben and Wally years.
Last year’s 32-0 basketball run.
However, there have been so many heartbreaks that at times it seems we can’t get past ourselves.
Nothing will surpass the collapse in the 2009 NCAA National Hockey Championship in 2009.
Losing in heartbreaking fashion to Len Bias and Maryland in the 1985 NCAA tourney.
Losing to Iowa State in OT in the 1986 NCAA’s.
Losing to UNC in Cincinnati in the NCAA tourney 1992.
Losing to Virginia in OT in 1995 NCAA.
A 2 point loss to Oregon in 2007 NCAA.
Going 10-1 in 1998 with Randy Walker and being totally snubbed for a bowl game.
Ben throwing 4 interceptions vs. Iowa in the 2003 season opener when it was our only loss and Iowa won the Big Ten and went to the Rose Bowl.
The Charlie Coles team losing to Kentucky in 2009 on their floor after leading much of the game.
The 2017 collapse vs. UC football.
Losing to Akron in the MAC tourney in 2024-25 after leading the entire game until the last seconds.
After going 32-0 losing to UMass in the first round of the MAC tourney last year.
Even the field hockey elimination in the NCAA’s last year.
In most of these game we played hard and well enough to win.
However, we did not.
Yesterday ranks right up there.
Welcome to the Heartbreak Hotel.
I know it all too well.
I wish my heart would not get stomped on so much.