More than 450 people gathered at BankUnited Center on Wednesday to say farewell to outgoing University of Miami athletic director Paul Dee in his ''Victory Lane'' goodbye bash at the arena that was his vision.
''It's a great night,'' Dee said. ``I have a lot of friends here, and I've had a lot of calls in the last few days. It's so nice to see all these people out tonight.
"I have mixed feelings,'' he said. "I'm so pleased I've made so many friends along the way, and tonight is a nice event to give me a chance to say, 'Thank you.' ''
Dee, 61, came to UM in 1981 as vice president and general counsel, and in 1993 he became the athletic director.
''In total: 27 years -- 15 as AD,'' he said. ``Some days it feels longer. And some days it's a blur.''
Among the visitors who came to salute Dee were former football coach Jimmy Johnson, former basketball coach Leonard Hamilton, current football coach Randy Shannon, former UM president Tad Foote and a who's who of community leaders, lawyers, business people and educators.
Masters of ceremonies were UM broadcasters Joe Zagacki and Don Bailey Jr., who spoke about Dee and introduced UM president Donna Shalala; baseball coach Jim Morris; Dean Colson, an attorney and Dee's UM law school classmate -- and several others.
''I helped convince him be the AD at the University of Miami,'' Johnson said. ``To watch this program grow over the years is a tribute to Paul. We had a great football program, but right now, when people look at [UM], they're looking at a great athletic program.
``He helped in so many ways.''
